by Steve Donohue, NH Medigap Insurance broker

The NH Medigap market offers NH Seniors many choices. When it comes to picking the best Medicare Supplement plan for your needs there are several different insurance companies to choose from.

Who has the best rates in the NH Medicare Supplement market for 2018?
For the popular Medicare Plan F, Plan G and Plan N see table below:
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If you want to learn more about the NH Medicare Supplemental plans that are available and how they work please call Steve Donohue at 603-882-2909.

Also see great resource below published by the NH Insurance Department:

2018 NH Guide to Medicare Supplement Insurance 

by NH Medicare Supplement broker  and insurance writer Stephen J. Donohue, Jr. RHU
NH Medicare enrollees will be pleased to hear that in 2018 the Department of Health & Human Services will be replacing Medicare ID cards.  Medicare members have have long complained about the fact that their Medicare ID # is usually their Social Security number with a letter after it.

Medicare will be issuing New ID cards - about 60 million of them- without the social security number as an identifier- the new ID Card will instead have 11 digits and will include both letters and numbers. Removing the Social Security number form the Medicare Card is designed to help fight identity theft. NH Medicare ID card replacement will begin in April 2018 and is expected to be completed by April 2019.

If you are on NH Senior who is on Medicare please make sure that  Social Security has your correct address and be sure to keep your  new ID # confidential. See more info below from Medicare & You 2018 brochure.

by Stephen Donohue NH Health Insurance Broker
A picture is worth a thousand words. See summary of annual health insurance costs below for the past 19 years.
This table shows how single & family health insurance costs have increased from 1999 to today.






















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Each year the Kaiser Family Foundation (kff.org) surveys employers of different types and sizes throughout the US. The 2017 Employer Health Benefits Survey  by KFF is a great tool for any employer to study. It also shows the differences in costs and coverage between small employers (3-199) and large employers (200+).

The 2017 KFF  Employer health Benefits Survey shows:

• National Average Cost of coverage for Health Insurance  in 2017
  • Individual Coverage  $ 6690 annual or $ 558 month
  • Family Coverage       $18764 annual or $1564 month
• Contribution Share (what employee pays vs employer pays)
• Average Annual Deductible for 2017 
  • Small Firms $2120
  • Large Firms $1276
• Number of non elderly Americans covered by group health insurance 151  Million 

I encourage ANY employer or employee to visit the KFF 2017 Employer Health Benefits Survey for more Info here.

Steve Donohue is a NH health insurance broker who sells health insurance to employers, individuals and NH Medicare recipients. If you have questions about your health insurance needs please call  Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Co. at
603-882-2909.

Here at Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Co., we take pride in providing expert advice, great service and a variety of coverage choices that help our customers meet their insurance needs. And now we’re excited to add to your options through our partnership with Safeco Insurance.
 
Safeco’s comprehensive insurance coverages includes flexible choices and competitive prices for cars home motorcycle recreational vehicles boats and classic cars and more!
 
Our relationship with Safeco and the ability to sell their products gives our cherished clientele the ease and quality of service we strive to provide each and every day, and we’re proud to offer our customers even more customizable coverages with Safeco.
 
Safeco Insurance products are sold exclusively through independent agents, like Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Co. We can offer personal recommendations tailored specifically to your unique insurance needs. And we’re ready to help today!
 
Give us a call at 603-882-2909, email us at steve@atlanticinsure.com or simply drop by the office at 375 Main St., Nashua NH to see what we can do for you. 

You can even request a quote online with our SafeCo quoting tool here:

by Steve Donohue NH Individual Health Insurance Broker and insurance writer

Today the NH insurance Department confirmed that Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and Anthem will return to the NH Individual market- specifically noting that these insurers will BOTH offer plans on the NH Marketplace (also known as healthcare.gov).  However the big news is that Minuteman Health will NOT be returning to the NH Individual health insurance market in 2018. See Press release here.

Minuteman Health is a cooperative health plan that presently covers about 27,000 Granite State residents. Established in 2013, Minuteman initially emerged as a significant player in the NH individual Health insurance market. Focusing on a limited network of providers, and offering low cost silver plan designs made them an appealing choice for many individual health insurance shoppers.

