Experts think this season will continue to be the busiest shopping time of the year, and many Americans will turn to online shopping to avoid crowded stores and long lines. In fact, online sales in November and December are forecasted to rise 33% to a record $189 billion, according to CNBC.

That surge means presents will still be under the tree and stockings will still be stuffed, even during a global pandemic. However, it also means identity thieves will have more targets than ever, and while you’re looking for deals, online scammers may be looking for your sensitive information.

Fortunately, the Trust for Insuring Educators (TIE) can help keep you safe and save a little money. Members of TIE associations can save up to 20% off the regular cost of IDShield, a leading identity theft protection service. IDShield can equip you with the information and expertise you need to ward off identity theft during the holidays.

We also recommend following these 10 tips to keep you safe during this unprecedented year:

1. Keep your smartphone, computer, and other devices updated. This helps ensure that your device has the latest security patches.
2. Only use trusted Wi-Fi connections and be suspicious of any network that does not require a password to connect.
3. Take the time to change any outdated or simple passwords. Use strong, unique passwords on all your accounts.
4. Be careful not to overshare on social media. Consider anything you post to be public information.
5. Keep an eye on the activity in your banking and credit card accounts. Also, be sure to monitor your credit report on a regular basis.
6. Be suspicious of emails you receive about online purchases. Check the status of your order directly on the website that you purchased from.
7. If you receive a holiday greeting card in your inbox, verify the sender before clicking the link to view the card.
8. If you’re traveling for the holidays, be sure to keep your devices are always stored safely.
9. Pay close attention to the websites that you order from. Only shop on websites that you know and trust.
10. Watch out for giveaways and contests. Remember that if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

Partnering IDShield with these 10 cybersecurity tips is a surefire way to protect your identity while shopping online.

ID Shield offers privacy monitoring, security monitoring, consultation, and full-service restoration services for members of TIE associations, all at special member prices. Individuals receive 15% off regular rates and families get 20% in member savings.

Protect your identity this holiday season and fight back against scammers with help from TIE and IDShield >>

However, the facts are plain and simple. The best way to maintain a healthy mouth is regular dental visits. Most dentists ask their patients to come in twice a year for a regular exam and cleaning, as this is the best way to avoid restorative work and snuff out any potential long-term problems.

These regular visits are not only paramount to your oral health, but they can also help you detect other health issues. According to the Journal of the California Dental Association, 90 percent of all common diseases show symptoms in the mouth. For example, acid erosion on tooth enamel could indicate gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Recent research has also shown that good oral health can help adults avoid or better manage serious health issues like diabetes and heart disease. Oral health is also significant for pregnant women, as mothers with high levels of certain bacteria in the mouth were found to have children with a higher risk of tooth decay.

Regular dentist visits are good for more than just keeping a white smile. They are important to maintaining your overall health, and those regular visits get easier when you have dental insurance.

The Educators Dental Plan through the Trust for Insuring Educators (TIE) immediately covers all preventative care such as periodic exams and cleanings, as well as any basic restorative care. It also covers major restorative care after six months.

That means the fear of depleting your bank account will never get in the way of going to that regular appointment, which is the number one reason people skip dentist visits, according to Guardian.

With affordable rates and a large dental network, dental insurance through TIE can help you maintain the oral health of your family and tackle any unknown costs. It is also an investment in your overall health and could be the key to ensuring you stay happy and healthy.

Apply now to receive dental coverage through TIE crafted specifically for you and your family >>

Even though that situation is a worst-case scenario, it does happen, and it may take a few trips to the dentist to fix the issue. No matter the circumstances, going to the dentist is rarely anyone’s favorite activity, and to make matters worse those visits could come with a hefty price tag.

That’s when dental insurance steps in and eases the pain of your final bill. But how do you know if it’s worth it? Let’s look at some benefits of dental insurance and the dental coverage options you have through the Trust for Insuring Educators (TIE).

Preventative Care

Regular dental checkups are important. They are a great way to ensure you have a sparkling smile and help you learn of any major conditions before they get too serious.

