Many insurance agents let you believe that once a traffic ticket is written you just have to accept the higher insurance rate that are in consequence of that ticket. However this is not the case!

Two and half years ago I drove with my son in a federal park. After a fun swim in the waterpool my son and his friends forgot to put on their seat belts and were waiving at a ranger. He ended up writing me a ticket. After he assured me that that this is a minor violation and the fine would be minimal, I dutifully paid the ticket and did not go to court. This last December I got my awakening. My insurance rate went from $ 900 to $ 3600 with no warning. Unlike health insurance which is required to give you at least three month's notice before a rate increase, auto and property insurance companies do not have that requirement.  It took me 3 months to fight this ticket but I was successful, and yes, I got it dismissed and my insurance rate is back to $ 1000 a year. What really is most frustrating and unacceptable for me is, that we allow the property insurance companies to increase rates in one month while the health insurance carriers provide you with a three months notice. How can this be?

How can we allow the property insurance industry be so strong and no one complains?

Consumer, who attest that they were unaware of the possibility of a tax penalty,are allowed to enroll into a health insurance plan with  Covered California until April 30th 2015. Covered California just announced a new Special Enrollment Period for 2015. The tax penalty for not carrying health insurance will be roughly 2 % of your income or $ 325 per adult and $ 162.50 per child, whichever figure is higher. For an entire family it can be up to $ 975 or roughly 2% of the family's total income. The amount of the penalty will depend on the amount of your income, though those without insurance should also consider the economic risk of not carrying health insurance. In 2016 this penalty will double.