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☆ Europe's insurance tech startups raised $2.2 billion in 2022. Here's 19 of the burgeoning sector's hottest companies to watch this year, according to VCs.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Callum Burroughs | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Insurance tech in Europe had its second-best-ever year in 2022, raising $2.2 billion, per Dealroom. The age-old insurance industry has long been battling upstarts promising to upend the sector. The first wave of insurance tech startups birthed a bevy of now-public companies like Lemonade, Metromile, Hippo, and Root, many of whom are now struggling to justify valuations in the wake of creeping losses. Insider asked Europe's venture capitalists to pick out some of the insurance tech startups they expected to thrive in 2023. Here are 19 European insurance tech startups to watch in 2023:This article was originally published on May 23 and most recently updated on June 5.

Persons: upstarts, Root Organizations: Insurance, Venture Locations: Europe

☆ 8 things you shouldn't cut back on during a recession
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-30 | by ( Jen Glantz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Financial experts say there are eight things worth every penny that you shouldn't stop spending on. If you're starting to plan what items you should cut back on, take a look at what these financial experts say are worth every penny — even during a recession. If you're struggling to afford your internet or phone service during a recession, Lalonde recommends calling your current provider and asking for discounts or looking for lower-cost options with other providers out there. To prepare for a looming recession, Lalonde recommends making sure your coverage is up-to-date and researching if there are any government or community programs that can assist you with the cost of healthcare costs. If you're prioritizing what to cut back on, Nelson recommends cutting spending elsewhere to ensure debts are being paid off first.

It also partners with Costco to offer Canadian members discounts on any Pets Plus Us Pet Insurance plan. Types of Pet Insurance Plans from Pets Plus UsPets Plus Us coverage is offered in a few different tiers, which include a starter tier of accident-only coverage. To file a claim with Pets Plus US, you can:Submit a claim online at Portal.PetsPlusUs.comBegin a claim by emailing submissions@petsplusus.comFax claims information to 1-855-456-PETS (7387)You can also file a pet insurance claim through the mail using the following address:Pets Plus UsSuite #400, 710 Dorval DrOakville, ON L6K 3V7Pets Plus Us Pet Insurance FAQsDoes Pets Plus Us offer pet insurance plans in the United States? Methodology: What Went into Our Pets Plus Us Pet Insurance ReviewBefore we wrote this Pets Plus Us review, we gathered information from more than 20 pet insurance providers offering similar pet health coverage. Pets Plus Us Pet Insurance Competitors PetSecure Pet InsurancePHI Direct Pet InsuranceFetch Chevron icon It indicates an expandable section or menu, or sometimes previous / next navigation options.

☆ I've treated bulldogs' health issues for over 30 years. I now help more Frenchies than ever and recommend knowing about all their medical needs before getting one.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Crystal Raypole | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

It's an unfortunate irony — one that means only a few vets have adequate experience treating bulldogs. How I became an expert in treating French bulldogsDr. Kraemer has treated thousands of bulldogs. I even treated some rescued French bulldogs with stem cell therapy, a cutting-edge regenerative medicine. But in my experience, with the improvement of preventive care, wellness, and medicine, the average French bulldog may live 11 to 12 years. In fact, I've treated French bulldogs who competed in local fundraising physical activities, like Cherie the Surf Dog who raises funds for French Bulldog Rescue.

☆ Chewy and Petco earnings make it clear: Pet health care is their future
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-23 | by ( Gabrielle Fonrouge | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

The retailers, which both released their quarterly earnings on Wednesday, began investing heavily into pet health when the pandemic-fueled pet boom saw 23 million American households welcome a new animal into their homes. The boom turned the overall pet market into a $123.6 billion dollar powerhouse in 2021, and it's expected to grow. Pet health care – and the high margins that come with it – is a crucial component to that overall market. It changed its name to Petco Health and Wellness Company in 2020. Pet adoptions surged during the pandemic, triggering a surge in demand for pet goods.

