Time to put an end to the payment protection insurance witch hunts

THERE has been so much written in the past few months about payment protection insurance it has all become a little confusing. Most of what has been written has been very negative, indeed dangerously negative � witch-hunt proportions even in some quarters. A mortgage magazine even ran a campaign to have single premium accident, sickness, unemployment banned.

Amid all the chest beating and promotion, some clarity is desperately needed. Without relevant PPI being offered to customers, there is an even greater risk of one of the fundamental objectives of the FSA not being met � and that is protecting consumer interests.

The PPI witch-hunt has also lumped together mortgage payment protection insurance and single premium ASU. These products are, of course, all very different. Most of the Office of Fair Trading's concerns re- volved around the potential mis-selling of PPI related to consumer and revolving credit sales, not mortgages.

In November 2005, the FSA published a report detailing its findings about the sale of PPI. This was backed up with mystery shopping of various firms involved in the sale of PPI � that goes beyond mortgages to other companies that offer revolving lines of credit, store accounts and unsecured loans. It was much broader than the mortgage industry alone and, given the mortgage industry has been regulated by the FSA for some time now, it has taken a disproportionate amount of flak.

Experience

It does strike me as odd that people who have very limited experience in the mortgage market � and more specifically experience in the sub-prime mortgage market � have been pontificating about the so-called evils of single premium ASU.

The mortgage industry as a whole needs to assess the risks and benefits � yes, benefits � of single premium ASU with calm heads, because things have moved on.

Fact one. Sub-prime clients cancel their monthly ASU policies. Some major insurers have even withdrawn the product from sale because the persistency levels are so low. That is what sub-prime clients do. It is the same reason they cancel their life policies. That does not mean we should stop writing life business because we would be leaving customers and their families exposed.

There is a fundamental issue here. Why sell a client a monthly policy when he has a demonstrated history of not being able to meet his monthly commitments?
And guess what? Fact two: sub-prime clients will cancel their monthly ASU policy at the time when they need it the most. The potential ramifications for the IFA/mortgage broker are dire should he be unable to demonstrate that he offered his client the option of either monthly or single premium ASU and it has subsequently gone pear shaped for his client.

Some brokers detail the costs and benefits of ASU in the suitability letter and document in that letter if the client has chosen not to take it up. Some go even further. For clients who cancel their policies downstream, some brokers send a disclaimer ensuring they know what they are cancelling and detail the ramifications of having no cover.

It is cheaper to do that than risk the potential of attracting a lawsuit, and worse still drawing bad press to our business and brand.
There is no doubt that single premium ASU policies have come in for some major flak because of their poor flexibility and TCF unfriendliness.

Commission

Agreed and rightly so. One of the key issues at play here is the seemingly large commission payments made for single premium ASU.

Let us look at that issue in another context. What if a motor insurer offered a three-year product and guaranteed not to change price over the term with no inflationary creep? What if you got a further discount for paying that policy upfront as a lump sum? Of course, the selling broker would be paid his share of the total premium.

Single premium ASU is not really that different; it is just that a lot of commentators have got all bent out of shape about the commission payment and not the cover itself.

This problem has been further magnified by lots of people throwing their twopence into the ring when, to be frank, objectivity is needed and recognition of what has changed. There is a place for single premium ASU, but not as we used to know it.

What if the mortgage industry had a single premium ASU product that had the following features:

- provided no quibble pro-rata refunds if it was cancelled;
- where the premium was established using a risk matrix factoring in age and employment type � similar to the way life premiums are calculated;
- where you can sell the accident, sickness and unemployment components independently of one another based on the customers' individual circumstances;
- a product where you can factor in the client's own savings and existing employer protection policies to reduce the cost of the policy in line with risk;
- where you can defer the benefit payments by up to six months and be paid retrospectively in a lump sum;
- where you can change the policy mid-term, in other words the amount of cover can be increased or decreased or names on the policy can be changed without penalty; and
- where the true cost including capitalised interest of the single premium ASU is disclosed pre purchase � to comply with treating customer fairly and Insurance Code of Business 5 rules. Indeed, all the product limitations, pre-existing conditions and exclusions are disclosed pre-purchase.

What if this product existed and its makers had worked closely with selected players in the mortgage industry to ensure all regulatory requirements were met and exceeded?

Well, I hate to say it but that is the product that one broker has sold � and the intermediary has their FSA visits and, as with others, single premium ASU and its sale processes were heavily scrutinised. No problems. Perhaps some of the single premium ASU providers may wish to read the above product features just one more time.

Protected

Let us look at another angle. Surely lenders, particularly sub-prime lenders, have a duty of care to ensure that their clients needs are protected.
The stated objective of many in the mortgage industry is to ensure their sub-prime clients are "credit cleansed".

So without any cover, they miss a mortgage payment or two or three and they are stuck with sub-prime rates for another year or two. All of a sudden that single premium ASU premium is not looking so expensive.

Things can and do go wrong, and it is our job as qualified professionals to ensure our clients' needs are protected.

The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries has now responded to the FSA's request to address its concerns about PPI and I am sure that will be the start of some more sanity in the discussions surrounding its sale.

Single premium ASU is not about preying on desperate clients. One broker has developed a process that is FSA and TCF compliant and sells products that are appropriate to individual needs.

There is no doubt that the adverse publicity surrounding PPI sales has eroded not only consumer confidence but the confidence of IFAs and mortgage brokers to sell insurance cover that few could argue against.

Most of all, it is important to note that the industry has responded and moved on. Some people need to move with it.

What You Should Know About Auto Insurance and Leasing

Leasing a car is not only an attractive financial offer to the majority of auto-consumers, but also a lifestyle and favorite choice.

Leasing a car has four main benefits.

1. Keeping up with the latest trends. Lots of people want to drive the latest models every two to three years.

2. Leasing offers buying flexibility. It allows you to postpone the buying decision while using the car. At the end of your lease, you can buy the car or simply walk away.

3. Leasing reduces your preliminary cash expense because you do not have to pay the large down payment required for car ownership.

4. Just about every aspect of leasing is negotiable. If you know all the fees involved, you can lower your monthly payments.

When leasing a car, it is easier to choose the same company for your auto insurance. However, you may end up paying too much for your coverage and it is better to look elsewhere for lower rates.

When you lease, the car that you will drive belongs to the leasing company. They want to be sure that their investment is covered in the event the car gets damaged, totaled or stolen.

They usually want to get covered for the difference between what your auto-insurer pays and your unpaid leasing obligations at the time of the accident or damage. This is called GAP, short for Guaranteed Auto Protection, and is typically included in the leasing contract.

If your leasing company is a finance division of an automaker, then your GAP insurance will be offered by the same lease company.

You are under no obligation to accept GAP insurance included as part of your lease agreement. Why pay an insurance premium if you can find the same coverage for a lower price?

Spend some time shopping by comparing quotes from different insurance companies. Demand
discounts that you already qualify for and modify your coverage in view of that.

Are You Paying Too Much For Your Loan Insurance?

When you take out a loan, it is likely that you will be offered loan insurance to protect your payments should you be unable to keep up with them due to illness or unemployment. However, many of the loan insurance policies on offer cover you for very little and are extremely expensive. If you want to find out what you should be paying for loan insurance and what to avoid then this article can help you to decide.

What is loan insurance?

Loan insurance is often known as payment protection insurance or PPI. This type of insurance covers you if you cannot make your loan payments because of an accident, illness or involuntary unemployment.

How much does it cost?

The price of loan insurance can vary greatly, but is usually added as an extra to your payments each month. Although the payment figure might look small, if you add it to the total loan amount and then add interest the number can seem much more.

Hidden costs

Although a loan might seem cheap, when payment protection is added the loan price can increase significantly. For instance, the amount you pay back on a �5000 loan over 5 years can increase by over �1,500 when loan insurance is added. Often, loan insurance is added without you knowing about it, which means you are paying for something you didn't even ask for.

The benefits

Despite its high cost, there are some benefits to loan insurance. It can give you the peace of mind that if something should happen to you then your payments are covered for up to a year. This means that you won't be in financial difficulty or risk default if you are ill or injured. If this sort of security is important to you then loan insurance is probably a good idea.

Lack of cover

Although it can give you peace of mind that you will be covered, loan insurance has extremely limited coverage. For example, if you are self employed it is unlikely that the unemployment clauses will cover you unless your business has ceased trading. Before getting any loan insurance you should check that you are covered for the things that are important to you, otherwise the policy is not worthwhile.

