If you buy gas from BP gas stations, you should be using the Chase BP Visa Rewards Credit Card. You could be saving up to 10% on purchases made at participating BP gas stations! You could also be saving money almost everywhere else that you shop.

The 10% in rebates does only apply to the first 2 billing cycles/months. During that 2 month introductory period, the Chase BP Visa Credit Card can also save you 4% on eligible travel and dining purchases and 2% rebates on other purchases.

After the 2 month introductory period, the rebates are cut in half. So you would get 5% on BP purchases, 2% on dining & travel and 1% on all other eligible purchases. Get out a calculator and estimate how much you would save each month.

One exception is that purchases made at competing gas stations are not eligible for rebates with this credit card. With some discipline you could limit yourself to just buying BP gas. You could also get a different rewards credit card for non-BP gas purchases.

Once you accumulate at least $25 in rebates, you decide how and when to redeem your reward. Redeem for your choice of:

oA BP Gift Card

oA check made payable to you

oA donation to The Conservation Fund, an environmental charity

There is also no limit to the number of rebates that you can earn. So you could use the Chase BP Visa Rewards Card almost everywhere you shop and save hundreds or even thousands of dollars. Plus the card has no annual fee! As an added bonus there is a 0% APR for the first 6 months on purchases and balance transfers.

This credit card is a must have for anyone who regularly buys gas at BP gas stations. Gas prices are at an all time high. Fight back with the Chase BP Visa Rewards Card. Apply today.

As the political campaigns heat up this summer, health insurance is being discussed more and more. When one looks at the health insurance situation in the country, it is easy to see why this has become a significant issue.

All you need to do is take a quick look at some health insurance statistics to get an idea of why it has been moving more and more to center stage as a political issue. Health care has become a major concern of many Americans. The big problem has been the rising cost. Health care costs are rising at a rate of 6.9% which is double the National inflation rate. Almost $2 Trillion dollars was spent in 2005 on health care, which amounts to almost $6,700 per person. It also accounted for 16% of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

It is estimated that by 2015, this will double to $4 trillion dollars and will account for as much as 20% of the GDP. How has this impacted health insurance? The health insurance policy is a basic contract between an individual and an Insurance company. The company receives a premium from a large number of individuals and in return pays the health care costs of those who are sick. In short, the idea is that everyone throws in a little bit of money, and the few that get sick are taken care of by the payments of those who remain healthy.

This system peaked in the 20th Century and at one time, health insurance was something available to most people and at a price they could afford. The Insurance companies invested the premiums wisely and they made a profit. The individual had virtually no worries about health care. They were insured and if they became sick, their medical bills would be paid. The cost of this safety net was reasonable. However, when the health care costs began to raise, this balance changed. The Insurance companies needed to make sure they were solvent enough to meet their obligations, and as health care costs went up, health insurance premiums were forced to follow.

Now, health insurance costs to employers are on the rise. The average is 7.7% increase in the cost of providing health coverage to an employer. Smaller companies have seen rates rise 8.8% while the smallest ones, companies with less than 24 employees, have jumped 10.5%. This has meant that more and more of the cost must be borne by the employee. It now is costing an average of $11,500 per year to provide basic coverage to a family of four. Even a single person must put out around $4,200 a year.

The Health Insurance industry has taken much of the flack for this. They have tried to deal with the problems in many creative ways. Exclusions and limited coverage have become the norm. Also, the basic insurance of our parents and grandparents that cast a complete safety net with few restrictions has become a thing of the past. Yet, still Insurance companies get a bad rap when it is really health care costs that are the culprit.

Mortgages are a mystery to those who have never applied for a mortgage loan. The most asked question: What are mortgage loan interest rates based on?

Technically, a number of factors can influence a mortgage loan interest rate. However, the two factors that have the greatest impact are a mortgage loan applicant’s credit standing and the prime interest rate.