However, in 2017 Minuteman hit financial difficulty. In June of 2017 Minuteman announced that it would stop writing business as of January 1, 2018 due to a significant reduction in capital. At that point leadership from Minuteman Health stated that they wanted to re-enter NH as a "for profit" health plan in 2018.

In August the Massachusetts Division of Insurance took control of Minuteman Health, placing them under a blanket of "receivership". (Receivership is when a state steps in to protect policyholders and providers when an insurance company is in financial distress. This measure is designed to bolster Minuteman Health so that they can meet obligations until the end of 2017.) Today it became clear that Minuteman Health would not obtain the funding required to create a new separate entity to offer coverage in NH for 2018.

What does the NH Individual Health Insurance Market look like now?
​See quick review below of the enrollment of members by the 4 current insurers who offer Individual health plans in NH. Today Minuteman Health is the 2nd largest insurer in the non group market.
(Source 2017 Marketplace Monthly Enrollment Report)




















​What insurers will offer NH Individual Health Insurance in 2018 marketplace?
As of today three other insurers, Anthem, Ambetter and Harvard have all confirmed that they will be offering health insurance in NH for 2018.

What can I do if I am a Minuteman Member?
Representatives from the NH Insurance Department and the Massachusetts Division of Insurance have stated that consumers covered under Minuteman now will not likely experience significant changes. Members and providers are encouraged to contact Minuteman Health as they have in the past for any issues.

The waiting is the hardest part... (Tom Petty)
Open enrollment  begins November 1, 2017 and ends December 15, 2017- this is the time when individuals can choose a new health plan for 2018. So if you are a Minuteman member you can select new coverage during open enrollment. The dilemma that some Minuteman consumers will face is changing insurers and likely seeing higher premium costs beginning January 2018.

If you have questions please call:

• Minuteman Health at 1-855-644-1776 
• NH Insurance Dept. Consumer Division at 1-800-852-3416

See Anthem NewsFlash  
​Anthem to offer Individual plans on the exchange in New Hampshire for 2018

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has been serving consumers in the Individual market for decades, and throughout that time our commitment to the residents of New Hampshire to provide access to affordable, quality health care has not changed. 

We were the only carrier to offer plans on the exchange in New Hampshire in its first year of existence, and we are pleased to continue offering Individual plans in 2018 that provide consumers with access to care statewide. 

You may have heard recently that we're leaving the exchanges in some other states. We want you to know we are making our participation decisions on a state by state basis, and are pleased to continue making these plans available in New Hampshire. 

Of course, recognizing the dynamics and level of volatility in the Individual market, we will continue to advocate solutions that support stability in the market. 

​​by Stephen J. Donohue RHU Nashua, NH Medicare Supplement Broker
​For many who are shopping for Medicare Supplement insurance plans in NH the decision will often come down to 2 plans, the Plan F or the Plan N. I want to start this comparison by saying that the here in NH the Plan F and the Plan N are both great Medicare supplemental plans. 

A quick refresher, Medicare is a federal health insurance plan that covers senior citizens and also some who are younger than 65 and are disabled. Medicare Part A provides coverage for Hospitalization and Skilled Nursing Home, and Part B covers doctors office visits, testing, Emergency Room and most other out-patient services (think oxygen, wheelchairs, tests etc).

What are the advantages to the NH Plan F Medigap coverage?

• Comprehensive Coverage
• Access to care at ANY DOCTOR THAT ACCEPTS MEDICARE
• LOW out-of-pocket costs at the hospital
• LOW out of pocket costs at the doctor
• Pays ALL Medicare Deductibles & Copays (Part A Hospital, Skilled Nursing Facility & Part B out patient)
• Pays Part B Excess charges
• Foreign Travel Emergency Benefit

Medicare Supplement Plan F in NH ?  See the 5 Lowest Cost NH Medigap Plan F Insurers Compared Here!

What are the Advantages to the NH Plan N Medigap coverage ?

