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Our experts answer readers’ insurance questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess insurance products). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own.

• Pet insurance will generally only cover a cat’s visits to the emergency room, not routine vet visits.
• Some pet insurance companies do offer wellness plans that cover preventive care.
• It’s best to purchase coverage when your cat is still young, so no preexisting conditions will be excluded.

Over the life of his cat, Joey Lusvardi has been to the vet many, many times, not only for checkups, but for surgery, diagnostics, and medications. The cat behavior consultant at Class Act Cats said he’s easily spent thousands on his feline, enough to make him consider getting pet insurance in the future. 

Cat owners are less likely than dog owners to seek regular medical care, despite its importance. Still, about 19% of cat owners say they’ve had to take their feline to an emergency room or surgical center — just the type of situation that cat insurance is meant to cover. Those visits, as Lusvardi knows, can become very pricey. 

“Veterinary bills add up very quickly so when you do need it, insurance really helps,” he said. “It also prevents you from having to make choices about whether or not to get your cat medical treatment to address a potentially curable illness due to finances.”

What does pet insurance for cats cover?

Pet insurance, including insurance for cats and kittens, is designed to cover emergencies. Preventive care, like annual exams and vaccines, usually isn’t included.

According to the Schwarzman Animal Medical Center, the most common reasons that cats need emergency veterinary care include eating something dangerous, fracturing a bone, and having blocked urine tubes. Two other common problems — kidney disease and heart failure — are treatable, but costly to control. 

“We can do a lot for pets these days,” says Brian Evans, a veterinarian and medical director at Dutch, an online veterinary clinic. But “…costs can really accumulate and overwhelm people, especially in emergency situations.”

If you want all your vet care covered by your insurance provider, consider a cat wellness plan. These are insurance plans that cover preventive care, and sometimes also emergencies.

Lusvardi recommends looking up sample plans for any cat insurance that you’re considering. That will show you exactly what’s included, and what isn’t. 

“Think about what you want the plan to pay for the most and make sure the plan covers that cost,” Luvardi says. 

For example, some plans cover behavioral issues like scratching or loud meowing, but most do not. Others cover accidents, but not the illnesses that commonly send cats to the emergency room.

When should I purchase pet insurance for my cat?

Whether you’re bringing home a kitten or adopting a grown cat, it’s best to purchase pet insurance as soon as you can. That’s because no insurance plans cover pre-existing conditions. So, the sooner you buy insurance, the more potential issues can be covered. 

It’s ideal to insure your feline when they’re a kitten, but since more than 70% of cat owners adopt or rescue their pets, it’s not always possible. If you’re taking in an older cat, get insurance right after bringing them home. 

“If you wait until they get sick, it will be too late and could potentially exclude them from coverage for the rest of their life,” says Evans. 

Will cat insurance cover all of my vet bills?

Most pet insurance plans offer you a reimbursement, but you’ll need to pay for care up front. In addition, most plans don’t cover the entire cost of care, so you’ll be left holding at least part of the bill. 

Because of that, Lusvardi recommends putting some money into a pet-specific savings account each month. If you’re able to put away a significant amount, you might not even need insurance for your cat. 

“You may be better off setting aside money for that cost rather than paying an insurance premium every month,” he says.

How can you find insurance for your cat or kitten?

Shopping online and getting into the nitty gritty of different plans can be overwhelming. Asking for recommendations from other friends who have cats gives you a bit of a shortcut — they’ll be able to tell you which insurance companies they love (and which they don’t). 

Another good resource: your veterinarian. “They see many people with many different insurance companies so they can give you the good and the bad of each of them,” Luvardi says. “Plus, you’ll get a more individualized recommendation” based on the health of your pet. 

Cat and Kitten Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Our experts answer readers’ banking questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess banking products). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own. Terms apply to offers listed on this page.

Zapata National Bank Review: Overall Rating

Zapata National Bank Pros and Cons

About Zapata National Bank

Zapata National Bank is a Hispanic American-owned bank in Zapata, Texas. It has one branch and two free ATMs (one at the branch and another near Highway 83).

To receive assistance, call or visit the branch Monday to Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. CT, or Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CT. The bank is not open on weekends.

The bank’s mobile app has 4.8 out of 5 stars in the Apple Store and 4.3 out of 5 stars in the Google Play store. 

Your accounts are FDIC-insured for up to $250,000, or up to $500,000 for joint accounts.

The Role of Hispanic American-led Financial Institutions

Hispanic American-owned financial institutions are integral to providing products and services to underserved communities. These institutions also help address banking gaps among Hispanic American communities.

According to the US Census, people of Hispanic or Latino origin make up the largest racial and ethic group in Zapata, Texas.

Is Zapata National Bank Trustworthy?

Zapata National Bank does not have any recent public controversies.

