Wednesday, November 29, 2006

How to Save on your Insurance Premiums


There is no doubt about the fact that insurance premiums are on the rise. They have risen so high, in fact; that many people simply feel they can't afford them. Of course, considering the fact that insurance is generally required for your home and vehicle if you are still paying on a loan for these items, you can really find yourself in a Catch 22 situation. The good news is that will a little work there are a few techniques you can use to actually lower the cost of your insurance premiums.

In terms of your homeowners insurance, always try to shop around whenever possible to get the best deal. Provide all the pertinent information including a description of your home, the type of basic as well as additional coverage you need and find out what is available in terms of rates for different companies.

Another way to save on your homeowners insurance is to make sure that you keep your home in tip top shape, thereby reducing the need for losses and claims. You can do this by replacing any wiring that is old and informing your insurance company, insuring your roof is in good condition and using anti-theft and safety devices on your home.

In addition, discounts may be available if your home is newly constructed as well as if you install a monitored security system. This type of discount can amount up to 15% in some cases. Some carriers also offer what is known as a loyalty discount for customers who have been with them for several years.

By raising your deductible, you can also usually reduce your premiums. Even a $250 jump in your deductible could cut your premium by as much as 15%. Raise it even more and you could be looking at a 25% savings on your deductible.

By combining your auto and home insurance and purchasing it from the same company you also could be able to obtain anywhere from a 5-15% discount. Between the two policies that could amount to major savings.

Don't forget to look at your insurance policies and determine exactly how much you need. It's quite possible that you could be over-insured and may not need as much insurance as you think.

One factor many people are not aware of is that their land is typically included in the market value of their home, the often used to determine the amount of your homeowner's policy. In reality, the value of your land should not be included in your insurance policy except under very special circumstances. If you can cut it, do so and you'll save on the premiums.

Try to avoid small incidental claims whenever possible because they can drive up both the cost of your home insurance premiums as well as car insurance premiums. If it is a small loss and you can do without having it repaired for awhile or pay for it on your own without filing a claim on your insurance policy, then do it. The more claims you file, no matter how small, can often increase your premium amounts.

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

Agents Recommend Using Local Car Insurance Agents



Are you looking for a good insurance for your vehicle to buy right now? If you are, then you might be included in the thousands of vehicle shoppers in the market who try their luck at finding the best car insurance coverage for them to buy through the Internet. However, car insurance agents do believe that this might not be the best thing. In fact, these agents highly recommend that vehicle shoppers better ask for assistance from local car insurance agents instead of the Internet.

Phillip Sanouvong is an owner of a website which offers vehicle information. Sanouvong explains, "Many people think it's great to quickly click around and buy their policy on the Internet. But when they have a car accident, they are annoyed by all the 1-800 numbers, poor customer service, and the absence of a personal advocate on their side." This may be exactly true. In fact, you may still continue buying your replacement Mercury car parts through the internet but you better leave purchasing a car insurance policy to the good hands of local car insurance agents.

According to these insurance agents, you do get lots of advantages if you deal directly with a local car insurance agent if you are going to buy car insurance for your trusty vehicle. You see, because you deal with the agent face to face, you are able to ask and point out gray areas so you can understand the whole deal better. Plus, with an insurance agent, you do not have to go through everything before you can explain your current situation. Since the insurance agent does already know about your history when it comes to your car and your car insurance policy, they can easily and quickly explain to you whatever may be bothering your mind.

Aside from these, you can also ask the assistance of these local car insurance agents come the time when there are changes to your vehicle or to who now holds the position as the primary driver of the vehicle. These local car insurance agents also offer, most of the time, discounts and other offers that would let you save much.


Monday, November 27, 2006

The Benefits Of Buying Insurance Online


Buying insurance online has becoming more popular than ever, as more and more providers operate online and offer great deals. If you are looking for insurance then you should look online to see what sort of deals you can get. But is buying insurance online really worth it? What are the benefits and problems? Here is some advice on the benefits of buying insurance online.

Getting quotes fast

One of the main reasons for getting insurance online is that you can get quotes online in a matter of minutes, and compare various companies at the touch of a button. Many web sites offer insurance company comparison services where you can compare rates and companies very easily.

Ways to buy online

Buying insurance online can be done in a number of ways, with many insurers combining online and offline services. Some insurers offer all of their services online, with all quotes and policy issues being dealt with online. You look at the policies on a website, then get a quote and pay with a credit card in just a few clicks. This is probably the most convenient way to buy insurance. Other companies just offer their policies and quotes for viewing online, with the final stages being done offline over the phone or in an office.

Convenience of buying online

One of the biggest advantages of buying online is the convenience. You don't have to travel to an office or be kept on hold on the phone. You simply fill in an online form, get a quote and pay at the same time. It is extremely convenient and can save you a lot of time.

Price of online insurance

Perhaps the biggest reason why people are buying their insurance online is that the prices you can get are excellent. Insurers who operate purely online have fewer overhead costs and so can offer better deals to their customers. Also, being able to compare costs will allow you to find the best deal to suit your needs

Disadvantages of online insurance

Of course, there are also disadvantages to buying online insurance, the main one being that it is impersonal. Buying online is only possible for set policies, and so any special circumstances that you have or extra clauses that you need cannot be considered. Many people prefer to negotiate with someone face to face. However, many online insurers offer a number of extras and features that you can add or take away from your policy. Looking online for insurance is a good idea, because even if you decide to buy offline you can quickly find out what sort of prices you will be looking at for the policy you want. Whatever method you use to buy insurance, the most important thing to remember is to get the level of coverage that you need at a price that you can afford.

Sunday, November 26, 2006

Wawanesa Insurance � the story of success


Wawanesa Insurance Company is a Canadian insurer operating on insurance market for more than a hundred years. It is one of the largest property and casualty insurers in Canada. Wawanesa owns a subsidiary company � Wawanesa Life, which is also targeted at the Canadian insurance market. In the 1970's Wawanesa has expanded its operations and established another subsidiary company in the United States � Wawanesa General.

Nowadays, Wawanesa has 1.800 employees working in Canada and the United States and 1.300 insurance brokers working in Canadian insurance market. In 2005 the Company earned $1.5 billion and expanded its portfolio to three billion dollars. It is one of the most reliable insurers in Canada.


In the beginning

The story of Wawanesa begins in 1895 when Alonzo Fowler Kempton and Charles Kerr decided to establish an insurance company, which would be more efficient than the companies existed at the moment and consequently, could charge lower premiums. The idea was viable. Twenty local farmers liked the initiative and invested $20 each to finance the company. Thus, the company was born.

For the first few years Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company experienced considerable losses, the fact that made it to diversify its coverage into a broader range of farm equipment and buildings, schools and churches. In addition, the company expanded its activity into new geographical areas - Saskatchewan and Alberta provinces. By the end of the century Wawanesa was protecting $1 million worth property. A few years later this figure grew to $20 million and in 1910 the company claimed to be "the largest Mutual Fire Insurance Company in Canada".

During the First World War the growth remained stable, and Wawanesa retained the name of a reliable company. In 1922 the company underwent a change in leadership. The new managing director, Charles Morley Vanstone was the man, who led Wawanesa Insurance through the hard times of the Great Depression.


Further growth

In 1926 Wawanesa offered its clients coverage on private buildings in towns and cities. In 1928 the company diversified its coverage more and issued the very first auto insurance policy. A year later Wawanesa was granted a Dominion of Canada charter, which meant the company could offer coverage throughout Canada. The years of the Great Depression had a little impact on Wawanesa. In fact the company strengthened and expanded during this period. It opened new branches in Montr�al, Winnipeg, and Moncton within five years. While other businesses collapsed, Wawanesa prospered and before the Second World War Wawanesa had a reputation of a "straightforward organization, free from chicanery and all forms of trickery".

