Report Card: Insurance Rating

When you are shopping for insurance for your small business, one of your main concerns would be about differentiating a good insurance firm from a poor one. Firms that provide financial ratings for insurance companies can help you in your decision. There are five major agencies in the U.S that rate the financial stability of insurance companies.
These companies provide ratings that are objective, free, and easily accessible. The ratings are based on financial data that the insurers are required to report to the government as well as information the insurance companies provide directly to the rating agencies. You can find these ratings on the agencies’ website or in books that are available in libraries. The agencies will typically require you to register on their site to access the ratings.

Insurance ratings, essentially, are letter grades just like those in school, with A being the best, followed by B, and so on. The rating system is not uniform and varies from agency to agency. Here’s a list of the 5 agencies and their rating system:

• A.M. Best: A.M. Best is a full-service credit rating organization and rates the entire market of insurance companies. Top financial strength ratings fall in the categories of superior (A++, A+) and excellent (A, A-).

• Standard & Poor's: The ratings start from AAA for extremely strong, AA for very strong and so on. Standard & Poor's also chooses certain companies as Security Circle insurers. These companies must rank in the top four categories for financial strength, submit to a comprehensive initial review, and undergo ongoing monitoring. • Duff & Phelps: This agency specializes in rating small- to medium-sized insurers. Companies get a rating of AAA, AA+, AA, and AA-. In addition to its ratings, Duff & Phelps' Solvency Seal identifies companies that have been in operation five years or longer, and their long and short-term capacity to pay claims. • Moody's: Look for companies with financial strength ratings of Aaa (exceptional) or Aa (excellent).

• TheStreet.com: This Company rates in straight report-card-style system. Excellent financial strength ratings are A+, A, and A-. In addition to the ratings, you should also look at how a company ranks across its entire range of services to get a good idea of its overall financial stability. The ratings tell you only how financially able a company is to pay claims, not whether it will actually do so. While getting the scores from the ratings agencies is a good start, you should also talk to your insurance agent to get a feel of how quickly claims are settled. Another good source is the state insurance department, where information about complaints from consumers is recorded.

Car Insurance - What Is The Cost Of Being Uninsured.

Every year when the renewal documents for your car insurance come through, most people may begrudge having to pay out a lump sum especially those who have clean no claims histories. Most people will also resent the time having to search around for the best deal in the market place and the fact that premiums seem to always get bigger. But no matter how much a stress and a strain paying for car insurance is, very few people would never dare not to renew their policy. Miss Robinson from Derbyshire knows the true cost of failing to insure your vehicle when she was hit by an uninsured driver. Miss Robinson was turning into her driveway when another car drove straight into the back of her. She managed to get out of the car and stop the other driver long enough to take down his contact details. But when she later tried to call him about the accident she found the number she had been given was fake. Miss Robinson immediately phoned the police and was told that there was no record of the cars registration details. It was at this point it became clear that something was wrong.
Miss Robinson suffered from whiplash and psychological trauma, but there seem no chance of compensation. When the awful realisation dawned that the other driver was most likely un-insured Miss Robinson phoned the Citizen’s Advice Bureau and was given the contact details for the Motor Insurance Bureau. Unfortunately there were limits to what could be compensated for, in this situation and Miss Robinson was forced to pay for all repairs to her vehicle and use her vacation time to attend medical assessments for her whiplash injury.

It took a whole year for the claim to be settled and Miss Robinson was finally compensation for the accident. It was a horrendous drawn out experience that Miss Robinson is now trying to forget, and the money offered little consolation for the trauma she experienced. The payout is also of no consolation to the other 500,000 legally insured drives in Derbyshire whose premiums were forced up last year to pay for these incidents. The Motor insurance Bureau said that £15,477,000 was paid out in 2006 to 19,674 cases of traffic accidents with an uninsured driver.

The problem in catching uninsured drivers is that they are very difficult to detect. Derbyshire police did prosecute 5,000 uninsured drivers last year but admit that they are nowhere near to catching everyone who commits this crime. It is believed in Derbyshire alone there could be as many as 20,000 insured drivers on the roads, three quarters of whom are not being caught. Motorists who decide not to insure their cars know the risks they are taking and aware of the risk of getting caught and this is not enough to deter them. In addition the penalties for driving without insurance are low. In Derbyshire during 2007 the average fine awarded for driving uninsured was £367.00, which considering the average insurance premium for the same year was £629 you can see why some people may be tempted to take the risk.

Something needs to change in this system to prevent more people from not insuring their car so that repeat occurrences of Miss Robinson’s situation can finally be stopped.

Danielle is an author of several articles pertaining to Car Insurance. He is known for his expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.