At Insider, we usually include Better Business Bureau grades. The BBB has not assessed Zapata yet, though. You may want to ask family and friends about their experiences with the bank, or read online customer reviews.

Zapata National Bank Account Reviews

Zapata National Bank Free Checking Account

Zapata has several checking accounts, but the Zapata National Bank Free Checking Account is the only one that never charges a monthly service fee. There are no overdraft fees, so any transaction that would overdraw your account will be denied. If you want the option to overdraw, you may prefer one of the other accounts.

Zapata National Bank Savings Personal Account

You may like the Zapata National Bank Savings Personal Account if you can maintain a $300 balance, because then you’ll earn interest and waive the monthly fee. However, you can only make one free transfer or withdrawal per month, while many banks let you make six monthly savings transactions.

Zapata National Bank CD

The Zapata National Bank CD offers a similar APY to to average CD rates. The bank also offers fewer term options than most institutions — just 91 days, six months, and one year.

Zapata National Bank Money Market Account

The Zapata National Bank Money Market Personal Account pays a similar rate as the regular savings account, but you can make up to six free monthly transactions. You’ll need to maintain a $2,500 balance to earn interest and waive the monthly fee, though.

How Zapata National Bank Compares

Zapata National Bank vs. Falcon International Bank 

Falcon International Bank has more branches and ATMs than Zapata National Bank. 

Zapata National Bank has a free checking account, but it charges a $5 monthly service fee on its savings account (unless you qualify to waive it). Falcon International Bank doesn’t charge monthly fees on checking or savings.

If you’d like to open a CD, it could depend on which features you want in an account. Zapata National Bank pays higher CD rates, but Falcon International Bank has lower minimum opening deposit requirements. 

Falcon International Bank Review

Zapata National Bank vs. International Bank of Commerce

International Bank of Commerce is one of the largest Hispanic American-owned banks in the US, and it has over 167 branches around Texas and Oklahoma. It’s a good option if you want to work with a big bank or if you frequently travel around the state.

International Bank of Commerce is also the clear winner if you’re searching for higher interest rates on bank accounts. Its savings and money market account accounts also have lower minimum opening deposit requirements. 

International Bank of Commerce Review

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Zapata National Bank

At Personal Finance Insider, we rate savings, checking, CD, and money market accounts using our banking methodology and CD methodology.

Each account receives a rating between 0 and 5. We evaluate a bank’s ethics, customer service, and mobile app for all accounts. We also consider different features for specific types of bank accounts. For example, we look at overdraft fees for checking accounts and interest rates for savings accounts.

• Israeli President Isaac Herzog this week said Palestinians should have overthrown Hamas.
• But anti-Hamas activist Rami Aran, who was tortured by the group, said that’s not possible now.
• No one will “make any kind of revolution against Hamas under the Israeli missile,” he said.

Rami Aran knows what it’s like to stand up to Hamas, while living under its rule in Gaza, and to seek peace with Israeli civilians: doing so got him tortured and pushed into exile.

In 2020, Aran, a leader of the Gaza Youth Committee who now lives in Cairo, was thrown into a jail in Gaza City for organizing a cross-border video call. “Skype With Your Enemy,” it was called — an effort to bypass hostile political leaders on both sides and build relationships between regular people in Israel and Palestine. Aran, jailed, was blindfolded and placed in stress positions for weeks at a time and ultimately coerced into leaving the Palestinian territory.

So when Israeli President Isaac Herzog this week chided residents of Gaza for not overthrowing Hamas — “They could have risen up, they could have fought against that evil regime,” he said — Aran took umbrage. Not only did he do just that, at great personal cost, but thousands of other Palestinians defied the militant group, protesting Hamas’ rule and its bungling of basic governance; as the Associated Press reported, “Hamas’ security forces quickly dispersed the gathering.”

Amid an Israeli attack, the most intensive in the history of Gaza, such protests are an impossibility.

No one will “make any kind of revolution against Hamas under the Israeli missile,” Aran told Insider in an interview. It will have the opposite effect. “They are creating more Hamas, more Hamas, more Hamas,” he said — an entire new “generation” of people radicalized by Israeli bombardment and the propaganda of armed extremists claiming to defend them.

As The Times of Israel noted this past week, there had been — until the massacre of more than 1,300 Israelis, the vast majority civilians — something of a symbiotic relationship between the terrorist organization and the Israeli government under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has long opposed the creation of a Palestinian state. So long as Hamas remained in control of the Gaza Strip, while their rival Fatah ruled parts of the West Bank, statehood would simply not be viable. The conventional wisdom was that Hamas’ misdeeds would generally be inflicted on those over whom it ruled, since coming to power in a 2006 election; an extremist group operating next to southern Israel would also weaken voices within the country calling for a negotiated settlement with the Palestinians.