During the 1940's and 1950's, Wawanesa Insurance became known as an innovative company. For instance, the company offered low premiums to young British Columbians who completed either a Canadian Automobile Association approved driver course, or a high-school driving program.

In the early 1960's, the company opened its subsidiary � Wawanesa Life Insurance Company. For the next few years both companies grew steadily, however in the late 1960's the company faced a new challenge, which had a great influence on the company's future.


New expansion

After the 1969 election of a New Democratic Party government in Manitoba, all drivers were compelled to buy auto insurance policies from the government-established "Manitoba Public Insurance Corporation". This had a drastic impact on Wawanesa, since the company was the largest automobile insurer in the region. The company's income in Manitoba fell to one-third of what it had been a year earlier. This and other factors enforced Wawanesa to diversify its business. The board of directors decided to open a subsidiary company in the United States, and California looked as the most promising area for the new business.

A year later, Wawanesa opened a new office in San Diego, California. It was the right decision; the market was as large as Canadian. In the first month Wawanesa issued 102 policies and San Diego proved itself as the best possible choice. Over the next 20 years the local population increased in five times and Wawanesa was destined to grow with the region.



In 1996 Wawanesa celebrated its centenary. It is certain that stability and service, the values that have always been the backbone of Wawanesa, will continue to guide the company in its second century.

Saturday, November 25, 2006

Life Insurance - How Much Do I Need?


Insurance is the means that an individual or a family can use in order to help them prepare against the emergencies of life. Life insurance is the form of this preparation that helps in the worst emergency � the death of a loved one. This could be for anyone in the family, or for the main breadwinner. Because so many things can happen to people, mostly unexpected, we want to be ready in the event that it does happen - but hope, too, that it never does. This article will show you how to determine just how much life insurance you should have in order to be prepared in the best way possible.

When determining just how much coverage you should have, here are some things that you definitely want to take into consideration.

Your Yearly Expenses

In the event that the main earnings winner should pass away, the goal of a life insurance policy is to sustain the family at its present level of living for a while. This means you need to calculate exactly what it costs for the family to live at the present level for one year. In order to help you calculate according to the rising cost of inflation, you should add a percentage increase for each year - possibly as much as 8%.

Educating The Children

To this figure, you need to add just how much it will cost to put each child all the way through college. Of course, this may be a little hard to do, since college costs are rapidly raising. You should add, however, a percentage increase for each year until they graduate. A suggested amount would be 1 or 2% increase of the current tuition per year before college and during.

Current Debts

All of your current debts should also be added to the total amount of life insurance coverage. By adding this amount, it would enable the family to continue its current level of life - debt free. If there is any mortgage balance still owed, credit card debt, your own education bills, and any other bills should all be added into the calculation.

Funeral Costs

The costs of funerals these days have become a lot more expensive than they used to be, along with everything else. Funerals are now an average of about $6,500. Just to be safe, though, you need to add another $4-$5,000 so no debts are left after the funeral.

Inheritance

In your absence, it would be a good idea to leave your children a little extra to get them started and secure in life, if you are able. Calculate how much you want each of them to
have, and then add that amount to the total.

Finally, in your calculations, you may want to add a couple of other things - depending on your situation. If you have parents that may need nursing home care before long, or a divorce situation that you have to include, or you may even want to add a donation to either a religious organization or to a charity. It all depends largely on what you can afford. You will not want to buy hastily, without having a rather good understanding of life insurance, and make sure that you do a cost comparison, too.

Friday, November 24, 2006

"Life Insurance" � Should be "Death Insurance" but they'd have a hard time selling the policies.


Phew that's one heck of a long title, [perhaps I should have broken it up, but it might have ended up sounding like the screen play to some cheap TV Docu-drama).

However I digress.

In the film, Crazy people, Dudley Moore plays a jaded copywriter who ends up in a Sanatorium after he decides to produce ads devoid of hype.

Such is the nature of the film these advertisements are a roaring success and before you know it he is back on the treadmill again.

One of the highlights of this film for me is the campaign for Volvo Cars and I paraphrase here, "They're ugly but they might just save your life in a crash!"

Well it's the same with Life Insurance. Here is a product that Insurance Companies and agents the world over are desperate for you to have some of, it's going to be quite expensive, it's not going to benefit you in your lifetime and when you do die the Company that sold it to you is going to do their darnest to wriggle out of paying out to your dependents!

However to be a morally responsible and upstanding person who takes his or her obligations seriously you've got to have some. There is no getting round it.

So, how does this impact upon Debt Consolidation you ask? How have I managed to contrive such a tortuous link?

Well the reason is simple. If you are in the unfortunate position of having to put some sort of composition of Creditors together or some sort of Debt Consolidation Plan together then be very careful about how your advisors or the Courts deal with any form of Life Insurance Plan that you have in place and any potential residual value that any such plan might contain.

The residual value of any such Life Insurance Policy (or Pension for that matter) actually goes some way towards being categorised as one of your assets and as such is subject to the whims and vagaries of any Consolidator should they so wish to try and realise any value. The best tactic to try and remember here if you have to go down this road is to try and enter into some form of horse trading whereby you could offset the value of the early redemption of the Plan against some other part of your estate.

The reason for this is obvious. Any early redemption of a policy like this is going to be subject to a whole raft of redemption penalties and if you are not careful in the stampede to try and liquidate cash to feed your arrangement you could end up losing a whole selection of potential benefits for your family and dependents.

Not worth losing if at all it can be prevented.

Thursday, November 23, 2006

Arizona Truck Insurance Quotes - What Will It Cover?


Arizona truck insurance quotes are readily available to anyone with a computer. Just by going online one can get a quote for truck insurance for those based in Arizona. Each company will provide their own unique quote depending on how much of a risk factor they deem you and your truck or trucks to be. High risk drivers are charged higher premiums than lower risk drivers. The quote will also vary depending on the extent of coverage you choose.

What Kind of Choices Are There?

There are various insurance covers available to those seeking to insure their trucks in Arizona. As with any insurance policy it's a good idea to know what you will be asking for before you go online for a quote. It just makes for a less frustrating time if you know what you want before looking for a comprehensive quote. Some of the choices to consider include the following options.

1. Physical Damage Insurance. This insurance, otherwise known as collision coverage, pays to fix and/or replace damaged trucks and truck parts. Options within the physical damage insurance package may include coverage for extended towing, downtime, providing a loan gap, emergency expense reimbursement, truck rental reimbursement, contents coverage, deductible pay-back and coverage on tarps, chains and binders.

2. Non-Trucking Liability Insurance. Also known as bobtail liability insurance this is a limited liability protection for when the vehicle is being operated for personal or non work related use.

3. Occupation Accident Insurance. This provides the owner a source of indemnification for work related accident injuries.

4. Workers Compensation Insurance. Required by law in most states this is available to owners who have drivers working for them.

5. Passenger Accident Insurance. This is pretty self explanatory just by reading its title. Passenger accident insurance covers passengers, whether they be friends of family that are in the truck at the time of an accident.

Wednesday, November 22, 2006

About Winter Sports Travel Insurance


As the days grow shorter and summer becomes a memory, many of us will be turning our thoughts towards planning a winter vacation, especially one involving winter sports such as skiing. Travel insurance is an often overlooked part of holiday planning, but if you plan on taking part in sporting activites then it really is essential.

A normal travel insurance policy will probably not be up to the standard you need for winter sports, and if things go wrong you could be left facing a huge bill. So what features should you be looking for in a policy?

- Injury Cover

No matter how accomplished a skiier you are, hurtling down a mountain is always going to be more risky than simply lying on a beach working on a tan. And if you do have an accident, a mountainside isn't the easiest place for medical services to reach. If you're unlucky enough to need a mountain rescue or airlift to hospital, you'll be facing a bill running into the thousands even before you get medical attention. This sort of expense is likely to be specifically excluded on a standard insurance policy, but will be an integral part of almost any winter sports cover.