Credit Standing

Credit standing, sometimes called credit rating or credit worthiness, is a reflection of how you have handled the debts you’ve accrued with creditors in the past. If you have lines of credit with multiple lenders and you have made regular payments to those creditors based on the terms and amounts promised, you will have a good credit rating. Today, “good” is considered a credit score of 680+. If you have established credit lines with lenders and haven’t paid, your credit rating will be poor and your credit score will be less than 550.

Prime Rate

The prime rate is the interest rate that is the basis for all mortgage loan interest rates. It’s determined by the banking industry and is based on the interest rate banks charge corporations for borrowing money. If you hear news of the prime rate dipping, expect mortgage loan interest rates to fall; if you hear about an increase, mortgages rates across may also increase.

Putting It All Together

The general rule of thumb is that those with “good credit” qualify for the lowest mortgage interest rates available; those with “bad credit” pay higher interest rates. And, since the prime rate is set independently of an individual’s credit rating, the interest rate one qualifies for is equal to the prime rate plus the rate the individual is eligible for based on their credit rating. Got it? Good!

Consumers frequently inquire about the difference between these plans. Most understand the basics of traditional health insurance, but many do not understand the nuances of a Health Savings Account – or HSA.

What is a Health Savings Account?

The easiest way to explain the difference may be to clarify what health savings accounts are not. They are not health insurance plans. Rather, they operate much like savings accounts setup at a bank. And they are always coupled with a high deductible health insurance plan. That is to say, one could purchase high deductible health insurance coverage with or without a health savings account attached to the plan. A Health Savings Account is exactly that – an account established to save money for future health expenses.

The idea behind HSA’s is fairly straightforward. Owners deposit funds into their accounts to be used later for qualified health expenses. Funds can be used for a variety of expenses – including (but not limited to) visits to the doctor, prescriptions and/or meeting the deductible.

Advantages of HSA Compatible Plans

Generally, Health Savings Accounts will be less expensive than traditional insurance plans. The reason is simply that plan deductibles are higher. Therefore, the insurance company underwriting the plan will not have to immediately cover small, incidental claims. The owner would use funds from the HSA for many of the incidentals – like doctor visits, prescriptions, etc.

In addition, the attached savings account has significant tax advantages versus traditional health plans. Contributions into an HSA are tax deferred and the interest accumulates tax deferred – much like contributions to an IRA. However, when funds are withdrawn for qualified medical expenses, no taxes are due on those withdrawals. In this way, HSA’s provide tax advantages to the consumer twice – once when the money is deposited and again when it is withdrawn.

Who Should Consider a HSA Compatible Plan?

Healthy individuals who infrequently visit the doctor are good candidates. Individuals and families on a tight budget, but in need of affordable coverage could also consider a HSA plan. These consumers can pay smaller, minor health costs out of the HSA, but should they have a significant claim, the health insurance coupled with the plan is available once the deductible has been met.

Many employer sponsored group plans are already switching to HSA’s to lower their health care premium bills. The rising cost of health care is forcing many companies and small business groups to change insurance plans in order to save money. A HSA compatible plan can be a fair compromise for the employee and the employer. Some employer groups will make contributions to the HSA to encourage employees to make the change.

Who Should Consider Traditional Insurance?

Consumers who want lower deductibles and more in immediate benefits tend to purchase traditional plans. In the insurance industry, this concept is called “first dollar benefit”. These are benefits the consumer receives without having to meet a deductible or co-insurance provisions. Examples of first dollar benefits include annual physicals, visits to a specialist or non-specialist, OBGYN visits and prescription coverage. While newer HSA plans are offering more in first dollar benefits, usually traditional health insurance will provide the most in immediate benefits.

Traditional coverage can be more advantageous for families and/or middle aged or older consumers. These groups may be more likely to have several claims against their policies. They may desire more in immediate benefits. Additionally, they may simply have the resources available to afford more expensive policies.

In summary, there are many health insurance plans available to the individual, family and business group. Choosing the right plan will often times involve balancing cost with benefits. HSA compatible plans can be an affordable alternative to a traditional, lower deductible plan. Consumers, when working with an experienced independent agent, can usually find a suitable plan that fits their needs.