Alternatives

There are some alternatives to loan insurance that are usually cheaper. Firstly, you can usually get the same sort of loan insurance cover independently from your loan provider. The price of this insurance is usually much lower than the price offered by your insurance company. Also, some of the clauses of the loan insurance may already be covered under other insurance policies that you have. Loan insurance can be worthwhile, but unless you are covered and can get the insurance for a good price then it is usually not worth having. However, if you shop around and know exactly what you need to be covered for, you can find insurance that will cover you in the event that you cannot keep up with your loan repayments.

Tips To Get A Vehicle Insurance.

When you buy a new car, one of the first things you need to consider is your car insurance.

The rates of these insurance vary according to many details, like your age, the type of car, how long you have been driving or if you have records of accidents, among others. You might be confused with all this, but believe me, you are not the only one. Most of us dont know how to get insurance for our cars and often times we are paying too much because we dont really have the right information.

At beginning you might think that researching for information in order to get the right insurance can be too tiring and a waste of time. But at the end, youll be glad you took that time because you could save a lot of money.
Many companies claim to give you the best price and they also give you the rates of competitors. But, how do you know if they are giving you real information?
Of course, they probably give you the rates of the other companies but sometimes they dont include the rates of companies that charge much less than them.
Hey, dont get mad; this is business and after all they want your business. Im sure they dont see this as lying, maybe they would say that they couldnt get the other companies rates for any reason, so the point now is about omission and not lying.

If you dont want to go to an agent, then, you have to put the effort yourself.
The first thing you need to do is to get all your information and the information of all the drivers at home that you ant to include in the contract.
Get everybodys driving history and the current insurance information in case you already have one and want to change insurance companies. Lots of questions will be asked and probably youll have to wait a few days, but, at the end of the day, youll be convinced that it was a time well invested.

Remember that every detail counts in order to get a better rate.
Lets say that you live in a safe area that is kind of free of possible accidents. Then you might get a much better rate.
You dont need to get a full insurance if you are not financing your car, and that saves you money too.

Do what my friend did and spend a full 3 hours calling as many companies as he could; finally he found one that fitted his budget greatly. Do some work and youll find the right car insurance for you.

What Real Estate Investors Must Know About Insurance and Risk Management

What Real Estate Investors Must Know About Insurance and Risk Management

The real estate investment market has seen considerable growth in the recent past. The price of homes is on the rise, and relaxation of many demands and regulations on investors has stirred significant interest from many new economic groups. Lenders have lowered credit score requirements, and waived some previously standard documentation.

For these and other reasons, newcomers have flocked in record numbers to this game. None of this, however, will guarantee a profit on your investment. As you increase the dollar amount of your investment, so do you also increase the associated risk.

It would be wise to become familiar with a few different forms of insurance available to real estate investors.

Title and liability insurance are among the most common. Title insurance is designed to protect against issues that arise over the legal transfer of title from seller to buyer. A title company will search necessary databases to ensure that the property is free associated burdens, so that it may legally change hands. This type of insurance will cover potential economic loss as a result of these and other paperwork, filing, and tax issues.

Liability insurance protects a property owner against injuries incurred on or as a result of using the property. The insurance does not cover the property owner, but rather it was designed for injuries sustained by a third party. So when the door-to-door vacuum salesman slips on his way up your walk, you can rest easy, because your liability insurance will cover his medical bills and any resulting settlement lawsuit.

There are many other forms of insurance, which have been designed to cover any number of possible mishaps. Hazard insurance, for example, will cover damage resulting from earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, flooding, fire (natural), and dozens of other factors beyond human control.

You can buy insurance for chemical spills, fire (from, say, a candle), electrical failures, vandalism or theft, faulty plumbing or wiring, and so forth. There's even a policy designed specifically to cover large appliance failure.

Landlords may purchase insurance to cover lapses in rent payment, tenant-related damage to the property, and abandonment.

If you finance your property with a loan, the lender will likely require that you purchase mortgage insurance, which pays out to a lender (not you) in the event of default or disaster.

The price of insurance varies according to the degree of coverage desired, and the associated deductible. Read the policies carefully, noting any fine-print issues which may be used later to deny coverage. There is no law requiring that you use a specific insurance company, so do your research first. Shop around, and look for the greatest coverage at the least out-of-pocket expense. Find the policy that is best-suited to your particular needs.

Getting an Online insurance quote

Getting an Online insurance quote

Perhaps the greatest influence on our lives this decade has been the worldwide web, which now allows us to do things online which previously we had to do physically. One of such things is getting a home insurance quote, with most people spending hours in front of a computer, online applications have become very popular, the ease involved and the fact that they do not need to study long endless documents or hold endless time consuming discussions is a major factor for searching for home insurance online. Just a few mouse clicks and a few typed in words in between a hectic schedule and they have information they can study at leisure (however it is still very important that you take the time to understand the basics home insurance before taking out a policy) about what insurance scheme they prefer to invest in.


It is very easy to get an online home insurance quote, as there are a host of websites offering quotes from different insurance companies which you can compare alongside each other, any website you choose to visit online will ask you to fill some forms that cover your personal details and the kind of home and contents you would like insured, and then come up with quotes from top insurance companies in your area. It is important that you not only look into the value of quotes, but make sure you are dealing with a reputable insurance company that can pay if you ever make a claim. The homeowner policy has been around for a long time and so most of us have a general concept on how the policy works, the more you know about the market value of your house and the approximate cost to rebuild it the better for you when shopping for the homeowner policy.


You might obtain better quotes if you combine your vehicle and home insurance coverage, and give a higher deductible amount than you actually intend to pay. Quotes can also be reduced by seeking coverage only on the building and not the land the building stands. Other elements that will help you get better quotes and discounts are fire extinguishers , alarms and other security systems installed in your home. Senior citizens and non-smoking homes also get a good discount on their online quote. Usually it is a good idea not to file an insurance claim for little reasons like broken pipes, graffiti, or theft of items that are inexpensive, repeatedly filling claims will increase your premium and you might get blacklisted.

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Why Should You Insure Your Pet?

One type of insurance that many people overlook is pet insurance. With pets often loved as part of the family and vet's bills being extremely expensive, it really does make sense to insure your pet. Here are some reasons why you should get pet insurance, and things to look out for when choosing insurance for your pet:

Vet bills expensive

One of the main reasons to get pet insurance is the fact that vet bills are extremely expensive. If you pet becomes severely ill it could cost hundreds or even thousands to carry out an operation. Even simple things such as regular check ups or vaccinations cost money, so you could save yourself a lot with pet insurance.

Liability

Another reason to get pet insurance is to cover yourself for liability. Animals can be unpredictable, and something as simple as your dog running out into the road could cause a car crash and leave you facing a lawsuit for damages. Getting pet insurance will cover you for liability should your pet cause any trouble.

Peace of mind

Just as with human medical insurance, pet insurance gives owners the peace of mind that should anything happen to their pet they will have the money to try and put it right. You don't want to be left in a situation where you can't pay the vet bills and the only option is to put your animal to sleep. Having pet insurance will stop this sort of situation from occurring.

What are the costs?

With vet bills being so expensive you might think that insuring your pet would be expensive too. However, insuring animals is becoming cheaper and cheaper, with prices for dogs starting at as little as �7 per month. Obviously the price varies depending on the breed and level of cover you want, but prices really are affordable nowadays.

What do you get?

Depending on the policy you have, your pet is covered for a variety of things. Generally you will get a few thousand pounds of vet bills covered, around �2 million in liability cover should your animal hurt anyone or cause an accident, and a few hundred pounds in death benefit.

Things to look out for

Apart from the standard cover, there are a number of things you should look out for when buying cover for your pet. Obviously you want adequate financial cover at a good price, but what else? Well, lifelong cover is something you should look at, as is cover for advertising a lost or stolen pet. As your pet gets older they are likely to be more prone to illness, so lifelong cover is important. If your animal is lost you want to be able to get them back as quickly as possible so having the costs covered for putting up adverts can really help. If you shop around for the right deal you can get a comprehensive pet insurance package for very little money.

Life Insurance - Getting it Right

Life insurance is sought by people for a variety of reasons. You may feel that because you're getting on in life and feel that life insurance could give you the security of knowing your family will be taken care of after your passing. Another popular reason is that you are purchasing a home or thinking about starting a family. Whether life insurance is a luxury or a necessity in your case, you are probably asking yourself how do I pick the best life insurance scheme for me?