- Equipment

Most winter sports require expensive equipment, and where there are valuables there's always the chance of theft. Your insurance should provide enough cover to fully replace your equipment with brand new items if necessary, right there at the resort. Even if you plan to hire your equipment, the hire company will probably require insurance - and your own policy is likely to be cheaper than the standard one they'll try to sell you.

- Liability

Even the best skiiers or snowboarders can be involved in an accident in which someone else gets injured. Whether or not an accident is your fault, you could end up being taken to court and this is usually a long and expensive process. A decent insurance policy will cover costs from any legal proceedings and / or compensation payments.

- Closure of Piste

If bad weather (or warm weather!) means that the pistes are closed and you can't ski, your policy should pay you compensation to cover the costs of any pre-booked lessons or lift fees, and many will even include a payment simply to cover the inconvenience of not being able to ski.

- Off Piste

A final point to note is that a standard winter sports policy will probably only cover you for accidents that occur when skiing on designated pistes. If you plan to go off-piste, then make sure your insurance will cover this - you'll probably have to pay a supplement.

As with most kinds of insurance, paying out for travel insurance can seem like a waste of money. However, if you find yourself caught up in an accident on the mountainside then the costs involved can be truly frightening and you'll be glad you took the time to arrange adequate cover in advance!

Tuesday, November 21, 2006

Saving Money on your Insurance Premium


Auto insurance costs most families in the United States thousands of dollars each year � with many paying more than they should.
Below are a few ways that you can reduce your car insurance premium.
1. Shop and Compare.
Insurance carriers calculate risks for drivers differently, so, it pays to shop around. Each auto insurance carrier you request a quote from will quote you a different premium.
The best place to find a wide selection of car insurance quotes is online. You can use brokers such as Netquote � brokers allow you to receive quotes from several different auto insurance companies at once.
2. Request Higher Deductibles.
A deductible is basically what you pay before an insurance policy goes into effect. This means, the higher your deductible, the less you will pay. For example, by setting a $200 deductible, you only have to pay $200 if $1,000, $2,000, etc., worth of damage is done to your vehicle. With a $500 deductible, you pay $500, and your insurance covers the rest.
Obviously, the higher your deductible, the more you'll have to pay if you ever have to claim any damage or an accident on your insurance policy. However, on a month-to-month basis, your insurance costs will be substantially lower with a higher deductible.
3. Other Items to Lower Car Insurance
There are many less substantial ways to lower your insurance. Try to keep your credit as good as possible, as it doesn't only have an affect on the items you finance in life, but the rates you receive from some insurance carriers, as well.
The fewer miles you put on your vehicle each year, the less you will pay with low-mileage discounts. You can also receive discounts for having multiple insurance polices (home, life, rental, etc.) with the same insurance company that provides you with auto insurance. And, of course, the biggest way to drastically reduce your insurance premium is by keeping a ticket and accident free driving record.
SoutheastDealers.com is a directory of car dealerships and car insurance agents in the United States. Please visit http://www.southeastdelaers.com for more information on car dealers.

Monday, November 20, 2006

Inexpensive Car Insurance - Six Secrets


I learned a lesson about inexpensive car insurance when I was younger: Insurance agents lie. I would love to be able to say this is rare, but my experience tells me it is depressingly common. Apart from lying, they just won't tell you some things you need to know to save money.

Car insurance was just a legal requirement as far as I was concerned. I didn't have valuable cars when I was young, and I had no assets to protect from lawsuits. All I wanted was the minimum legal coverage needed to be on the road. I always made this very clear to my insurance agents, using many rephrasings, like "Just what the law requires, and nothing more," just to be sure they understood.

I assumed that this minimum was what my insurance company was giving me. Only after paying the premiums for many years did I learn that they had lied. I didn't have the most inexpensive car insurance policy, as they claimed. They gave me not the minimum coverage required by law, but their own "company minimum." I was pissed off.

I went to other insurance companies and they tried to do the same thing, passing off their own normal liability policies as the state-mandated minimum requirements. Only when I pushed would they provide the policy that I wanted - as long as I signed more paperwork, acknowledging that I was "under-insured." That was fine. I had no assets to protect at the time (Having few assets means you're less of a target for a lawsuit).

The bottom line is that by commission and omission, you will likely be lied to by insurance agents. I overpaid by hundreds of dollars over those years, because of one such lie. Now you know what to watch for if you just want a basic liability policy. Here are some other things you should know about getting inexpensive car insurance.

Secrets Of Inexpensive Car Insurance

- Get several quotes, of course. The important part here, though, is to be sure that each quote is for the same thing. Write down and compare the specific policy limits, deductible and a other parts of the policy.

- Review your policies annually. Ask for a policy review and get new quotes every year or so. Suppose that speeding ticket you had is past the three year mark (or whatever the company guideline is). They will often "forget" to drop the rate, so you may need to remind them.

- Take the kids off your policy. If your kids are at a college that's more than 100 miles away, you can have them taken off the insurance policy and save a lot of money. You can't let them drive the car when they come home to visit though.

- Raise your deductible. You will always get more inexpensive car insurance with higher deductibles. Plan to pay the first $1,000 of that accident if it happens someday. In the meantime, you may save far more in premiums over those years.

- Drop collision coverage. Once the value of your car is below a certain amount (an amount you can afford to lose), drop the collision coverage. It doesn't make sense to pay out thousands over a few years to insure a car that is worth just a few thousand.

- Ask about special discounts you might be eligible for. Non-smoker discounts, car/home policy discounts, and others are a possibility. Ask what discounts you may be eligible for in the future, too, and remind your agent when the time comes.

-Look at every part of the policy, and don't pay for things you don't need. Ask about anything you don't fully understand. Asking a lot of questions and really understanding the policy is one of the surest ways to get inexpensive car insurance.

Sunday, November 19, 2006

Is Commercial Auto Insurance Required for a Home-Based Business?


If you're currently in the process of starting a home-based business, the issue of automobile insurance is probably the furthest thing from your mind. Chances are that you've had a car with a personal insurance policy for a number of years, and haven't given any thought to changing your policy.

It is important to remember, however, that even occasional business outings may require a commercial insurance policy, depending on the regulations in your jurisdiction. Generally speaking, even a home-based entrepreneur who uses their vehicle for business transport more than once a week should think about getting a business-grade policy.

After all, if your car is involved in an accident and the back seat is full of office supplies, there's a good chance that your insurance company is going to ask some rather awkward questions.

Getting in trouble with your insurance company is exactly the kind of distraction you don't need when trying to operate a business. Ultimately, paying the extra premium could be well worth it to avoid the extra worry and hassle.

The only way to find out for sure whether or not you need a business-grade policy is to consult an insurance agent or broker in your area, and determine the exact rules and regulations in your state or province.

If it turns out that you do need a commercial plan, it's best to shop around and compare quotes from several different insurance providers. That way you can be absolutely sure that you're getting the best deal, and may actually be surprised by the available policies.

Saturday, November 18, 2006

Is Mobile Phone Insurance Worth It?


Although insuring your house and your car are seen by most as essential, the opposite can be said for mobile phone insurance. Insuring a mobile phone is seen as a luxury and something that you can do without. However, insuring your mobile phone can be worthwhile and can save you money. Here is some advice to help you decide whether mobile phone insurance is right for you.

How much does it cost?

Mobile phone insurance is relatively inexpensive, with cover starting at around �25 per year and going up to �100 depending on the level of cover that you want.

Ways to get insured
The two ways you can get hold of mobile insurance are to buy insurance from your airtime supplier or to go to an outside insurance source. The obvious advantage of using your airtime provider is that all your mobile phone costs are with one company. This means you can call to cancel your phone if it is lost or stolen and get a new phone sent straight away. Of course, the disadvantage is that the cost and level of cover you get may be different to what you need or are willing to pay. Your best bet is to shop around before you buy any mobile phone insurance.

