Sunday, December 26, 2010

Avoid the High Risk Insurance Pool

Obtaining automobile coverage as a driver that is considered to have higher risks to insure by carriers can become inexpensive and being categorized as such an individual should be avoided at all costs. For the most part, motorists can control the way that they are viewed by car insurance companies and can keep premiums as affordable as possible; this is best achieved by simply practicing safe driving and obeying the rules of the road. Unfortunately, many drivers make poor decisions and end up paying increased premiums as a result.
One of the biggest mistakes that a motorist makes, and far too common, is choosing to get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs. This not only puts the life of the driver in danger, but also the lives of anyone who is also occupying the roadways. Additionally, being caught and convicted of making such a dangerous decision can almost automatically land motorists in the high risk auto insurance pool. With such an offense on a driver’s record, the individual can expect to be charged inflated rates for coverage for years to come in addition to any fines issued and the likelihood of having to purchase, file and maintain an SR-22 for an amount of time determined by the court. In many cases, a conviction of driving while impaired may result in the cancellation of a policy by the current insurer and the need to find a carrier that is willing to insure riskier drivers.

Other Ways to Land in the High Risk Insurance Pool

Most drivers are aware that accumulating tickets for moving violations and/or being involved in traffic accidents can raise rates, but many still choose to drive irresponsibly and end up paying for it through premiums, fines and expenses resulting from an accident. A consumer can easily avoid higher rates caused by traffic violations by obeying driving laws. Committing offenses such as speeding, running red lights or stop signs, etc., are all in the control of the motorist and refraining from such actions can help drivers keep premiums affordable. Being responsible behind the wheel can keep individuals out of the high risk auto insurance pool.
Although some collisions are unavoidable, many are caused by driver error that can be avoided. Similar to obtaining tickets, breaking traffic laws can lead to accidents that ultimately lead to higher premiums. Companies will usually not raise a policyholder’s rate for a not-at-fault or first at-fault accident, but being involved in a number of accidents and filing numerous claims can have an adverse effect on the amount paid for automobile coverage and even be cause for policy cancellation or non-renewal. Responsibility behind the wheel can help prevent a traffic collisions and also keep rates affordable. Motorists who are currently considered riskier to insure by carriers should not settle for just any price for policies or think that coverage is unavailable. The Texas Department of Insurance suggests that such drivers keep shopping around until a carrier willing to offer protection is found.

Source: http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/learn/high-risk-drivers.htm

Tips to Lower Cost of Insurance

With the New Year just around the corner and many consumer preparing their resolutions, saving money is likely one resolution that many would like to keep. While there may be a few ways to lower the money that is being spent on a monthly basis, auto insurance is one option that motorists can explore to reduce household bills. It is far too often that policyholders purchase coverage from a carrier without going back to revisit the details of the policy initially obtained to see if there may be a way to reduce premiums or even see if a cheaper company is available. A brief review of a policy’s details may lead to some savings in the upcoming year.
One of the first places that a consumer can find premium reductions and locate low cost insurance is by completing a quote comparison from various companies. Although a motorist may have found the best rate at the time that they purchased their current policy, many things can change with time that can cause premiums to reduce. Drivers who may have had a few tickets in the past that were negatively affecting their rates may have had enough time pass by where these items may not longer have an effect on their rate. Companies will usually only count tickets acquired in the past three years against policyholders and while a driver may have had to obtain coverage from a carrier that specialized in higher risk motorists, having tickets no longer held against them can open the door to new insurers, cheaper rates and even a good driver discount. Comparing quotes can help individuals locate a more inexpensive insurer if this is the case.

Review Policies to Lower Insurance Costs

A great way to reduce auto insurance premiums is to review the specifics of a policy and ensure that protection that is not needed is not being paid for or that the right options are chosen. Many motorists continue to pay for coverage for years without looking to see if policies need to be adjusted to provide the right product and end up paying hundreds of dollars for items that may not be needed. A recent survey showed that a large percentage of individuals are not very familiar with the literature in automobile policies and this can result in overpaying for coverage. Taking a quick glance at the type of protection and eliminating anything that is not needed can save money; if one does not understand something on their policy, they can simply call their insurer and ask what it is, what it covers and determine if it is worth paying for.
Comprehensive and collision is a very common addition to coverage that is not required by law, but is a popular choice among motorists to protect their vehicle. However, many automobile owners pay for this type of protection for years at some point the cost of covering the car may not make sense financially. Of course most are aware that as a vehicle ages, with the exception of classic and antique cars, it goes down in value. With premiums for comprehensive and collision coverage in some areas being quite high and coupled with the deductible that would need to be, it may be more cost efficient to drop this protection and keep the money on hand in case the vehicle needs to be replaced. Individuals can use automobile appraisal books and websites to determine if the car’s value is worth paying to protect. If the auto is still worth insuring, the State of New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and numerous government agencies suggest raising deductibles to reduce rates. Before doing so, consumers should be aware that choosing a higher deductible will mean that more money will need to be paid towards claims.
Source: http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/low-cost/

Free Insurance Quotes Can Be Beneficial

Driving an automobile in the United States is a privilege given to most Americans and a very important one for many, but with such a privilege also comes a responsibility that the majority of motorists must comply with in order to have the ability to operate a vehicle legally and continue to be allowed to drive. This responsibility entails being able to pay for injuries and damages that are caused by a motorist as a result of a traffic accident. Purchasing a car insurance policy is the most common way that drivers choose to comply with such a requirement and taking the time to compare quotations from numerous companies can not only help find the most affordable coverage and right policies, but does not cost a cent.
Prior to purchasing automobile coverage, consumers should do a bit of research on the types of protection that is available to them and which can be beneficial for their particular situation. While one person may only need basic liability, another may need much more extensive coverage to protect assets. Whatever the case may be, even if a motorist may feel that they only need minimum required coverage, comparing rates from insurers may benefit anyone in need of a policy if better protection is found at a price that can be afforded. Comparison shopping will not only cost nothing, but can now be done in no time with companies offering free online auto insurance quotes by completing a brief form. Consumers should take advantage of such services to make sure that the best deal is found for the right policies.

