Here is an example of Life rates for term insurance in Panama. Yes, they may be higher than you can get online or in the USA, but the benefits will be payable in Panama with less hassle than going back to the country where the policy was issued to collect. The proceeds from a local policy may be available in a few days.

Here are TENTATIVE Annual Non-Smoking rates for healthy applicants:

Male age 50 $25,000 NS 20 yr. term $124.25 $10.80 + 5% tax

Male age 55 $25,000 NS 20 yr. term $188.25 $16.24 + 5% tax

Male age 60 $25,000 NS 20 yr. term $286.50 $24.59 + 5% tax

Male age 65 $25,000 NS 20 yr. term $433.50 $37.08 + 5% tax

Carmen and I are standing by to help with quotes. 322-1605 or 6674-1063 or email: cdunkley@ducruet.com

Info needed, sex, date of birth $$$ amount, number of years and if you smoke?

Dying in Panama can be a complicated process and few Expats are prepared for the unique problems that will arise. This is not an easy article for me to write. I been called upon to help families and loved ones collect life insurance proceeds and attend to the final expenses after the death of an Expat in our country.

The one factor the helps the process move with the least amount of pain is having sufficient cash available to cover immediate expenses. Most local companies are prepared to advance a portion of the death benefit to help cover the cost of Hospital/funeral, legal, air plane tickets for family and repatriation of remains. I was once able to obtain a $2,000 advance against a local policy with proof of death from a newspaper article/announcement and a doctors statement. Some companies will also pay "living benefits" after a fatal medical diagnosis, to help offset expenses of the dying.

At the very least, Expats should consider a minimum $25,000 term policy with a local Panama company to provide their family/beneficiaries access to ready cash. If you have policies back in your home country, you should leave instructions to your beneficiaries on how to collect proceeds.

Here is a calculator that may help you with the decision, please consider a minimum policy to cover final expenses.

So, how much life insurance do you need? Well, the answer isn’t really how much life insurance you need… it’s how much investment capital your family will need at the time of your death. Their need for capital — on a gross basis — is really a function of two variables:

1. How much will be needed at death to meet immediate obligations?

2. If you brought your family with you to live in Panama, how much future income is needed to sustain the household?

http://www.lifehappens.org/life-insurance-needs-calculator/

Carmen and I are standing by to help with quotes. 322-1605 or 6674-1063 or email: cdunkley@ducruet.com

Info needed, sex, date of birth $$$ amount, number of years and if you smoke?

A study on the seismic risk of the western city of David, Panama, presented today by the Government and the World Bank, found that 35% of homes are vulnerable to an earthquake, and recommended a series of measures to minimize the impact of a possible natural disaster in the area.

http://www.panama-guide.com/article.php/20121003101001188

If you live in Chiriqui Province and would like a quote for Earthquake/Fire coverage, please call Carmen 322-1605

In order to obtain a TENTATIVE quote for automobile insurance here in Panama, we will need the following information:

Make, model, year, current $$$ value of the vehicle, name, passport/cedula number, date of birth of the owner and any additional drivers.
Do any of the driver's have a Panamanian driver's license? NEW CAR? If you have a proforma invoice....we can cover before you put the key in the ignition!

From this basic information, we should be able to send a quote by email or telephone. Carmen 322-1605 cdunkley@ducruet.com

In order to obtain a TENTATIVE quote for Panama Life Insurance, we will need your date of birth, do you smoke? If the coverage is for a mortgage, we will also need the term (# of years) of the loan.

With this basic information, we will be able to send a quote by email or telephone...

In order to obtain a TENTATIVE quote for Muli-risk Homeowners contents coverage (including Liability), we will need:

1. $$$ value of the contents? Furniture, appliances, electronic equipment, artwork, jewelry?
2. Exact address of the residence (name of Condo and apt. #)? Name of the insured...should be issued in your name or name of renter.
3. What security measures does the building/property have? For example.....24 hours security guard, gate at the entrance, anti-theft alarm, steel doors or bars on windows?
4. Are you planning on renting the property to third parties? A special "renters" endorsement is available.

From this basic information, we will send an estimate by email or telephone...

In order to obtain a TENTATIVE quote for structure coverage we need:

1. $$$ value of structure (not including land). A recent "avaluo" (appraisal) and pics will help.
2. Name of insured (Owner)? Is the policy to be issued in your name or that of a Corp. or Foundation?
3. Exact address, street and town (name of Condo/Building and apt #). Type of Construction (Cement or Wood)? Rates differ by location (City, Beach, Island or Mountain?)
4. What is the proximity of the property to the ocean or a river?
5. Is the property exposed to landslide (close to a cliff or mountainside)? Landslide coverage requires an additional premium.

With this basic information, we should be able to send you an estimate by email or telephone......

We can cover your new car before you put the key in the ignition, but in order to issue an automobile insurance policy, we will need the following information:

1. Year, make, model and $$$ value of vehicle-if you wish full coverage (Proforma Invoice helps).
2. Name of insured (Owner) and additional drivers? Is the policy to be issued in your name or that of a Corp. or Foundation?
3. Car registration, Copy of Passport, Ced, Divers license and residence address.
4. Tel #, Cel#, email address?
5. Vehicle inspection (at our office or ins. company), if used. No inspection necessary if vehicle is new.

¨Persona Natural¨ form (if property is in your name) or Persona Juridica form (completed by legal rep. of Corp.). This is an "anti money laundering" form required for every Panama policy with over $300 premium (more bureaucratic BS that must be kept on file in our office) Fill in the sections identified as ¨Datos Generales¨ and ¨Datos Ocupacionales¨ and sign where it says ¨Firma del Cliente¨. We will be glad to help you complete in the form.

From the Wall Street Journal:

http://247wallst.com/2012/05/29/the-most-dangerous-cars-in-america/2/

Some vehicles can survive car crashes and protect the occupants much better than others. To find out which motor vehicles perform best and which the worst, nonprofit group Insurance Institute for Highway Safety performed crash tests. IIHS, which is ?dedicated to reducing the frequency and consequences of crashes on U.S. roads,? rated the cars in four separate categories. 24/7 Wall St. examined the ratings and identified the seven current-generation models that received a ?marginal? or ?poor? rating in two of the four categories.

Read more: http://www.foxbusiness.com/industries/2012/05/30/most-dangerous-cars-in-america/#ixzz1x7K99s2Q