Features of mobile insurance

When looking for mobile phone insurance there are a number of features you should look for. The main feature of the insurance should be the replacement of your phone should anything happen to it. Most insurance policies offer this, although you have to pay an excess payment on some whilst others will only send you a second hand phone of a similar specification. Another feature you should look for is cover for unauthorised phone calls should your phone be stolen.

Advantages of mobile phone insurance

The advantages of mobile phone insurance are that you are covered should your phone be stolen, which is becoming an increasingly common occurrence. Losing or having your phone stolen can cost hundreds of pounds, because replacing the actual phone costs a lot more than getting a contract. Also, you run the risk of having huge phone bills run up on your stolen phone if you don't report it quickly. For a small amount of money each year it does make sense to get mobile phone insurance.

Alternatives

Although mobile phone insurance is a good idea, if you are someone who has never lost his or her phone or simply doesn't take it out very much then you might not need insurance. If you keep a security lock on your phone then no one else can access it should it be stolen.
Also, it is possible to insure your phone under your home contents insurance for around �30 a year. If you take out an �all risks' policy your phone is insured against theft and loss in and outside the home. The problem with this type of insurance is that you are not fully covered for calls and payout may take a while. If you have an expensive phone and you think you might lose it, then mobile phone insurance is the quickest and cheapest way to make sure you are compensated.

Friday, November 17, 2006

How to Find an Anaheim Dental Insurance Company


How to Find an Anaheim Dental Insurance Company

In the Anaheim area, there are a large number of residents who are covered by dental insurance, but there are also others who are not. If you are one of those Anaheim residents, you are advised to take action. That action often involves obtaining dental insurance on your own.

When it comes to obtaining dental insurance, there are many individuals who wonder why they need. Dental insurance has a number of different benefits, many of which you may not only find money saving, but life saving as well. Those benefits may include lowered dental costs and the option to be able to afford professional dental care. If the above mentioned benefits are what you are looking for then you may want consider obtaining dental insurance.

To obtain dental insurance, you will first have to find an Anaheim dental insurance company to do business with. If you are unfamiliar with a local dental insurance company, you can easily find one. When searching for an Anaheim dental insurance company, there are a number of different search methods that you can use. These search methods may include, but should not be limited to, your local phone book, the internet, and recommendations from those that you know.

Perhaps, one the easiest ways that you can find and familiarize yourself with an Anaheim dental insurance company is by speaking to those that you know. This search method is ideal because it often takes little or no research. Instead of researching Anaheim dental insurance companies on your own, you can simply ask those that you know for recommendations. If a friend, co-worker, or relative is satisfied with their dental insurance company, they may be able to give you the contact information of that company.

If you are unable to find a friend, relative, or coworker that can provide you with dental insurance recommendations, you may want to consider using your local phone book. Under the heading of insurance or dental insurance, there should be multiple entries. These entries are likely to obtain the contact information of a number of different Anaheim dental insurance companies.

If you are not originally from the Anaheim area or if you cannot use your own phone book, you may want to use the internet. In as little as a few minutes, you can easily find the contact information of multiple Anaheim dental insurance companies. This contact information can be found by examining online phone books or business directories or by performing a standard internet search.

Whether you choose to find an Anaheim dental insurance company by using the internet, your phone book, or recommendations from friends, you will likely find just what you are looking for. For a wide variety of different dental insurance options, you are advised to contact multiple Anaheim dental insurance companies. Doing this may help to ensure that you find a quality plan, but at an affordable price.

Thursday, November 16, 2006

How to Find an Oakland RV Insurance Company


How to Find an Oakland RV Insurance Company

Each year, in the United States, millions of Americans make the decision to take a camping trip. When camping, many of those individuals are using an RV. An RV is an abbreviation that is used to describe a recreational vehicle. If you are using an RV for your outdoor camping adventures, it is likely that you would want to protect your investment. That is why you should, at least, consider getting RV insurance.

If you are interested in obtaining RV insurance, you will need to find an insurance company to do business with. If you live in or around the Oakland area, you may want to search for an Oakland RV insurance company. These types of companies are known as companies that are either based out of the Oakland area or service it. If you are unfamiliar with any local RV insurance companies, you will need to familiarize yourself with your options.

When it comes to finding an Oakland RV insurance company to do business with, you will find that there are a number of different ways to go about finding a company. One of those ways includes speaking to those that you know. If you are an avid camper, you may know of a number of other individuals who own an RV. If their RVs are insured, you may be able to ask about the insurance company in which they are receiving coverage from. If they are satisfied with the results, you may want to consider examining that company.

You can also use the internet to search for Oakland RV insurance companies. Online, you should be able to find a number of online phone books and business directories. By using these resources, you should be able to search for insurance companies that offer polices on recreational vehicles. As with your traditional phone book, you should be able to find a company name, their address, and their telephone number.

In addition to using online phone books and online business directories, you can also use the internet a number of other ways. There are a large number of websites and informational resource guides that are available to RV owners. These sites will not only provide you with valuable information on owning an RV, but they may also offer you information on RV insurance. By performing a standard internet search, you may be able to find an online website that offers information or feedback on a number of different Oakland RV insurance companies.

By taking the time to find and research a number of different Oakland RV insurance companies, you will be ensuing that you are able to obtain the best available coverage. Whether you only examine a couple RV insurance companies or a handful of them, you may still be able to reap the many benefits of comparing before you buy.

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

The Benefits of Obtaining Bakersfield Disability Insurance


The Benefits of Obtaining Bakersfield Disability Insurance

In the United States, including the Bakersfield area, there are a large number of individuals that live from paycheck to paycheck. This means that means that many are financially unprepared for the unexpected. If you were to become injured and you could no longer work, how would you plan on supporting your family? If you do not have an answer to that question, you may want to start thinking about it now.

When it comes to preparing for the unexpected, there are many who think that setting aside additional money is the only way to prepare. This is simply is not true. While saved money may be able to help you in a time of need, many times, not enough money is saved. In addition to setting a side a little bit of money each week or each month, you may want to examine another alternative. This alternative is the purchase of Bakersfield disability insurance.

In the event that you suffer an injury and are unable to return to work, either temporarily or permanently, you will receive weekly or monthly disability checks. The money which you receive will all depend on the Bakersfield disability insurance plan you selected and the agent that you are doing business with. To find the best possible plan and insurance company or agent, you are advised to fully examine all of your options. This can easily be done by comparing a number of different coverage plans and fees.

The first step in being able to benefit from Bakersfield disability insurance is to obtain it. This requires the assistance of a Bakersfield disability insurance company or agent. You can easily familiarize yourself with a number of Bakersfield agents by using your local phone book, the internet, or recommendations from those that you know. Whichever search method you choose to you, you should be provided with the contact information of least one Bakersfield disability insurance company.

Before you agree to signup for a particular disability insurance plan, it is important to keep a couple of things in mind. You will want to look out for any restrictions or waiting periods. A large number of disability insurance companies, including those in the Bakersfield area, have restrictions on when you can apply for disability insurance. In addition to application factors, you may also find that different insurance companies have different qualification guidelines. By keeping yourself up-to-date on this important information, you can make sure that you get a plan that will be able to assist you in your time of need.

As previously mentioned, Bakersfield disability insurance is a great way to financially prepare yourself or your family, in the event that you are no longer able to work. If financial benefits were not enough, obtaining disability insurance may also give you peace of mind. Once properly covered, you can rest assure knowing that all or a portion of your income will be replaced if you are unable to work.

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Long Term Care Insurance: "Short and Fat vs. Long and Skinny" Policies


Long term care insurance policies have an important component called a benefit period which greatly affects premium costs. This article discusses what I call "Short and Fat vs. Long and Skinny LTC Policies".