Report Predicts Good News For Insurers

Car insurers are set to make a profit for the first time in 14 years according to a report released this year. They will make a profit in 2009 because of rises in insurance premiums the report has said. This year the industry faces a loss but the market will make a profit of £30 million pounds next year because the cost of premiums will outstrip the cost of accident claims, the Market Analyst Datamonitor revealed.

According to research, the industry has not seen profit for 14 years due to an increase in claims, including personal injury and accident claims which have increased overall costs for insurance firms. Now though, insurance premiums have become so high that next year they will account for these losses and the market will see serious growth. Intense competition has thwarted any attempts to raise insurance premiums until now, but the researchers have said that since 2001 insurers have been more interested in expanding their market share than addressing the accidents claims bill which damages their profits.

An article in The Herald explored the issue and Andrew Haslip who was involved in writing the report, said: "2009 could be a historic year for the private motor insurance market, putting an end to a painful 14 consecutive years of losses. While insurers have needed to raise their prices, they've been unable to do so due to the level of competition between insurers and the fact that the vast majority of consumers buy on price."

He also told the paper that this profitability would not last as competition peaked again and insurers were forced to lower their premiums due to public demand, he predicted that a year later the companies would once again be trading at a loss. However, despite these revelatory research findings the AA have issued a statement that they believe these predictions to be inaccurate.

In fact, the CEO of the AA recently said that the cost of claims is actually showing no sign of stopping or lowering and that the cost of damage to vehicles is rising by approximately 5% each year. Additionally, he said that accident claims are increasing by 10% each year.” So even as premiums rise so will the costs insurers face. He described the situation in an article online: “It remains a very volatile and competitive market and we don’t see that changing in the immediate future.”

According to The Herald Tribune, “Royal Bank of Scotland , the country's biggest motor insurer, and others have indicated they see the tide turning, but rivals like Admiral warn the pace of change is still very slow, with competition from price comparison websites eating into insurers' profits.” So it’s clear to see that the only way for insurance companies to claw back profits is to raise prices and also that consumers will not let that happen.

For the large majority of customers the policy and insurance company they choose depends on the price of the premium, so to remain attractive to these customers’ insurance companies must strive to under-cut each other, essentially trading at a loss. The popularity of price comparison websites where customers can browse for the best insurance deal and the ease with which accident claims can presently be made against companies means that the industry is in trouble until litigation laws change or consumers have an incentive other than price on which to base their decisions.

Sarah Othman is an author of several articles pertaining to accident claims. She is known for her expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles. See http://www.accidentsdirect.com

US Employers Aren't Paying Accident Insurance

It was recently revealed that thousands of workers in New Jersey are getting hurt at work and finding out that their employers have not taken out insurance to cover their injuries. The Star Ledger reported that the problem is a “small but growing slice” of the state's litigious system which pays out a total of $1.8 billion a year in accident claims.

Experts say that the uninsured workers are an unnecessary burden on hospitals, charities and other social services. It is posited by the paper that the US government is not doing enough to tackle the issue and that administration is slack. “An uninsured worker who files a claim for benefits faces a complicated, onerous court system where one in 10 such claims [will drag on] for five years.” An article in The Star Ledger says: “Lawyers openly say they are reluctant to take cases involving the uninsured because they and their clients rarely get paid.”

State officials are failing to adequately track cases and have only looked at 10,000 cases in the past 7 years. Shockingly, people who have applied to state funds which were established 20 years ago in order to get help pay for medical treatments rarely receive any money. Only 1% of those who have signed up receive funds are awarded it and it has been admitted by US officials that they cannot afford to pay out for the worst and most incapacitating injuries.

Criticisms are that the state is spending increasingly less time finding and punishing employers who fail to pay their insurance, despite the fact that audits are unearthing more than 25,000 employees without worker insurance each year. Two thirds of businesses in New Jersey are operating without insurance but little is being done to remedy the situation and this leads to lazy employers ignoring regulations and taking chances with the lives of their staff.

In the Star Ledger expose` Bill Burns who works for the state Department of Labor and Workforce Development said: "If [employers] do get caught, they attribute it to the cost of doing business.” But it is clear that for some workers the costs run far deeper.

One man was pleased when his employer agreed to pay him $13 an hour in cash to work as a carpenter. The man was up a ladder in October, 2004 when he slipped and fell. He caught his left foot on the ladder and shattered a lower bone in his leg. The accident left the man destitute and seriously injured; he also spent 5 days in hospital. The cost of the man’s treatment was $47,000. He then spent 4 months on crutches. Because he was unable to work and his employer had not insured him for accident cover, he was unable to pay rent and was evicted. He was then homeless. Years after the man’s initial fall the case was still officially unsettled. However, more recently a civil court awarded the man $525,000 for an accident claim which he brought against his previous employer.

The problem for many people who are injured while working for uninsured employers is that the system is failing them and that the litigation process is long and drawn out. Accident claims are the only relief for employees who have suffered and these employees continue to suffer by having to deal with shoddy administration and a lack of interest from government agencies.