Benefiting From Free Insurance Quotes

A large number of consumers aim to find the cheapest rates for auto insurance, but in the process of doing so many motorists sacrifice protection that can be beneficial in the event of certain circumstances arising from traffic accidents. One common choice that drivers make is to purchase the absolute minimum coverage allowed by their particular state in order to comply with laws, but in many cases this may not be enough to cover the expenses of accidents; this is where obtaining free quotes can become very helpful. Several states only require motorists to purchase very little liability limits such as California, which only requires resident-motorists to purchase $5,000 in property damage liability. As many are aware, there are many cars in the Golden State that can easily exceed the value of $5,000 and causing significant damage to such vehicles may leave the insured responsible for paying the other party for any amount above the limit covered by the policy. It is commonly suggested to raise liability limits to to $50,000 for property damage. By obtaining cost-free quotations, one may be surprised to find out that more coverage may not cost much more in premiums and can provide much needed protection.
Another benefit that can be taken out of obtaining quotes free of charge is by comparing the cost to protect against risks that may not be required. Many states require that motorists purchase Uninsured Motorist coverage, while others do not or even allow consumers to waive the option in writing. However, it may be worthwhile to compare rates with this addition if it is not required by state law. For example, the Texas Department of Insurance estimates that approximately 20% of drivers are not insured and the estimated national average is close to this figure. In fact, the estimated percentage of motorists without policies in New Mexico is close to 30%. Considering this addition to a policy can be worth the extra money spent in the event that the policyholder is involved with such a driver and for the most part the cost can be very minimal to purchase this add-on; after all, checking to see what it would cost to add it on to coverage is free and may pay off in the long run. In addition, there are many types of protection offered by insurers and checking and comparing rates does not cost a cent, just a little investment of time. One should explore all options prior to making a purchase to help ensure that the best possible options that can be afforded are found.
Source: http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/quotes/free.htm

Cheap TX Liability Insurance for the New Year

With the New Year just around the corner and many Texans more occupied with holiday shopping and getting ready to raise a glass and toast the upcoming year and the things to come, not many have auto insurance on their minds. Texas’ motorists should be aware that beginning January 1, 2011, not only will there be a reason to celebrate the aspirations of a prosperous year to come, but there will also be an increase in the minimum liability coverage requirements in the Lone Star State. As most set to New Year’s resolutions, many include saving money as a common resolution and keeping automobile policies affordable may be a place to start.
Motorists who may not necessarily feel the effect of the new legal requirements are those who have already purchased limits above and beyond what is currently required, however; a large number of TX drivers currently contain the minimum coverage allowed by the state and the bump to higher limits may see rates increase as more extensive policies will need to be obtained. The most effective way to make sure that cheap liability car insurance in Texas is obtained is by preparing for the rate increase that is likely to come with the new year, and although many may be more concerned with the hectic holiday season, one should not wait until an unexpected premium hike is experienced in the near future.

Keeping TX Liability Insurance Cheap in the New Year

Being prepared for the upcoming changes in Texas auto insurance law is one of the best methods of preparing for a rate increase and even keeping the cost of coverage as close to the current premium being paid as possible. Any policy issued or renewed after January 1, 2011 will have to contain minimum liability limits of $30,000 for bodily injury per person, $60,000 for bodily injury to two or more people and $25,000 for property damage; this is commonly seen in an abbreviation of 30/60/25. This is an increase from the previous requirements of $25,000 and $50,000 for bodily injury, but the $25,000 in property damage will continue to remain the same.
While the increased requirements may not seem to be much, only consisting of $10,000 more, it may impact rates; with more coverage generally comes higher premiums, especially for higher risk drivers. With this in mind, whether a motorist with a flawless driving record or some mishaps, it may be a good idea to see what a policy will cost with these new required limits. Motorists that are currently insured may want to see what their current company may be increasing premiums to and compare quotes of other insurers to see if a more affordable option is available. Depending on the policyholder, the number and types of drivers and vehicle, a premium can be raised a few dollars or a few hundred. It may be a good idea to find out beforehand and not when a renewal notice is received; this can help avoid surprises and also help keep policies as inexpensive as possible. Residents may also want to visit the Texas Department of Insurance website to get a full understanding of the state’s new financial responsibility laws.
Source: http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/texas/how-to-get-cheap-liability-auto-insurance-in-texas.htm

Insure with Top Insurance Companies

Consumers looking to purchase automobile policies can be overwhelmed with the number of choices that are available with the wide variety of car insurance provider willing to offer coverage. In certain states, there can be well over fifty carriers to choose from and singling out the best one can be a time consuming and tiring process. However, motorists should be aware that not all insurers are the same and there are certain factors that can set some companies well above the rest of the competition that should not be overlooked.
A large number of motorists look to get insured at the cheapest price possible and may ignore the importance of researching the carrier that is offering the most affordable rate. Doing so can save a driver a few premium dollars, but may also leave a consumer regretting such a decision down the road if the insurer proves to be unreliable or has a poor reputation of customer service or honoring claims. Ensuring that policies are obtained from top auto insurance companies can save policyholders from experiencing difficulties when dealing with providers and it may be worth investing a little time into making sure a carrier is reputable and has a high customer satisfaction level.

Locate a Top Insurance Company

Motorists often overlook a number of factors that make up insurers and although it may seem simple enough to call around, shop the Internet or sit down with agents to find the most affordable premiums, there is much more information about car insurance companies that consumers should take into consideration; after all, there is a reason that some insurers own most of the industry’s market share and issue the majority of automobile policies. Obviously, price is a major concern for a large number of drivers, and rightfully so. Nobody should pay more than necessary for vehicle coverage, but opting for the cheapest rate with checking into a company may not be the best way to go.
Potential policyholders can take a few simple steps to make sure that coverage is obtained by a quality insurer. First a consumer will need to obtain quotes for the desired product from numerous carrier; this will help eliminate any that are overpriced and show motorists which companies are willing to accept them at the most reasonable price. After a consumer sorts out the three or four most affordably priced insurer, checking into the provider should be done and can be achieved quite quickly and easily. Consumers should look into the financial stability and customer satisfaction level a carrier prior to making a purchase; both of which can be done online.
The importance of looking into how strong a company stands financially is due to the fact that this will show their ability to fulfill ongoing obligations to policyholders. A financially sound carrier will have not problem paying any valid claim, which of course is what a motorist is paying for by purchasing coverage. In addition, even though an insurer may have financial stability, this does not necessarily mean that past and present policyholders are happy with them. Consumers may also want to check out the “buzz” surrounded the provider being considered. Both of these aspects of carriers can be done with a simple search. Certain government websites such as the Massachusetts Official Website of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulations will provide such information as well. Checking an insurance provider’s reputation can be just as important as finding the best price.
Source: http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/companies/ratings/

Friday, December 24, 2010

How Much Car Insurance Do You Need?

by Philip Reed, Senior Consumer Advice Editor, Edmunds.com

Having sufficient coverage gives you one less thing to worry about after an accident.

A growing number of people are dropping their auto insurance to try to save money, according to a recent study by the Insurance Research Council (IRC). If the current rate of unemployment continues, the IRC estimates that the national uninsured rate will climb from 13.8 percent in 2007 to 16.3 percent in 2010. With that many people driving without coverage, it's dangerous to be uninsured. But how much car insurance do you really need?
If you're like many people feeling the pinch, your inclination is to get the bare minimum of insurance coverage required by the law in your state. That's a good place to start, though those minimums may not fully protect you -- or your assets -- if you file a claim. We recommend getting more than the minimum coverage unless you are driving a beater and have no assets to protect.
Every state in the nation, except for New Hampshire and Wisconsin, requires that you have liability insurance, and that mandatory coverage varies according to state.
In the chart below, minimum liability limits are read as follows (in thousands of dollars):

Bodily injury liability for one person in an accident
Bodily injury liability for all people injured in an accident
Property damage liability for one accident

So, for Alabama, the minimum requirements are $25,000 of bodily injury liability for one person, $50,000 bodily injury liability for all people and $25,000 property damage liability. Personal Injury Protection (PIP), or Medical Payments (MedPay) in some states, pays for your own medical expenses, any lost wages and whatever other costs may arise when you're injured in an accident. It usually pays about 80 percent of your losses, and it also pays a death benefit. PIP is required in: Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Utah.
Some states also require you to purchase car insurance that will cover your own medical expenses, pain and suffering losses and, in some states, car damage in the event that the other motorist is at fault and is either uninsured or underinsured. See the chart below to find out if this applies to you.