That is right -- Short and Fat LTC policies! So what is a benefit period anyway?

The benefit period is the number of years that ONCE you go on claim (need help in bathing and dressing or have some cognitive impairment (Alzheimer's or similar ailment) that the insurance company will pay the
daily or monthly benefit that you chose when you applied for the policy.

So if you bought a benefit period of say 5 years, once you qualified for benefits, and satisfied the deductible (how many days of care that you need to pay out of pocket), the insurance company will pay those benefits for a maximum of 5 years in this case.

The benefit period, whether a set number of years, say 6 years for example or unlimited years are the MAXIMUM amount of time, if you used your FULL chosen daily or monthly benefit that your policy would pay on a claim.

If you had Alzheimer's for 9 years, the policy benefits would have been exhausted after those 5 years and you would be paying for the last four years from your own money.

Most insurance companies have a number of benefit periods to choose from. Typically they are 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 10 years OR an Unlimited benefit period (say you went on claim for 35 years due to being in a
wheelchair or something).

Most LTC policies have at least four or five different benefits periods from the above choices which you can choose from for your policy.

The benefit period, whether a set number of years, say 4 years for example or unlimited years are the MAXIMUM amount of time, if you used your FULL chosen daily or monthly benefit that your policy would pay on a claim.

Now for the "Short and Fat" part...

Long ago there wasn't too much difference in the premium prices for a 5 year benefit period compared to an Unlimited policy. So since there wasn't much of a cost difference, many clients chose the Unlimited benefit to protect against a HUGE potential disaster of needing help in athing/dressing, etc. for DECADES -- not just a few years.

But today, there is a much larger difference in the premium prices for unlimited. So what to do?

First of all let me say that one of the largest LTC insurance companies has statistics that show that only 11% of
their claims last longer than five years. Of course this means that about 90% of the claims last shorter than five years. So the odds are very much in favor of never needing a policy that would pay unlimited years.

So compared with a policy that offers an Unlimited benefit period, you can get a much higher daily/monthly dollar benefit that you are MUCH more likely to actually use and benefit from. Any unused dollar benefits will extend the number of years of your benefit period and not be lost.

Also you are much more likely to use a higher dollar amount for 2-4 years than having to pay extra money out of your pocket during care with a benefit period that is probably never going to be reached.

But... if you are pretty young (30-55) an Unlimited policy still might be a choice to look at. Older ages will find Unlimited years of benefits very expensive and there is likely a better way to structure a policy.

So knowing the above statistics, would it make more sense to you to have a Short and Fat policy (one with a larger daily or monthly dollar benefit for a shorter period of time) verses... a smaller daily or monthly dollar benefit for a longer period of years?

I'd put my money on Short and Fat!!

So if you would normally consider a policy that pays $150 per day for 7, 10 years or an Unlimited benefit period... you MIGHT seriously consider a policy that would pay $180-$200 per day for three to five years instead.

No sense in paying money out of pocket during the 3-5 years you are most likely to remain on claim.

Keep in mind that in 20 or 30 years the compounded inflation policy rider will work in your favor by giving you much more purchasing power to pay for care by starting out with a bigger initial benefit!

The odds are pretty good that the insurance company will pay more out for your care under these conditions. In an upcoming article I will tell you how many people can improve the odds even MORE in their favor!


**** Mark Jeffrey Shopping TIP: If BUDGET is a concern, the Short and Fat policy makes most sense since only a relatively few people remain on claim for more than 5 years. I would go with the odds and get a
daily/monthly benefit that would cover anticipated costs rather than have a smaller dollar benefit for a longer number of years (a Long and Skinny policy).

Monday, November 13, 2006

The Link Between Your Credit History and Your Insurance Premium


Did you know your credit history and score could have a tremendous impact on your ability to obtain insurance and how much you pay for it? Many consumers are not aware of this link and because of it they are often in for quite a surprise when the time comes to take out a new insurance policy.

Insurance carriers are becomingly increasingly aware that a tendency to pay other bills late may mean that you will pay your insurance premiums late as well. As a result, more and more carriers are opting to run your credit history before providing a quote. In some cases, a poor credit rating may mean you pay more for your insurance while in other cases it could mean you may not be able to obtain insurance at all.

Just how bad does your credit have to be to interfere with your ability to obtain insurance? It really depends on the guidelines used by that individual insurance company; however, in some cases, missing just as few as two credit card payments could mean you might have problems. In some instances, missing just two payments could mean you premium might be doubled.

You are not necessarily exempt from this type of problem even if you've been with the company for a long period of time or if you've had a good history in terms of losses, either. Some consumers have been rudely surprised to learn their policy has been cancelled due to credit score problems even though they had previously had a long relationship with their insurance carrier.

How can insurance companies do this, you might ask. As previously stated one reason is that many companies feel that you may have an increased tendency to pay your premiums late. Other companies justify the practice on the basis that if you're irresponsible with money you may also be irresponsible with other aspects of your life. Some statistics serve to back up this theory, indicating the thought that individuals with poor money management skills also handle other areas of their life with less responsibility, such as driving or even taking care of their home.

Of course this doesn't take into consideration the number of people who have a poor credit score due to the fact they have experienced financial difficulties rather than possess poor money management skills.

Is there anything you can do about this practice? Not really. If you have been with the company for a long period of time, you could try protesting it, but your chances of winning aren't very good.

Ideally, it's best to try to get your credit score in shape by running it yourself and making sure there are no errors on there to drag down your score. Then concentrate on raising it by paying down other debts and paying your bills on time. You may have to live with a higher premium for awhile but the good news is that when your credit score starts to rise your insurance premiums should go down.

Sunday, November 12, 2006

Life Insurance Settlement Finds Hidden Cash For Annuity Purchase


A life insurance settlement may hold the hidden source of cash to fund your next fixed indexed annuity sale. Every agent on the planet who is actively selling annuities has heard the objection from a prospect, "I love your concept, but all my money is tied up." Of course, your comeback is to motivate Mr. & Mrs. Prospect to move at least some of their funds into the safety of an FIA. But if and when you find yourself out of bullets, please do not part company without taking a final shot with something like, "One last thought before I go. We sometimes find that retirees may have an old life insurance policy they're still paying on, or that may even be paid up. Oftentimes the reason for taking it out so long ago has changed because life circumstances change over the years. I have a way to �repurpose' this kind of dormant asset for usually more than its cash value, and apply the money toward your retirement needs today�"

Eureka! Suddenly your dying sales interview springs back to life with the prospect of using the settlement on a life insurance policy as found money.

Actually, before life insurance settlements (also known as viatical life settlements), there were two options when a senior had a life insurance policy that was no longer needed. He or she could either let the life insurance policy lapse or cash it in for its surrender value.

Now seniors have an excellent opportunity to capitalize on their current life insurance policy using a life settlement solution. Such life insurance settlements allow seniors to cash in their insurance, but in a new way. Instead of cashing in their policy with the issuing life insurance company, they can work with a bonded life settlement broker to cash in their policy with a financial institution that will pay more.

Simply put, the transaction is a buy-and-sell exchange between a policy owner and an investor, facilitated by a bonded life settlement company or broker. The policy owner deals directly with the broker who negotiates on his or her behalf. There is no fee to the seller. The broker's job is to package and present the deal for competitive bidding. Financial institutions bid for the best portfolio investments. Once limited to the terminally ill, senior life insurance settlements have evolved into a unique opportunity for today's mature market. And it works for individuals, businesses and charities.

Dollar amounts are based on the death benefit, not the cash value. Ideal life settlements are a percentage of the net face value (death benefit minus outstanding loans and accrued interest) and are always greater than any cash surrender value. For example, one recent case involved a 74 year old male with a $420,000 term life policy, no cash value. The life insurance settlement broker converted the policy to whole life. The purchasing investor took over premium payments. The happy client tucked a tidy $68,000 into his equity index annuity. And the agent socked away $12,600 commission on the life insurance settlement (3% of the policy death benefit) plus $6,120 commission on the FIA. Not a bad day's pay.