• Comprehensive Coverage
• Access to care at ANY DOCTOR THAT ACCEPTS MEDICARE
• LOW out-of-pocket costs at the hospital
• MODEST out of pocket costs at the doctor (With Plan N  you can expect to pay the $183 annual deductible then up to $20 copay visit at the doctor and $50 at the ER)
• Pays ALL Medicare Part A Deductibles & Copays (Part A is Hospital & Skilled Nursing Facility)
• Foreign Travel Emergency Benefit
• Premiums are lower than Plan F (up to $70 month less!)

PLAN N DOES NOT PAY THE MEDICARE PART B EXCESS CHARGES. See Medicare definition below:
Excess charges
If you have Original Medicare, and the amount a doctor or other health care provider is legally permitted to charge is higher than the Medicare-approved amount, the difference is called the excess charge.

We find that the Part B excess charges are infrequent- and even when charged are not substantial. Part B excess charges are NOT permitted in MA. For excess charges here in NH Medicare providers are only allowed to charge 15% above the approved Medicare payment amount.

What Insurance Company has the Lowest Medicare Plan N rates in NH 2017? See the Top 5 Best NH Medicare Supplement Plan N Insurers compared here.

If you want to learn more about NH Medicare Supplement or Advantage plans please call us at 603-882-2909.
 
Please See NH Medicare Supplemental Plan F and Plan N Benefits compared below:

Fitness University, a charity that we sponsor and volunteer with-   is a finalist to win  a $2000 donation from SafeCo Insurance. Fitness U is a  great (FREE) 6 week running program offered each summer by the Gate City Striders for kids  age 3-14- is dedicated to promoting fitness, fun and good health!

This week over 500 kids participated!

Can you take a moment to "like" the Facebook picture of volunteers Jessica Mathewson and her  daughters Nicole and Kellie (in red T Shirts!) 
 
VOTE HERE
 
We are so grateful if you can share this message and encourage others to vote- a vote is a like or a comment! At the moment we are 46 votes behind- but  are very close to winning-  Voting closes Friday 7/27 at 4 PM EST.

NH Medicare Supplement expert Stephen Donohue answers questions about NH Medigap Plan F.

The Plan F is often referred to as the most deluxe and comprehensive Medicare Supplement product that is sold today in NH. According to the 2017 NH Guide to Medicare Supplement Insurance guide published by the NH Insurance Dept. there are 18 different insurers that offer the Plan F in NH.

What does the Plan F Cover?
The Medigap Plan F covers the following:

• Medicare Part A & B Deductibles
• Medicare Part A Coinsurance and Hospital Costs
• Medicare Part B Coinsurance or Copayments
• Part B Excess Charges
• Foreign Travel Emergency

The NH Medicare Supplement Plan F pays almost ALL of the costs and deductibles that are associated with Medicare. For 2017 here is a quick review of Medicare out of pocket expenses that the NH Medigap Plan F Covers:

• Part A Deductible - $1316  Part A hospital  deductible 
• Part A Hospital copays days 61-90 $329/day
• Part A Hospital Copays days 91+ $658 /day
• Part B Deductible $183 annual
• Part B Coinsurance- Generally 20%

What does Plan F Cost in NH in 2017?
The cost for NH Medicare Supplement Plan F in NH varies with some insurers by gender and with ALL insurers by age. See 2017 top 5 insurers for the NH Medicare Plan F.

Female Age 65
$171.00     Globe Life & Accident Insurance Company
$174.60     Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood, TN
$175.35     First Health & Life Insurance Company
$175.54     Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire (5% household spouse discount available)
$176.51     Mutual of Omaha Insurance Company

Male Age 65
$171.00     Globe Life & Accident Insurance Company
$188.09     First Health & Life Insurance Company
$192.50     United Healthcare
$193.09     Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire (5% household spouse discount available)
$200.75     Continental Life Insurance Company of Brentwood, TN

The Plan F is just one of many available NH Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans- for more info about the different plans that are available - or for a NH Medicare Supplement insurance will cost for you, your spouse or your parent please call us today at 603-882-2909.

Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Co. in Nashua, NH helps NH Seniors make the best decisions for the medicare insurance plan. If you live in Southern NH, Hudson, Brookline, Hollis, Merrimack, Derry, Londonderry please let us help you today.