With so many different life insurance companies out there, finding the right life insurance policy for your needs can seem like a nightmare. Where should you begin? Some life insurance policies look good but end up costing more than you can afford when calculated on a day to day basis, and you may find that if you cancel a life insurance scheme you lose all the money you've paid into it so far. Some life insurance policies are flexible, allowing you to adjust them to suit your changing needs and budget, whereas others which don't give you that advantage may offer higher returns. Remember that life insurance is not just there in case you die - most life insurance schemes also pay out in the event of serious illness or disability, meaning that you'll have extra money to help you get by if you find yourself struggling.

As some people can not guarantee that they will always be earning an income, the idea of getting a life insurance policy can be very intimidating. If this is your fear then find a company that will allow it's policy holders to take a contribution break of up to three years to cover you in preiods where you are unemployed or are unable to contribute for other difficulties. If you are considering taking out a similar life insurance policy your bank may be a good source of free financial advice. This type of policy won't have such a large payout, but it offers the security in the short term. Life insurance may not be out of your reach even if you are struggling financially. Policies are available where your initial contributions are very low, like a step rate plan. The disadvantage of policies like this is you may be required to pay contributions for several years before your policy is valid and offers benefits. If you have been turned down in the past for life insurance due to illness, be aware that some life insurance companies specialize in offering solutions for people in this type of situation. These types of policies may be customized to your needs and income, while being mindful to the specifics of your presen condition. So no matter what your situation may be, life insurance can be available to anyone. It's never too late to consider taking out a life insurance policy. Always shop around and pay particlular attention to the fine print. You'll soon see that there is a policy out there made just for you.

Classic Car Insurance: Discover The Essential Facts

Do you want to learn more about buying classic car insurance? The following information includes the bare essential facts pertaining to classic car insurance. You can find many types of information about classic car insurance on the web today, but after you boil it all down, here is what you'll discover:

Specialty car insurance providers often have lower rates. Even though many owners add their antique or classic car to their existing policy, you will often receive discounts by buying classic car insurance with coverage for your needs. Classic car collectors have widely differing needs than the common car owner. Even though it may be quicker to add your car onto your current policy, if you seek the best rates, you will look into specialty coverage. There exist a handful of classic car insurance companies providing this special service.

Be prepared that you will often be imposed an annual mile limit. If you plan to drive your classic car to more than just parades and festivals, be sure to get classic car insurance that allows for this. The primary purpose is to get car insurance which fits your family's needs.

If you get a discounted rate, don't expect coverage to be suspended during months your vehicle is in storage. Your reduced classic car insurance rate already takes into account the decreased usage. As such, your policy will be in place during all months of the year.

When you boil it all down, it makes the most sense to do what is best for your situation. If finances are top priority, then purchase a specialty policy. If you like to do what is easiest, your current insurance company will be glad to add your classic car to the policy.

You now have all you need to move you forward. Now that you have taken in these classic car insurance facts, you should be ready to begin taking action. There is always more to learn, but please remember that this information won't benefit you unless you use it.

Car Insurance Rates: Learn To Lower Your Rate

So you want to learn about bringing down your car insurance rates? What follows are the bare essential facts pertaining to car insurance rates. You can find many types of articles about lowering your insurance rates on the web today, but when you boil it all down, here is what you'll discover:

The easiest method of lowering your car insurance rates is to shop around. This can be accomplished instantly on the web. Rates will differ by state, location, age, homeowner status, vehicle, family situation, etc. But one of the most significant factor of your car insurance rate is the insurer the agent is employed by. Looking for the best quote is the easy way to save money.

One more way to save money is to increase your deductible. As I know you agree, insurance companies are making money off you. Which means that you will spend far more in deductibles than you get in benefits.

The whole point of insurance isn't to provide an entitlement when you get into an accident, it is to prevent you from going bankrupt after you have an auto accident. If a thousand dollars won't be the end of you then raise your deductible accordingly. Far better to reduce your car insurance rates by increasing your deductible and be able to pocket the money saved.

An additional way to reduce your car insurance rates is for all you speed demons reading this. In the past when I would receive a moving violation ticket, I would just mail in my money or go to the courthouse to pay. Then I wised up. Now if I receive a ticket, I hire an attorney. They are very skilled at reducing or eliminating the points. This fee is money well spent.

You should now have all you need to begin saving money. Since you now have taken in these car insurance rates facts, you should be ready to start taking action. There will always be an opportunity to learn more, but just keep in mind that this information won't be of benefit unless you actually use it.

Does Your Home Insurance Policy Provide Adequate Protection?

There are many home insurance providers, and each of them will present you with a policy proposal outlining the kind of coverage you will get and the corresponding fees. However, before you sign on the dotted line, it's important to really understand what you're paying for�and whether or not you're fully protected against the risks that you're most concerned about. Here are some things to look at.

The typical home insurance plan is divided into two parts: property protection, and liability protection. This will be further categorized into the dwelling, other structures, personal property and loss of use.

The dwelling is the house proper, and all of its fixtures and structures. This includes heating, electrical wiring, plumbing, even the built-in appliances. Other structures are not connected to the house proper but are still within the property boundaries, such as garages, sheds, driveways, and walls and fences. However, a personal home insurance policy will not cover additions you made for business reasons, such as a store or even a room you converted into a home office.

Personal property basically refers to your belongings, the contents of your home that may be of value to you. This can be actual objects like artwork or antiques, jewelry or currency, and even electronic data that has a certain value. However, you should check what kind of items are covered in your basic personal property coverage. In some cases, very valuable items such as antique coins or personal heirlooms, or very expensive jewelry, exceed the limits in an average homeowners policy. Depending on the kind of assets you plan to keep in your house, you should make the proper adjustments�although in general, it is best to keep these items in a bank's safety deposit vault.

Loss of use is when you are unable to use your home, and incur living expenses while looking for alternative housing.

Some policies will give additional coverage, though this can affect your overall cost. For example, you may want the policy to cover the cost of removing any debris if there is damage to the property because of a storm (important if you live in a country or state where you are at constant risk from weather hazards). Other policies will also guarantee the cost of replacing any structure that was destroyed. Theft coverage will protect you in case of burglary, and can be extended to include whatever objects you had in your car or trailer at the time of the incident. Personal property protection can even minimize your risk form credit card fraud, in case your credit card was one of the items stolen.

Policy owners may also ask for an Inflation Guard, which will adjust the amount of insurance you receive every year to be able to keep up with the changes in real estate values caused by inflation. This means that even 10, or 15 years down the road, you will receive the adequate coverage to actually replace your home in case of a severe accident.

Saving Tips on Auto Insurance

Knowing about the various factors that decide your auto insurance can help you get a better deal. When you are buying your car you would be able to determine the price of the insurance. The various factors that go into the insurance premium are the price of the car, the cost to repair the car in case of damage (cost of accessories), the likelihood of theft of your car, and the safety record of you as a driver. If your agent or company is able to handle your questions related to these aspects then you could close the deal or else consult a few websites for tips or even friends who know where else you could get a better deal. One way of getting a better deal when your car price is being evaluated is to present record of servicing, installation of any parts or upgrades. You have been paying premiums on these upgrades as well so make sure it is included in the company's evaluation of your vehicle.

Discounts on Auto Insurance
When shopping around for insurance, you may find that there are hundreds of insurers competing for business. By taking quotes from various sources you could help save hundreds on auto insurance rates . You could also work with your insurance provider to provide you a number of quotes with varying coverage and features. Some online insurance providers offer you discounts. Other discounts you could obtain on vehicle insurance are dependent on the accessories for safety like air bags, anti-lock breaks, daytime running lights and anti-theft devices. Some insurance companies have various types of insurance like home insurance and life insurance. If you were to take two or more policies from the same insurance company you could get discounts of up to five percent on premiums. This type of a discount is called as multi-line discount. In case you have two or more cars you could also insure all your cars from the same insurance provider. You could get up to 10 percent of discount.

Lower your insurance premiums
You determine the price you pay for your insurance.
� If you have a clean driving record without any speeding tickets or accidents your premium will be less.
� Your credit history can determine auto premiums. A good credit history is a means of lowering your auto premium.
� What is your vehicle used for also determines the insurance. You could be using it occasionally or commuting daily to work in it. Choose a car that would server your purpose and be less to insure.
� You could lower your premium by increasing your deductible. See if you would be able to pay that deductible in case you have to file a claim.
� You could pay your premium in installments either monthly, quarterly, half yearly or even annually. The more number of installments you pay the higher is the amount you pay.
� Collision coverage covers damage to your vehicle in case of an accident is a major part of the comprehensive coverage. In case your car is getting old or is priced lesser. If you find the deductible approaching the collision coverage. You might as well drop collision coverage and get still lesser premiums.
� No fault insurance is costlier. If you choose this option you may have to pay more premiums. It removes the hassle of legal proceedings to determine who is at fault in a collision.
� Change your insurance company if they do not offer you competitive premiums. Be sure to cancel your old policy if you have lined up a new contract. You could do so by writing to the company or phoning them about the date from which you want the coverage terminated.

