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brichm01
Joined: 03 Oct 2006
Posts: 9
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 Posted: Wed Oct 04, 2006 7:17 pm Post subject: Insurance and other questions |
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I'm considering/researching teaching english in Japan next year and I have a couple of questions directed at any Americans that are currently living and teaching abroad.
My first question:
Do any of you own a residence in the US? How do you handle paying real estate taxes and any other residence related expenses? Do you rent out your residence?
My second question:
How do obtain/resume US insurance (health, auto, etc) when you return? I know many US companies will not insure a person if there is any gap in a persons insurance coverage. For example, say you didn't own a car for 3 years but then you buy one and want to get car insurance. It can be very difficult to obtain due to the 3 year gap. I believe that health insurance works the same way. That's why, in the US, when you change jobs, your previous employer's insurance company provides you with a Certificate of Credible coverage. So that your new employer's insurance company has proof that you are insurable.
I hope those two questions are clear. Thanks in advance for any responses.
-Bill |
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tedkarma
Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 1598
Location: The World is my Oyster
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| Posted: Thu Oct 05, 2006 2:07 am Post subject: Re: Insurance and other questions |
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| brichm01 wrote: |
My first question:
Do any of you own a residence in the US? How do you handle paying real estate taxes and any other residence related expenses? Do you rent out your residence? |
I own a couple properties in the States. They are rented out - and a professional manager handles taxes, insurance and any problems. DON'T put this business matter in the hands of family or friends - have a PROFESSIONAL take care of it. You don't want your mom or best friend beaten up by a difficult tenant. Or, to hold a grudge for their botched efforts to evict a tenant and the resultant lawsuit that costs you thousands of dollars. Get a pro - it's worth it. My managers only charge 10% of the gross rents. They put the net proceeds into my account on a monthly basis and I use my ATM card to pull it out on this side (when I need it).
| Quote: |
My second question:
How do obtain/resume US insurance (health, auto, etc) when you return? I know many US companies will not insure a person if there is any gap in a persons insurance coverage. For example, say you didn't own a car for 3 years but then you buy one and want to get car insurance. It can be very difficult to obtain due to the 3 year gap. I believe that health insurance works the same way. That's why, in the US, when you change jobs, your previous employer's insurance company provides you with a Certificate of Credible coverage. So that your new employer's insurance company has proof that you are insurable. |
The one time I was back in the States for a short period of time - and needed car insurance - I provided them with a note from my insurance company in Botswana that said that I had made no claims during the two years I was insured by them. I still paid a higher rate - but not the big rip off rate.
About four years ago my Korean car insurance gave me a HUGE discount when I provided them with the DMV certificate from Arizona (where my driver's license is from) that said no accidents or citations. OF course, since I hadn't lived in the States for about 15 years - well . . . hard to have an accident.
Health insurance - don't know much about what to do. Most health insurance companies will just have an exclusion period. If you go a couple years with nothing coming up - you are covered for everything. And/or you might provide them with a note from your overseas coverage.
I carry a private policy and have for about ten years. Most employer policies are mediocre at the VERY best. Useless at worst. I've seen some policies here in Thailand that cover the first US$750 and then you are on your own! Now - US$750 is a lot of money in Thailand - but a serious illness will easily go far past that! |
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brichm01
Joined: 03 Oct 2006
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 6:51 pm Post subject: Thank you! |
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Hi Ted,
Thank you for the reply! I was thinking that I would rent my property as well as I want to hang on to it.
Insurance sounds like one of those things I'm going to have to research and figure out.
I was reading some of your other posts and I was wondering...Any particular reason why you think Korea is a better choice for newbies than Japan? I'm thinking about Japan since I already have good reading and listening comprehension. But, also the idea of going someplace and starting from scratch in the language department sounds appealing.
I think the feeling of stepping off the plane in a country where you have no comprehension of the language is an exhilarating feeling. I only know a couple of words of Hangul.
When you taught in Korea, did you have time/opportunity/desire to take formal classes? That is something I would be interested.
Thanks!
Regards,
Bill |
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tedkarma
Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 1598
Location: The World is my Oyster
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| Posted: Fri Oct 06, 2006 11:00 pm Post subject: Re: Thank you! |
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| brichm01 wrote: |
| I was reading some of your other posts and I was wondering...Any particular reason why you think Korea is a better choice for newbies than Japan? |
Primarily because Korean is an easier language to learn than Japanese, you need far less money to get started, and there are already so many newbies there. If you already have some Japanese skills, you might well give Japan stronger consideration - but it still requires more cash in your pocket (typically - not always) to get started.
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When you taught in Korea, did you have time/opportunity/desire to take formal classes? That is something I would be interested.
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I took some Korean lessons before I went - so I had already learned a little bit (not much really!) and could read and write the language a bit.
You can learn to read and write Korean characters in only a few hours. Once there, immersion pretty much took care of the rest of it. And I bought a lot of language books - and some kiddie books. |
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brichm01
Joined: 03 Oct 2006
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Mon Oct 09, 2006 2:37 pm Post subject: Thanks! |
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| Thanks, Ted. I laughed when I read your post. I have a whole shelf of Japanese 'kiddie' books, ha. The ladies who work at the Japanese bookstore in Chicago always laugh when I buy them. I'm glad to know I'm not the only person reading children's books. I think they're good for learning the kinds of things that you never get taught in language classes for adults. |
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tedkarma
Joined: 17 May 2004
Posts: 1598
Location: The World is my Oyster
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| Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 12:57 am Post subject: |
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I am happy to know I am not the only "Kiddie Book" method learner!
For those reading this that DON'T know:
Kiddie books are great for things like colors, animals, good basic grammar structures, greetings, exclamations like "Wow" or "Ouch!" , terms of endearment, common foods, pet names, nicknames, common objects around the house - yes - a lot of stuff you often don't get in other language books. And, best of all, always in context - with lots of pictures and graphics to help you figure it out.
In fact, more people WRITING EFL/ESL books ought to take a close look at what young kids are reading. |
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