“Most of the people in Gaza do not support Hamas,” Aman said, characterizing the 2006 election as a protest vote against corruption and the failure of the peace process. Indeed, a recent poll by the Washington Institute found that a large majority wanted Gaza’s day-to-day governance to be led by the Palestinian Authority, based in the West Bank, and for Hamas to maintain its ceasefire with Israel — knowing they would pay the price for breaking it, not the leadership of Hamas in Qatar.

“I believe that what is happening now, it will not destroy Hamas,” Aran said. “It will destroy the people and all the people in the Gaza Strip,” he continued, arguing that the terrorist group and the Israel Defense Forces each only know violence and that their respective sponsors should instead be working to negotiate prisoner exchange (Hamas abducted over a hundred Israeli civilians, including women, children, and an elderly Holocaust survivor, while over a thousand Palestinians are currently being held without charge within Israel, according to Israeli human rights group B’Tselem).

“We need to stop this war, now, and start thinking about how we can release all women and kids and babies and civilians who are arrested and kidnapped, not just from last Saturday,” Aran said.

Instead of viewing the majority of Gaza’s residents with suspicion over a massacre carried out by the armed extremists who oppress them, Aran said they should be seen as men, women, and children who have little power over their own fate but desire the same life.

And outside powers should be encouraging all sides to deescalate, another cycle of violence seeding more death and destruction down the line.

Gazans “are now looking at America and [see] that they are targeting them,” Aran said. “American sends many things, many weapons — a battleship — to Israel. For what? We don’t need more missiles. We need America to send water, to send food — to build.”

Diplomacy, he argued, should be the United States’ export to the region.

“We need America to host an initiative, for both people, not to ‘stand’ with anyone,” he continued. “And we don’t need Russia to ‘stand’ with the Palestinians. No, I need a country to stand with humans. I’m very upset. I’m very sad and the situation is very bad. But I believe that there are Israelis and there are Palestinians — they are talking, not just fighting, and believe that we can live in a good future.”

“Israeli and Palestinian, in this conflict? Both of them are losers. No need to blame each other. Both of us are killers, and both of us are paying the price,” he said. “This war must end now.”

• A Yale University professor called Israel “genocidal” and “murderous.”
• A student-led petition calling for her ouster has more than 44,000 signatures.
• Yale said the professor’s social media posts “represent her own views.”

A petition with tens of thousands of signatures is calling for Yale University to terminate a professor after she described Israel as “murderous” and “genocidal” on the day Hamas launched one of its deadliest attacks on the country.

In response to the backlash, Yale University has reasserted its commitment to freedom of speech.

Yale told NBC Connecticut in a statement that the university “is committed to freedom of expression, and the comments posted on Professor Grewal’s personal accounts represent her own views.”

One self-identified Yale student, Netanel Crispe, created a Change.org petition calling for the ouster of Zareena Grewal, an associate professor of American studies, ethnicity, race, migration, and religious studies. The petition has so far gathered more than 44,000 signatures.

According to the petition, Grewal posted to X, formerly known as Twitter, on October 7 to say that she was praying for the people of Palestine.

“My heart is in my throat. Prayers for Palestinians. Israeli [sic] is a murderous, genocidal settler state and Palestinians have every right to resist through armed struggle, solidarity. #FreePalestine,” Grewal said in the post, according to the petition.

Earlier on October 7, Hamas launched a wave of unprecedented terror attacks in Israel, killing more than 1,000 and taking dozens of hostages. The attack ended a nearly 20-year stalemate that has been characterized by rising tension over Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and blockade of Gaza.

Israel has since declared a state of war and vowed to completely destroy Hamas. Israel’s airstrikes over the densely populated Gaza strip have killed 1,900 people so far in response, at least 614 of them children.

Grewal has since made her X account private, and her posts are no longer visible.

Crispe said in the petition that condoning violence and advocating for a terrorist organization are values that that “run contrary to the values of Yale University.”

“She has unequivocally proven that she has no right being in her current role or in the field of education if she considers war crimes against civilians to be acts of resistance,” the petition says.

Neither Yale nor Grewal responded to Insider’s requests for comment.

• NASA has announced a new mission to a metal-rich asteroid called 16 Psyche. 
• The metals that 16 Psyche is thought to contain would be worth $100,000 quadrillion on Earth.
• But NASA isn’t going to mine the asteroid for its resources. 

NASA is visiting an asteroid in our solar system worth more than the entire world economy, but that’s not why it’s going there. 

The space agency launched an uncrewed spacecraft today to explore the potato-shaped asteroid called Psyche.

The metal-rich chunk of rock orbits the sun from a distance of 235 million to 309 million miles away, or about three times the distance from which Earth orbits the sun, according to NASA.