State	Liability limits (in thousands of dollars)	Uninsured/Underinsured motorist coverage required?
Alabama	25/50/25	No
Alaska	50/100/25	No
Arizona	15/30/10	No
Arkansas	25/50/25	No
California	15/30/5	No
Colorado	25/50/15	No
Connecticut	20/40/10	Yes
Delaware	15/30/10	No
D.C.	25/50/10	Yes
Florida	10/20/10	No
Georgia	25/50/25	No
Hawaii	20/40/10	No
Idaho	25/50/15	No
Illinois	20/40/15	Yes
Indiana	25/50/10	No
Iowa	20/40/15	No
Kansas	25/50/10	Yes
Kentucky	25/50/10	No
Louisiana	10/20/10	No
Maine	50/100/25	Yes
Maryland	20/40/15	Yes
Massachusetts	20/40/5	Yes
Michigan	20/40/10	No
Minnesota	30/60/10	Yes
Mississippi	25/50/25	No
Missouri	25/50/10	Yes
Montana	25/50/10	No
Nebraska	25/50/25	No
Nevada	15/30/10	No
New Hampshire	Not required 25/50/25	Yes
New Jersey	15/30/5	Yes
New Mexico	25/50/10	No
New York	25/50/10	Yes
North Carolina	30/60/25	Yes
North Dakota	25/50/25	Yes
Ohio	12.5/25/7.5	No
Oklahoma	25/50/25	No
Oregon	25/50/10	Yes
Pennsylvania	15/30/5	No
Rhode Island	25/50/25	Yes
South Carolina	25/50/25	Yes
South Dakota	25/50/25	Yes
Tennessee	25/50/10	No
Texas	25/50/25	No
Utah	25/65/15	No
Vermont	25/50/10	Yes
Virginia	25/50/20	Yes
Washington	25/50/10	No
West Virginia	20/40/10	Yes
Wisconsin	Not required 25/50/10	Yes
Wyoming	25/50/20	No

Even though each state has minimum (or no) requirements for bodily injury liability, it is probably in your best interest to purchase higher limits. If someone else is injured and you're at fault, the minimum liability coverage may not cover their medical expenses, in which case their attorney will most likely come after your assets. It is generally recommended that you purchase 100/300 limits of bodily injury liability. On the other hand, if your personal assets don't amount to much, you don't have a whole lot for them to bother about, so the minimum requirements might actually suit you and will save you some much-needed cash.
Besides various forms of liability insurance, there is collision and comprehensive auto insurance coverage to consider. Collision covers damage to the policyholder's car resulting from running into anything, be it another car, a fire hydrant, or a light post. Comprehensive coverage takes care of your car in the case of theft, fire, falling objects, explosions, or other unexpected problems.
Collision and comprehensive coverage are required in most lease contracts, and are essential if you own an expensive car. If you're driving an old rattletrap, on the other hand, and the sum of your premium and your deductible are close to or exceed the worth of your vehicle, you might want to consider doing without this coverage.
Before you purchase any type of auto insurance coverage, be sure to study your other insurance policies so you don't end up paying for something you don't need. If you have a decent health insurance plan, you might get away with purchasing the bare minimum personal injury protection coverage- or none at all if your state doesn't require it. However, you might end up paying a co-pay and deductible that wouldn't apply if you have PIP or MedPay.
Uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage might also be a wise buy, even if you have full medical coverage, as it can pay for your pain and suffering damages. If you belong to an organization that offers roadside assistance, you don't need to purchase that through your insurer. The same thing applies for mechanical breakdown insurance if you own a newly financed or leased vehicle which is still covered under warranty.
It's easy to be resentful of the money spent on insurance. Keep in mind that auto insurance will most likely come to your rescue at some point, so it's imperative to purchase a worthwhile policy. Know what coverage you must have and know what additional coverage fits your lifestyle. Then if trouble strikes, you'll be ready.

View more Auto Insurance articles

Filing an Insurance Complaint With Your State Insurance Commissioner

Insurance Claim Problems? Possible Insurance Fraud? Know Your Rights

By Bobbie Sage, About.com
State insurance commissioners resolve thousands of complaints every year. Complaints vary from disputes with insurance companies about how one's insurance claim was handled to problems with the sale and service of an insurance policy. If you feel your insurance company has not been fair with your insurance claim or policy, you have the right to file a complaint with your state insurance commissioner.
Before you buy insurance online or even consider an insurance quote, it is always best to know your rights as a consumer. If you ever find that you need to file an insurance complaint with your state insurance commissioner, there are a few things you will want to do or be prepared to do. First, go to your state insurance commissioner's web site and find out what the process is to file a complaint. Many state insurance commissioners will have a complaint form available to download or fill out online. Once you know how to start the process, you will want to compile every piece of documentation that pertains to the complaint and start keeping records of all phone conversations and agent contacts. Most all insurance companies have large insurance claims departments and service call centers where you will almost always speak to a new person each time you contact the insurance claims department, so it is important for you to keep your own records of all conversations with the insurance company. Once you have your documents together and know how to file the insurance complaint, it is now time to officially file it to your state insurance commissioner.
Now that the complaint is filed, your state insurance commissioner's office will likely contact you asking for any additional documentation they will need. In most cases the next step the commissioner will take is to send a copy of the complaint to the insurance company and give them a designated response time. Most likely, if the commissioner feels the response is adequate, they will send you a copy of the explanatory letter. But, if the commissioner feels the response from the company is not adequate, your case will probably be taken over by a state designated person that will work with you and the company to resolve the issue and to find out if any laws were broken.
One important thing to remember in the complaint process is that even if your case is assigned a state designated person to try to resolve the situation, that person cannot act as your attorney. Depending on what is at stake due to the complaint and your confidence in dealing with the insurance company, hiring an attorney to represent you should always be a consideration.

Insurance Scam Fraud Protection

Is Someone Trying to Collect from Your Car Insurance by Staging a Car Accident?