Stephen Donohue Nashua, NH Insurance writer provides interesting facts about the New Hampshire Homeowners Insurance market

The NAIC Report Card shows that NH Homeowners paid a total of $89,136,725,302 for home insurance in NH in 2015- that is a lot of money- but what does that mean to you? Here is a quick tally on how NH Homeowners Insurance rates compare vs. the US average.

US Average Homeowner's Insurance Yearly Premium Cost: $1132
NH Average Homeowner's Insurance Yearly Premium Cost: $ 905
(Source Trusted Choice)

How do insurers price home insurance here in NH?
New Hampshire Home Insurance companies will use several different factors to calculate your home insurance rates. Each insurer will file their NH homeowner insurance rates with and receive approval from the NH Insurance Department

To determine annual home insurance costs, NH Home Insurance Companies use several different rating factors including:

• Age, Condition and Size of Home
• Fire Protection Class
• Replacement Cost of the Home 
• Past Claim or Loss History of Applicant
• Credit Rating of Applicant (husband & wife)
• Location
• Amount of Coverage Purchased
• Discounts
• Deductible

 
What to look for in a New Hampshire home insurance company?
As a consumer it is best to shop around and get several quotes for your property. We recommend that our clients consider the following  5 factors when comparing home insurance proposals:

1. Cost- Premiums should be carefully weighed. Most insurers offer a variety of discounts for pay in full, multi-policy, no loss, good credit, etc.
2. Financial Stability of Insurer - AM Best is a company that provides credit ratings and financial strength reports for insurance companies. 
3. Customer Service Level & Claims Payment history of insurers.  The NH Insurance Dept. offers a useful tool the Consumer Complaint Summary- in laymen's terms companies with  a ratio of less than a 1.0 are performing better than their peers.
4. Coverage- not all home insurance polices are the same- some offer replacement cost on the building- but not on the contents.
5. Convenience - today insurers are competing for business and offer a ton of perks- including online bill payment, e-documents, and mobile phone apps that make managing your insurance policy easier.

Here at Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Company we do not expect our clients to be experts when it comes to insurance- that's our job! With some basic info we can compare your current home insurance coverage with what the market has to offer. We work with dozens of insurers and routinely save our clients up to 30% or more on their home insurance rates.

Call us toll-free for a quote at 1-888-882-2909 or request a  NH Home Owners Insurance quote here online now! 

by Stephen J. Donohue, Jr. RHU Group Health Insurance Broker for small businesses
Neighborhood Health Plans new TELADOC lets you skip the waiting room and see a doctor on your I-phone!

Telemedicine is here and thriving.
Today in the northeast several health insurers offer their members the ability to have a Virtual Doctors Visit. With this emerging technology Neighborhood Health Plan members are now able to bypass the crowded doctors office and avoid the more costly visits to urgent care, or the ER.

TELADOC is an online service offered through a web camera enabled laptop, tablet or computer- or better yet through an app on your smart phone (I-phone or Droid). Patients can see a doctor who is licensed in their state and that physician can discuss symptoms, diagnose the issue and prescribe a treatment all over a SKYPE or FACETIME style video chat.

What does TELEADOC treat?

• Respiratory Infections
• Allergies
•  Bronchitis
• Cold & Flu
• Sinus
• Conjunctivitis 
• Other Common Illnesses

Members can register online and set up an account- or better yet- download the APP on their I-Phone or Droid here.

As an employee health benefits specialist clients are always asking me ways to save money- this is one great way. I love the telemedicine benefit for 4 reasons:

1. Immediate Access- better experience for the patient- most patients are seen within 10 minutes!
2. Low Cost (Same Copay as Primary Doctors Visit)
3. Lower Cost to the insurer (lower claims mean lower renewal rates!)
4. Frees up Primary Care Provider locations to address more urgent or complex cases 

For more info please visit nhp.org/teladoc today. Or download and share this brochure.

Stephen Donohue is a licensed health insurance producer in several states including NH, MA and ME. He focuses on helping small business offer attractive benefits to their employees.  

by Stephen Donohue, NH Medicare Supplement Broker

It's July, a time of year when many seniors with Part D RX coverage hit the dreaded "Coverage Gap" or "Donut Hole". The Donut Hole is where costs for RX can increase dramatically.