These checkups are classified as preventative care, and many dental insurance plans will fully cover these regular visits. It gets even better when you get your coverage through TIE, as periodic exams and cleanings are 100 percent covered with no waiting period and no deductible up to the plan maximums.

That means staying on top of your oral health becomes an easy proposition and there’s no reason to skip your next visit to the dentist.

Costs of Major Dental Work

Even if you routinely go to the dentist for a checkup, major issues can still pop up, and your bill will only increase.

Restorative dental work can be pricey, and, according to the American Dental Association, the average cost of operations like a crown, root canal, or extraction is $1,755. That’s a lot to pay, but dental insurance can help cover the cost.

The Educators Dental Plan covers basic restorative care with no waiting period, and major restorative procedures are covered after six-months. Those major oral procedures are never fun, but knowing that TIE has your back will help ease some of the stress on your pocketbook.

Peace of Mind

You pay your car insurance even though an accident is unlikely, and you buy home insurance while a fire or natural disaster may never occur. We buy those policies for a sense of security, and dental insurance works the same way.

When you have dental coverage, you can be assured that an achy tooth won’t break the bank. You’ll also be more likely to go in regularly for checkups, meaning any health issues could get resolved before they escalate.

Peace of mind is one of the many benefits that come with the Educators Dental Plan through TIE. Coverage is provided by MetLife, a leading insurance provider, which gives you access to a large dental network.

The plan also offers a 30-day free look. You can cancel your coverage within the first 30 days and your premium will be returned in full, provided you have not submitted a claim. So, what do you have to lose?

Get the protection you need in maintaining your oral health with dental insurance through TIE >>

With more motorists on the road, the risk of driving naturally goes up. In fact, more traffic accidents occur in the summer than any other season, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

So, with safety and driving at the front of your mind, what better time to test your knowledge? Take this quiz to make sure you’re up to speed on what it means to be a safe and smart driver.

Now that you’ve tested your knowledge of safe driving, it may be a good time to see how your car insurance stacks up against GEICO. Through your professional association and the Trust for Insuring Educators (TIE), you may qualify for a special discount.

Pairing your knowledge of safe driving and GEICO’s protection means you can drive with a peace of mind this summer and during the seasons ahead. Learn more about safe driving and see how much you could save with GEICO and TIE.

Know the Odds

The likelihood of a 20-year-old worker being disabled before he or she retires is now better than 1 in 4, according to the U.S. Social Security Administration “Fact Sheet” in 2018. If this statistic seems high, it’s important to keep in mind that 90% of all disability claims are the result of illnesses such as stroke or cancer, not random accidents.

That’s why it makes so much sense to protect yourself and your loved ones from the financial impact a disability could have during your working years. After all, how long would you be able to make ends meet if we were out of work for a month, a year, or possibly even longer?

How Much Time Can You Afford?

According to the Council for Disability Awareness “Overview” (CDA, 2018), the average disability claim lasts almost three years. Yet, a 2018 ”Disability Insurance” industry survey from Life Happens says 70% of working Americans couldn’t go a month without a paycheck before financial difficulties set in.

While Social Security may seem like the obvious solution, benefits are limited to long-term disabilities and there is a six-month waiting period before payments begin. Even then, the income you receive may not be enough to cover the mortgage, pay medical bills, or meet any of your other day-to-day needs.

For example, in 2018 the average monthly benefit paid by Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) was $1,197 a month, according to CDA “Disability Statistics”.

Workers’ Compensation is No Guarantee

Workers’ compensation is another program that provides disability benefits, however not all employers are required to participate. What’s more, most disabled individuals will only qualify for benefits if they were injured on the job or become seriously ill due to a work-related activity.

Injuries or illnesses that take place in the home are generally not covered under this program, and according to the CDA “Disability Statistics” in 2018, only 1% of disabling accidents and illnesses are work related. Therefore, 99% of all disability claims are not covered by workers’ compensation programs.

Other Sources of Coverage

There is, of course, another potential source of disability benefits. You may have access to disability coverage through an employer-sponsored plan. However, employer-paid plans are often generic in nature and may not have all the features and benefits you need.

