1. By Laurel Blond

2.  As president of the Maurice Blond Agency, Inc., in
New York City, Laurel Blond directs the company’s
insurance work, such as disability, health, and life.
Laurel Blond’s expertise also includes offering long-
term care insurance and explaining its various
options.
Several characteristics affect the cost of these
policies. Young and healthy persons pay the lowest
premiums. Having health problems will increase
these premiums. Insurance companies also determine
premiums based on how long expenses must be paid
before the claim takes effect. Costs also differ
according to geographic area.

3.  Certain conditions must be met for benefits
to begin. For example, a tax-qualified policy
may require the insured to have deficits in
two out of six functions of living or an
impairment such as Alzheimer’s. Non tax-
qualified policies may have fewer limitations.
The higher the premiums, the longer the
policy pays benefits. This can vary from one
or more years or for a lifetime. Payments have
a maximum limit based on the number of
years selected.