By Bobbie Sage, About.com
If you become a victim of car insurance fraud, you pay. Not only will you pay higher premiums because you may acquire a costly claim, but, as with any car accident, you and your family could pay with your lives. It is important to learn more about fraud protection so you can protect yourself from others who may choose you to be a part of their next car insurance accident fraud scam.
Insurance fraud began when insurance first began. Incidents have been recorded as far back as ancient Greece. Ship scuttling was an insurance scam in ancient Greece where ships were purposely sunk. Later insurance fraud traveled to England then to America. When automobiles were introduced it opened a whole new arena for fraudulent insurance claims. Today, with modern technology, many fraudulent car accident claims do arise from sophisticated organized crime rings that can be hard to detect. Don't let this make you a victim of an insurance scam. Whether the insurance scam is from an organized crime ring or an individual, there are fraud protection steps you can take to help you be more aware and avoid being a scammer’s next victim.
First, it is important to know what types of insurance scams are used. There are many types of car insurance scams. Set-up car accidents can range from vehicles deliberately stopping in front of a driver to cause a rear-end car accident to drivers who pretend they are being helpful but intend to cause a car accident that will look like the innocent drivers fault. Scams can also involve people one would generally trust such as doctors and lawyers.
Educating yourself more about fraud protection against car insurance accident scams is the best way to avoid being someone's next victim. Here is a list of common scams to be aware of:

Staged Rear-End Car Accidents: A scam driver will quickly get in front of an innocent car and then slam on their brakes. This causes the innocent driver to rear-end the scam driver. Along with collecting money for vehicle damages, the scam driver will often fake medical injuries to collect even more.

Adding Damage: After an accident, either staged or not, the scam driver will go to another location and cause extensive damage to their vehicle and claim that the damage happened during the original accident.

Fake Helpers: Scam Helpers will wave an innocent driver into traffic, but then crash into the innocent driver. When it comes time to file the claim, the scam driver will deny waving anyone in. Other ways fake helpers try to scam people is by offering to help an innocent driver find a auto repair shop, doctor, or lawyer. In this case, everyone is in on the scam. The body shop charges you enormous rates, the doctor and lawyer also lie to collect more from your insurance. Since these scams can happen at any time and place, it is important to be prepared. Awareness is the most important. Watch for drivers who may be following you or examining your driving habits. Also, make sure you leave plenty of room in front of you in order to stop. If an accident does happen, take notes on everything about the other car, the accident, and everybody that was in the other car. Keep a disposable camera in your car to record damage to both vehicles. Furthermore, use your judgment in driving, not others. Make sure you have enough room to get out and just let other cars pass instead of letting others "waive you in." And, when you talk to your insurance company, let them know if you felt something was suspicious.

Protecting Yourself with Identity Theft Insurance

By Bobbie Sage, About.com
In a world of internet banking and shopping fast becoming commonplace, thieves looking to steal one's identity now have a faster and quicker way of doing it. Criminals know that it is easier now than any time in the past to steal and assume another's identity because of computers and easier access to public information.
What's even more frustrating for the victim is that although identity theft is fast becoming a problem, the laws to prosecute criminals are still evolving and the victim is often a victim twice: first with their identity stolen and secondly by not being able to fully find and/or prosecute the criminal.
For these reasons there is no question that everyone must realize that the risk of identity theft does exists and one must take steps to protect it. Identity theft insurance is now available and although it will not prevent one from being a victim, it will help one recover from the many losses associated with being an identity theft victim.
Besides peace of mind for a relatively small cost, identity theft insurance will help a victim recover by providing reimbursement for expenses such as repairing their credit report, recovering lost wages, phone bills, mailing costs, and attorney fees depending on the policy chosen.

Factors That Affect Your Car Insurance Premium

Provided By: CarInsurance.com Auto Insurance Articles

Many factors affect the premium you will pay for auto insurance. Each is a statistically based risk for a specific population. The higher the risk associated with a person, the more he or she is likely to pay for coverage. We have elaborated on some of the risk factors below, but there are numerous others, including driver's gender, miles driven per year, purpose for using the vehicle (commuting to work, using for work, leisure only), etc.

Age
Statistically, drivers under the age of 25 are at greater risk of being in an accident than those over age 25. Drivers between the ages of 50 and 65 generally have the safest records.
Gender
Women are statistically safer drivers, but that trend is changing as more female drivers get on the road.
Marital Status
A married person will pay less than a single person with an identical driving record.

You can think about these factors and determine what you can do to change them in your situation. You may be able to save on insurance based upon these decisions:

Geography
Where you live makes a difference. Folks living in areas with little or no traffic are likely to spend less on insurance than those living in congested cities or suburbs because areas with a lot of traffic tend to see more accidents. Some neighborhoods also have a higher rate of vehicle thefts, which can result in a higher premium.
Driving Violations
Having an accident or moving violations on your record (speeding tickets, DWI, reckless driving, etc.) put you at a higher risk for accidents and will likely mean a higher premium. Some insurance companies will penalize you for your record for as many as five years from when the incident occurred. However, keep in mind, as your record improves, your premium will get lower.
Vehicle Type
A cheap car will cost less to insure than that status symbol SUV sitting on 24" rims.
Accident Claims
A driving record that is clean and free of accidents will hold far better for you than lots of tickets and/or accidents.
Credit Rating
Many insurance companies view having a poor, or even no credit history as suggestive of higher risk and thus, charge you a higher premium. Monitor your credit rating free to see if you can get a better score. A better credit score will save on insurance premiums.
Occupation
Insurers have statistically found a correlation between your occupation and risk. For instance, a newspaper delivery person is most likely a higher risk than the personal banker sitting at their desk all day.
Education
A higher education can save on your premiums.
Driving distance to work
Miles driven each year
Years of driving experience
Business use of the vehicle
Whether or not you currently have auto insurance and how high are your limits
Theft protection devices (often results in discounts)
Multiple cars and drivers (another opportunity for discounts)

What can I do right now to make sure I have the lowest premium?
Shop around and compare quotes from different insurers. CarInsurance.com puts many insurance companies on one site so you can compare them in one place. Carriers base their premiums on their claims experiences, which naturally differ. One company may see your area as a higher risk than others may. Another may charge more because of your occupation. Shopping at http://www.carinsurance.com makes it easier because you can quickly see multiple companies and their rates for your particular situation. Where do I go for quotes?
One stop can take care of it all. Go to www.carinsurance.com where you can receive multiple quotes, pick the best price, and then purchase. Get covered immediately on-line or over the phone. It REALLY is the easiest way to purchase car insurance. Enter your zip code above.

Understanding How Your Credit History May Affect Your Car Insurance Coverage

Provided By: CarInsurance.com Auto Insurance Articles

Many personal auto insurance companies consider your credit information when determining how much premium to charge for your insurance. So if you are calling around for new insurance, keep in mind that many insurers are looking at your credit history. I hope that we will be able to let you know why and how they do this.