Recreation Vehicle Insurance may need added insurance if you have a camper, trailer or motor home. In case you are insuring your automobile look at the various options before committing yourself.

Disability Insurance

What is Disability Insurance?
"The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income disability programs are the largest of several Federal programs that provide assistance to people with disabilities. While these two programs are different in many ways, both are administered by the Social Security Administration and only individuals who have a disability and meet medical criteria may qualify for benefits under either program."
- Social Security web site, June 2006

The Social Security office will want to check your medical history to be sure you qualify for disability benefits. The Social Security office is one way to get disability benefits, but in most cases these benefits will not be substantial enough for families.

Disability insurance can be obtained through any number of insurance companies. In the event that you are disabled, this insurance will serve as financial protection. You will receive a percentage of your gross income from your disability insurance policy, income that will ensure your own financial safety.

You do not have to go through the Social Security Office to take out a disability insurance policy, nor to receive the benefits from that policy. The Social Security disability program is not related to any disability insurance policy that you take out.

"Individual disability insurance is truly a basic concept. It is an insurance product designed to replace anywhere from 45-60% of your gross income on a tax-free basis should a sickness or illness prevent you from earning an income in your occupation. Every disability insurance policy from every insurance company is very different, this is not a product to simply shop for the most competitive rate. To buy the cheapest disability insurance policy on the market is to throw money away. The odds of getting paid a monthly benefit under a cheap contract may be significantly lower than receiving benefits from a quality contract."
- About Disability Insurance web site, June 2006

Types of Disability Insurance
Most people are familiar with two types of disability insurance: short-term disability, and long-term disability. Short-term disability insurance is included as part of a benefits package with many different employers, and usually provides an income in the early part of disability. Short-term disability insurance generally provides coverage for a period of several weeks, and does not exceed a two-year term.

Long-term disability, however, can last for a period of several years. These types of policies may be included as a part of employment, in a benefits package, but many purchase these disability insurance policies individually.

As far as disability insurance goes, however, there are still more policies to learn about. One type of disability insurance is the Own-Occupation Disability Insurance. The definition of this policy reads:

"The inability to perform the material and substantial duties of your regular occupation, the insurance company will consider your occupation to be the occupation you are engaged in at the time you become disabled, they will pay the claim even if you are working in some other capacity."

Another kind of disability insurance is the Income Replacement Insurance. This is a very popular type of disability insurance, and most insurance agents are familiar with this policy. The language of this type of disability insurance reads:

"Because of sickness or injury you are unable to perform the material and substantial duties of your occupation, and are not engaged in any other occupation."

Common in employee benefits packages, Gainful Occupation Coverage is another popular form of disability insurance. The language here is worded very carefully:

"Because of sickness or injury you are unable to perform the material and substantial duties or your occupation, or any occupation for which you are deemed reasonably qualified by education, training, or experience."

Boat Insurance - which one for you?

You might not have realised it, but boat insurance is the oldest kind of insurance there is. People have been insuring their boats since the 17th century, and over time a number of standards have arisen. The chances are, though, that you're probably much more familiar with car insurance � so the good news is that car insurance and boat insurance are actually very similar.

Basically, there are three situations you can be insured against: your boat (or its cargo) being damaged, your boat sinking, and your boat hitting another. Although few countries make it a requirement that your boat must be insured (considering how many boats sail in international waters), you would be very wise to at least buy the third party insurance, in case you hit a boat that is very much more valuable than your own. You will probably find it quite unnecessary to insure your boat against total loss unless it is very valuable � it is mainly practical for large ships, and especially for ones carrying valuable cargo.

As with car insurance, policies come with an excess to discourage small claims � for boat insurance, this is usually quite a large sum of money, as the intention of the insurance is to cover you against substantial losses instead of just scratches and dents.

There are also a few kinds of insurance you can buy that are unique to boating, although it is unlikely that you will ever find yourself in need of them. If you get Increased Value insurance, your policy will pay out at your boat's market value if it is more than the amount you insured it for � only useful if you expect your boat to go up in value. Finally, if you're thinking of sailing into a warzone, you might want to get war risk insurance. Of course, you might also want to get your head checked out, if you know what I mean.

8 Easy Routes to Cheaper Car Insurance

Car insurance is one of the most expensive costs involved in driving a car, and it's not something you can avoid - a minimum level of insurance is required by law. That doesn't mean you have to blindly pay whatever your insurer quotes though, as there are several simple things you can do to reduce the cost of your premiums.1) Shop around and buy online: Figures show that many people simply renew their current policies without shopping around. The internet makes it easy to compare prices from different insurers, so why not take advantage of this? Plus, you'll usually get a discount of 10% or more just for buying your policy online.2) Policy type: do you really need a comprehensive policy with all the extras? Going for a third party fire & theft policy can reduce your premiums hugely, and is definitely worth considering if your car isn't an expensive model.3) No claims discounts: Nearly all policies feature a discount that increases for every year you don't make a claim. The higher the discount available, the more you could save. Also look at insurers offering a 'no claims bonus for life' feature, where your current discount level can be fixed forever, even if you have to make a claim somewhere down the line.4) Excess: The excess on a policy is the amount of a claim you have to pay before the insurer pays the rest. Choosing to have a higher than standard excess level will usually mean lower premiums.5) Security: Fitting your vehicle with an alarm, immobiliser, or other security devices can lead to premium reductions. Parking you car off-road, for example on a driveway or in a garage, will also mean a cheaper policy.6) Pay annually: Many insurers charge you interest for the privilege of paying in monthly installments. Pay annually if you can afford it to avoid this, or look for one of the companies who don't charge extra for monthly payment.7) Mileage: The more mileage you run up every year, the more your insurance will cost. Even if you can't reduce your mileage, make sure you're not overestimating how much you actually do drive, and give your insurer an accurate figure.8) Drivers: The more drivers you have on your policy, the more it will cost. Reduce the number of people insured to drive your car to the minimum possible, and try to get the policy in the name of a driver with the lowest risk profile. For example, if a car is driven by both a man and a woman, insuring it in the woman's name will often result in a cheaper quote.

4 Things To Remember When Renewing Your Home Contents And Home Buildings Insurance

Each year when our renewal notices come through the post for our home contents insurance and/or home buildings insurance, most of us automatically sign the form and send it back to the insurance company � after all, we already know how much the premiums are going to be. Big financial mistake, and here are 4 reasons why:

Did You Buy Anything New In The Last Year?

If you bought anything new in the last year, say a new television or video recorder, then the value of this new purchase will not be included in the renewal notice you just sent off to the insurance company. Likewise, if you sold anything of value over the last year, and have not informed the insurance company, then you are paying home contents insurance for something you no longer own. Either way, your not paying the right amount of insurance premiums.

Did The Costs Stay Static?

If you have home contents insurance then you are insuring your personal property for the replacement cost of buying the same thing new. On the other hand, part of your home buildings insurance should cover the cost of labour and materials. Now ask yourself, would the cost of replacing the picture hanging in your living room be the same today as it was last year? If the answer is that it would cost you more, tough luck, you'll only get paid out what you said the cost of replacing it would be! The same can be said of your friendly builder, would he charge you the same for an hour of his time and for his materials today as he would have done last year? If the answer here is no, then you should be expecting to pay him the difference.

Did The Value Of Your Home Stay The Same?

Similar to the above, with your home buildings insurance you need to be asking yourself whether or not the value of your home stayed the same this year as it was last year? You need to be asking yourself this question even if you didn't do any work to the house � such as building an extension � that would naturally automatically add value to your home.

Is Your House Any Safer Today?

Here the question is, have you done anything to your house over the last year that would mean your home would be considered safer today than last year? For example, did you add any deadlocks to your doors or windows? If so, then there's a very good chance your home contents insurance premium would be reduced, as the security in your house is a major consideration in assessing your premium (along with the crime rate in your neighbourhood, so you may also want to check and see if this has gone up or down also).

Keep in mind that time stands still for no man. As such, you need to read your home contents insurance and/or home buildings insurance renewal notices very carefully to make sure that they reflect, as accurately as possible, your life today and not your life of yester-year.

