Anyone who has insurance or plans to buy it will benefit from this invaluable, money-saving handbook. In crystal-clear language, consumer activist Nader and Smith ( The Senior Citizens' Handbook ) take readers through the fine points of insurance policies as they cover auto, health, residential, life and senior citizens insurance; Medicare; workers' compensation; and special-needs policies. Boxed "consumer alerts" and cautionary scenarios punctuate their down-to-earth, practical presentation. "To an insurance company . . . what you really are is a statistic," the authors warn as they explain how to cope with "nickel-and-diming" adjusters. They broaden nearly every chapter with a discussion of what consumers can do at the community and national levels to bring about meaningful regulation and greater fairness in the insurance industry. 100,000 first printing; $100,000 ad/promo; author tour.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Library Journal
This book provides detailed explanations of the major insurance types (auto, health, residential, and life), but goes far beyond that to treat government insurance benefits (e.g., Social Security, Medicare), as well as other forms of state and private insurance (e.g., workers compensation, medigap) of interest to consumers. Throughout the book there are numerous "Consumer Alert" sections, and the final chapter on each topic is entitled "Consumer's Agenda." The authors give useful advice on dealing with insurance agents, filing claims, pursuing grievances, and becoming involved in the political process that regulates the insurance industry. Well written, measured in tone even though relentlessly pro-consumer (not surprisingly, given Nader's history), this is an enormously important source for public libraries.
- Jack Ray, Loyola/Notre Dame Lib., Baltimore
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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