When your prospects need a little prompting on the reasons for using a life insurance settlement to fund an equity indexed annuity, suggest the following:
* Beneficiary is deceased and coverage is no longer needed, or beneficiary is financially well off and no longer in need of death benefit for survival

* Premiums are no longer affordable

* Estate size has changed and policy coverage amount is too large for estimated estate taxes

* People are living longer. Retirement income needed over longer period

* Better quality of life with greater cash flow

In its simplest form, your clients can receive more money in the secondary market than from their life insurance company. They avoid paying surrender charges from the insurance company and no longer need to make premium payments.

All of this may sound simple, but resources, time, and experience are essential. A bonded life insurance settlement company should have all the tools to make sure that your client's settlement is completed properly and efficiently. While InsuranStar.com neither endorses nor recommends any life settlement solution or senior life insurance settlement broker, as an annuity producer and Wholesale Distributor I've worked with one bonded life settlement broker whom I can recommend with confidence. Please feel free to contact me for a trustworthy reference.

Saturday, November 11, 2006

What You Need To Know When You Buy Term Life Insurance Online


So, you've come to the decision that it's time to get a life insurance policy. Now it's time to decide whether or not to buy term life insurance online. Today, the internet has become the place to purchase just about anything, and life to purchase just about anything, and life insurance coverage is one of them.

Why should you buy term life insurance online?

Most life insurance companies will offer discounts for consumers who purchase a policy online. It makes sense when you think about it. There is no agent to pay a commission to. The expenses of the company are kept down, and it's more convenient for you. You have the ability to get a premium term life insurance quote online whenever you want to. You don't need an appointment with a life insurance agent to get a rate.

Shop around and get several quotes before buying any term life insurance online.

In order to find your best deal you'll need to get several premium term life insurance quotes online. This will not be difficult, but it will take a little time to accomplish. Be sure to read over the quote thoroughly. Check out the fine print so to speak so you know what is going on.

Keep in mind that not all cheap term life insurance quotes are the best. They may add on other fees or options that increase the costs of the policy above and beyond a competitors. That's why it's vital to read through everything. The lack of having an agent talk to you about the policy is the biggest drawback when you buy term life insurance online.

Is the company rated A+?

This is important because you want to be sure you're dealing with a reputable life insurer who is going to be in business tomorrow.

Even though you're going to buy term life insurance online, the company will have a customer service line. Call it and talk to someone. Get a feel for how the company operates. That's being a smart consumer. If their customer support isn't up to par, don't do business with them.

Buying term life insurance online has become a big way of purchasing insurance. There have been literally millions of policyholders who have done the same thing. The most important part is simply knowing the amount of coverage you need, and type of term policy. Then, it's easy to buy term life insurance online.

Friday, November 10, 2006

Want The Cheapest Home Owners Insurance?


Before you look for the absolute cheapest home owners insurance, make a short list of decent insurance companies. You can type "insurance company ratings" into any search engine and get some free information on the financial strength of the various companies. You want a company that is going to be around when you need them.

Then, call a company on the list or get a quote online. Ask a lot of questions, first, though. There may be ways to save money that you hadn't thought of, or aren't on the list below. Be sure that you understand what is covered and what isn't. Take notes, writing down the exact policy limits and deductible amounts and anything else relevant.

You are going to need this information to accurately compare the quote to others. What you are really looking for is not the cheapest home owners insurance, but the cheapest way to get the policy you need. With that in mind, here are some ways to lower that premium.

1. Have a higher deductible. Insurance is for disasters, not small stuff, so plan to pay the first $1000 someday when something happens. Meanwhile you'll save money every year. Does this make you uncomfortable? Here's a solution: If the annual premium is say, $80 less with a higher deductible, put that $80 into a special account each year. You'll eventually have the whole deductible covered, or if you have no claims, you'll have extra money for retirement.

2. Ask about a car / home discount. Usually you can get a lower rate if you car is insured with same company as your house. Note the exact criteria and limits for the auto policy, though. You'll want to fairly compare this part of the policy with others as well.

3. Get at least three quotes. Use your notes to make sure that each company is quoting the same policy limits, and roughly the same policy conditions, so you can honestly compare the quotes.

4. Use independent agents. Because they are not limited to one company, they can sell you policies from whichever companies are cheapest, or best suit your needs.

5. Ask about special discounts. Non-smokers usually get a discount. You may get a discount for security alarms as well.

6. Make sure the home is safe. Whether or not there is an inspection before the policy is issued, you don't want to lie to get cheap rates. In other words, you really should have smoke alarms, locks on the doors, a fire extinguisher, and an updated furnace.

7. Check the coverage on contents. If you don't really have $40,000 worth of stuff in the house, don't pay for the coverage. When the time for a claim comes, the insurance company won't pay for value that wasn't there, but they will collect for it if you let them.

In the end, you may never get a perfect comparison of rates. Some insurance companies won't have the exact same policies available as others. They may each have their own minimum content coverage requirements, for example, or a minimum policy limits based on square footage. Still, if you use the guidelines here, you will get close to the cheapest home owners policy - for the coverage you need.

Thursday, November 9, 2006

How To Obtain Online Auto Insurance Quote


From the quacking ducks to talking lizards, all ask you to sign for the insurance on their company's website by the constant bombardment of the advertisements. But you are not sure if these companies will give you the best auto insurance rate for your desired coverage.

First and foremost thing before opting online car insurance is that you understand which items are essential for protecting you and your assets. I think you know very well that all the insurance policies look alike, but you should research well to comprehend both the company and your unique situation.

The next step you should think over is your Budget. It will answer the question of how much you can afford for auto insurance premium annually. How much deductible you are ready to pay. Many websites have budget calculators.

After deciding on your Budget, Please visit website http://www.foranu.com/site and search to see what others are paying for auto insurance. This free service allows users to search on number of criteria's and displays how much premiums others are paying and from who they are buying these policies. Doing this step will give you an idea of how much you can expect to pay for auto insurance and which companies offer the best rates for users.

Please contact the short listed auto insurance companies from above step. Most of them offer online forms. Fill up their application to get a suitable auto insurance policy for your vehicle.

By means of comparison, it is damn easy to choose one that fits your perfect need. Moreover, I found that Internet paves way to save money on quote comparison.

It is imperative that you get quotes from at least five auto insurance companies. Generally, I'll log on to these top-level companies online to get different quotes.

It might be a Herculean task to select an online auto insurance supplier for getting free quotes. It is highly advisable to choose a company that offers a simple application process and has excellent service reviews. Moreover check with them that when giving auto insurance quote they are not running credit check on you. Please avoid such companies unless you are sure they will give best quote. Having many credit checks affects your credit history adversely.

After choosing the quote that you like, you can either pick to collect the insurance rate through mail or accept the quote right then and there. You're assured to save money on both these ways.

Wednesday, November 8, 2006

Home Insurance: Is It Worth It?


If you own a home, then likely you have homeowners insurance on your biggest and most expensive asset. True, if you own your home outright, then there is no law requiring you to have homeowners insurance. Only mortgage companies will insist on insurance if they have a lien on your home. Is it wise to go without insurance? Should you? Keep reading and we shall look at the value of having or getting rid of your homeowners insurance.

Homeowners' insurance rates are spiking especially for homeowners in areas where hurricane damage has been high, such as Florida. Some homeowners are finding their rates have doubled or tripled in just one year while others are learning that their policy has been cancelled by the insurance company meaning they must shop for new insurance.

The temptation to drop insurance altogether is a big one, but a dangerous choice to make unless you have a bundle of money to absorb the loss.