Insuring Your Overseas Home

The number of UK residents how now have overseas homes is steadily on the increase. In some cases these overseas homes are for holiday purposes, such as with Spain, in other cases they're bought for the purpose of spending at least part of the time of the owner's retirement, such as with Cyprus. Either way, more often than not the British owner of the home would prefer not to have the overseas home insured by an offshore insurance provider, but rather by an insurance provider closer to home.

So, if you have an overseas home and would like a UK home insurance company to provide you with insurance, what can you expect to get?

Home Contents and Home Buildings Insurance

A number of providers of overseas home insurance policies have merged the home contents and home insurance policies to be an amalgamated overseas home insurance policy. This mega policy should cover you for both circumstances.

Public Liability Insurance

Should be a must, especially if you are considering renting the overseas home out for the part of the year that you are not there.

Lost Earnings

If you think that renting your overseas home about is going to be a major money spinner for you, you may well want to consider insuring yourself against any lost earnings. Basically, this insurance will reimburse you if your holiday tenants suddenly have to cancel.

Theft

As with mainland UK home insurance policies, you need to make sure you are protected against theft. All the usual precautions about invoicing your possession needs to be taken into consideration with your holiday home. Also, you need to check the excess deductibles carefully, as in most cases this can range from �50 - �200

Natural Disasters

As recent natural disaster such as the hurricanes, tsunami, and earth quakes have shown, certain geographical regions outside of the UK are more prone to natural disasters than the UK itself is. Consequently, you should make sure that your overseas home is adequately insured against this risk.

Insurance for your overseas home can be arranged cheaply over the internet, or else you can arrange to have the insurance provider by a specialist overseas home insurance company in your area. Do keep in mind that as this is effectively your second home, your home insurance premiums will be marginally higher than you may normally be expected to pay with the home you live in, especially if you are using the home in any way to generate income.

What are they Charging you? - Understanding Credit Card Insurances

Each Credit Card Issuer offers different insurance programs and names them in different ways.
However, following is a list of the most common insurance programs available and a brief explanation of each one.
Names may vary but the concept remains the same.

Whenever you feel that any of the following events occur, don't hesitate to contact your credit card issuer and inform them that the occurrence reflected in the insurance contract has taken place and that you want to know how to receive proper assistance on the matter.

Purchase Safety Insurance
Each time you buy goods with your credit card and those goods happen to be damaged, or get lost or robbed, you can always get your credit card company to reimburse the full or part of the purchase price in compliance with the insurance policy.
This is specially useful when you buy expensive home appliances as anything that might happen will be covered by the policy even if your home insurance policy also covers these events.

Theft Insurance
As long as you call your credit card issuer immediately after you loose or get your card stolen, the credit card company will block the card and not charge you for any purchase made after the theft or reimburse you the money if the purchase has already been processed.
Bear in mind also, that not only should you report the robbery due to the insurance but because it is also a legal duty.

Fraud Insurance Protection
Identity theft has became a growing issue for credit card companies, as it is driving away customers from credit cards that do not include this kind of insurance. Whenever you are subject to fraud due to the use of your credit card number and identity to make purchases without your consent, you should immediately let your credit card issuer know that fact and tag that operation as unauthorized.
The money will be placed on hold till the problem is solved and any payment processed will be reimbursed if the fraud is confirmed.

Travel annulment Insurance
If you've bought a plane ticket and maybe hotel reservations or other vocational products and something happens that forces you to suspend or cancel, you'll be covered by this policy. You'll get reimbursed in full or partly according to the insurance policy and you might also get to change the tourist-pack in order to go on vacations on another date.

Travel Accident Insurance
Last, but not least, this insurance will cover any accidents or even death during your travels. Let's put aside the event of death which works exactly as a death insurance.
In case of an accident, all your costs, including medical bills, transportation, phone calls, medicine, etc will be fully covered by the insurance company.

Insuring A Second Home

As a nation we in the UK are becoming wealthier. With the rise in our overall wealth has come a desire to spend our money on certain luxuries we enjoy. And one of the boom industries when it comes to spending this money is on the second home � the cottage in the countryside where we can spend the weekends. However, as this is considered your second home, and not your principal residence, the home insurance is going to cost you more than it will do for your principal residential home. To avoid this expense becoming burdensome, however, you may want to consider taking the following steps:

Security

The Number 1 reason why your second home will cost you more to insure than your principal home is because you are not there as often. As such, your lack of presence providers potential thieves with more of an opportunity to steal items from your home. In order to mitigate the chances of this happening, and so as to placate your home insurance provider into lowering your home insurance premiums, you will need to make sure that your second home has a sufficiently good security system. In effect, what this means is that you second home should have:

- a central alarm system
- a smoke detector
- deadbolt lock systems on your doors
- no area of the garden should be obscure, so you may need to cut back trees
- adequate lighting, which you should have on a timer system so that you second home is not consistently in the dark
- secure main entrance and back door
- secure garage area

Home insurance loss assessment advisors calculate that you are 20 � 30 percent less likely to have your home broken into if you have a good security surveillance system in place than if you do not.

Employ and agent

Employing an agent or friend to check in on your house daily and clear away any junk mail or local newspapers that may be delivered to your home can also help to reduce the chances of your second home being broken into, thus reduce your second home insurance premiums. Keep in mind that nothing makes a house look unlived in more than a collection of mail on the floor mat.

Select a relatively crime free neighbourhood

Finally, when looking around to buy your second home, make sure that you select a neighbourhood where the crime figures are relatively low. Crime figures are a major factor in calculating home insurance, so if you chose to live in an area where the crime figures are high, you should automatically expect to be paying more in home insurance premiums for that home.

Business Property Insurance: Keeping Your Costs to a Minimum

Before buying insurance for your business vehicles, it's a good idea to make up a simple checklist of cost-cutting measures that are guaranteed to reduce your monthly premiums.

First of all, you should install a working set of smoke alarms, burglar alarms, and fire extinguishers throughout your premises, so as to make it more secure against fire and crime, two of the primary dangers to any property. Keeping duplicate copies of all important documents and records off-site is another simple step that's sure to help cut costs.

To take this a step further, you could also invest in backup hard drives for your digital data, and even a storage locker to keep valuable equipment safe when it is not needed around the office. In conjunction, all of these things are sure to convince insurance providers that your business is serious about security.

If you have the budget to carry out more serious work on your office, retail space, or other premises, fire-proof doors, water-proof filing cabinets, and fully operational sprinkler systems could all be good investments in safety. Before carrying out any expensive work, however, you should first compare the costs with the benefits, and calculate exactly how much you stand to save on an insurance policy.

Boat Insurance � Peace of mind for your marine adventures.

As with all vehicles a boat is legible for an insurance policy, under the Marine Insurance Act. While some small boats kept on your premises can be covered by home insurance, Marine insurance can cover not just a seafaring boat but also the goods, as throughout marine history ships have been lost with very expensive cargoes aboard, due to the dangerous nature of sea voyages.

Boat insurance is often cheaper than car insurance especially for a small boat. A comprehensive plan will cover damage to the hull, the machinery and the parts. It is also worth checking if the plan covers theft, injury and any specialist equipment on board like fishing tackle.

Insurance varies a lot depending on the boat. Narrow boats, speedboats, dinghies, yachts, rowing boats and motorboats all have different systems for working out a quote. A fibreglass boat (usually GRP, glass reinforced plastic), like most speedboats, is in a higher insurance band than a wooden or steel boat such as a narrow boat. This is because fibreglass hulls can be damaged or dented very easily while steel hulls for example are very hard to cause any significant damage to. You can get cheaper insurance for diesel powered boats, as they are less likely to explode, and also for using coast guard approved fire extinguishers. A certification in a boat safety course may also reduce insurance.

It also depends on where you intend to sail the boat. The boat will be in a different insurance category depending on whether you intend to sail it in canals (least expensive), rivers, lakes and tidal waters (more expensive) and the ocean.

There are also insurance policies for special circumstances. You can have a boat insured for damage while it is being built, or for a vessel sailing into a war zone or terrorist associated waters, or for specific cargoes such as highly perishable goods that may fail due to delays.

Auto Insurance - which one?

Auto insurance is often a sticky subject. Everyone feels like they're paying too much to insure their car, and wants to know how to get their premiums down. It's an industry that really lacks an effective way to make price comparisons, leading many people to switch every few years the way they do with credit cards or phone providers.

When you understand the factors that go into deciding the price you pay for auto insurance, however, you should find it much easier to read the market and use it to your advantage. This article should give you a basic grounding, but whole books have been written on the subject � it's up to you how much you want to learn.