And, because these plans accept a wide range of applicants, they often charge high premiums to help offset the risk. Plus, most workplace plans are not portable so you cannot take this coverage with you if you switch employers.

While a disability can cause financial hardships at any age, it can be particularly troublesome for working-age families. After weighing all the facts, it’s easy to see why members need and deserve a quality, economical source of disability protection.

That’s why the Trust for Insuring Educators (TIE) and your professional association have partnered with New York Life Insurance Company to offer Group Disability Income Protection Insurance that’s substantial enough to stand on its own, and flexible enough to be an extra safeguard for those who want more financial security.

Find out more about the Group Disability Income Protection Plan, available exclusively through TIE,  including how to apply, plan features, eligibility, renewability, limitations, exclusions, and coverage rates.

Some types of insurance, like auto or health, are necessary for nearly everyone. Other types of coverage require you to do a little homework to see if they’re valuable for your situation.

One of those more unique options now being promoted is an ambulance membership plan.

Center for Disease Control (CDC) data shows that patients transported by ambulance account for about 15% of emergency department visits annually. Many people may never take an ambulance ride, and if they do, the cost of the ambulance may be covered – fully or partially – by their health care plan or Medicare.

Group Health Plans

Ambulance service typically is covered by most health plans if medically necessary, but coverage can vary from plan to plan.  Some health insurance companies cover ground and air ambulance by negotiating a price with the ambulance company. Other companies pay the Medicare reimbursement rate, leaving the member responsible for any charges above that rate.

Ambulance service can be subject to a co-pay, or the cost may apply to the member’s annual deductible.

Medicare

Medicare covers ground ambulance transportation to a hospital, critical access hospital, or skilled nursing facility for medically necessary services, and it may pay for emergency air ambulance transportation.

In some cases, Medicare may pay for non-emergency ambulance transportation if you have a written order from your doctor. Medicare will also only cover ambulance services to the nearest appropriate medical facility that’s able to give you the care you need.

Medicare generally doesn’t cover healthcare when you’re outside the U.S., but there are some exceptions. Medicare may pay for ambulance services you get in a foreign country if an emergency occurs and a foreign hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital or you live in the U.S. and the foreign hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital.

Medicare may also cover medically necessary ambulance transportation to a foreign hospital when being admitted for covered inpatient hospital services. In all cases involving Medicare and an ambulance ride, you pay 20% of the Medicare-approved amount and the Part B deductible applies. Here’s more information about Medicare’s ambulance coverage.

Do Your Research Before Joining a Plan

If you aren’t sure how your health insurance covers ambulance rides, we recommend doing some research. These supplemental ambulance membership plans may sound good, but remember, this is a membership plan and not insurance. The company selling them can end the plan at any time.

Keep in mind that ambulance memberships plans have limitations on what is covered, what geographic areas are covered, and what ambulance companies they may or may not work with. It’s a good idea to read the plan carefully and understand what exactly you’re paying for. It could also be helpful to see what other customers think about the plan by searching for online reviews.

The best way to decide if you need one of these plans is to ask your health insurance provider how your plan covers the cost of ambulance service.

While joining one of these plans could bring you peace of mind, you may also just fall into the trap of paying for something you already have. That membership fee could be better used in an area of need or saved for a rainy day.

Like the seasonal flu, the symptoms of the disease include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. However, unlike the flu, there is currently no vaccine and one is unlikely to be available for another 12 to 18 months.

The best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed, but the Center for Disease Control (CDC) also recommends other simple, preventive actions. Let’s look at some do’s and don’ts for staying healthy and preventing the spread of the coronavirus.

Do: Wash Your Hands

Washing your hands is the most effective way to prevent the spread of the virus. According to the CDC, you should wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after blowing your nose, coughing, sneezing, or using the restroom. If soap and water aren’t available, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer will also do the trick.

Don’t: Stockpile Supplies

If you are sick, you should do everything you can to stay at home and avoid contact with the public. While it’s good to be prepared for those circumstances, that doesn’t mean you need to rush out to buy all the hand sanitizer and toilet paper in a 20-mile radius.