Sarah Othman is an author of several articles pertaining to Claims and Insurance. She is known for her expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles. See http://www.accidentsdirect.com.

Investment-Type Insurance Pays Out

Norwich Union customers last month found out that they would receive a slice of a £2.3 billion bonus as part of their with-profits life insurance policy.
The insurer revealed that 1.1 million of its customers would receive £1,900 and share holders will get a share of £230 million. The bonuses will be paid in three blocks.

Mark Hodges, chief executive of Norwich Union Life, said: “This special bonus is a major boost to policy values. We continue to believe that well-run, open, with-profits funds deliver real value for long term investors.

“Over the course of the next few weeks we will be writing to qualifying policyholders to give them more detailed information.”

Which? Draw attention to the fact that the actual surplus amount is £5.5 billion and Norwich Union are releasing half to its customers. The surplus is called an 'inherited estate' and is the amount of money accumulated over a period of time from with-profits policies. The surplus is divided between the customers in the form of bonuses.

The actual amount received can depend on how the company has been performing. When there has been a good build up of funds bonuses may be retained and redistributed in years which have a lesser yield. This is called 'smoothing'. The disadvantage often associated with this technique is that the insurer might retain too much money and policyholders in the more affluent years may lose out.

Dominic Lindley, personal finance campaigner a Which?, said: “While this may seem like a generous gesture by Norwich Union, the fact remains that £2.3 billion isn't even half of the inherited estate.”

He added: “Now there's the question of the £3.2 billion remaining in the inherited estate. We call on Norwich Union to act with integrity and to not hold back money from policyholders to pay its shareholders' tax bill, subsidise new business or to pay mis-selling claims.”

The insurer are currently deciding how to distribute the remaining surplus.

Aviva, the company that owns Norwich Union insist that the payout is generous and well divided. Shareholders are receiving 10% of the bonus and policyholders 90% which is the standard ratio in these circumstances.

Mr Lindley said: “This is the money that Norwich Union has held back from policyholders over the years, so it is only right that this payment is made on a 90:10 basis.”

With-profits life insurance is classed as an investment-type of policy that has an element of risk associated with it. Endowment insurance of this kind involves the policyholder paying their premium into a pool that is invested by the insurer. Profits are returned as a bonus but do rely on the stock market which can be unpredictable.

Another kind of investment policy are 'unit-linked'. These are similar in that money is invested by the insurer and returned to the policyholder. In this type the customer can choose which companies it would like the insurer to invest in. A payout is received upon death of the insured and depends on the worth of the investments at this time.

Linsey is an author of several articles pertaining to Life Insurance. She is known for her expertise on the subject and on other Business and Finance related articles.

Getting The Cheapest Travel Insurance

If you're looking to travel abroad in the near future or off on your annual holidays then Travel insurance is something you should probably be looking to purchase. Travel Insurance covers a number of eventualities that could occur whilst you're abroad Some of the areas generally covered by most Travel insurance policies are listed below
1. Loss, Damage and theft of personal effects whilst abroad this may include cash, jewellery, personal effects, luggage, clothing, cameras, cam-corders and a host of other personal effects you are travelling with. 2. Cover for Loss , damage or theft of Cash or travellers cheques

3. Personal Injury and accident cover , This is an important one , If you are unfortunate enough to be taken Ill or have an accident whilst abroad medical costs can quickly mount up. Most travel Insurance policies will include medical cost cover to a pre defined amount and you should be able to check the level of medical insurance cover provided by your insurer before purchasing your Travel insurance policy.

For obvious reasons some activities will carry a higher Travel insurance premium than others for example a Hang Gliding or Skiing holiday will probably carry a higher travel insurance price tag as insurers will deem these activities as a higher insurance risk that does not mean that Cheap Travel Insurance cannot be found for these activity style holidays. So it's well worth taking a look online at what is available.

Travel insurance due to its short term nature is generally one of the cheaper insurance policies to buy and is a definite if you're travelling abroad but you will want to check out the small print of any policy before you buy. Nowadays it's quite quick and easy to compare a few policies online by using one of the many online insurance comparison sights where you should be able to find a number of travel insurers in one place on the web and compare prices to find the best deal for you. If you're looking to travel soon then Why not spend 10 minutes looking at deals for Travel Insurance.

Retirement, what plan types are there to choose from?

