Posts Tagged ‘p’

Car Insurance: Steps for Making a Claim

Wednesday, August 19th, 2009

A car accident can be a harrowing and traumatic event. One will be shaken and often not thinking clearly. If you are involved in a car accident, you have to think about your condition as well as the events that took place because you will most likely have to file a auto insurance claim.

In order to prepare for the results of a car accident, the following steps should be followed in order to make a proper claim:

1. After an accident, your heart will be racing and you may be disorientated. You need to gather your thoughts and think about how to proceed. If you are hurt, and the car is not a danger such as on fire, retrieve your cell phone and call 911. If there is no emergency such as a serious injury, call the police. Check to see if anyone else is hurt. Ask for people who witnessed the accident to stay and talk to the police.

2. Swap contact information, including phone numbers, license plate numbers, and car insurance details with the other drivers involved in the accident. When the police arrive share all the details you remember about the accident so that they can write an official report that can be given to the insurance companies. Make sure you tell the police officers that you want a report. If the officers won’t do it because the accident took place on the property of an establishment like a store parking lot, then ask the store owner or a security guard to write something up. If you have a camera, take pictures of the accident scene that includes any vehicle damage.

3. Contact your insurance company, even if you are not at-fault. Also, compensation is based on the extent of fault so you need evidence to support your claim. Most insurance providers have a toll free claim number. Make sure you have your policy number available. If the other person is at-fault, you must make a claim. You are entitled to have the insurance company process your claim and resolve any disputes. Your insurance company will advise the other driver’s insurance provider that you are making a claim and seeking compensation. You will have to make a list of all items damaged. If the other driver does not have car insurance, you will have to negotiate directly or go to court. Some experts suggest that if the other party is at fault, you should file claims with both insurance providers.

4. Once you have submitted all of the paper work to the insurance companies, they will sort out the claim. You may have to speak to the other driver’s provider about your recollection of the accident. Your insurance provider will tell you what statement is required. Before you give your statement, write down what you remember about the accident.

5. A claims adjuster will inspect your damaged car in order to assess the costs of the loss. They will also assess if the damage can be repaired or if you require financial compensation. If you are financially compensated, the insurance company will write you a check minus the deductible. A car accident can be a very emotional time in one’s life. It is important to remember that you need to keep yourself together so that you can make the right decisions regarding your physical well-being as well as filing a car insurance claim.

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Is A Life Insurance Broker Worth It?

Monday, August 17th, 2009

There is a difference between life insurance brokers and life insurance agents. Agents generally work for one company. When you work for a specific company, it is understood that you will sell their products. Because of that, an insurance agent does not sell products for a rival company.

Life insurance brokers are actually intermediaries between the customer and the insurance companies. So, they do not work for one specific company. Instead, they look at all the insurance companies, searching out the least expensive life insurance policy, which matches whatever specifications you have set.

Having the right broker is very important when choosing a life insurance policy. They do the work for you, searching out the greatest value. Some agents may charge fees as an alternative, however most brokers receive a commission from the insurance companies if they pass on a customer. This is how insurance brokers make their money, and the insurance companies set the commission rates. The insurance broker’s commission percentage has already been factored into the cost of the premium. Even so, if you should decide you wanted to purchase the same policy, directly from the insurance company, you would still pay the same price.

Rebating is a practice that is prohibited in many places. Still, you will always find some brokers that still use this practice. Rebating is when an insurance broker lowers their commission rates, and then passes that savings on to their customer. Although the saving could be very enticing, it is just not a wise choice to deal with an insurance broker that rebates. The main reason is, of course, that it is illegal. Aside from that, the rebated amount is taxable income. You would have to declare it as such.

Having a good life insurance broker is a very important piece of the insurance puzzle. Not only will they have a liaison with several different companies, which will allow you to have a wider range of options, they can also guide you through the maze of information, as well. When deciding on your broker, do not be afraid to ask some questions.

You will want to determine their level of experience, and naturally, the more the better. Newer brokers just do not have the same level of experience, nor have they developed depth in their practice. Inexperience can be very costly. A less experienced broker will not have as extensive a contact portfolio, either. This means, you may well miss out on the deal that would be most advantageous for you. It is not uncommon for inexperience to result in misinformation, and that can be very costly.