Most experts recommend that you buy enough supplies to last you a few weeks. This includes non-perishable foods, cleaning wipes to disinfect household surfaces and prescription medication.

Do: Cover Your Mouth when Coughing or Sneezing

The coronavirus spreads through droplets that are emitted when someone coughs or sneezes. That’s why the CDC recommends that you cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. If you don’t have a tissue, you should cover your mouth with your elbow rather than your hand to help prevent the spread of the droplets.

Don’t: Wear a Mask if You’re Healthy

Healthy people have begun buying up and wearing facemasks, but that’s not what the experts advise. The CDC recommends that only those that are exhibiting symptoms wear a mask, not healthy people.

When those that aren’t infected acquire facemasks in bulk, not only are they wasting money, but they’re also making it more difficult for those that need the masks such as sick people and health workers to find them.

Do: Stay Properly Informed

Misinformation during health crises can lead to panic and mistakes that could harm you or those around you. That’s why it’s important to gather your information from a reputable source like the CDC. Their website will help you stay up to date on the latest developments and can provide information on more preventive measures and what to do if you think you’re infected.

Learn about other ways you can help keep your family prepared for the unexpected through the Member Insurance Program.

Most young people think there’s no reason to get life insurance. They’re healthy, possibly single, and just starting a professional career. Life insurance can wait.

In reality, all of those reasons make it a great time to get life insurance because, generally, the younger you are, the lower your rates will be. It’s that simple.

In conjunction with your age, your association membership can also help bring life insurance costs down. Your Member Insurance Program through the Trust for Insuring Educators (TIE) gives you access to exclusive plans, many crafted specifically for educators. Whether you’re young or old, there’s a plan that can fit your needs and your budget.

Let’s dive deeper into why getting life insurance while young makes sense and review some of your options.

Take Advantage of Your Youth

Although insurers look at hundreds of factors to determine premium costs, age is one of the most important.

When insurance companies consider an applicant, they focus on the likelihood that the applicant will make a claim in the future. For life insurance providers, the biggest risk is the death of an applicant. When you’re younger, you’re less of a risk to the insurance company, and you’ll pay less for coverage.

Good Health Equals Low Rates

The health of an applicant is also very important. Again, it’s all about risk. Statistically speaking, young people are healthier, live longer, and can pay premiums longer, so their premiums are lower.

Youth and excellent health are closely connected, as most medical conditions don’t develop until later in life. Planning ahead and getting a policy while healthy could mean much lower costs when issues do arise.

Student Loan Protection

There are more reasons to buy life insurance young than just the low cost; it could also help protect your loved ones from incurring your student loan debt. While federal student loans are dissolved in the event of a death, that’s not always the case for loans from private companies. About half of private student loan programs do not offer death discharges, according to SavingforCollege.com.

If you pass away early, any outstanding student debt could pass along to the co-signer. Life insurance can help in these situations. If you have a policy that covers the amount owed, it can be used to pay off that debt and relieve your family of a financial burden.

Finding the Right Policy

One of the most common types of policies for young people is a term life insurance plan, which offers coverage for a set period. Once the term has expired, the policy terminates, unless it is renewed for another term.

You have access to a Group Term Life Plan and a 10-Year-Level Group Term Life Plan through your Member Insurance Program.

The Group Term Life Plan lets you apply for the level of protection you need, ranging from $20,000 to $1,000,000, and it automatically renews, regardless of any changes in your help status, until age 80, provided you make premium payments when due.

The 10-Year-Level plan guarantees your rates for the first 10 years, providing you with predictable insurance protection. After 10 years, you can apply again for 10 more years of fixed-rate coverage, or you can continue the insurance with annually adjusting rates.

Read more about these plans and see why it could be the perfect time to get life insurance through TIE.

This habit of avoidance has led to many believing some common misconceptions about life insurance. Luckily, your Member Insurance Program through the Trust for Insuring Educators (TIE) gives you access to easy-to-understand options that won’t break the bank.