Home insurance makes sense for the following reason:

--If there is a catastrophic loss, then your home can be completely replaced. Just make certain that your policy has been updated to reflect the current replacement cost of your home. If you live in earthquake or a flood prone area, you will need to purchase separate insurance to cover these disasters.

You can save money on your policy via:

--Comparison shopping. All insurers are different and rates can vary by as much a 10 to 20 percent. Shop around and don't just go with the best rate. Companies that pay a fast claim are worth more than a slower payer any day, even if there rates are high.

You are your home's best advocate because:

--You know your home. You are in the best position to determine loss, therefore you must be aware of what is allowed or not allowed before filing for a claim. A tree that falls on your home means that you are covered, while floods and earthquakes are only covered through the writing of a separate policy.

Yes, insurance on your home can certainly seem expensive and almost worth dropping until you need to use it. Your insurance company isn't always your best friend, but they can be your only friend when disaster hits and able to help restore you financially if you selected the policy with the best coverage.

Tuesday, November 7, 2006

Life Insurance � Basic Explanations


Many of us try not to think about life insurance at all. However, it might be important to financially secure your relatives and family members in case of your death. Nowadays, most of people have outstanding debts, car payments, home and personal loan payments. What would do your loved ones in case of your death if the major source for paying these debts were your salary? This would definitely put them in a difficult financial position. That's why it is worth to think about your life insurance.

There are two major types of life insurance: a whole life insurance and a term life insurance. With the whole life insurance plan you can insure yourself for the whole life and. In this case the total amount of money is paid to your loved ones after your death. There are various options when choosing a whole life insurance plan, so you have to make a careful investigation before making a decision. For example, in some cases an insurer pays extra bonuses to your dependants upon your death.

On the other hand, you may prefer to choose a term life insurance policy, a cost effective option. With the term life insurance plan you insure yourself for a particular period of time, normally 20 years, and the sum is paid if you die during this period. However, you should know that if you survive during this period, then no payments are maid and you can not make a claim after the end of the policy term.

So, how much does it cost? To find an answer to this question you should realize that are different factors influencing the policy price. First of all, it's not a bad idea to investigate whether your employer offers some kind of life insurance. Pretty often, companies offer their employees insurance plans at a reduced rate as a kind of benefit. Usually it is a small plan, but it is definitely better then nothing at all.

Another point you should pay attention is the age you start to pay for your life insurance. As you get older you have to pay more for premiums. So, it's a good idea to purchase a life insurance policy when you are young.

For more information visit the site devoted to Wawanesa Insurance where you will find interesting articles and news related to insurance.

Monday, November 6, 2006

Homeowners Insurance Coverage: Are You Really Protected?


Most homeowners think, or hope, that they have enough coverage on their homes to take care of just about any sort of contingency. However, waiting until a disaster strikes � like Hurricane Katrina � could find yourself uncovered for an event that you thought was covered. Are you really protected? Read on and we'll take a look at what is typically covered under the average insurance plan. If in doubt, pull out the policy and call your insurance representative today to make certain that your policy meets your needs.

Tree Damage: If a tree falls on your house, you are covered. However, what if your neighbor's tree falls on your house? Worse, what if their coverage is inadequate or nonexistent? Rest assured, you are covered�through your own policy that is.

Water Damage: Your home is damaged from wind and from rain. Are you covered? Good question! If the water came into your home via damage to the roof then you are likely okay. If the water came in due to a rising creek or storm surge then you are out of luck unless you purchased a separate flood insurance policy from the federal government. Think Katrina: many homeowners are grabbling with insurance providers as they learn that they weren't covered at all.

Volcanic Activity: Surprisingly, if a volcano erupts and takes your home away with it, you should be covered.

Nuclear War: If you home is vaporized during a nuclear incident you are not covered by your homeowner's insurance.

Earthquake Insurance: Better hope that you have separate earthquake insurance in the event you live someplace where the ground is prone to seismic movement. Your regular policy will not cover you so take out a separate earthquake insurance policy to make certain that you are well covered.

Even if you have the right kind of coverages do you have enough coverage for everything that you own? Will your current insurance plans provide enough coverage for a home fire or will deductibles limit your ability to rebuild? In addition, should you opt for an umbrella policy in the event that you need something beyond homeowners and auto insurance coverage? One lawsuit could empty out your bank account with one whack of a judge's gavel as the courts rule against you.

Regardless of where you think you stand an occasional "check up" with your insurance provider should reveal whether your coverage is sufficient. Assume nothing; to do so could mean that your coverage is inadequate for every sort of contingency.

Sunday, November 5, 2006

Unusual Specialist Insurance Explained


Although most people are familiar with regular types of insurance like life insurance and home insurance, there is an increasing demand for more unusual types of insurance. Basically, anything that you might feel is a risk can be insured against. Here are some examples of insurance types that you might not have considered before:

Reasons for an increase in unusual policies

Unusual insurance policies are becoming more common for a number of reasons. Firstly, people are more informed about what they are at risk from, and so want to protect themselves accordingly. Secondly, the increase in lawsuit culture has increased the need for types of insurance. People are being sued for more and more reasons, and so the level of cover they need is increasing both in value and in scope. Also, the rise in unusual insurance policies amongst the rich and famous is leading everyday people to follow suit.

Pet insurance

One type of insurance that has moved from unusual to fairly common is pet insurance. Many people love their animals as if they were a member of their family, and with vet's bills being so high it does make sense to insure your pet. Pet insurance usually covers vet bills as well as liability and compensation should the animal die. There are now dozens of dedicated pet insurers to choose from, with cover for dogs starting from around �5 per month.

Star employee insurance

A number of companies are beginning to see the importance of their top employees, and are taking policies out to cover them against loss should anything happen to these key members of staff. Whether you are a sales company with a great salesman or a club owner with a great singer, then you could lose earnings should anything happen to your star employee. Taking out a policy to cover you against a drop in earnings might be a good idea.

Body part insurance

Some of the most unusual insurance policies that are in demand are for the insurance of particular body parts. With celebrities like David Beckham and Jennifer Lopez insuring their prize �assets', other professions are following suit. Many chefs, athletes and musicians are getting their hands or feet insured in case they are damaged. Although this might seem a little vain, it can in fact be very sensible. If using your hands for playing an instrument is how you make your living and you severely injure yourself, then you might need significant compensation to stop yourself getting into financial difficulty.

Antique insurance

Perhaps the most frequently used unusual insurance policy is the insurance of specific art pieces or antiques. Regular contents insurance is unlikely to cover you for such items, and you may be better taking out a specific policy that covers against more regular loss or theft. If something is irreplaceable and gets damaged you will want a policy that will cover you for the costly restoration of that item. Whatever type of unusual insurance you get, remember to ask yourself if you really need it, and to shop around to get the best deal. Although these policies are not advertised, many insurers might be able to help you with your specific requirements.

Saturday, November 4, 2006

How to Request an Albany Home Insurance Quote


How to Request an Albany Home Insurance Quote

Each year, in the United States, thousands of homes are damaged. Almost all of that damage arises from something unexpected. That is why it is important to not only protect yourself, but to protect your home as well. As a homeowner, you can do that by purchasing home insurance.

If you live in or around the Albany area and you are looking to purchase home insurance, you will want to examine local home insurance companies. You can easily do this by using your local phone book, the internet, or recommendations from those that you know. Whichever search method you choose, it is important that you obtain the contact information of at least one Albany home insurance company.

Once you have obtained the information of at least one Albany home insurance company, you will want to further examine that company. Not only will you want to examine the home insurance policies that they have available, but you will also want to examine the level of service that they are able to provide you with. In the event that your home needs repairs, you will want to be doing business with a pleasant, helpful, and compassionate person.

Perhaps, the best way to determine the level of service that is offered by one of your local Albany home insurance companies is to perform a standard internet search. By searching for information on a local Albany home insurance company, you should be provided with a number of different results, these results are likely to include feedback from previous clients.