Determine the qualifications of your insurance broker. It’s also a good idea to find out how many companies they work with. The more companies they are involved with, the more options there will be. Also, it’s important your broker knows the peculiarities of each company. The bottom line is this, the more your broker knows the market, the better the chance of securing a great deal.

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Having Life Insurance That Will Cover Your Debts

Monday, August 10th, 2009

Most average people don’t have enough money saved up to pay for a burial and a funeral let alone a burial and a funeral due to an unexpected early death. Many people take the path of life insurance to help their families avoid having to pay for a funeral and burial as well as other bills that may surface. Life insurance is able to pay for not only the burial and the funeral but many other bills that will arise after your death. The biggest problem is that your debts may be passed on to your family and life insurance can help prevent this.

In most cases people get life insurance so that their family doesn’t have to pay for a funeral that can cost thousands of dollars. Since most people don’t have enough money saved up for a funeral life insurance can be a big help. Depending on the size of the life insurance policy that you get you will be able to cover the funeral expenses and even other bills. Being careful when choosing a life insurance plan is essential as some plans will not cover what you need them to. A term life insurance policy, for example, is a low cost plan but also has a low payout.

One huge problem with term life insurance policies is that they expire after a set period of time. This can often leave a person looking for another plan in their later years only to have trouble finding an affordable plan. When you decide to get life insurance you should make sure that your plan will be in place until after you’ve passed away.

On some life insurance plans you will have extra money even after the funeral costs have been covered. You should start to pay off any outstanding debts that there are to avoid having them transferred to you which could ruin your credit. This will avoid debts for your spouse and children. Credit companies are able to legally pass on debts from one spouse to another. You should keep this in mind when you are picking a life insurance policy to help ensure that your debts will be paid off after you pass.

After you’ve factored in your debts you will also want to factor in any money that you want for an inheritance. This inheritance will be split among the listed beneficiaries. If you want different amounts to go to different beneficiaries then you should specific this in your plan and will.

Otherwise your family may have to use the inheritance money to cover the costs of the medical bills rather than have it for themselves. As long as you plan it out ahead of time and take the time to search for life insurance plans you should have no problem finding a life insurance plan that will meet your family’s needs.

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The Benefits of Life Insurance

Monday, August 10th, 2009

Life insurance offers two important benefits. The first benefit is that it protects your loved ones against the financial consequences of an unexpected death. The second advantage is that it provides living benefits.

The financial effects of death can be devastating. When you lose a spouse, parent, child, sibling or grandparent, the emotional turmoil can be extremely severe. Yet, the financial repercussions can be even more overwhelming than the loss itself. With no life insurance, surviving family members are often thrust into a position of acute financial hardship. Not only are they are left dealing with the loss of a future income, but they must also handle the immediate outlay of finances demanded by the death and burial expenses that have been unexpectedly generated.

Mortality statistics show that a significant number of people die, every year, before they reach their normal life expectancy. If the deceased person happens to have been a breadwinner, the consequences of their premature death can be extremely tragic, in many ways. The survivors are not only dealing with personal grief, but they must also find a way to deal with the financial consequences. There are still daily living expenses, even though one income is now missing.

Aside from the cost of the funeral, other expenses survivors must contend with include executor’s fees and estate administration costs. Outstanding debts, like car loans, mortgages, credit cards, medical expenses, promissory notes and death taxes, will fall on the shoulders of the survivors, and must be paid. There are state and federal taxes to consider, as well.

The future security of your loved ones is another factor in a premature death. Just basic living expenses, the mortgage, and raising and educating children are some of those concerns. Actually, it doesn’t matter what financial obligations are left behind, the only option your survivors have is to pay them, and that takes money. If you want to assure yourself that your family is not forced to deal with the financial devastation a premature death can cause, then a life insurance policy is the perfect answer.

Some survivors may have a time during which it will be difficult to work, and some may have to think about a survivor’s blackout period. This is a time where social security stops paying the surviving spouse, because dependent children are no longer a factor. These events are difficult if no monies are available. Also, some families try to plan for a surviving spouse’s retirement needs. Because of the fact that life insurance can generate an immediate estate, at a time when it is most needed, it is a means of estate building.