What is the Coverage Gap (donut hole)?
The Coverage Gap (donut hole) begins once you reach your Medicare Part D plan's initial coverage limit  which for 2017 is $3700. During the coverage gap seniors are expected to pay the following:

• 51% of  the cost of Generic Drugs  and
• 40% of the cost of Brand Name drugs

How Long Does the Coverage  Gap last?
The Part D RX Coverage Gap lasts until a Part D RX participant hits $4950 in annual out-of-pocket RX costs.

Seniors please see following 6 suggestions to lower your RX Costs:

1. Consider switching to generic or lower cost drugs
2. Choose a plan that offers better value during the coverage gap  
3. Pharmaceutical Assistance Programs- many drug companies offer programs like coupons or discount cards to help patients reduce their out of pocket costs.
4. State Pharmaceutical Assistance Plans (available in MA not NH)
5. Apply for Extra Help- Medicare and Social Security have a program that helps Low Income Seniors
6. Explore Local and National Charita how to save on Part D RX costs can be found here. 

Please visit Medicare.gov here to learn more about how to save on prescription drug coverage.
 
Steve Donohue, owner of Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Company, is an insurance agent who specializes in helping seniors in Hudson, Nashua, Merrimack, Hollis and Londonderry with their Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plans. He can be reached at 603-882-2909.   

Between 2005 and 2010 the number of renters policies in the US doubled from 6.6 million to 13.2 million (NAIC). That's incredible! What is more important is in the US there are over 43 million households that rent. (So if my public school math is accurate that means there are 30 MILLION rental households in the US that are uninsured!)

Renters Insurance is an often overlooked policy by consumers and agents. It's an easy and affordable way to get coverage for that emergency situation. If you live in a rented apartment, home or condo your landlord's insurance doesn't cover your personal property.

Here are 5 interesting facts about renter's insurance that are true here in NH/MA and throughout the US:

$180 per year (or about $15 Month) is the Average Cost of Renter's Insurance in the US 
​               (It's cheaper here- in NH and MA we see most renter's policies go for about $125- $150)

Package with Auto And Save- In NH and MA many car insurers ALSO offer renter's insurance. Packaging a renters policy with your NH auto insurance will reduce your car insurance costs too. Often the DISCOUNT on the car insurance can pay 50% or more of the renter's policy cost.

Renter's Insurance Covers your stuff AND much more! Yes, renters insurance will cover your flat screen TV and your laptop computer. But did you know it can provide liability protection as well (if someone gets injured at your rented house and wants to sue you- a renter's policy will offer you protection.) Plus some large apartment complexes like Clock Tower Place in Nashua require  renters insurance.

College Students Need it too! College students living off campus in an apartment or house are not covered by their school. Also, if students are sharing a house with roommates they can often buy a renters policy together.

Renter's Insurance Policies in NH and MA can Cover High Value Items- Yes, just like a homeowner a renter can buy coverage for engagement rings, fine art, camera equipment and even musical instruments. In the insurance world this is called scheduling- which provides specific and BETTER coverage for items that are worth more.

If you have questions about renter's insurance -or- if you live in Nashua, Merrimack, Hudson, Hollis or anywhere in southern NH please call us for a quote at 1-603-882-2909.

Click Here for an online NH Renters Insurance quote!



Additional Information:
See NAIC Consumer Alert on Renters Insurance


Stephen Donohue is the owner of Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Company a local independent insurance agency  serving Hollis, Nashua, Hudson, Merrimack and Southern NH.

As a Nashua, NH area independent insurance agent, Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Company is proud to work with several different insurers. We are really enthusiastic about selling insurance with Foremost Insurance Group for the following 5 reasons:

Specialty Lines Coverage Do you live in NH or MA and own Boat, Motorcycle, RV Camper or Motor home? Foremost has some of the lowest rates and most comprehensive coverage available. We had a client recently insure a Boston Whaler (Montauk 17) with Foremost for only $106 a year (with boat coverage of $3500 plus towing and $500,000 liability!)