In addition to the level of service offered, you will also want to examine the available home insurance plans and the prices in which those plans are offered at. The best way to do this is to request an Albany home insurance quote. Most insurance companies will offer you free quotes. This means that you should not have to pay to request additional information, such as the cost of obtaining service.

When it comes to requesting a free Albany home insurance quote, you will find that different companies have different ways of handing out quotes. You may find that one company accepts online insurance quote requests, but another does not. Even if online insurance quote requests are not accepted, there should be a number of other ways that you can go about requesting an Albany home insurance quote.

Aside from using the internet, you can contact the insurance company directly. As previously mentioned, you should have already acquired the contact information of at least one home insurance company. You should use this information to call and speak to an insurance representative. In a matter of minutes, your Albany home insurance quote request may be processed.

Whether you make the decision to request an Albany home insurance quote by phone or over the internet, you should be provided with the same results. In addition to the same results, you will often find that both requests take about the same amount of time to process.

Friday, November 3, 2006

Sacramento Disability Insurance: What It Is and Why You Should Get It


Sacramento Disability Insurance: What It Is and Why You Should Get It

In the United States, including the Sacramento area, there are a large number of individuals who are not financially prepared for the unexpected. If you are one of those individuals, you are urged to act fast. This action may involve saving extra money, but it should also involve the purchase of Sacramento disability insurance coverage.

In a way, disability insurance is like homeowner's insurance or automobile insurance. You may not always need to use it, but it is still there if you need it. For instance, in the event that you are unable to work, due to an injury, you will receive payments from your Sacramento disability insurance company. The amount of money you will receive will often be a predetermined amount. Whether that amount is large or small, it is important remember that it is better than nothing. If you are not only interested in protecting yourself, but your family as well, you should seriously consider obtaining Sacramento disability insurance.

If you are interested in obtaining Sacramento disability insurance, you first need to find a life insurance company to do business with. If you are a Sacramento resident, you may want to think about doing business with a Sacramento disability insurance company. These companies are often defined as companies that either operate directly out of the Sacramento area or companies that service the area.

To find a Sacramento disability insurance company to do business with, you will have to spend a little bit of time doing some research. If you have access to a local Sacramento phone book, you may be able to find the contact information of at least one Sacramento disability insurance company. These listings should be found in the back of the phone book, which is often referred to as the business directory. All telephone listing should include the insurance company's name, their address, and their telephone number.

While your local phone book is a great way to find insurance companies, including disability insurance companies, it is not your only option. In fact, you may be able to find more results by using the internet. This can easily be done by examining online business directories and online phone books. The information found in a Sacramento disability insurance company listing should include the company name, address, and telephone number.

In addition to using the internet to search through online phone books or online business directories, you can also use the internet to search for the online websites of multiple Sacramento disability insurance companies. Simply by performing a standard internet search, with the words Sacramento disability insurance, you should be provided with a number of links. These links should take you directly to a Sacramento disability insurance company's website. On this website, you should be able to find valuable information on available insurance policies and their costs.

Researching Sacramento disability insurance companies and disability insurance plans is free to do. By using your phone or your computer, you could easily familiarize yourself with what a Sacramento disability insurance company has to offer. In addition to familiarizing yourself with available plans, you should also be able to request a free insurance quote. Since all it takes is a small amount of time, why not at least look into what disability insurance can do for you or your family.

Thursday, November 2, 2006

The Benefits of Having Buffalo Home Insurance


The Benefits of Having Buffalo Home Insurance

Are you a homeowner that lives in or around the Buffalo area? If so, do you have insurance on your home? Thousands of residents don't, even though they should. If you are currently without insurance on your home, you are advised to consider the benefits of obtaining it. In fact, you may be surprised just how many benefits there are to having home insurance coverage.

Perhaps, the greatest benefit of having insurance on your home is that your home will be protected. While your home will not necessarily be protected from damage, it will be protected financially. In the event that your home is damaged due a fire, faulty appliances, or other pre-agreed upon disasters, you will be protected. While home insurance does cover a wide variety of different accidents and events, it does not cover all. For instance, homeowners insurance does not cover damage done by flooding or hurricanes.

Despite the fact that flood damage would not be covered by your Buffalo flood insurance policy, there are still benefits to obtaining it. As previously mentioned, Buffalo flood insurance will not only protect your home, but it will also protect your finances. In the event that your home becomes damaged, if you are not covered by home insurance, you will need to pay for the repairs all on your own. For many Buffalo homeowners, that is difficult or impossible.

While it is important to understand the benefits of having Buffalo home insurance coverage, it is also important to examine how it works. With most Buffalo home insurance policies; you will need to find an insurance company to do business with. Once you have found an insurance company, you and your agent will devise a plan. This plan will often include the amount of money that your home will be covered for and the amount of money that you will have to pay for coverage.

As long as you continue to pay the agreed upon monthly or yearly payments, your home should always be covered. If damage was done to your home, by something that is covered by your insurance policy, you will then have to file an insurance claim. As soon as you file your insurance claim, you are urged to take pictures of the damage. This may help to ensure that your claim is correctly processed. In addition to taking pictures, your Buffalo home insurance agent may come to inspect the damage.

After your insurance agent has filed your claim, it will need to be processed. Depending on who you are working with, this process may take a few weeks or a few months. Once your claim has been processed, you will often be presented with a check from your insurance company. You can then use this check to pay for your damages. It is also important to note that you may be required to pay your deductible before you are awarded your claim. Your deductible should be an amount that was previously determined by you and your insurance agent.

As you can easily see, there are a number of benefits to obtaining a Buffalo home insurance policy. It is also important to note that the above mentioned benefits are just a few of the many. Many homeowners benefit from having home insurance, in more ways than one, and you can too.

Wednesday, November 1, 2006

Choosing a Phoenix Moving Company: Is Insurance Necessary


Choosing a Phoenix Moving Company: Is Insurance Necessary

Each year, a large number of individuals and families make the decision to relocate to another city, town, or state. If are going to become one of those individuals, it is likely that you will have a large amount of work ahead of you, regardless of whether or not you use the services of a professional moving company. You may spend days, even weeks, packing all of your belongings; therefore, it is likely that you would want to keep your belongings safe. To do this, when hiring the services of a professional moving company, you will want to think about insurance coverage.

When it comes to inquiring about insurance, you will first need to have a professional moving company in mind. If you are planning on moving to or from the Phoenix area, it is likely that you will need to find a Phoenix moving company. You can find a number of different Phoenix moving companies by speaking to those that you know, by searching through a Phoenix phone book or by using the internet. Once you have found a Phoenix moving company, that you would like to do business with, you will need to contact them for additional information.

When contacting a Phoenix moving company for more information, there are many individuals who only think about the cost of moving and the services included in that cost. Of course, it is important to determine whether or not you can afford the cost of a Phoenix moving company, but it is also important to examine a number of other factors. One of those factors should be insurance. Before agreeing to do business with a Phoenix moving company, you will need to determine whether or not they are insured.

Most professional Phoenix moving companies will be properly insured, but there is a chance that you will find a company that is not. For your own safety, you may want to avoid doing business with a moving company that is uninsured. In the event that any of your belongings suffer damage, you will be finically responsible for paying for the replacements or repairs, but that is only if your moving company is not insured. If your moving company is insured, you should be able to receive compensation for your damaged belongings, if there are any.

In addition to using the services of an insured moving company, you may also want to think about obtaining your own insurance, just for the move. In fact, many homeowners have a homeowners insurance policy in which moving insurance can easily be added on. This insurance is most commonly sold as short term insurance; therefore, you will not need to pay for it on a yearly basis. If you would like to obtain this type of insurance or you would just like more information, you are advised to contact the insurance company that is currently handing your homeowners insurance. If you do not have homeowners insurance, you are advised to contact one of your local insurance providers for more information.