An added advantage of life insurance is its living benefits. Some permanent policies provide policyholders with a cash benefit, in addition to the death settlement. This cash value belongs to the policyholder. Insurance companies allow the policyholder to make withdrawals from the cash benefit, which can then be used by the policyholder for any reason. The policyholder can also take out loans from their insurance company, and they use the policy’s cash value as their collateral.

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Is A Life Insurance Broker Really Necessary?

Thursday, August 6th, 2009

No. You really don’t need a life insurance broker. However, there are certainly times and instances when a life insurance broker can be extremely helpful. In fact, they can actually save you a significant amount of money.

Whether you need to purchase car, health or life insurance, there are a lot of companies to choose from, and an equally large number of complicated plans available for consumers. Making sense of those plans can be daunting, especially if you have not had experience with them before. It’s for this reason that securing an insurance broker can be a wise move.

A life insurance broker is an intermediary. They function between you and an insurance company. It is their job to search for the lowest possible insurance policy, and an insurance broker does not work for a specific company. They have established rapport with many insurance companies, and this allows them to hunt for the best options, answer difficult questions, and point you in the right direction, in terms of your insurance needs.

Once you select your broker, you will simply give them the details and needs for your specific situation. At that point, the broker begins looking through the surplus of options available. They will search out the best deal for you. The broker will give you multiple quotes to choose from, or sometimes they simply offer you the lowest priced quote available. This then allows you to evaluate several insurance estimates from leading companies, and make an informed decision on which one works best for your exact situation.

Because they do not work for any one company, a broker must be familiar with all the leading insurance companies. They know the reputation of each one. They also know how the company operates. They can answer important questions, as well as inform you about such things as how often premium increases occur, and how they handle claims.

Insurance brokers work on commission. The insurance companies pay them for every policy they sell. If you were to go to the company, and purchase a similar policy, you could not get it at a cheaper cost. What that means is that using a broker to help you find the best policy costs you nothing more, and it takes a great deal of stress off your shoulders. The broker does the research and deals with all the frustrations of weeding out the better polices. All you have to do is consider the options he presents for you, and make a decision on which one is going to work best.

One of the biggest benefits a broker offers is his or her expansive knowledge of the marketplace. Not only can they find you the policy you need, they can do it quickly. They can also get you exactly the kind of coverage you want, at a price that would be hard for you to match. Brokers understand the technicalities of insurance contracts, and they can make sense of all the small print. They also have answers for your questions. Choosing to use a broker is an astute decision.

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Knowing Your Life Insurance Rights

Monday, August 3rd, 2009

You will want to understand how your life insurance rights will affect you and your family. You should do this before you purchase a life insurance program to make sure that you find a program that will fit your needs. You will need to remember that changing a program to work for you is harder than finding a program.

Your rights may change depending on what type of life insurance you get. First there is whole life insurance which is the most known type of life insurance. This life insurance provides a monthly rate of money for your beneficiaries after you die. Term life insurance is less expensive but lasts only for a set period of time.

In both cases you will be entitled to what is known as a free look period. This is a law in every state that the companies are required to give you a time period between 10 and 30 days to review the policy. The actual time period will vary from state to state however some states require that a notice of the law is actually given to you with your policy. If you decide that you don?t want to continue the policy after the time period all you will have to do is have a written statement and hand them the statement with the policy. They will refund your payment and the policy will become a voided policy.

This period is extremely important for many people as they will be able to take it to someone and have that person help them understand the technicalities of the policy. The free look period varies from state to state and in some cases from company to company. Although contracts are supposed to be easy to read they are not in most cases. Thus you should take full advantage of this free look period so that you get what you want in your policy.

Understand that it will be harder for you to get life insurance down the road if you decide to get term life insurance now. Since older individuals are not expected to life as long they are usually subject to higher rates. It usually costs a fair amount of money but you can arrange the payouts and monthly payments to your liking. Also if you?re an older individual looking for life insurance then you should consider offering an initial lump sum of money to the insurance company. This will not only lower your monthly payments but it will help you get a policy with that company. Educate your family so that they know that they may be able to negotiate the payment policy even after you?ve passed away.