The reason that some insurance companies use credit information is because there is a direct correlation between consumer's credit history behaviors and expected claims that may occur. Therefore, they feel that people with better credit behavior are less likely to have severe insurance losses.
The companies that do use credit scoring will still use other factors in determining your premium. They will also use your age, driving history, type of vehicle, where you live in determining how much you should pay for your insurance. Therefore, if you have not established a credit history yet, the companies that use credit history may not be best for you. They may not allow you to be eligible for certain discounts, which could result in higher premiums.
Is it fair for an insurance company even look at my credit information without my permission? The answer is yes. The Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act says "Reasonable procedures. It is the purpose of this title to require that consumer reporting agencies adopt reasonable procedures for meeting the needs of commerce for consumer credit, personnel, insurance, and other information in a manner which is fair and equitable to the consumer, with regard to the confidentiality, accuracy, relevancy, and proper utilization of such information in accordance with the requirements of this title." Found at http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcra.htm
If you feel that your credit history is better then the insurer can find, make sure the insurer has your correct name, address, social security number, and date of birth.
Some insurance companies will look directly at your actual credit reports when determining your rate, however most will use what is called an "insurance credit score." An insurance credit score is developed by using statistical techniques and methods to predict the likelihood a consumer will have a higher than anticipated loss. These are similar to what lenders use to predict the reliability of an applicant repaying a loan.
Insurance companies use many factors in determining your credit score. Here are some examples of those factors:

Public records: bankruptcy, collections, foreclosures, liens, charge-offs, etc.
Past payment history: the number and frequency of late payments and the days between the due date and late payment date.
Length of credit history: the amount of time you have been in the credit system.
Inquiries for credit: the number of times you have recently applied for new credit, including mortgage loans, utility accounts, and credit card accounts.
Number of open lines of credit: the number of credit cards, whether you use them or not.
Type of credit in use: major credit cards, store credit cards, finance company loans, etc.
Unused credit: how much you owe compared to how much credit is available to you.

Your insurance credit score may differ from company to company, as they will use different factors in determining your premium. Notice that we call it an insurance credit score. This means that it encompasses many factors including credit.
Since each insurance company uses different techniques to determine your credit score it is hard to tell you what a good credit score is. Usually a good credit score will result in lower premiums.
Your agent or company is not obligated to tell you your credit score. In fact, they might not even know what it is. All they usually know is that your credit score qualifies you for a specific rate or policy. Some companies also offer better rates under each qualifying tier.
If you feel that there is incorrect information on your credit report, you should tell the credit bureau. If you report an error, the credit bureau must investigate the error and get back to you within 30 days. You can ask the credit bureau to send a notice of the correction to any creditor or insurer that has checked your file in the past six months. Once the errors are corrected, it is a good idea to get a new copy of your credit report several months later to make sure the wrong information has not been reported again.
The three national credit bureaus are:
Trans Union (www.transunion.comor 800-888-4213).
Equifax (www.credit.equifax.comor 800-685-1111).
Experian (www.experian.com or 888-397-3742).
Tell your insurance company. Do not wait until the credit bureau investigates the errors to contact your insurer. Tell your insurance company right away and ask if the errors will make a difference in your insurance. If the errors are big, tell your insurer that you are disputing the information and ask if they will wait to use your credit information until the errors are corrected. Small errors may not have much affect on your insurance credit score. If the errors are big, it can make a significant difference in your premium. Some companies are unable to adjust the premiums until the score is corrected, but it does not hurt to ask.
If you have taken the steps to improve your credit score, you should ask your insurance company to re-evaluate your credit score at renewal.
Thank you for reading about understanding how your credit history may affect your car insurance coverage... Please see if we can save you money with a car insurance quote!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

A Woman's Insurance Buying Guide

By Bobbie Sage, About.com

Women often feel vulnerable when purchasing a car because they sometimes think they will be taken advantage of in the car buying process. As a woman, if you feel like you can't haggle a price or just don't like to, you can at least purchase a car that will give you a low car insurance rate. And, because of the characteristics of insurance friendly vehicles, they are often the less expensive cars to buy anyhow. So, if you are a woman looking into getting a car insurance quote for a new vehicle, make sure to consider first what car you want to buy.
The cost of a car insurance quote should be at the top of the list when a woman is considering the total price of purchasing a new vehicle. Just because she buys a smaller, cheaper car does not insure a cheaper insurance rate. And, although car insurance for women tends to be cheaper than for a man, a woman's driving history is another of many factors that are considered when determining a car insurance rate. Characteristics of the vehicle being purchased plays a large role in insurance costs.
Below is a list of features or types of vehicles to avoid to get the best stretch out of your insurance buck.
For a Cheaper Car Insurance Quote Stay Away From:

Vehicles With a Lot of Horsepower

Sports Cars

High Performance Vehicles

Luxury Vehicles

Vehicles With Added Technology Features

Large SUV's

Very Small Vehicles

Vehicles With a High Theft History (Go to nicb.org for theft history information) Station wagons and vans are the best choices---not to big to cause large amounts of damage to the other car but big enough to cause less damage to their own passengers and, in addition, both have lower repair costs and less theft history. To save even more on car insurance check out the Auto Savings Checklist.

5 Steps to Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim

By Bobbie Sage, About.com

1. Evaluate whether or not you should file a claim: Did you know that just when you call your insurance company with a question about possibly filing a claim it is often recorded on your insurance record? It is important to keep your insurance record clean and one way is deciding whether or not you should file a claim. It doesn’t matter if the accident is your fault or not, you should ask yourself first if you can pay for the damage. Simply put, if you can pay for it yourself without financial hardship, don’t file the claim.
2. Fill out your What to do After an Auto Accident Worksheet: This worksheet, which when you click on the title is provided for print-out, will help you keep track of the information you will need to file your auto insurance claim. It is important to get every detail of the accident documented and to try to find witnesses that would be willing to talk to your insurance company to back-up your story.
3. File the claim ASAP: You will want to file the claim as soon as possible with your insurance company. Even if it is not your fault, your insurance company will handle the claim process as your advocate.
4. Prepare for a possible call from the other insurance company: If there is a dispute between the two parties in the accident, you may get a call from the other driver’s insurance company asking for your version of what happened at the accident scene. If this happens make sure you document everything you say and the name of the customer service agent you talked too.
5. Finally, getting your car fixed: If you had body damage to your vehicle this is when you will finally get it fixed. After your claim is approved, you will likely get a call from your insurance company about sending an insurance adjuster out to assess the damage or asking you to send your car to a pre-approved shop to get it fixed.

Should I Buy Rental Car Insurance?

