By Sonya Sellmeyer, Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division
Iowa’s snowfall each year brings about the possibility of spring flooding. Damage caused by flooding is often a standard exclusion in home, renters, and property insurance policies. In most flood-prone areas, flood insurance coverage has traditionally been available through the Federal Emergency…
By Sonya Sellmeyer, Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division
A credit score is a three-digit number to predict how likely you are to pay back a loan or mortgage on time. Credit scores may be used to set an interest rate, terms for a lending agreement, and in calculating insurance premiums.
There is no single credit score, but the most popular source is FICO…
By Sonya Sellmeyer, Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division
This holiday season, Iowans will gather with loved ones making it a great time for discussions about financial fraud to help prevent those you care about from becoming victims. The Iowa Insurance Division’s Iowa Fraud Fighters program focuses on fraud against elder Iowans, but younger Iowans are also…
By Sonya Sellmeyer, Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division
Open enrollment for purchasing a new or changing an existing Affordable Care Act (ACA) individual health insurance policy runs November 1 - January 15, 2023. For coverage to be effective by January 1, 2023, a person will need to sign up by December 15, 2022. Persons who sign up between December 16th…
By Sonya Sellmeyer, Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division
October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month. All consumers and businesses should practice cybersecurity to protect their computer systems and networks from scammers and hackers. The FBI documented a record $7 billion lost to cybercrime in 2021. The federal Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security…
By Sonya Sellmeyer, Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division
The Iowa Insurance Division believes it is critically important for all Iowans to have access to financial education resources and the tools to learn how to save for a secure retirement so we provide Iowans the Save4Later program. For women, their financial journey often looks different due to caring…
By Sonya Sellmeyer, Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division
National Financial Awareness day is August 14th and is the ideal time to review your financial situation and goals. Everyone is on their own financial journey and increasing your financial knowledge to be better financially aware is important for all Iowans no matter your age or stage of the journey…
By Sonya Sellmeyer, Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division
According to the Insurance Information Institute, over 20,000 Iowans reported being the victim of identity theft in 2021. Identity theft occurs when someone else steals your financial or personal information such as credit card information, social security, or insurance numbers. The information may be used…
By Sonya Sellmeyer, Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division
June is national homeownership month and a reminder to review your homeowners insurance for adequate protection. Most policies have four types of coverage - for the structure, personal belongings, liability protection, and additional living expenses.
The dwelling or structure protection covers repairs…
By Sonya Sellmeyer, Consumer Advocacy Officer for the Iowa Insurance Division On January 1, 2022, the No Surprises Act began providing health insurance balance billing and surprise billing protections for consumers. Balance billing occurs when a provider bills the consumer for the difference between the insurance company's allowed amount and the amount billed by the provider. This…