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Discount Travel Insurance For Over 65

Friday, July 31st, 2009

The prospect of traveling, whether within the country or abroad, can be very exciting. There are so many places to go and things to do! It’s a little easy to get carried away with planning events and there may be a need to adjust the budget a time or two accordingly. When preparing for travel, it is wise to keep in mind ways to keep the costs down. There are many ways to decrease expenses and have a pleasant trip.

There are, however, some things that should not be skimped on. One of these is Travel Insurance. It may be fun to frequent a local market a time or to rather than the fancy eatery. But while insurance may seem like an expense that you can forego and the likelihood is great that you won’t have occasion to use it, it is a precaution that you should be prudent to work into your budget.

You’ll want to determine what advantages you’d like to include and locate a reputable agency. There are quote sites available that allow you to enter specific criteria including age. Within a company there are different plans. Determine what amenities you’ll really need. If you are not carrying sports gear or equipment, for example, you will need a smaller amount of coverage. You may be able to rent some of the equipment when you arrive. Take note to the difference in plans- some have cancellation policies that may cause you to lose out depending on the reason. If you have an unexpected event that causes you to cancel your trip, you should be able to re-book when convenient for you without it costing you again. Some plans refund a voucher, some give back cash. Even if you can’t afford the most expense plan, basic coverage will give you a bit of security and peace of mind so that you can enjoy your trip to the fullest.

To keep the cost down, there are many options available. Many travel agencies have discount program available depending on the age of the travelers. There are plans for the over 65. To take advantage of some of these discounts, it may be as simple as a call to your local agency. Or, you might complete some online searches to compare prices from one company to another.

Often, depending on the trip you’d like to take, there are group rates available for the travel itself or for individual events when you arrive. This is an additional savings that means it may benefit your pocket to travel with friends

By this point in your life, you may have accumulated ‘frequent flier’ miles. These can help with your budget as well so that that you needn’t skimp on the insurance. Be a bit resourceful, do your homework, and you will be able to have the vacation you want.

With a little hunting, on average, the over 65 crowd should be able to arrange at least a 10 or even 15 % discount from their travel insurance costs.

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Why Do Women Get Cheaper Car Insurance?

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

Are you looking for a means of getting cheaper quotes on your car insurance? Would you like to save some money by spending less on your car insurance? Would you like some tips on how to get car insurance for less? Are you interested in getting to know if men pay more for insurance than women? Well, then read on and you will get your answers. Getting insurance quotes isn’t a problem. The tons of insurance companies available will definitely provide you with one. However, cheap car insurance is particularly hard to find particularly when you don’t know how to go about it and what to do.

Did you know that some factors can help you secure cheaper insurance? Most insurance companies would consider these before even considering you for insurance. So, to better your chances at getting cheaper insurance rates, here are the things you need to know:

1.Your Records By this I do not mean your identification or bank records. We are talking about your driving record. What has it been like? Have you been involved in some drunk driving or are you known unnecessary high speeds? Do you often break speed limits or get parking tickets? All these seemingly little things contribute to how your records look. Research has shown that the final premium price is largely determined by factors like such as the number of car accidents the insurer has been involved in, and the amount of traffic or parking tickets acquired over a period of time. It’s not hard to figure out. Someone with just an accident on his record will pay less than someone who has 3. The cause of the accident is also likely to add to or remove from the amount to be paid. An accident caused by drunk driving will attract more insurance fees than one that is not. Insurance companies are generally more open to insuring cars with no history of accidents.

2.Gender Males are more likely to get in car accidents than women. Thus insurers are more likely to charge the women far less than they would charge the men. Therefore, making insurance cheaper for the women. Research and history has shown that women are less susceptible to car accidents than men. This is because men are often more daring in driving while women are more careful.

3.Age It is generally known that over 40% of the accidents recorded are caused by young adults and using roadside assistance. Therefore, most insurers tend to pay charge higher insurance fees for younger people. Insurance for teens exist but most insurance companies are wary of insuring teens unless they have proved beyond reasonable doubt that they are capable of handling the cars well. Older people also tend to get a bargain as it is generally believed that the older you get, the more careful you are.

4.Status -Single or married Married individuals are more likely to get cheaper quotes on the basis of their status in the society. This is because married couples are less likely to drive recklessly than singles.