Provided By: CarInsurance.com Auto Insurance Articles

Rental car agencies have a menu of insurance policies they would like to sell you. While each policy could be of some benefit under the right circumstances, you should review each plan (its provisions, limitations, and exclusions) before making a purchase. It is a good idea to request the detailed information from an agent at the rental office, as most companies only provide a summary on their Web sites.
Keep in mind; you may not need to buy this additional car insurance because you have auto insurance from your own car insurance company. Generally speaking, when you rent a car, the liability coverage limits you have in your own auto insurance policy remain in effect with the same limits. In addition, the comprehensive and collision coverages you have in your own auto insurance policy remain in effect with the same deductibles. You do have comprehensive and collision coverage don't you? See our article, "How Much Car Insurance Should You Buy?" for a listing of coverage types and definitions.
You may also have some kind of additional auto insurance coverage through your credit card but it is important that you check your credit card information for specific details. Some cards only offer coverage if you rent your car from a particular agency. Some limit the days for which coverage is available. Some will only provide coverage for certain types and/or classes of cars. With some cards, the coverage is not automatic and you must enroll in a program to get coverage. Some cards that advertise automatic rental insurance really only reimburse you for the deductible that you would have to pay under your regular insurance policy. Still others may provide only collision and comprehensive coverage, leaving you exposed for personal injury or property damage to others. Rental car agencies typically offer liability coverage in two parts - a supplemental liability policy protects against claims from others and a Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) covers the rental car. LDW is not technically insurance; rather, it is a company's agreement not to hold the consumer liable for loss from all or part of any damage to merchandise.
Before you rent a vehicle, realize the charges you could be responsible for and how these charges are covered or not covered by both your own auto insurance policy and the car insurance the rental company is offering.
If you suffer a loss that is not covered under your auto policy, check your other insurance policies. For example, if personal property has been stolen from your rental car, it may be covered under your homeowners or renters policy. Similarly, certain medical policies may cover costs of injuries not covered by your car insurance policy.
As always, check with your insurance company to find out exactly what is covered under your own auto insurance policy. Remember, for quick quotes and the easiest way to buy car insurance on-line or over the phone, visit us at http://www.carinsurance.com
Thank you for reading about should i buy rental car insurance?... Please see if we can save you money with a car insurance quote!

Is Your Auto Insurance Company Rated?

Provided By: CarInsurance.com Auto Insurance Articles

Several national rating institutions rate insurance companies. Do coverages, rates, and service vary from company to company? Why can you pay less with one company than another can for the same coverages? Choosing the best insurance company for you is a crucial financial decision. Does your insurance company have the financial strength to safeguard you and your family? If the company cannot pay future claims or benefits, other issues become far less relevant. Financial strength ratings are an analysis of a wide variety of risks that could affect an insurance company's long-term viability. Insurance companies have failed or ceased to operate due to inadequate financial strength, competitive forces, or changing dynamics in the marketplace.

Standard & Poor's Ratings (http://www.standardandpoors.com)Financial strength ratings of insurance companies, plus detailed financial Insurer Profiles on nearly 4,000 companies.
Fitch Ratings (http://www.fitchratings.com) Financial strength ratings of insurance companies.
Have you heard of the company where you are considering purchasing coverage? Do you have any experience with the company?
Ask your peers what experiences they have had. What is your sense of the reputation of the company? How quickly and easily are claims processed? Is there 24-hour claims service? Is the claims management in the house of the insurance company or have they outsourced? Auto insurance is meant to make you whole in the case of an accident with injury or property damage. It is to protect your assets and protect you from liability. You will want the peace of mind of a superior rated company when it comes time to manage and pay the claim. The financial health of a car insurance company is an often-overlooked area when shopping for the best auto insurance rate. It is human nature to make your comparison solely on the rates for the coverages. While this is certainly important, you should be aware of the company's overall rating and level of satisfaction. Consulting insurance company ratings is crucial. Each insurance company issues a quarterly report that is publicly accessible. You cannot always tell the future from the past. However, the past performance is a valuable insight into what expectation to have for your future coverage. One of the factors that are used in order to determine the companies' ratings is how long they have been in business. If there is no history, you may be taking an unnecessary chance. Look for a company that has a history and make sure that history shows good performance.
What about the reputation of the insurance company? It is very simple to find this information. Just ask around. There are your peers, the BBB, and family. Many times these resources closest to you will be able to share experiences that are favorable or unfavorable regarding the company you are considering. In addition, each state has a Department of Insurance that keeps public information about companies. Use all the resources you can to determine which company is best for you. Once you have paid for the policy, you will then become keenly interested in customer service. Be aware of what the source of information is regarding the insurance company. Many companies put our information about themselves in the form of illustrations that are intended to make them look as good as possible. Of course, while these illustrations must be factual, you should be aware that you are not receiving objective information.
How can you quickly check the company rating? You are on the internet now. Surely, there is a quick way.
Go to http://www.carinsurance.com. Not only will you get the rates of various insurance companies, you will see the A.M. Best rating for each company along side their rates for you personal situation.
Now is the time for your fingers to punch their way to a quick rate analysis and view the ratings at the same time. Thank you for reading about is your auto insurance company rated?... Please see if we can save you money with a car insurance quote!

How Much Car Insurance Should You Buy?

Provided By: CarInsurance.com Auto Insurance Articles

Car insurance is not very exciting. Depending on which state you live in, it could be a smaller or larger piece of your budget than your neighbors across state lines.

Cheap Insurance Premiums- Factors Guiding Them

The chances are likely that you may have been paying a lot more than you need to pay on your car insurance. If you compare car insurance within the supermarket, you will be able to find that more often than not your current insurance cover has some or the other limits. For instance, you might be aware about the deductibles. But you should also know that if your deductible is lesser than £500, you will be losing more of your money to your insurance. But choosing the right cover will be helpful in getting you a lower insurance premium and survive the current troubling times.

Following tips may be helpful in getting you a better car insurance while also landing you a better priced deal. Make sure that your car has numerous safety checks along with equipments. The idea is that your car is crucial when it comes to getting an insurance which means that keeping your car ready for any break-ins or theft attempts assure your insurance company that you are responsible driver. Furthermore, safety devices also ensure that you are safe even when you are involved in an accident. Another of the factor that decides your insurance cover is that of your driving history. Speed looks thrilling but when it comes to insurance you may want to keep your record clean.
Likewise, your age is another deciding factor. Insurance companies do not respond well to younger drivers as they are prone to rash driving among other reckless lifestyle approach. People above 25 often find better treatment from the insurance sector. You can also get some discounts if you have been able to maintain a clean driving along with a no-claims bonus. The best way to survive the car insurance sector is to compare car insurance with the hope to find the right insurance cover that will come to your aid.

Is Paying for Auto Insurance Extras Worth the Added Cost?

If you’ve ever purchased your own auto insurance policy then you already know that there are tons of extras that companies try to sell you in addition to your standard liability coverage. Most of the extras are actually very beneficial to drivers but can be purchased from other places.
So then the question is, should you purchase supplemental auto coverage from your insurer or a third party? To help you decide, let’s take a look at whether getting the extras with auto insurance is actually worth it.