Psyche, also known as 16 Psyche, was the 16th asteroid ever discovered, by an Italian astronomer named Annibale de Gasparis in 1852.

Gasparis named it after the Greek goddess of the soul, NASA said, and it’s located between Mars and Jupiter. 

Going where no one has gone before

NASA has never been to an asteroid quite like this — what makes Psyche so unique and different from other asteroid missions is its composition.

Scientists believe that Psyche is mostly made of rock and metal, with metal making up about 30% to 60% of the asteroid.

Some believe that Psyche contains metals like iron and nickel, a researcher who has studied the asteroid told Space.com.

The metals that Psyche is thought to contain would be worth over $100,000 quadrillion if they were found on Earth — that’s more than the worth of the entire world economy, the Psyche mission’s lead scientist, Lindy Elkins-Tanton, told Space.com.

But NASA isn’t going to Psyche for the money, nor does it have the technology to even mine the asteroid in the first place. 

Why NASA is visiting asteroid 16 Psyche

Psyche’s origins are a bit of a mystery. It could be a chunk of the core of a planetesimal, a precursor to a rocky planet. Or it could be a planetesimal’s entire iron-rich core. 

Perhaps it’s the remainder of another type of body that came from somewhere else in the solar system. Intense collisions might have caused it to shed its outer layers while our solar system was forming. 

NASA’s scientists are eager to learn more about Psyche, because the asteroid could provide clues to Earth’s own core, including how it formed and grew. 

Scientists have hints about how 16 Pysche looks thanks to a computer-generated 3D model. It seems to have two craters, but they won’t know for sure until the asteroid’s gravitational pull captures the spacecraft. That’s expected to happen in July 2029. 

Then Psyche — the spacecraft — will spend two years orbiting the asteroid, taking photos, mapping the surface, and collecting other data about its composition. 

The visit could “provide a one-of-a-kind window into the violent history of collisions and accumulation of matter that created planets like our own,” according to NASA.

Our experts answer readers’ insurance questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess insurance products). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own.

Bankers Life Insurance offers a wide variety of life insurance policies and several optional riders for more coverage customization. You can’t get quotes online, though, and it has more customer complaints than average despite strong Better Business Bureau and AM Best financial stability ratings.

Bankers Life Insurance

Since 1879, Bankers Life has been helping middle-income individuals throughout the US protect their future financial security — in particular when preparing for retirement. After President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Social Security Amendments of 1965 into law, Bankers Life turned its collective attention to the country’s growing senior population. Bankers Life says it paid claims to more than 658,000 policyholders (to the tune of $266 million) in 2022 alone. 

Seniors nearing retirement or anyone who enjoys old-fashioned customer service may appreciate that Bankers Life conducts all of its business via qualified agents — during the quote and application process, neither of which is available online — either in-person (they make house calls!) or on the telephone. Plus, the company offers robust options via life insurance products that build cash value in a wide array of coverage amounts. 

The company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and an A (Excellent) financial stability rating from AM Best, but according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), it has a higher than average rate of customer complaints. Keep reading to see if Bankers Life is the best life insurance company for you.

Bankers Life Insurance Cost

Bankers Life offers affordable life insurance for individuals of all ages — including seniors — starting at just $16 a month (for a 65-year old female seeking coverage in the amount $2,776).

As a general rule of thumb, the younger and healthier you are, the cheaper it is to get life insurance. Premium costs vary depending on a variety of factors, including: coverage details, age, gender, and associated risk factors — such as tobacco use, medical history and occupation/hobbies.

How to File a Claim With Bankers Life Insurance

To submit a life insurance claim with Bankers Life, you’ll following these steps:

Step 1: Begin by downloading a claims form online (specific to your state and policy type); complete the claims form, being sure to sign and date it. Return your claim form, along with the insured’s death certificate, online at My.BankersLife.com; via fax (312-396-6629); or by mail: 

Bankers Life and Casualty Company Life Claims Department 

P.O. Box 1937 

Carmel, IN 46082-1937 

Step 2: Within 1-2 weeks, your claim will be assigned to an agent for review.

Step 3: Additional information — including but not limited to divorce decree, property settlement agreement, and estate/trust paperwork — may be requested from the claimant or beneficiary. 

Step 4: Once all of the required information is received, a claim determination will be made. If you are deemed eligible for benefits, you will be contacted by your agent for payment delivery instructions. 

Still have questions? Visit Bankers Life online support or contact a claims specialist 24/7 by calling 800-621-3724.

Bankers Life Insurance Plans

For many individuals, life insurance is a means of protecting their loved ones’ financial future — which means planning accordingly is a key component in securing peace of mind, especially in the retirement years.