Let’s look over some of the most prevalent myths about life insurance, along with the facts to help you better understand it.

Myth: Life insurance is expensive.

The most common myth about life insurance is that it costs too much. In a study conducted by Life Happens and the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association (LIMRA), 80% of participants overestimated the cost of life insurance. This was especially prevalent in young people, with millennials and Gen Xers over-shooting their estimates by 213% and 119%, respectively.

In reality, life insurance can be very affordable. Through your member insurance program, you can choose a level of protection ranging from $20,000 to $1,000,000, giving you the choice of a variety of affordable rates and payment options.

Myth: It’s smarter to save your money than spend it on life insurance.

Some think it’s smarter to save or invest their money rather than using it to buy life insurance. While saving for retirement is never wrong, a term life policy is a solid component of any long-term financial plan. Also, because life insurance can be so affordable, most people should have no problem paying for a policy while also saving.

Most young adults say they’d prefer to invest their money instead of paying for insurance premiums. However, that’s not what always happens.

Myth: If you’re young, you don’t need life insurance.

It makes the most sense financially to buy life insurance when you’re young. The premiums will be lower because you’re healthier. The longer you wait, the more expensive life insurance will become, and you’re also more likely experience a medical condition that could cause the costs to rise.

No matter how careful you are, accidents can happen. That’s why life insurance makes sense even for those who are younger and healthier.

Myth: Life insurance through your employer is all you need.

While life insurance through your employer can be convenient, it doesn’t always get the job done. Typically, the payout is fairly low, maybe double your base salary. That may not be enough to provide for a young family. A supplemental policy may be needed to ensure that your family would be provided for if a tragedy were to occur.

Now that you know the facts, you’re ready to establish a safety net for your family. Learn more about the life insurance offered by trusted brands through your Member Insurance Program.

This type of care may be utilized when someone can no longer perform everyday tasks by themselves. It’s most commonly associated with aging but can also be needed when a person experiences a chronic illness, injury, or disability.

While situations like these may seem far off for many, it’s never too early to plan ahead. The Trust for Insuring Educators (TIE) can help you stay prepared.

Long-Term Care through TIE

You can take advantage of long-term care assistance through your association’s membership in TIE. The Trust has partnered with LTCRplus to give you free access to tools and advice that can aid you in finding the best and most cost-effective care for you or a family member.

LTCRplus can assist you in a variety of ways. The program helps clear confusion by assisting you in finding and comparing the best care options. It also gives you access to the most current and cost-effective funding solutions, as well as discounts that are not available to the general public.

It can aid in legal matters, with resources available related to documents such as wills and power of attorneys. A Care Audit may also be useful if you already have a loved one who is receiving care, as this tool monitors and reports on the quality of care by performing an independent evaluation.

When to Buy

The American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI) says the best time to get long-term care insurance is when you are in your 50s. This may seem premature to many, considering most claims occur when people are in their 70s or older.

However, the AALTCI explains that the longer individuals wait, the more health problems they could have, which may affect whether they qualify for the insurance they want. Those who wait to apply for long-term care may have their application rejected based on conditions that often come with old age. About 23% of applicants in their 60s are declined coverage while only 14% of applicants in their 50s are declined, according to the AALTCI.

Spend Now, Save Later

The AALTCI advocates buying long-term care insurance early not only to avoid being declined, but so consumers can save money in the long run. Premiums for long-term care insurance are based on the age of the applicant. As the age of the applicant increases, so does their premium. This means there can be real financial advantages to buying early.

Insurers often offer discounts to applicants who are younger and in good health. According to the AALTCI, 62% of applicants in their 40s and 46% of applicants in their 50s qualify for a discount. That number drops to 38% for those 60 and above. Those discounts aren’t short term deals, they’re usually locked in for the lifetime of the plan.

Buying long-term care insurance can be a big decision. If you decide that long-term care insurance is the best way to prepare you and your family for the future, purchasing early has many advantages. Utilizing LTCRplus through the Member Insurance Program is a great way ensure that you ultimately receive the best care at the lowest cost.