Replacement Cost Foremost Insurance Group is one of only a few insurers who will provide replacement cost coverage on your RV and motorcycle. (How about replacement cost for your home and personal belongings..? Foremost offers that as well.)

Own a Manufactured or Mobile Home? Foremost Insurance is a leader in insurance for mobile homes. Yes their rates are attractive- but did you know they offer coverage for earthquake, and replacement cost is available for your mobile home & contents! 

Ever hear of Farmers Insurance? Foremost is a Farmers Insurance Group company. A rated company with AM Best Foremost has financial strength and stability. 

Commercial Coverage Foremost has products that extend beyond personal lines to cover businesses of almost any size. Just started a business and need Worker's Comp? Foremost can help. Own a building that is split use- commercial and residential Foremost offers coverage for that as well.
 
If you live in Nashua, Hudson, Hollis, Derry or Merrrimack or pretty much anywhere in NH and you would like to learn more about how Foremost Insurance can hep you please call NH Foremost Insurance Agency Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Company at 1-888-882-2909.

 





Minuteman Health, a co-operative health insurance plan headquartered in MA has decided to no longer offer health insurance to individuals an employers here in New Hampshire. Citing depleting capital and a reduction in their surplus, Minuteman notified the NH insurance Dept. as well as the federal marketplace that they will stop writing coverage as of January 1, 2018. Current Minuteman Health clients will be notified by mail in the next 60 days.

In 2017, Minuteman Health enrolled over 27,000 members in the individual marketplace here in NH and also offered health insurance to a few dozen small employer groups.

It is important to note that the NH Insurance Dept has received an application from Minuteman Health's leadership to form a new health insurance company that MAY offer coverage to individuals and businesses in NH in 2018. So we may see a different version of Minuteman re-enter the NH Health Insurance Marketplace in 2018.

Should I worry about losing my NH Minuteman Health Insurance coverage?
No, not really. NH has consumer protective legislation that requires insurers to provide advanced notice when departing NH state's health insurance market. Also there are other NH health insurers that are obligated to accept applications from qualified applicants during open enrollment or special enrollment periods

For NH Minuteman Health members what to expect:

• To have coverage through the end of 2017
• Claims will be paid for covered services
•  During Open Enrollment for 2018 NH Marketplace coverage there are other alternatives to consider- including Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare and Ambetter
• An alternative organization Minuteman Insurance Inc. MAY offer health insurance here in NH in 2018.

If you have questions please:

• Call Minuteman Health at 1-855-644-1776 or see their press release here
• Call NH Insurance Dept. Consumer Division at 1-800-852-3416.  Also please see full press release here from the NH Insurance Dept.
• See Boston Globe article here

For more info about what health insurance options are available please call Steve Donohue NH Health Insurance broker, specializing in coverage for individuals, businesses and Medicare eligible.

As an independent insurance agency in southern NH, Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Company leaves no stone unturned when shopping for discounts for our clients. ​Like other car insurance companies here in NH, Plymouth Rock offers discounts for safe driving, multi-car, package with homeowner, and even installing anti-theft devices in your car.

However Plymouth Rock Assurance takes savings a step further offering SIGNIFICANT car insurance discounts in NH for the following:

• SBLI Policyholders can receive up to 10% off their auto insurance premiums
• Member's of NH Society of CPA's also get up to 10% off car insurance rates
• NH State Employee Association members can also save up to 10%

Plus Plymouth Rock is the only NH auto insurer to offer a special program for Patriots fans!

If you live in southern NH - Hudson, Nashua, Amherst, Londonderry, Merrimack or Hollis please take a moment to consider Plymouth Rock for your home or car insurance - their rates are great and their coverage levels are is exceptional!


For  Plymouth Rock NH Home or Car Insurance quote call us toll free at 1-888-882-2909 for a same day quote.

Citing "..rising costs and uncertainty about what is going to happen at the federal level, New Hampshire residents are facing potential instability" in the NH health insurance market for 2018, today the NH Insurance Department provided guidance to Insurance companies.