The most basic thing you need to understand is that insurance companies don't decide premiums based on how much they like you, or how much they think you can afford. Insurance is based on one thing, and one thing alone: risk. Every time the insurance company has to pay out for an accident, they keep a record of the amount, and every other factor they can find � the make, age and model of the car, the age and gender of the driver, where they live, how long they have had a license, and so on. There are hundreds of factors.

From this, the insurance companies can build up what is called a �risk profile'. This allows them to work out the risk that they will have to pay out to any given person, and how much they would be likely to have to pay, based entirely on past experience. This is why a newly-qualified male driver in his twenties driving a sporty car has to pay so much to get insured � the statistics show that this group is by far the most likely to have an accident.

Once you understand this system, you can use it to your advantage. Obviously you can't change who you are, but you can change your car. The make, model and age of your car are three quite important factors in your risk profile, and they're all open to you to change. It is not difficult to use online insurance quotation tools to find out which cars are pricey in insurance terms, and which ones are cheaper, and use this to help you make buying decisions.

The Cash Value of Life Insurance

The study of the human history and civilization reveals a universal desire for security, and it indicates that the need for security has been one of the most powerful motivating forces in the material and cultural growth.

Early societes relied on family and tribe cohesiveness for their security. With economic progress, however, this security source weakens. Insurance, in some form, has been a universal response to societies' request for security.

Life insurers sell today policies that permit policyowners the felxibility of deciding the amount of the premium he or she would like to pay. Whole life policies are examples of such flexible plans because they are a function of the amount of the policyowner's past and present premium payments.

Subject to company rules regarding minimums and maximums, the policyowner may pay whatever premium during a policy year that she or he wishes. An amount to cover the insurer's expenses and mortality charges is subtracted from the cash value and a penalty for early policy termination, called a surrender charge, may be assessed against the policy's cash value.

Many life insurance policies have cash values. Conceptually, all life insurance policy cash values can be derived in the same way and all evolve for the same basic reason: prefunding of future mortality charges. As a practical matter, however, policies are usually viewed in different ways.

The savings element is considered a by-product of the level premium method of payment. With universal life and some other newer forms of life insurance policies, the savings element is usually considered to be a more independent part of the policy, specifically designed to build a savings fund from which mortality and expense charges are withdrawn.

Economists and marketing personnel tend to view a level-premium whole life contract as a divisible contract providing financial protection to the policyowner's beneficiaries, with other contract benefits available, including cash surrender and loan values. A policyowner may discontinue the insurance and surrender the policy for its cash values.

Alternatively, a policyowner may borrow from the insurer an amount up to the cash value, at a contractually stated rate of interest, using the cash value as collateral.

The distinguishing features of universal life policies are:

1- their flexibility
2- their transparency.


These policies are flexible in that they permit policyowners, within limits, to increase or decrease premium payments as they wish also to increase or decrease the policy face amount.

The transparency means that the three elements of life insurance ( mortality, interest, expenses ) are identified and disclosed to the customers.
The savings component of the life insurance policies is a direct function of the premium payments made by policyowners.

Auto Insurance 101 Explained

Auto insurance can be confusing for most consumers; there are so many different types of insurance and it can be difficult to determine the type of coverage you're required to carry versus the types of coverage that you really should carry in order to protect yourself but that are not required.

When considering how much car insurance you should have, it is best to do some research and find out what type of insurance is required by the state in which you reside. Not all states require the same levels of insurance. Some states require more types of coverage than others and states also vary in terms of the amount of coverage that is required. So, be sure you know exactly what the minimums are in the state where you live.

You should also understand what is covered by the different types of insurance in order to understand whether you need insurance coverage above and beyond the minimum required by your state of residence.

Bodily injury liability covers injuries that you cause to someone else while driving your vehicle. Generally the rule of thumb for this type of coverage is to purchase more than is required by your state minimums in order to protect your private assets from a law suit in the event that you injure someone.

Medical payments or personal injury protection, commonly known as PIP covers the treatment of injuries for the driver and the passengers of the vehicle. Depending on the level of coverage, this type of policy will compensate lost wages as well as medical payments.

Collision covers any damage that occurs to your vehicle in the event of an accident, even if it is your fault. Of course, a deductible will apply. Your lender will generally require this type of coverage while you still owe on the vehicle.

Comprehensive coverage is for the loss of your vehicle due to damage by something other than a collision such as theft, fire, natural disaster, vandalism, etc. Again, your lender will probably require this coverage for a financed vehicle. Once your loan is paid off, it's up to you whether you want to continue carrying comprehensive and collision coverage.

Uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage can come in handy in the event that you are either involved in a hit and run or if you are hit by someone who does not have insurance or who is underinsured.

When considering how much insurance to take out, start with the amount that is required at a minimum by your state and then consider whether you're required to take out any additional coverage due to lender requirements. Remember that while we all hope we won't have a need for insurance, in the event that we do, it can be a financial lifesaver.

Finally, don't forget to consider your options regarding deductibles. Raising your deductible can help you lower your premiums and that can make taking out additional insurance coverage more affordable. Just be sure you can reasonably afford the deductible in the event you need to use it.

UK Car Insurance - Making A Claim

If you are unlucky enough to have an accident in the UK, you will need to know some of the basics ins-and-outs of how to make a claim on your UK car insurance.

Personal Injury

The first thing you should do following a car accident is to check and see if anyone in your car or any of the other cars has been injured. If they have, you should immediately call for medical assistance (ambulance). Once you have done this, keep in mind that you may need to include a medical report as part of the accident claim.

Call the police

Depending on the seriousness of the accident, you may know need to call the police.

24-Hour assistance

By law you should have a copy of your car insurance certificate with you in your car at all times. Included in this will be a 24-hour hotline contact number that you can call if you happen to be involved in an accident. You need to ring this number and ask them what the procedures are you should take. Remember, in the UK you can have one of several different classes of car insurance (for example, third party or fully comprehensive), so the steps you will need to take will vary depending on this and the procedures put in place by your specific car insurance policy provider.

While on the phone with your car insurance company, remember to ask them to send you an accident report form. The accident report form should be fairly self-explanatory, but if you have any problems completing this, then it is a good ideal that you call your insurer and clear up any misunderstandings before you submit this form.

Collect evidence of the accident

Having called your insurance provider and asked for assistance, it is a good idea to collect some evidence about the accident. This can include taking the names of any eye witnesses and/or taking photographs of the accident (mobile phone cameras are useful for this purposes).

Repairs to your car

It is very important that you understand that any costs you incur with respect to your car following an accident are for your own account (i.e. you pay) unless you have agreed these beforehand with your insurance company. As such, it is not a good idea following an accident to just take your car off to a garage and have the repairs done � as you may well find your car insurance company will not agree to reimburse you. Far more sensible is to phone the car insurance company first and ask them if there is any specific garage in your area where you need to take the car for repairs.

Keep receipts for all expenses

Even if you think that it is unlikely you'll be reimbursed for the cost, if you have an accident and are going to make a claim with your car insurance company then it is vital that you keep a receipt of all the expenses incurred. Keep in mind that if you do not have a record of the expense, it is highly unlikely that your car insurance company is going to reimburse you.

Is Your Auto Insurance Enough?

Mother Nature can really create a wreck from a really powerful looking vehicle. And according to statistics, the vehicle losses have gone straight up. These vehicle losses include those that became the target of hurricanes, tornadoes, hailstorms, firestorms, floods, and other forms of Mother Nature's wrath. This date is according to the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO) Property Claim Services (PCS) department. This department is the official authority on insured property losses from catastrophes in the areas of the North Americas including Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

According to Ron Berry, who is the senior vice president at the Council of Better Business Bureaus, "Drivers spend a lot of money on auto insurance and it is important for them to be as familiar as possible with what their coverage includes when they're making their purchase decision. But too often, people shopping only for the lowest rates do not notice their lack of certain types of coverage until they try to make a claim." With this, it is indeed important that you do ask for information about auto insurance from experts before you do go ahead and make that purchase.

Now, according to experts, you should also be able to know what you purchased if you already have auto insurance for your car. That way, if your car gets damaged, you would be able to know if you would be able to get some claims. You should be informed about the details of your insurance. Also, if your car gets damaged, report it as soon as possible. If your insurance policy entitles you to claims, by reporting the damage as soon as possible, the insurance company can have it towed to a repair center and start work immediately. You see, some insurance policies even cover a replacement car during the time that your car is still in the works.

As Jaguar keeps on producing cars that have this distinct blend of luxury and performance, Jaguar Parts and Jaguar Auto Parts maintains its lead on product excellence through its great supply of quality Jaguar body parts and many other Jaguar accessories. You have a choice from the vast array of Jaguar parts at its online store.

