| Volume 89 Number 8 |
Subscribe to the Newsletter
Forward this news alert to your family and friends
Helpful Links
Texas Consumer Complaint Center
Credit Reports and Identity Theft
Your Guide to Small Claims Court
Contact Us
1-713-743-2168
The People’s Lawyer’s Tip of the Day
Help spread the word about the Consumer News Alert!
If you have friends who may be interested in signing up for this newsletter, have them visit this link to sign up!
Click here for more.
Navigating the Health Insurance Exchange
Health insurance exchanges don't start for another six weeks, but it is time to start evaluating the options now!
On October 1, Americans without health insurance will be able will be able to get health insurance through a health insurance marketplace. The insurance marketplace, a cornerstone of the Affordable Care Act, is designed to give consumers a transparent, easy path to insurance coverage. After a filling out a single application, a consumer will be given insurance options, information on tax credits, and cost-sharing information. Consumers withe pre-existing conditions can't be denied coverage or charged higher premiums.
Open enrollment runs from October 1, 2013 to March 31,2014. Everyone must have coverage by January 1, 2014.
Find out everything you need to know about the insurance exchange!
Click here for more.
The Best Ways to Use Frequent Flier Miles
From blackout dates to cumbersome restrictions, using airline miles can be quite the pain. Many consumers pick a favorite airline and spend years accruing enough miles to take a vacation. Yet, when it comes time to cash them in, they're met with a litany of roadblocks.
Are you having trouble using your airline miles? There are some options. First, never use your miles for an otherwise cheap domestic flight. Get the most out of your miles by saving them for the highest value flight. Second, if you're planning a vacation but can't find a flight that will take miles, consider booking your hotel with the miles. Then, take the money you planned to use for the hotel and put it toward the flight.
There are many strategic and interesting ways to use your airline miles. Find out how you can cash in and get the biggest bang for your buck! And remember, don't let your miles expire! Even if you don't think you'll use them, there are many worthy charities that would love to have them!
Click here for more.
Tivo Adds Mandatory Binding Arbitration
Consumers with TiVo may soon hit a big snag should they ever experience a problem with the product and/or service. The company has added a mandatory binding arbitration provision to its contacts. That means if a problem ever arises that would warrant litigation, consumers would be forced to take it up in arbitration, not court. However, there's a way out! For 30 days starting on August 21, consumers can opt out of the arbitration provision by writing the company a letter.
Find out how you can opt out!
Click here for more.
Your Money
How much will you earn in your lifetime?
Click here for more.
For the Lawyers
Defendant that litigated for 21 months cannot compel arbitration.
The New Jersey Supreme Court held that a medical provider who litigated a case in court for 21 months and then, only three days before the scheduled start of a jury trial, demanded to shift the case over to arbitration, could not. Even the strong policy in favor of arbitration did not help the defendant in this case.
Click here for more.