There are both state and federal laws that protect employer groups and individuals who purchase health insurance here in NH. In a press release the NH Insurance Department made clear a few rules:

• Health insurance in NH Is a guaranteed renewable. If an insurer decides to  stop offering a specific plan they must provide the consumer with 90 days  advance noticed AND “the option to purchase any other health coverage currently being offered” by the company in the same market (individual, small group, or group).
• If a health insurance company decides to leave NH  they must give notice 180 days in advance
• Insurance companies that exit a group or individual market will be barred from re-entering that market for 5 years  

In addition the NH Senate has passed an amendment to House Bill 469 that will offer authority to the NH Insurance Commissioner (operating under guidance from the legislature and Gov. Sununu) to take steps to shore up the NH Health Insurance market. These steps to strengthen the health insurance market include:

• Seeking a federal waiver and funds to stabilize the market
• Working with the NH Health Plan

For questions about how upcoming changes will impact your NH group  or individual health insurance coverage please call Steve Donohue of Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Co. (a health insurance professional in NH since 1996) a call at 603-882-2909.  

What is Usage Based Insurance (UBI)? UBI is a new term in the auto insurance industry. It's a way of charging a different amount for car insurance based upon a consumer's Actual Use of their car.

Progressive CEO Tricia Griffith explains that UBI ties premiums to a person's driving behavior and predicts UBI "will be the norm over time." As a leader in the car insurance market here in NH and throughout the country, Progressive Insurance launched their UBI SNAPSHOT program a few years ago. See article.

The Snap Shot program began as a plug in device that was used by savvy insurance shoppers (voluntarily!) to help lower their car insurance rates here in NH and in other markets throughout the country. Snapshot Drivers on average save $130!

UBI programs gauge a driver's risks monitoring the Time of Day your car is driven, hard braking, and the amount of miles that you drive.

What began as a plug in device with improvements in technology, today insurance companies like Progressive can collect driver data using a smart phone app. In December of 2016, Progressive launched a new smart phone app in 4 states and is pleased with the initial results. Using the smart phone SnapShot app Progressive has monitored over 500,000 trips and over 6.2 Million Miles.

So rather than using estimates to determine what you pay for car insurance rates, companies can now be more exact in their pricing. If you are in the Nashua, NH area  and want more information about how Progressive's Snap Shot can help lower your car insurance rates please stop by or give us a call.

Atlantic Insurance is thrilled to be a Nashua, NH Snapshot Certified Progressive Insurance Agency.

Plymouth Rock has announced some new pricing and product updates for car and home insurance here in NH. In laymen's terms Plymouth Rock's really attractive home and auto insurance policies have just got even better!

New Discounts Offered
Among the new discounts that Plymouth Rock will offer:

• New Roof credit! 
• New business discount
• E-documents discount
• Lower costs for scheduled items

Coverage Enhancements
For home insurance clients we see some really substantial improvements including:

• Building coverage now available on most HO-3 and HO-5 policies now up to $2 Million (not many NH home insurance companies will write high value homes!) 
• Increases in coverage for jewelry and fine arts
• Lower Deductibles available (as low as $500 for most home policies)
• Improvements to Condo owner's policy

Better Communication
Plymouth Rock has even redesigned their customer communications to make them more informative and easier to understand.

Here in NH there are several home and car insurance companies to choose from. Atlantic Insurance & Benefit Co. is proud to be able to offer our clients here in Nashua, and throughout NH coverage with Plymouth Rock, one of the best insurers in the US. 

Please contact us at 603-882-2909 if you want to learn more about how Plymouth Rock can compare to your current homeowners Insurance. We offer insurance in the greater Nashua and Merrimack NH area or anywhere else in New Hampshire.

Atlantic Insurance is proud to be a Plymouth Rock Assurance Insurance Agency in Nashua, NH.

If you are shopping for car insurance in the Nashua area, or anywhere in New Hampshire you should know that there are over 35 different insurance companies that  sell car insurance - but not all are created equal!

Progressive is one of only a few car insurance companies in NH that offers the following 3 important auto insurance policies.