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Who Qualifies For Life Cover

Tuesday, July 28th, 2009

If someone in your life depends on you financially then you should have life cover. Having life cover should be your top concern. How will your family survive financially when you are gone? Just because you are here today does not promise a tomorrow. Everyone should have life cover.

A term life policy is easy to decipher and easy to get. You may need help with understanding plan types and amount of coverage.

Before you apply for life insurance coverage there are some things you should know. Determine how much life insurance you really need, be careful not to take out too small of an amount. Remember to factor in all the bills including the mortgage. Online life insurance calculators are useful for getting an idea of the actual amount you need. You want to make sure you are not under-insured. Be cautious not to end up over insured either.

You have to determine the amount of time the insurance cover Many times once dependants leave or financial responsibilities are paid off the cover can come to an end. In some cases the policy holder will hold the policy until they are retired. The main thing is to have the cover stay in effect long enough for your purposes.

Be sure to answer all questions correctly when applying for life cover. Your application can be refused by the insurance company for non disclosure if you do not answer the questions.

It is a safe bet to set up your cover in a trust. go wrong with putting your cover in a trust. A trust will take care of paying the loved ones after your death. Policies that are not placed in a trust become part of your estate and may increase the inheritance tax liability. You can ask your insurance agent about a trust form.

Do not pay more for your policy than you can afford to. Insurance policies are more expensive if you are a greater risk.

The most common cover is the Level Term Assurance (LTA) where the sum of your insured amount stays the same for the length of the term. If you are looking for a lower cost policy and only need coverage for a debt such as a mortgage you can purchase Decreasing Term Assurance (DTA) for a great rate.

If you have any life changes happen you will need to review your cover and ensure you have adequate coverage. The arrival of a newborn, moving to a new town or occupational changes could affect your cover needs. Many forget that their policy may need changed to keep up with their life. Make modifications whenever it is sensible that you may need more coverage. If you have had a life cover policy for a long time you might want to shop around, it is possible to switch to a cheaper one.

Always remember you can shop around for more affordable policy prices even if you already have coverage. Be sure that you are not losing any irreplaceable benefits before cancelling a policy. You have to keep in mind that if your health has or any major life changes have occurred you will be paying a more expensive rate for a new policy.

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Who Benefits From A Life Insurance Policy

Tuesday, July 21st, 2009

Anyone who has people who depend on them financially for support should have proper life insurance coverage Life insurance should be your number one priority. How will your family survive financially when you are gone? We may think we will be here forever but the truth is we will not be. Life insurance is something we all should have.

There is nothing easier to be approved for than a lump sum life cover policy. Finding the right plan options with the best amount of coverage is the tricky part.

Before you apply for life insurance coverage there are some things you should know. Carefully factor how much life insurance you really should have you dont want to take out too little. Do not forget to consider the mortgage and other bills. Use a life insurance calculator online to get an accurate amount you need for coverage. It is a common mistake to be under-insured. Being over insured is a mistake as well.

Remember to factor in all the bills including the mortgage. Use a life insurance calculator on the internet to get an idea of the amount you need for coverage. Being under insured is a common mistake. It is not too smart to become over insured either. You want to have the amount that is right for you.

Be honest and correct when answering questions on your life insurance application. If you fail to give all the information asked of you the insurance company can refuse your application due to non disclosure.

Be sure not to pay more than you can afford. You can expect to pay more if the insurance company think of you as a higher risk.

Do not over pay for your policy. Life cover can be pricey if the insurance agent sees you as a larger risk.

The most common policy is the Level Term Assurance (LTA) where the sum of your insured amount stays the same for the length of the term. A common insurance policy for those needing to insure their debts is Decreasing Term Assurance (DTA) coverage.

If you have any life changes happen you will need to review your cover and ensure you have adequate coverage. You may have a little one on the way or one going to college, you may have refinanced your home or you changed jobs, any of these things could alter your policy needs. Many forget that their cover may need changed to keep up with their life. Do not be afraid to make policy changes as they are needed.

If you have had a life cover policy for many years you might want to shop around, it is possible to switch to a better priced one. Be sure that you are not losing any wanted benefits before cancelling a policy. A new policy could be more costly is you have had any major health problems or other life changing situations.

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