Typical Auto Insurance Coverage Options

There are typical auto insurance coverage options that you could expect to receive from any company. They include the following:

Bodily Injury Liability (BI): Bodily injury liability coverage will insure you if you’re at fault in an accident and cause bodily harm to the driver or passengers in the other vehicle. The coverage will pay a specific amount for one injured party and up to a total amount for everyone involved. Since liability auto insurance is required in every state except for New Hampshire, you have a minimum coverage amount to purchase but you should get the level of coverage you need to avoid paying out of pocket in a real accident.
Property Damage Liability (PD): Property damage liability coverage will pay for damages you are responsible for in regards to an automobile or private possession that have been damaged or lost after an accident. Like bodily injury liability, property liability is required by law in 49 states.
Uninsured Motorist/Underinsured Motorist: Uninsured/underinsured coverage options are either offered combined or separate. Uninsured motorist coverage makes sure that if a driver without liability insurance hits you, your insurance company will cover the costs. This is beneficial since most uninsured motorists don’t have enough money to pay out of pocket (otherwise they’d be paying for coverage).
Collision/Comprehensive: While collision and comprehensive insurance are not required by law anywhere in the country (unless you’re financing a car), they are pretty common. Collision insurance protects your car if you collide with another car and you’re at fault while comprehensive insurance protects your car if anything damages it other than another driver (deer, rocks, hail, etc.).

These coverage options are beneficial and could spare you thousands, or even tens of thousands of dollars, in repair costs if you’re in an accident. But of course, there are extras that auto insurance companies offer which can be beneficial, too. The question is do you really need them from your insurance company?

The Extras and Their Alternatives

Depending on the insurance company you work with, you may have been offered various forms of supplement auto insurance and quirky extras while purchasing coverage. Here are just a few that you could run into:
Option #1: Medical Payments
Medical payments are offered by insurance companies to give the policyholder access to medical care based on the payment amount chosen. For instance, if you opt for $10,000 in medical payment coverage then you could receive up to that amount if you are hurt in the accident.
Alternative: Health Insurance
If you already have health insurance or plan to get it, you may not need to add this coverage to your policy. In some instances, doing so could result in an extra $100 for a six-month policy. If you already are covered by a health insurance policy then adding this option probably wouldn’t be worth it.
Option #2: Roadside Assistance
Depending on the coverage you have, roadside assistance could offer you towing, battery jump start, flat tire change, lockout service and emergency fuel and fluid delivery. The cost of this assistance could be as little as $.50 a month.
Alternative: AAA Membership
Some drivers opt to become AAA members instead of picking up roadside assistance. Being a member usually means you get roadside assistance, trip maps, tour book guides, member-only discounts, exclusive travel agency access, discounts on AAA insurance and financial services for around $60 a year or $5 a month.
If you already have AAA or want the additional services they offer, it’s not necessary to pick up the roadside assistance coverage from your auto insurer. Since it’s so cheap, however, you could add it on as backup without spending much at all.
Option #3: Rental Car Reimbursement
This option will pay the expenses to rent a car if you have a loss covered under your comprehensive or collision coverage. The amount to pay varies based on how much you want the company to pay per day (and in total), but even for expensive cars it rarely exceeds $10 per month.
Alternative: Keep Money Available
There doesn’t seem to be an alternative to rental car reimbursement aside from keeping money in an emergency account until the time comes. At least this way you could grow interest on the money that you’ve set aside and use it for something else if needed.

How to Get Bang for Your Buck

After comparing costs, you may decide that the extras won’t do much for you. However, if the extras cost a bit more than their alternatives but you still want to take them on to keep all of your services under one roof, you could still get some bang for your buck with your insurance company by doing the following:

Seek the discounts: When you’re looking to save money, one of the best ways to go is to look for auto insurance discounts. There are tons of discounts out there, including safe driver and student discounts. Check them out!
Look for Pay-as-You-Drive (PAYD) offers: Some companies offer discounts for paying as you drive. For instance Progressive Direct offers a Snapshot Discount that allows you to save money as you drive by plugging a monitoring device in your car that keeps track of how you drive (not how fast or where). By taking advantage of this offer, you could save up to 30 percent on coverage.
Change your deductibles: Raising your deductible on your car insurance could save you money on your monthly premium, but if you take this route it’s important to make sure you actually have the money set aside if you need it.

For the most part, the extras that car insurance companies offer could be of great benefit to drivers if they are not already taking advantage of other options. The best way to determine whether they are best for you is to carefully look at the costs for your alternatives then decide what benefits you get in return.

Static Caravan Insurance Quote

nsurance is simply one of those things that we all have to invest in, and the same certainly applies when you’ve got a static caravan. You want to ensure that your investment is properly protected so you don’t lose out financially, and as such getting a static caravan insurance quote that meets your criteria should be your top priority.
You need to make sure that you’re getting the most comprehensive level of cover possible, but you also need to ensure that it’s within your budget. Luckily there are plenty of things you can do to reduce your quote, letting you have the cover you need at a price you can afford.
Just one thing you might want to try is having your caravan parked on a secure site, ideally one that’s been approved by the Caravan Club. By doing this your insurance company will view you as being a lower insurance risk – if you’re on a secure site you’re less likely to suffer from vandalism or burglaries, in their eyes at least, and as such you’re less likely to make a claim. This can have a dramatic effect on the overall quote, so should always be considered if you want to save some cash.
Then there’s the possibility of adding an alarm to the caravan itself. This again lowers your insurance risk so you’ll be able to pay lower rates accordingly, and the small initial outlay of an alarm will be more than paid back by the reduction in premiums.
So, don’t think that you have to pay extortionate premiums to get adequate cover. If you bear in mind a couple of simple tips you’ll easily be able to reduce your static caravan insurance quote, so always do everything you can to get the best deal and you’ll never have to worry about breaking the bank again.
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Drive Less to Lower Your Insurance Premiums

The best way to handle a rising insurance premium is by making sure that you are using less of your car for commuting purposes- that is what the insurance experts have been propagating this winter. If you compare car insurance, you will find that people who use their cars on occasional purposes can save as much as thirty percent on their insurance premiums. It should be understood that lesser is your driving mileage, the better is the insurance deal that you get from your insurance company. Given the current downturn within the insurance sector, the best to make sure that you have a genuine-priced insurance premium is by driving less often.

Insurance companies do not appreciate much of driving at night hours as well for the people who have a huge mile driving history behind them. You can ensure that you get a decent handling from your insurance company by making sure that you are driving less in the wee hours, while also making use of the moderate breaking system, as well as covering just the average mile distance by your car. This will give you enough credit points to prompt your insurance company to give you discounts and lesser insurance premiums. More of the insurance companies have been finding technological ways to ensure that they could know about the driving patterns of the insurance appliers.
With the help of GPS navigation systems, insurance companies are aiming at knowing the driving mileage of the insurance holder. If the insurance holder is true to their words about their mileage, there is an increased chance that the insurance holder can get a genuine insurance premium. Furthermore, make sure that you have healthy driving habits which would further favour your insurance premium. Compare car insurance to find out the insurance companies that dole out better discounts depending on your driving skills and your mileage history. Such a company would be the best choice to stick with in these times.