1. Personal Car Insurance- What makes Progressive different? While most auto insurers in NH offer personal auto, Progressive really stands out. One thing that makes Progressive different is that they offer attractive premiums for almost any kind of driver. Commonly known for attractive rates for the younger and higher risk driver, Progressive has recently emerged as a leading competitor for the really low risk driver as well. So whether  you are looking to get car insurance for a teen in Nashua, or a senior citizen in Merrimack, Progressive may just be  the right insurer for you. Some features that Progressive offers  are e-mail paperless policy, homeowner discounts, and one of the most innovative telematics plug in programs in the country- the  Snapshot.
2. SR-22 Financial Responsibility- Another advantage to Progressive is  that they are one of only a few insurers in NH that offer the SR22 car insurance certificate. In NH after a DUI, or other violation, some drivers are required by the State of NH DMV to buy auto insurance and provide proof. This proof of insurance (the SR-22 certificate) is often mailed by the  insurer to the State DMV. Here at our agency, we have the SR-22 FInancial Responsibility Form (or pink slip) meaning a client can buy car insurance as required and get the proof the SAME DAY to share with the DMV so that they can keep or get their NH Drivers License. Learn more  about SR-22 here.
3. Commercial Auto Insurance- Businesses who meet certain criteria are required to buy Commercial Auto Insurance here in NH. Progressive can insure virtually any vehicle from a Peterbilt 18-wheeler to Toyota Camry used for Uber. If you are a plumber in Hudson with a work van, or an auto parts store in Manchester with a fleet of delivery trucks you will need commercial car insurance. Progressive's commercial policy offers unique features like employer's non-ownership liability and roadside assistance, And just like  Progressive's personal insurance their commercial auto is priced competitively.

​Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield of NH has expanded plans offered to small business - specifically adding 3 New plan designs to their popular HMO Blue New England Choice platform beginning July 1, 2017. 

Of the many features offered by Anthem here are the top 5 benefits that our clients most appreciate: 

• HMO Blue New England Choice plans offer employees lower copays and lower deductibles at Tier 1 specific providers. (In Southern NH Tier 1 providers are abundant.)
• Blue View Vision Rider gives coverage for eye exam visits AND eye glasses and contact lens
• The ability to select from more than one plan design. Healthcare is not a one size fits all product, so Anthem's flexibility to allow small employers to offer several plans on an employee choice basis helps meet varying employee needs.
• Live Health Online is a virtual doctor's office visit that gives employees a Skype or face time style visit from their smart phone, tablet or computer.
• Vital Smart Shopper is a toll free number 1-800-824-9127 that  Anthem small group members can call to help them shop for the lowest cost care (MRI's/CT Scans, Lab, X-ray, Surgical procedures, Testing, etc). Often a different location equals a VERY DIFFERENT cost!

If you would like to learn more about the new plan designs and health insurance offered to businesses in NH by Anthem, please call us at 603-882-2909.

Stephen Donohue is an insurance  agent in Nashua, NH that specializes in health insurance.

A recent study has proven that owning and operating an automobile in NH is more affordable than any other state.
















Among the costs considered are:

• Low Cost of NH Auto Insurance (NH has the 5th lowest car insurance rates in the US)  
• Low Cost of Repairs
• No Sales Tax on New Cars in NH (NH does not have a sales tax but there is an excise tax for owning a car)
• Low automobile theft rate

To see how NH compares with other states in terms of auto insurance, and cost of owning a vehicle see article here.

If you think you are paying too much for your NH car insurance please call us today at 603-882-2909. You can also visit our online home and car insurance quoting tool here at NH Atlantic Insurance online auto insurance quote.

Either by phone or online we can provide you a NH car insurance quote same day!  

Classic and Vintage Automobiles are as different as the people that own them.

Hagerty Insurance has a great online tool for to help you value your classic car, you can visit it here.

The online valuation tool is really helpful as it allows you to:

• Search for your particular vehicle
• See vehicle report with different values for different conditions (Councors, Excellent, Good,  Fair) 
• Use the correct value for insurance purposes 

The correct vehicle value is important in the event of a small claim or total loss.

Whether your classic car is a "daily driver" or in showroom condition we can help you get affordable NH Classic Car Insurance.

​Call or click here for a quick classic car or auto insurance quote.