☆ A dog's (longer) life: How to cover health costs for aging pets
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-15 | by ( Chris Taylor | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

"But senior dogs are so lovely, and it's well worth the cost to go the extra mile for them." Whatever furry friend happens to be snoozing on your couch, caring for senior dogs can get pricey. ASK FOR HELPIf your senior dog needs a medical treatment you just cannot afford, do not give up hope. The same principles apply to your furry companion, which is why one solution is a "savings account specifically set aside for your pet's medical care," said Dr. Melvin. "I can't wait for my next senior dog, because they are so precious," she said.

Those costs are leading more and more pet parents to purchase pet insurance, something Evans sees as a no-brainer. Unlike human medical insurance, which pays the providers directly, even the best pet insurance plans provide reimbursements. Here's how to file a pet insurance claim in six steps. Know your pet insurance plan inside and outBefore you can file a claim, you need to know what your pet insurance does and doesn't cover. While filing a pet insurance claim might seem like a hassle initially, it's well worth the effort.

In addition to his annual exam, my dog is at the vet at least once a quarter for allergy shots and other ailments. But, as I weighed the costs and benefits, I wondered how often most dogs need to see the vet. Puppies and older dogs need extra careJust like young and old humans, puppies and senior dogs need more frequent check-ins. The good news is monitoring blood work and urine analysis twice a year can help your vet keep your older dog healthy. If you're on the fence about whether your dog needs an exam, you can call your vet for their opinion.

You can buy your pet insurance through a company you know, like Nationwide pet insurance, or seek a specialty pet insurance provider like the ASPCA. Read our review Read Our Review A looong arrow, pointing rightCompare the best pet insurance in CaliforniaBest overall: PumpkinPumpkin pet insurance gets about as close to a one-size-fits-all solution as you can with insurance. Best cheap pet insurance: LemonadeThe Lemonade pet insurance system is built for digital automation. Best for senior pets: SpotSpot pet insurance offers both wellness plans and accident and illness pet insurance plans. Run pet insurance quotes for comparison: Insider looks at average pricing for pet insurance products being reviewed.

Hector Carvajal, 26, is the founder of Don Carvajal Cafe, a Dominican-sourced coffee roaster, and lives on $25,000 a year just outside New York City. Today, the 26-year-old runs Don Carvajal Cafe, a coffee roasting company out of the South Bronx that sources its beans from the Dominican Republic. "In the countryside of the Dominican Republic, we farm, we harvest, we roast coffee," he says. For the first three years of running his business, Carvajal lived rent-free with his mom in the Bronx in her rent-stabilized apartment. It's also why it's so important to him to source his coffee from farmers in the Dominican Republic.

☆ Ex-'socialite heiressblogger' Emily Brill is back — and she's terrorizing the pet industry
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-06 | by ( Kate Taylor | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Emily Brill might be the most hated woman in the pet industry. Now, Brill — the preppy blond daughter of the media magnate Steven Brill — is reinventing herself as the founder of the dog-centric publication The Canine Review. Courtesy of Emily Brill Show less One reader even threatened to cancel their subscription because of the so-called bird-massacre photo shoot. Courtesy of Emily Brill Show less Brill says the photos reassure readers that "I'm not a stereotypical sort of Manhattan, head-up-my-ass, agenda, PETA person." It isn't a bad start, but "she's got a long way to go to make it really thrive," Steven Brill told Insider.

☆ The most — and least — expensive states to own a dog
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-24 | by ( Kamaron Mcnair | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Loving a dog may not cost you anything, but feeding, entertaining, accessorizing and taking your dog to the vet can add up quickly. In the Unites States, new dog owners pay around $1,750 per year caring for their canines, a recent study from Pettable found. There are plenty of variable expenses that come with owning a dog that budget-conscious pet lovers can skip (does your dog really need gourmet human-grade food?). The least expensive states to own a dogTo estimate the typical cost to own a dog, Pettable collected data on how much the basic needs cost during your first year of dog ownership. The most expensive states to own a dog

Pet food prices rose 14% between September 2021 and September 2022, according to the Bureau for Labor Statistics. Fifty percent are shopping for cheaper alternatives to their standard pet food, and 35% say they've had to reduce the frequency of their visits to grooming services. More worryingly: 46% of pet owners said that they've decided to forego or delay veterinary treatments in the wake of inflation — including dental procedures and X-Rays. She told Insider: "Google searches for "can I give my dog paracetamol?" have surged recently, as we fear people are seeking to self-medicate animals and avoid vet costs."