Buying Car Insurance: Things to Consider

Buying a car insurance policy can be very easy to do as long as you have the right tools and resources to help you. Before you start your own search for the best car insurance policy to buy, you need to look into some of the aspects to consider first. In this part, we are going to talk about the important aspects to look into when searching for the best car insurance policy to buy.
First of all, take your time and study your needs carefully. You need to know exactly the amount of car insurance coverage and the types of protection you need before starting your search. This will allow you to find the perfect car insurance policy to buy easily when you are using the car insurance comparison tool compare car insurance deals.
Next, learn about different insurance companies offering car insurance deals near you. You need to be certain that the car insurance policy you are getting comes from a reliable and trustworthy auto insurance company. Find user testimonials and reviews online to get a good picture of the insurance company’s track records.
Make sure you can file for an insurance claim easily with the insurance deals you are comparing. There is no point in getting the best car insurance policy and having trouble filing for a claim in the future, so this is a necessary aspect to consider indeed. Check if the insurance company provides a 24/7 hotline for filing an insurance claim and getting other supports.
One last thing you need to understand is the local regulations. Each state has a minimum car insurance requirement along with other basic regulations that you need to follow. If you live in Hawaii, for example, you should focus more on local regulations so that you can easily
compare Hawaii car insurance deals and find the perfect one for you.
Now that you know the necessary things to consider, you can start your search right away and find the perfect car insurance to purchase in no time. Use available online resources to help you complete your search conveniently.

Snow Causes Travel Delays in Europe

Travel insurance protects travelers when unforeseen circumstances impact vacation plans. A common concern of travelers is airline and airport related delays, which is also a common travel insurance claim. Extreme winter weather in Europe has resulted in cancelled flights and airport closures. An article from MSNBC discussed the snow caused travel delays in France.
Many European commuters suffered through traffic jams on slushy streets Thursday, and Scotland even called in the army to clear the snow. Flights out of Paris and Frankfurt were still delayed after bad weather forced the temporary closing of airports a day earlier.
Paris, a city of frequent rain, is unprepared for snow. Amid Wednesday’s snowfall of 10 centimeters (4 inches), bus service was shut down, traffic backed up, tourists were ushered out the Eiffel Tower and Paris’ Charles de Gaulle airport was forced to close for an hour and a half.
When inclement weather causes substantial travel delays, travel insurance can provide relief. Travel delay coverage covers the costs of lodging, food and transportation during a delay. Normally a set amount of time must pass before benefits are available, anywhere from 5-12 hours. Different plans might limit the dollar amount of coverage per person, per day or per policy.
If a delay lasts long enough, some policies allow for trip interruption coverage to apply. When this is covered, in most cases the delay must be 24 or 48 hours. This will reimburse travelers for unused trip costs that are forfeited. Coverage can also reimburse last minute costs to catch up to the trip or return home early.
Always refer to the certificate of insurance for details.

Customer Review from MedjetAssist

Travel insurance carriers frequently share customer testimonials in their newsletters. MedjetAssist recently shared a customer’s experience of falling ill while traveling in Scotland and how MedjetAssist was there to help. The following is the customer review from the December newsletter.
I’m a subscriber to MedjetAssist and was recently assisted back to the U.S. from Scotland after falling ill. Hopefully no one will ever need MedjetAssist, but if they do they better have signed up.
I became quite ill while visiting my daughter, who is a student in Scotland and required emergency surgery in Dundee. A highly qualified surgical nurse was sent by MedjetAssist who took over all arrangements (including first class air transportation) and I returned to the U.S. The nurse was a “take charge type individual” and made my transfer from Scotland to my hometown of Columbus, OH, as comfortable and safe as possible. Incidentally, she came with a bonus — she has a delightful personality and sense of humor. – Byron
MedjetAssist is a medical transportation membership programs that will transport members who are hospitalized without regard for medical necessity. The following is from the certificate for the Short Term Plan regarding medical evacuation service.
MedjetAssist transports members without regard to medical necessity. Members who are hospitalized may choose to be transported to a hospital of their choice.

How to cut the price of your auto insurance

When you shop for auto coverage, what can you do to have the lowest rates for car insurance? It seems a little complicated, but if you do one or two things in advance then you could get good discounts on the car insurance online quote. Here are some tips that can help you achieve this goal.
Firstly, just relax and find some time to plan ahead. This will make the process much more comfortable. Before buying a vehicle, spend some time to think. If you get quotes for more than one type of car, you could see that cars are more or less costly to insure. Additionally, various types of cars have various premiums. A sports car, for example, has a higher premium than a car for the whole family.
Before purchasing insurance, make sure you have a good credit rating. Car insurance companies will charge people with bad credit because when it comes to filing an application, it seems that they are riskier clients. So just be aware of this. Take a look at your credit report and make sure that it is free from error. If there are errors, see that they are fixed. If you have a low credit score, know why and what you can do about it. In some cases, you could make your credit card rating much better in a few months. Make sure invoices are paid on time, use your credit card responsibly, and make sure your report is free from error.
Try to get as many offers as you can before deciding to choose a company. Maybe about 5-10 offers before the final decision. Since costs differ from one company to another, you help yourself much by comparing prices. What you can find is that there are hundreds of dollars in savings between the prices.

Will a Repo Harm My Auto Insurance Rates?

Anyone who has gone through the nightmare of their car disappearing from its parking spot–and realizing it wasn’t stolen, but repossessed–likely knows the incredibly devastating financial ramifications in store. Outstanding debt that leads to having your property repossessed not only kills your credit, but once it’s been taken, you either have to try and buy the property back or lose all the money you put into it.
However, what about insurance rates? When it comes to cars, will having yours repo’d lead to skyrocketing auto insurance rates, too?

How Auto Repossession Happens

Most people take out a loan to finance a new car purchase since coming up with the full price on the spot is not a realistic option for most. However, if you finance your car, you owe money to a lender and sign a contract agreeing to pay them back and the car serves as the collateral. If you then consistently fail to make your payments on time, the lender will simply take back the car (or send a debt collection company to get it).

A Car Repo’s Effect on Insurance

While having your car repossessed doesn’t have a direct effect on future insurance rates, the occurrence will still have a major impact on the rates you’re offered down the line when you actually own a car again.
That’s because, as mentioned, having property repossessed significantly decreases your credit rating. Why does that matter? Insurance companies often evaluate your credit when calculating your premium, in addition to other factors like your driving record, age and vehicle make and model.

Why Insurers Care About Your Credit

Your credit report is like your financial report card. It tells creditors and other interested parties how reliable you are when it comes to borrowing money. Do you have a lot of debt? Do you pay your bills on time? Your credit history will answer these questions and more.
Now your auto insurance company isn’t really concerned with how likely you are to pay your insurance premium on time. After all, charging you more money for having poor credit would not encourage timely premium payments. Rather, they are judging the likelihood of you getting in an accident and filing a claim.
Drivers with good credit are statistically proven to be safer drivers. Your insurer will view your good credit as an indication you’ll cost the company less in claim payouts (or your bad credit as a sign you’ll be an expensive customer). Even if you have an excellent driving record, bad credit could make your auto insurance much more expensive.
This means that one of the most important steps in buying a new car, in addition to getting quality auto insurance, is budgeting for the big purchase before you hit the car lot. You must be sure of your price range and your ability to make the monthly payments, otherwise you will face nasty consequences that extend beyond just your credit report.