State Farm Insurance

The Beginnings

State Farm insurance began in 1922, the invention of a man named George J. Mecherle. Mecherle thought that he could come up with a better insurance company than the rest, offering better coverage and great rates. So he did. Something about Mecherle's vision was right � more than eighty years later, State Farm Insurance is still going strong.

"In just over 80 years, State Farm Insurance Companies� has grown from a small farm mutual auto insurer to one of the world's largest financial institutions. But despite State Farm's growth, Mecherle's original philosophy of insurance coverage at a fair price coupled with fair claim settlement has remained."
State Farm web site, May 2006

State Farm, Today

With 25 operations centers in 13 zones, these days State Farm employs 79,200 people, including 16,700 plus agents. State Farm actively services 71.6 million insurance policies in the United States and Canada. Many awards have been received by State Farm for their equal opportunity employing methods, and for the number of jobs the company has created. State Farm strives to give back to the community, participating in many programs to further education and safety, including awarding grants and scholarships.

The Future of State Farm

"Our vision for the future is to be the customer's first and best choice in the products and services we provide. We will continue to be the leader in the insurance industry and we will become a leader in the financial services arena. Our customers' needs will determine our path. Our values will guide us."
- State Farm web site, May 2006

What State Farm Offers

State Farm can take care of all your insurance needs. They offer most types of insurance coverage. All the usual suspects of auto, home, life, renter's, and supplemental medical insurance are available through State Farm. Other insurance offerings include condo, long-term care, and Medicare supplement. The State Farm web site is very user-friendly and easy to use. Using the web site, consumers can obtain a quote on any type of policy named above, or find an agent, both within minutes. Answering a few quick questions will lead you to a free online quote, and a search feature makes finding an agent simple work.

You can also reach State Farm agents through online insurance quote web sites. This offers you the ability to compare rates from State Farm and from other independent agents or companies. Inquire with the site in question about the companies that will be providing a quote.

"State Farm's mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams."
- State Farm web site, May 2006

Other Services

Not only does State Farm provide you with quality insurance, but the web site is a wealth of tools and information. A helpful learning center exists online for any who would like to learn more about retirement planning, college planning, savings strategies, prevention and safety, or life stages such as having a baby, marriage, or buying a home. There's even a "kid's stuff" section. Consumers can learn about reasons to have car insurance and what insurance policies do for you, and what they can mean in your life.

Trust

State Farm is truly one of the oldest names in insurance, and theirs is a name you can trust. If State Farm did not provide excellent customer service and satisfaction, there's no way there would still be going strong. Often, it's much cheaper to buy all your insurance plans through one carrier than through several different companies. State Farm can provide for all your insurance needs, without making you spend a fortune. Isn't it better to use a company you know you can depend on?

Free Flood Insurance Quotes: How You Can Benefit From Them

Free Flood Insurance Quotes: How You Can Benefit From Them

A large number of homeowners purchase new flood insurance coverage each year. Many individuals are purchasing flood insurance for the first time and others are searching for new agents to do business with. No matter what the reason for obtaining flood insurance, there are a number of ways that you can try and save money.

One of the easiest ways to save money on flood insurance coverage is to request a flood insurance quote. A flood insurance quote is an estimate of how much money you should expect to pay for flood insurance coverage. All flood insurance agents are different, but most will offer free flood insurance quotes.

When it comes to flood insurance, many individuals make the mistake of not obtaining a free flood insurance quote. This is a mistake that many individuals make. This mistake is often made because some individuals believe that all flood insurance costs the same amount of money.

In 1968, the National Flood Insurance Program was developed. This program was established to help make flood insurance affordable to all Americans, no matter where they lived. In addition to providing quality flood insurance, the National Flood Insurance Program also mandates the coverage that is being sold by agents and the amount of money that it is being sold for. This has led many individuals to mistakenly believe that flood insurance cost the same through all agents.

There are a number of flood insurance agents who are able to sell flood insurance coverage that is approved by the National Flood Insurance Program. These agents are likely to offer the coverage at varied prices. There are a number of state laws on rebates and other discounts that allow a number of flood insurance agents to offer coverage at a low price. Not all of the licensed agents in the United States offer these discounts. That is why it is important to obtain a free flood insurance quote ahead of time.

The best way to make use of a free flood insurance quote is to obtain a number of them. This is done by contacting a number of flood insurance agents. Requesting multiple insurance quotes will give you a better idea as to how much money you should actually be paying for insurance. As previously mentioned, almost all flood insurance providers offer free quotes; therefore, there is no reason why you shouldn't at least try to obtain one.

You can and should request a free insurance quote from a number of licensed agents. One of the agents that you may come across is AmeriFlood. AmeriFlood is a licensed insurance agent that sells flood insurance backed by the National Flood Insurance Program. In addition to selling quality insurance, AmeriFlood also takes advantage of the state laws that allow flood insurance discounts to be offered. AmeriFlood currently offers a 12% discount on flood insurance coverage plans.

Why put your home, family, and belongings at risk? Request a free flood insurance quote today and protect everything that you need and love.

Flood Insurance Coverage: Do You Need It?

Flood Insurance Coverage: Do You Need It?

Each year, thousands of Americans are placed in a troubling situation. That situation arises when their home floods. Flooding can occur due to hurricanes, thunderstorms with excess rain, or the break of a levee system. Whatever the cause for flooding, there are many families who are left to pay for all of the repairs to their home on their own. This is because many Americans that should have flood insurance do not.

There are number of reasons why a homeowner decides not to purchase flood insurance coverage. One of the most common reasons for doing so is because of the cost. Many individuals mistakenly believe that flood insurance coverage is not worth the price. Unfortunately, there are many individuals who wish that they had purchased the coverage when their home flooded. The cost of flood insurance is nothing compared to the cost of rebuilding a home.

Another common reason why flood insurance coverage is not purchased is because some homeowners are not even aware that they need it. There are a large number of individuals who believe that flood damage to their home will be covered under their homeowner's insurance policy. This is a mistake that costs hundreds or even thousands of people thousands of dollars each year.

It is important to note that floods can occur at just about any place and at any time. Many individuals refuse to purchase flood insurance coverage because they feel that it is a waste of their money. Just because a home has not flooded in recent years does not mean that it cannot in the future. A home does not have to be located near a river, stream, lake, or pond to flood. Too much rain from an average thunderstorm can cause localized flooding.

To make flood insurance coverage worth the price, you should go about finding cheap flood insurance coverage. A large number of individuals purchase flood insurance from their agent that supplies them with auto insurance or their homeowner's insurance. This may work out good for some individuals, but you should know that there is a cheaper way to obtain flood insurance.

For quality, but low-cost flood insurance coverage you should speak to an AmeriFlood representative. AmeriFlood is a licensed agent that sells flood insurance coverage. The flood insurance coverage is offered with a 12% discount when compared to other coverage plans. Despite the discount, the flood insurance is backed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). This means that you are receiving the same type of flood coverage as everyone else, but for less money.

Once a new home is purchased, one of the first things many homeowners do is purchase homeowner's insurance. It is important to remember that flood insurance coverage is just as important as homeowner's insurance. Without it you could be left to rebuild on your own.

Tips for Starting a Home Childcare Business

A home daycare can be a rewarding career. You can be a positive influence in the life of young children, and parents in your community can be assured that their children are in good, caring, capable hands when they are not with them.

If you have a genuine and deep love for children - and loads of patience, kindness, and understanding - a home daycare business might be perfect for you.

Here are some of the many benefits of this type of business:

Increasing Demand. The demand for childcare is projected to increase as mothers and fathers continue to work outside the home.

Emotionally rewarding. The early years are such a pivotal time in the life of a child. As a daycare provider, you can have a huge influence on the life of all the children in your care.

Stay at home with your own kids. This type of career, more than many others, offers the possibility for you to enjoy time at home with your own children while you care for others.


Starting a Home Daycare Business

While it has many benefits, a home day care is not likely to create huge financial gains. So, going into this business, it's important that you understand why you are starting this business. And, of course, the love of children must be paramount.

Any parent or caregiver will affirm that being surrounded by children all day can be incredibly demanding. You'll want to make sure you have a solid business plan before you embark on this type of career, and that starts with lots of research.

Here are some of the questions you'll need to consider:

Will your community support a home daycare? In other words, does your area need another daycare?

Will you be able to charge enough in your area to make this a profitable venture (or at least to stay afloat financially). What is the "going rate" per child in your area for daycare?