Life insurance from Bankers Life provides a death benefit to pay off debts, cover final expenses, and replace lost income following your death. You can choose from the following options, with varying coverage lengths and flexibility in premiums.

Term life insurance from Bankers Life

This coverage provides temporary protection for a predetermined number of years (in initial terms of 5, 10 or 20 years) and boasts affordable, fixed premium payments. Banker’s term life insurance is available for individuals up to age 75 (and renewable to age 95), with coverage amounts starting at $25,000. 

ReliaTerm life insurance

This convertible term life insurance policy comes with the option of switching to long-term, permanent insurance (for five years or up to age 70) without having to prove insurability. 

BasicLife

This whole life insurance product features a guaranteed death benefit from day one, in amounts beginning at $2,500 for individuals ages 17-49 and 50-85, with level monthly premiums and access to long-term cash value via loans. It’s available with minimal health questions/no medical exam. 

BasicLife Graded

This whole life policy features a death benefit that increases over the first two years before reaching 100% in year three, in amounts beginning at $2,500 for individuals ages 50-85, with level monthly premiums and access to long-term cash value via loans. 

InnovativeLife SP I

This whole life product features a guaranteed death benefit, in amounts beginning at $30,000 for individuals ages 0-85, with a single premium payment and access to long-term cash value via loans. 

InnovativeLife SP II

This whole life product features a guaranteed death benefit for individuals ages 0-85 with a single premium payment and access to long-term cash value via loans.  

SecureView

This whole life policy features a guaranteed death benefit, in amounts beginning at $30,000 for individuals ages 17-75, with level monthly premiums and access to long-term cash value via loans. 

Juvenile Whole Life Insurance

This product features permanent coverage, in values starting at $10,000 for individuals ages 0-16, with access to long-term cash value via loans and the option to fully pay for your policy in five or 10 years.

TurningPoint

This fixed-interest universal life insurance product features flexible long-term protection that builds cash value at a minimum rate of 3% — plus an adjustable death benefit and flexible premiums. 

Clearvantage

This indexed universal life insurance policy features flexible long-term protection that builds cash value (at a minimum rate of 1%) via market gains but not losses — and it boasts an adjustable death benefit and flexible premiums. 

Additional Coverage Options (Riders) From Bankers Life Insurance

Bankers Life offers an extensive list of additional coverage options depending on your base polic. Not all riders are available with all insurance products. 

Accelerated death benefit: For individuals diagnosed with a terminal illness, this rider affords access to part of your death benefit while still living. 

Accidental death benefit: This rider provides an additional lump sum if you die within 90-180 days of a covered accident.

Additional insured level term: This rider provides coverage for an additional individual, such as a spouse. 

Children’s term insurance: This rider provides additional coverage for eligible children.

Disability income: This benefit provides additional coverage in the event you become disabled.

Guaranteed insurability benefit: This benefit allows more coverage for a child’s whole life policy, regardless of their health status.

Payor benefit: This rider waives premiums on your child’s whole life policy in the event you become disabled or die. 

Reinstatement without proof of eligibility: This benefit reinstates coverage, within 90 days of lapsing, in the event of cognitive impairment. 

Waiver of premium: This rider allows for premiums to be paused in the event you become disabled or unemployed.

FAQs

Compare Bankers Life Insurance

Below, compare Bankers Life to three other options for life insurance: Banner Life, Globe Life, and Mutual of Omaha.

Bankers Life vs. Banner Life Insurance

Legal & General America is a known leader in term life coverage — boasting customizable coverage in five-year increments for up to 40 years (which is almost unheard of among competitors), plus the option of lab-free underwriting for individuals in good health. Banner Life also offers higher coverage limits across the board, starting at $100,000 and up to $10+ million. 

In the market for whole life insurance? Bankers Life will be your best bet as Banner Life does not offer any permanent whole life options (save for universal life insurance, often considered the midpoint between term and whole life insurance). Whether you’re in the market for term, whole or universal life insurance, Bankers Life beats Banner Life’s options for base products and available riders despite its lower-than-average limits. 

Banner Life Insurance Review

Bankers Life vs. Globe Life Insurance

Globe Life’s simple, standard coverage is designed to deliver modest death benefits in amounts up to $50,000 (whole life) and $100,00 (term).

Middle-income individuals and customers looking for supplemental coverage to complement employer-provided life insurance for instance will appreciate Globe Life’s zero-risk, money-back guarantee with no waiting period. Plus, Globe Life is ranked #2 in overall customer satisfaction according to the JD Power 2022 US Individual Life Insurance Study, whereas Bankers Life has a high level of recent complaints via the Better Business Bureau — with regard to myriad issues such as lack of response in settling claims to incomplete payment of claim.