☆ AARP-Branded Medicare Drug Plan Is Too Costly for Many Retirees, Critics Say
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-04 | by ( Randall Smith | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

About a third of Medicare drug-plan beneficiaries shop around annually, by one estimate. A Walmart Pharmacy in West Haven, Conn., in 2021. The AARP name has become a marketing juggernaut among baby boomers, with the group’s nearly 38 million members receiving offers for AARP-branded health, life and auto insurance, and discounts on cellphones, travel, car rentals and even pet insurance. One of its most popular branded products is the high-end AARP MedicareRx Preferred plan, insured by United Health Group Inc.—and it carries the highest premiums among all national stand-alone Medicare drug plans. For many boomer retirees, some experts say, its price has gone up so much that the retirees should consider moving to a less-expensive policy.

☆ The real reason so many remote workers are refusing to go back to the office: their dogs.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Drew Limsky | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

According to a survey by Digital.com, 75% of workers say they want to stay home with their pets instead of going into the office. Similarly, the ASPCA reports 90% of dogs adopted during the pandemic are still in the home. Pup owners surveyed by Veterinarians.org said their dogs inspired them to get out more and try new outdoor activities. Google, WeWork, Tripadvisor, Etsy, and even Ben & Jerry's also permit dogs in the office. In numerous surveys, workers have stressed the value they put on flexibility; many say it's even more important than money or advancement.

Most insurance companies offer add-on or standalone pet wellness plans that cover routine and preventive veterinary care. But spaying and neutering surgeries are planned procedures — meaning you could be on the hook for the entire cost, even if you have pet insurance. However, many pet insurance companies sell wellness plans as add-ons to their standard insurance policies. Does pet insurance cover spaying and neutering? Standard pet insurance policies — known as comprehensive plans — don't cover spaying and neutering because they're considered elective procedures.

☆ Open enrollment season for 2023 employee benefits is getting underway. What to watch for
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-22 | by ( Sarah O'Brien | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Hinterhaus Productions | Digitalvision | Getty ImagesIt's that time of year, when workers get to make some decisions about their employee benefits. Many companies are beginning to hold their annual open enrollment period, which is when employees can sign up for 2023 health insurance — as well as consider other benefits, if your employer offers them. Some may offer extras like supplemental life or disability insurance, pet insurance or help with education costs. "People tend to [review] their benefits very quickly," said Paul Fronstin, director of health benefits research at the Employee Benefit Research Institute. For 2023, the annual cap on HSA contributions is $3,850 for self-only coverage and $7,750 for family coverage.

☆ Here are Wednesday's biggest analyst calls: Apple, Estee Lauder, Cisco, Micron, PayPal, Nvidia & more
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Michael Bloom | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Deutsche Bank reiterates Nike as buy Deutsche said it's standing by shares of Nike heading into earnings next week. Canaccord downgrades Stitch Fix to neutral from buy Canaccord downgraded the online personal styling service after the company's disappointing earnings report. " Goldman Sachs upgrades Estee Lauder to buy from neutral Goldman said in its upgrade of the stock that investors should buy the weakness. Deutsche Bank reiterates Costco as buy Deutsche said it sees upside potential heading into earnings on Thursday. " Bank of America reiterates Apple as buy Bank of America said its survey checks on Apple show that carrier promos are driving more consumers to upgrade iPhones.