What are parents in your community looking for in a daycare center? Interview parents in your neighborhood and find out what features they wish they had. What kinds of unique features could you provide as a caregiver?

What kind of changes will you need to make to your home and yard to make this work? What kind of effect will this business have on your everyday family life?

What are the regulations of your state and local government? You'll need the requirements for caregiver/child ratios, interior and exterior space per child, nutrition, and licensing.

What kind of financial outlay would be required? As with any business, you'll need to start with a sound business plan that specifically addresses income and expenses.

What is your childcare philosophy? How will you handle discipline issues? You'll need to have a solid, written policy and procedures manual before you open for business.

What hours will you be open? What will you do when children are picked up late?

Which meals will you serve? What kind of snacks will you serve - and when?

What will your daily routine be? What kind of preschool curriculum will you offer? Start thinking now about possible units of study, field trips, and special guests.

Are you CPR certified? Regardless of whether it is a state requirement, you'll want to make sure to have CPR certification and first aid knowledge so that you are equipped to handle anything that may occur in the course of your day with the children.

What kind of insurance will you need? Inquire about liability insurance, as well as changes to your homeowner's insurance (for accidents that may occur on your property.)

How will you market your business? Generally, this business doesn't require a lot of marketing. That's due in part to the large demand for quality childcare. And, for home daycares, your neighbors and acquaintances are likely to be your prime prospects - so word of mouth is often sufficient. Still, it's a good idea to create a professional brochure detailing your daycare philosophy, curriculum, schedule, and fees.

What other ways could you structure your business? Before you begin a home daycare business, think about all the other possibilities in the childcare industry. For example, in my town there is a very successful babysitting service where caregivers travel to homes or vacationer's hotel rooms. Last time I checked, the service was charging upwards of $20 per hour with a 3-hour minimum. Or consider a drop-in daycare that you could provide during hours where childcare is more difficult to find (evenings and weekends, for example). If you find a very specific niche and fill it, you can generally charge more per hour.

If this all seems overwhelming, you can invest in a business kit with the essentials: forms, policies and procedures, examples of business plans, as well as forms that you are certain to need but that might not immediately come to mind.

There's nothing like owning your own business. Enjoy the process of researching and creating your own!

3 Steps to picking the right auto insurance

1. Avoid the rush

Very often with picking auto insurance coverage we go for a quick fix and a cheaap price. The auto insurance companies make alot of extra money off of us when we don't take the time to hunt around. So try not to get yourself in a position where you need auto insurance right away. In some cases this part is hard to avoid especially when we are in need of cheap auto insurance before we go to court for a driving ticket or the state has a "no tags, no coverage" policy.

2. Read your auto insurance coverage agreement.

Even though most of us don't understand insurance ocntracts. We should still take the time to read them. One of the things you can do is read it with a highlighting pen in hand. This is so you can highlight the parts you don't understand. Then when you go back to the auto insurance sales person just ask questions about the highlighted areas. If they can't fully explain them then you my want to speak with another company that can.

3. Weigh the cost.

Now that you didn't rush to get your insurance, and you fully understand the auto insurance agreements. this is the must important step in picking cheap auto insurance. Find what the coverage will cost you then compare policies. Most companies give you a FREE cost comparison. I personally wouldn't recommend it becaues they don't give any details on the auto insurance coverage plan from the competition, which is a "no-no" in step 1.

So to appropriately weigh the cost you must ask these 3 things:

A) What kinda of auto insurance does your state require?

B) What kind of driver are you and how much coverage do you need?

C) What price can you afford on your budget?

Once ou have done the 3 steps you should have a cheap auto insurance
policy that is good for you , your car, and pockets.

Comparing Auto Insurance Quotes Online

Auto insurance refers to the insurance which is used for insuring the automobiles against any kind of uncertain accidents that may cause damages to the vehicle. The main purpose that the insurance serves is to give protection against the losses incurred due to accidents. Auto insurance is a type of insurance that consumers must buy to protect the life span of their vehicles and also for any kind of damages that the vehicle may suffer in an accident. Auto insurance is used to insure many automobiles such as cars, trucks and any other kind of vehicles that may need it. Different kinds of coverage are available under these insurance schemes such as Third-Party Foreign Theft and Fully Comprehensive insurance, to suit the interest and the needs of the insured.

Before buying auto insurance, it is very important that the person requiring insurance analyses the companies that provide vehicle insurance quotes. Different companies offer different quotes for the insurance of the vehicle, so the consumer must look out for the best one, which suits his needs and which proves to be highly economical. Many companies also give different discount schemes to attract more and more consumers. The consumer can save a good deal of money while purchasing auto insurance by comparing the quotes of different companies and choosing the cheapest one which satisfies all needs.

Comparing the quotes of different companies on the internet for buying insurance provides a wider platform to the consumer, where they can compare quotes from several companies and choose one among them. The main thing about choosing a quote is that the quote need not necessarily be cheap but the company must be an established one which the customer can rely on should they have an accident.

The consumer should not only compare the quotes of different companies but also the company's reputation and their way of service. While comparing, the consumer is more acquainted with the different kind of coverage that are available and can choose among them according to the needs. Buying insurance online is the most popular way of buying insurance because it is really fast and convenient, which suits to the busy life of people who have little time to phone around the various companies to relay the details of the insurance cover they are after over and over again. And the best part is that it is free of cost, i.e. no cost is involved in gathering the quotes online from different companies.

Auto insurances are needed because of the reckless accidents that happen on our roads day after day. These can only be reduced once the certainty of the accidents is reduced. The companies quote their prices for insuring depending upon various factors like the age of person to whom the vehicle belongs, the location where the car is bought and supposedly to be used and also many other factors like whether the driver already has points on their licence. The details regarding the car, like where it is being parked, whether or not it is kept in a garage (which is supposed to have less risk of being stolen) and also the mileage of the car are also deciding factors. If the car travels less than a specific limit of miles then such cars are likely to receive some kind of mileage discounts.

Life Insurance

There are many types of life insurance policies. Before you venture out for one, learn about them and see which one is applicable to your needs best. The following are the most common ones:

1. Term life insurance: This type of insurance is the most basic of all. Its one and only function is to cover your life with an amount of cash which on even of your death will be given to your nominee. Here the death benefit is equal to the policy limit. This is a good way to have mental peace in the conviction that you will provide for your family even in the event of death. This is good thing to have as a stand by any day.

2. Whole life insurance: This type of policy besides providing a fixed amount to your nominee on your death, it also gives you a financial gain over time as an investment would. The benefits you get out of this type of insurance is:

a. pays a fixed policy amount in event of death
b. gives you an investment amount that is free of tax
c. protects you from rising prices � the premium is fixed for the life despite market fluctuations
d. pays dividends as any good investment plan
e. offers you freedom to sell the policy back at any given time you choose

3. Variable life insurance: This type of insurance is much more flexible than the whole life insurance. The best benefit here is the fact that it allows the policy owner to borrow against the policy maturity amount. In this way not only you are insured but you also have a very decent source of borrowing at a lower rate than the market price interest rates. The variable life insurance too offers the benefit of tax-free ash accumulation that is a great incentive for investing in insurance the world over. There is another benefit that accrues from this type of insurance, i.e. the amount that is to be paid as a benefit to the nominee of the policyholder can be varied according to the need of the beneficiary (in relation to the funds available in the account).

4. Universal life insurance: This insurance one of the most flexible of all types of insurances. It not only covers the death, but also allows you a host of other benefits:

a. As all insurance policies, it pays the beneficiary a pre-arranged amount of cash in the event of your death
b. It provides a tax-free cash investment � which can accrue interest at market value
c. It allows complete flexibility on the premium making it easy for you to keep up with your payments even in lean times
d. At the same time this type of insurance allows amount flexibility

5. Universal variable life insurance: This is the ultimate among all the insurance policies. It allows you complete freedom on the way you invest and recover your investment. You have full control upon your cash at all times:

a. it pays the beneficiary a pre-arranged amount of cash in the event of your death
b. It provides a tax-free cash investment � which can accrue interest at market value
c. It give you total premium flexibility
d. It allows to withdraw cash from your policy at any given time throughout your life time
e. It allows you to borrow against the maturity amount at subsidized rates of interest
f. It allows you to terminate the policy at any time, however, in that event your maturity amount will be reduced according to the time in question

Life insurance first and foremost role is to protect the near and dear ones in even of one's death by providing an alternative source of income. Today, however there are a number of benefits added to the main role. Check out the latest developments and choose well. Get value for your money.