Globe Life Insurance Review

Bankers Life vs. Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance

Mutual of Omaha might appeal to new applicants in uncertain health, who could find Term Life Express a good fit: it requires no medical exam, comes with coverage up to $300,000, and is available for individuals up to age 80 (with the option to renew up to age 94). Plus, quotes for term life are available online for consumers who want to shop around independently without having to speak with an agent. 

If a robust array of whole and universal life insurance options for building long-term wealth ranks high on your list, stick with Bankers Life. Especially for those nearing retirement age, the ability to customize coverage via extensive optional riders makes good sense. For older customers who do choose term life insurance, Bankers Life comes with the option of converting to a permanent policy during the first five years or up to age 70 — whichever comes later. 

Mutual of Omaha Life Insurance Review

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Bankers Life Insurance

We compared life insurance companies on various factors — including product quality, available insurance riders, net performance scores, pricing, and customer service — when compiling this review. Furthermore, we consider a wide array of life insurance products when comparing plans offering basic death benefits with those designed to assist in long-term financial planning. See our insurance rating methodology for more details on how we assign start ratings to products.

The best way to ensure you find a policy that meets the unique needs of you and your family is to shop for life insurance with a qualified agent. Experienced agents can assist in the myriad pieces of the life insurance process, from providing quotes and advise on premiums to educating consumers about more specific scenarios such as accelerated death benefits and life insurance loans — among myriad others.

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

The second day of Amazon’s October Prime Day event continues, and aside from discounts on things like MacBooks, and TVs, we’re seeing tons of discounts on fitness trackers and wearables from Samsung, Garmin, and Apple. 

A sales event like Prime Big Deal Days is one of the best times all year to pick up a new fitness tracker as the deals are among the lowest they are all year — even rivaling the discounts we see around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Many of the best running watches, like the Garmin Forerunner 745, are discounted by up to $120 off. 

Below are the best Prime Day fitness tracker deals available now, including discounts on some smartwatches that offer essential fitness features. Act quickly, though. Prime Big Deal Days ends at midnight tonight. 

For wider deals coverage, check out our live roundup of the best Prime Day deals.

The best Prime Day fitness tracker deals

See more fitness tracker deals at Amazon.

Prime Day fitness tracker deals buying advice

Is Prime Day the best time to buy a fitness tracker?  

Yes, it can be. Deals events like Prime Day are a good opportunity to pick between a wide variety of fitness trackers that are on a discount, and many of the wearables are at their lowest prices all year. This includes devices like the Apple Watch, as well as other trackers from Garmin and Samsung. 

Do I need to be a Prime subscriber to take advantage of the deals? 

Yes, in order to participate in Amazon’s Prime Big Deal Days, you do need to be subscribed to Amazon Prime. New subscribers do get a free 30-day trial when signing up for Amazon Prime, and the trial doesn’t limit any eligibility for taking advantage of the deals. 

Keep in mind that once the trial ends, you will be charged for either a monthly or yearly Amazon Prime subscription. If you don’t want to be charged, make sure to cancel your subscription before the end of the 30 days.

What fitness trackers are best?  

This depends on how you intend to use your fitness tracker. Some wearables, like Garmin’s Forerunner line, are designed for runners with tools geared towards improving someone’s running style or technique, while others, like the Suunto 9 Peak, excel at tracking a wider range of outdoor activities like hiking, climbing, or swimming. 

Once you know the kinds of activities you’ll use the wearable for most, then you can look at other features it may offer like sleep tracking or workout recommendations. Classifying a single tracker as “the best” all comes down to how it fits in with your current lifestyle.

How much should I spend on a fitness tracker? 

This depends on your budget. Fitness trackers range in price from around $80 or $90 for wearables like the Fitbit Inspire 3, to up to $800 or more for high-end options like the Garmin Epix Pro or Apple Watch Ultra.

Higher-priced fitness trackers offer more in the way of advanced features, such as in-depth sleep monitoring or blood oxygen tracking. However, cheaper models are still effective options that count steps and burned calories while also tracking a variety of activities. 

Will there be better deals during Black Friday or Cyber Monday? 

Although we don’t know what deals will be available during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, it’s likely the discounts are very similar. We expect to see comparable discounts during Prime Big Deal Days as we saw during the Prime Day event over the summer — and we anticipate seeing the same during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, too. 

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

If you’re in the market for a new desk for your office or home work space, we’ve rounded up the best Amazon Prime Day deals on standing desks. The sale runs from today, October 10, through tomorrow, October 11. As always, we’re tracking the best Prime Day deals and will update this post throughout the day.

Standing desks have been revived in recent years, with more people working from home. People want the option to stand or sit and want to make sure that they have a desk that is user-friendly, ergonomic, and customizable. While there are plenty of benefits just to standing while working, you may want to take it a (literal) step forward by adding a walking pad, which allows you to get in steps while you work.