☆ Stocks making the biggest moves midday: Freyr Battery, Stitch Fix, General Mills, Trupanion and more
▼ + stars: | 2022-09-21 | by ( Sarah Min | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Stitch Fix — Stitch Fix was up about 12%, even after the company posted downbeat quarterly numbers. General Mills — Shares of the food producer jumped 7% after the company posted a better-than-expected quarterly profit. The company now sees adjusted EBITDA between $1.4 billion and $1.45 billion, below prior guidance of $1.475 billion and $1.575 billion. Sotera Health — Sotera Health shares dropped more than 7% after JPMorgan downgraded the company to underweight from overweight, citing risks from more than 700 outstanding trials. Coty — The stock rose 5.6% after the beauty company said it has a strategy to double skincare product sales by fiscal year 2025.

☆ 3 managers suspected their employees were working another full-time job but didn't fire them. Here's why, and what they did instead.
▼ + stars: | 2022-07-26 | by ( Robin Madell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Some employees are working two full-time jobs in secret to make extra cash. It was here he discovered that they were in fact working another full-time job, though they were spending less than 40 hours a week on it. "Even when they aren't handling another full-time job on the side, they still have families, friends, pets, and hobbies." Daivat DholakiaEssenvia doesn't allow employees to work a second full-time job at the same time that they're employed full-time with the company, Dholakia said. As was the case with Snead's employee, Dholakia's employee quit the second job, and they're still with Essenvia today.

Some homeowners insurance companies exclude certain dog breeds from coverage. But that can present challenges when you shop for homeowners insurance if you've run into the dog breeds insurance blacklist. Here are seven things you should know about homeowners insurance, banned dog breeds, and dogs with a bite history, whether you have a pit bull, a poodle, or a golden retriever, like me. Commonly banned breeds include:Pit bullsMastiffsGerman shepherdsAkitasStaffordshire terriersChow ChowsAlaskan malamutesDoberman pinschersGreat DanesSiberian HuskiesRottweilersPresa CanariosWolf hybridsThere are options for insuring banned dog breedsIf your homeowners insurance application is denied because of the dog breeds insurance blacklist, you might panic, thinking you must go uninsured or get rid of your dog. All dog owners should have liability insuranceEven if your dog has no bite history or isn't part of the dog breeds insurance blacklist, you should carry liability coverage as part of your homeowners insurance policy.

☆ Rep. Marie Newman and her husband are packing their stock portfolio with COVID-19 vaccine makers and other pandemic-sensitive companies
▼ + stars: | 2021-04-21 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | Warren Rojas | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

Democratic Rep. Marie Newman's husband has an active stock portfolio. Jim Newman, chief operating officer at Figo Pet Insurance, bought and sold stock in companies that either soared or sputtered during the pandemic, including Pfizer and Moderna, the companies behind the nation's two leading COVID-19 vaccines. Financial disclosures show Jim Newman sold up to $65,000 in Moderna stock on January 2. By February, he turned his interest to Pfizer, twice trading as much as $15,000 worth in the company's stock shares that month. For instance, Newman sold as much as $250,000 in Netflix stock in January, as much as $50,000 in Apple stock in February, and as much as $50,000 in Salesforce stock in January.

The CareCredit card from Synchrony Bank offers financing for a wide variety of health-related expenses, from beauty treatments to medical procedures to pet care. It offers financing for health, wellness, and beauty-related treatments and other procedures that aren't covered by your insurance. While the CareCredit card is primarily for the main cardholder, it's possible for other family members to use the card for their healthcare needs as well. Long-term financing: reduced interestWith this financing option, you're also given a fixed minimum monthly payment based on your balance and the duration of time you choose. CareCredit offers a 60-month term option, but that is only for purchases of $2,500 or more.

☆ Military spouse turned financial planner on creating wealth
▼ + stars: | 2019-06-17 | by ( Aj Horch | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +3 min

Transitioning from a civilian life to military life can be difficult, especially as a spouse. But former hedge fund analyst and wife to an officer in the U.S. Navy, Tara Falcone says spouses of service members do have options when it comes to creating wealth. Control your investment planYou don’t have to have a career to generate wealth for your family. While the Spousal IRA is not reserved solely for military spouses, the high unemployment rate among military spouses — as high as 24% in recent years — makes it popular. While the amount of money in the fund can vary, most financial experts recommend at least six months of living expenses.

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