During today’s sale, Flexispot, one of our favorite brands from our guide to the best standing desks is offering more than $100 off its already competitively priced models. Our top pick from our guide to the best under-desk treadmills is also on sale today. You can snag the Goyouth 2 in 1 Under Desk Electric Treadmill for 15% off on Amazon, which brings the price below $300 for the first time all year.

Best standing desk deals

Best Prime Day walking pad deals

What to look for in a standing desk

Height range: In order to prevent strain on your back, neck, or shoulders, your elbows should be at a 90-degree angle when using your standing desk. If you’re taller than 6 feet, you’ll want to opt for a desk that adjusts to at least 48 inches.

Max weight supported: If you have a heavy monitor or a cumbersome computer system, make sure to look into the maximum weight that your desk can support. Our top overall pick in our guide to the best standing desks can hold up to 350 pounds.

Length and depth: For people with less space or who live in an apartment, opt to buy a tabletop standing desk or one of the best standing desk converters. In order to maximize space, tabletop standing desks are great for moving around your space if you like changing environments when working from home.

Electric vs. manual: If you are sharing a standing desk with a roommate or partner, consider splurging on an electric option, which can be programmed to remember height preferences for various users.

Noise and speed: In a shared office space, you’ll want to be considerate of others and the noise that your desk could potentially produce. If you work from home or independently, you probably won’t care about noise. Keep in mind that an electric desk is a more efficient way to switch from sitting to standing throughout the day.

Our experts answer readers’ insurance questions and write unbiased product reviews (here’s how we assess insurance products). In some cases, we receive a commission from our partners; however, our opinions are our own.

Generali Travel Insurance is a reputable travel insurance provider offering generous tiers of travel insurance coverage at reasonable rates. In addition, Generali offers 24/7 global support for travelers who need assistance with planning, health emergencies, and other issues that may arise.

Generali’s travel insurance branch is part of the Assicurazioni Generali Group, and its support team is part of the Europ Assistance Group. Both are well-established groups within the travel insurance industry. Ideally, this would translate to a travel insurance company with first-class service and coverage. The question for many consumers is simple: does Generali live up to customers’ expectations?

Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance Review: Types of Policies Offered

Generali offers three tiers of travel insurance coverage: Premium, Preferred, and Standard.

Its site has a simple plan comparison chart and quoting system to help potential buyers choose between the three options.

Generali travel insurance covers baggage delay and loss, travel delay, interruption, cancellation, and missed connection reimbursement benefits.

Here are some of the highlights for each plan to help you better understand what coverage you may need:

Premium

Generali’s Premium plan offers generous coverage for various scenarios. For example, you’ll enjoy up to 175% reimbursement of your trip cost if your travels are interrupted for reasons beyond your control. Generali’s Premium plan also includes up to $1,000 per person in travel delay reimbursement and up to $1 million per covered individual for emergency assistance or transportation. Finally, it has up to $2,000 per person in replacement expenses (i.e., toiletries, clothing, and other necessities while you wait for your delayed bag) if your baggage is lost.

Preferred

With the Preferred plan, you can expect 150% reimbursement for inevitable trip interruptions. It also offers travelers up to $1,000 per person for travel delay reimbursement. In addition, the emergency assistance or transportation coverage drops from $1 million to $500,000 per person, and travelers can enjoy up to $1,500 per person if baggage is lost.

Standard

The Standard Plan offers the lowest coverage with more budget-friendly premiums. It offers up to 125% reimbursement for trip interruption and up to $1,000 in travel delay reimbursement. Policyholders are limited to $250,000 per person for emergency assistance or transportation. If your baggage is lost, you’d have $1,000 to replace toiletries, clothing, and other belongings.

You can compare Generali’s three plans below.

Additional Coverage Options

Generali Travel Insurance offers two add-on services alongside your base travel insurance plan:

Trip cancellation for any reason (CFAR)

Cancel for any reason (CFAR) coverage reimburses you for nonrefundable expenses associated with canceling travel you’ve already paid for. Generali’s Premium plan is eligible for CFAR coverage which pays you back for 60% of the total nonrefundable cost of your travel.

You must purchase CFAR coverage on your Premium plan within 24 hours of your initial deposit. However, eligible customers can take advantage of its full benefits, as the name suggests, for any reason. Medical problems, family emergencies, work scheduling issues, or just changing your mind are a few of the reasons Generali might pay a CFAR claim.

Preferred and Standard plans are not eligible for CFAR upgrades. New York residents are also not eligible for CFAR coverage. Generali’s website estimates buyers will pay an additional 50% in travel insurance premiums for this rider while the max reimbursement is only 60% of the “penalty amount” (i.e., nonrefundable costs).

Rental car damage protection

Travelers can also purchase rental car coverage alongside their travel insurance policy. Premium plan customers already have up to $25,000 in rental car protection in their policy benefits. Preferred and Standard plan holders can purchase the same coverage amount.

Texas residents are not eligible for rental car coverage. If you’re unsure about this rider, we recommend checking the limits of your auto insurance. Generally, US-based auto insurance extends to rental cars. But you may want to supplement your coverage depending on what you already have.

Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance FAQs

Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance Cost

We priced out a 9-day trip to two European countries for a healthy 34-year-old solo traveler from Texas staying in hotels and traveling by plane and train.

Here’s what Generali’s travel insurance estimate generator quoted for the trip:

Premium – $115

Preferred – $100

Standard – $86

CFAR coverage for this trip would cost an additional $57.50 if purchased alongside the Premium plan. But, again, the CFAR rider is only available with the premium plan.

How to File a Claim with Generali Travel Insurance

To file a claim with Generali’s travel insurance division, start at the eClaims portal.

You can also call its claims department at 800-541-3522 for assistance. Generali promises all insurance claim calls will be returned within one business day, and most calls are returned on the same day they are received. Many people reported quick claims processing and reimbursement when we reviewed recent customer feedback.

However, several reviews described waiting over 30 days only to discover Generali had yet to review their claims submission. As such, if you are still waiting to receive a response indicating Generali is working on your claim within a few days, we recommend checking in with customer service.

You’ll need to provide supporting documentation for your claim, such as proof of travel delay from the airline or relevant claim checks for lost baggage. Your eClaims portal should give you the necessary details and update you on the ongoing status of your claim.

Email the claims team for questions at claims@generalitravelinsurance.com or use the eClaims chatbot for automated assistance.

Compare Generali Travel Insurance

Learn more about how Generali Travel Insurance compares to popular travel insurance companies.

Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance vs. Nationwide Travel Insurance

Nationwide Travel Insurance is part of an extensive network of insurance products. Unlike Generali, you’ll recognize any Nationwide product as it’s listed on the same website. In addition, Nationwide offers bundling discounts, depending on what you’re buying. It also sells short-term and long-term insurance plans (like auto and home).

This established insurance company has been in business since 1925. Its travel insurance wing offers plans and coverage options to suit diverse travelers’ needs. Customer review sites like TrustPilot had reviews complaining about long wait times and claims overlooked with Generali. Nationwide’s reviews described long processing times, poor communication, and other claims-based issues.

If you’re solely concerned about coverage and rates, Generali is upfront about the fact that its CFAR coverage is exceptionally costly. The company’s website seems to imply the CFAR rider’s cost is bloated compared to its value. But its basic plans have a few more perks compared to Nationwide’s single-trip plans while Nationwide offers cruise plans and multi-trip options, Generali does not match at the time of this review.

Nationwide Travel Insurance Review

Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance vs. Allianz Travel Insurance

Allianz Travel Insurance is another reputable insurance company that has been in business since 1890. Allianz is one of the biggest names in travel insurance, serving more than 55 million travelers across dozens of countries.

Both Generali and Allianz offer comprehensive single-trip coverage options for travelers. Generali’s website makes reviewing and comparing its three travel insurance plans easy. However, Allianz offers annual (multi-trip) policies Generali doesn’t. Both companies list rental car protections for some travelers.

Allianz customers leaving reviews online indicate the claims process may be confusing and drawn out. Most importantly, a few reviews cautioned future travelers to come in with complete documentation. In our experience, offering more paperwork rather than less with Allianz is better.

Allianz Travel Insurance Review

Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance vs. InsureMyTrip

InsureMyTrip.com is an insurance broker using your travel details to collect insurance company bids on your behalf. You can enter your information and get multiple quotes back. As a result, Generali may be one of the insurance providers providing you with a quote through InsureMyTrip.

Rates may not match what a provider would offer on its website. Broker websites like InsureMyTrip often charge a premium to account for third-party fees or offer discounts as a partner company knows it’s competing for customers no matter what. Whatever the case, InsureMyTrip makes it easier to shop for travel insurance. However, it would not process any claims. So for some consumers, it may be more complicated to determine where to go to make a claim against their policies or get help if something goes wrong.

InsureMyTrip Travel Insurance Review

Why You Should Trust Us: How We Reviewed Generali Global Assistance Travel Insurance

When evaluating travel insurance companies, we consider various factors, including the number of plans available, the coverage, feedback from customer reviews, average premiums, customer support, ease of filing claims, and reimbursement times. No single factor can truly determine how travel insurance companies stack up.

These factors together allow us to develop ratings for each travel insurance company. Then we break down the pros and cons, pointing out potential issues. We also aim to bring to light solutions other buyers have already found should you choose to work with the travel insurance provider being reviewed. All of this is explained further in our insurance rating methodology.