There are not many people who know all the details of the known retirement plans out there, knowing this, you can also say that not many people know which retirement plan is the best. When a person is working on his or her retirement plan this involves a form of saving money periodically for a certain time, that way that person can enjoy a nice time without the need to work in the, so called, golden years. The government encourages people to do so by giving tax deductions and other benefits. This is what we call an Individual Retirement Plan also known as IRA. With an IRA you are sure of having no a lot of financial worries during your retirement years.
Several types of retirement plans in the USA

The most popular retirement plan is the IRA in it's most traditional form. This plan is simply a savings plan with a custodian like a financial institution, bank or brokerage. Your job would be to deposit an amount of money (most times) on a monthly basis. The custodian would then invest that money in such a way that the returns are as high as possible. You benefit in a few ways from this type of IRA, of course one benefit is the saving itself but you are also entitled to get tax deduction for the part that is invested. There are strict criteria to be eligible for this IRA and these are regulated by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) of the United States of America.

The second plan we will talk about is the Roth IRA retirement plan, this is also a very popular type of plan in the US. With a Roth IRA retirement plan you invest the funds in securities and stock and these would provide a high return. One of the downsides of this plan is that it is not possible to deduct it from your taxes. Another downside would be the 10% penalty when you decide to make an early withdrawal.

The third plan, and final one we will discuss here, is the plan known as the simple IRA. In this plan the employer plays a major part. If a company has less than 100 employees and they earned up to $5000 the year before the employer can help in two ways. The employer can contribute 2% towards a retirement savings plan without the need of the employee to do any saving. Or the employer can do a 100% match with the monthly saving the employee does with a maximum of 3% of the employees monthly income. The minimum, however, should not go below 1%. An employee can stop his or her contribution any time they want. The employer has the benefit of getting a tax deduction for the contributions it makes, and the employee has the benefit that any savings they make are taxed the moment they withdraw the money from the plan and not at the time of the savings. So in the present time they don't pay tax over that part. The employer, in this way, has a nice benefit for the employees and it can give them a form of loyalty towards the employer.

Plan your retirement, that is the best advice one can ever give to you. How you do it is the next problem but to be aware of the fact that you need to start saving now is a first big step. The earlier the better.


John Chomsky worked as a consultant helping other people plan for their retirement. Almost forgetting his own. Take a look at his website if you want to find out more about retirement planning and withdrawals from 401k plans or want your retirement planning software free

Report Card: Insurance Rating

When you are shopping for insurance for your small business, one of your main concerns would be about differentiating a good insurance firm from a poor one. Firms that provide financial ratings for insurance companies can help you in your decision. There are five major agencies in the U.S that rate the financial stability of insurance companies.
These companies provide ratings that are objective, free, and easily accessible. The ratings are based on financial data that the insurers are required to report to the government as well as information the insurance companies provide directly to the rating agencies. You can find these ratings on the agencies’ website or in books that are available in libraries. The agencies will typically require you to register on their site to access the ratings.

Insurance ratings, essentially, are letter grades just like those in school, with A being the best, followed by B, and so on. The rating system is not uniform and varies from agency to agency. Here’s a list of the 5 agencies and their rating system:

• A.M. Best: A.M. Best is a full-service credit rating organization and rates the entire market of insurance companies. Top financial strength ratings fall in the categories of superior (A++, A+) and excellent (A, A-).

• Standard & Poor's: The ratings start from AAA for extremely strong, AA for very strong and so on. Standard & Poor's also chooses certain companies as Security Circle insurers. These companies must rank in the top four categories for financial strength, submit to a comprehensive initial review, and undergo ongoing monitoring. • Duff & Phelps: This agency specializes in rating small- to medium-sized insurers. Companies get a rating of AAA, AA+, AA, and AA-. In addition to its ratings, Duff & Phelps' Solvency Seal identifies companies that have been in operation five years or longer, and their long and short-term capacity to pay claims. • Moody's: Look for companies with financial strength ratings of Aaa (exceptional) or Aa (excellent).

• TheStreet.com: This Company rates in straight report-card-style system. Excellent financial strength ratings are A+, A, and A-. In addition to the ratings, you should also look at how a company ranks across its entire range of services to get a good idea of its overall financial stability. The ratings tell you only how financially able a company is to pay claims, not whether it will actually do so. While getting the scores from the ratings agencies is a good start, you should also talk to your insurance agent to get a feel of how quickly claims are settled. Another good source is the state insurance department, where information about complaints from consumers is recorded.

Is All Insurance Necessary?

Do you feel that buying an insurance policy is always the best thing to do? Have you ever considered that there may be insurance policies that are simply unnecessary? Getting the most bang for your buck and spending your money wisely on insurance policies actually means being sure you actually need the coverage. Follow along as we discussed a few areas where you may be able to save considerable money by not buying a particular coverage.
Comprehensive and collision insurance coverage on your automobile. What happens if your car is not worth very much money? You may end up spending more on the collision and comprehensive part than you could ever get back in an insurance claim for an accident. Clearly, you have to seriously take a look at the value of your car versus the money you have to spend to cover it. Is it really worth it? Probably not.

Identity theft insurance: with all the scare about identity theft these days, many companies have come up with identity theft insurance. The idea may be a good one, but make sure you know what you are being covered for. You may already have rights and protections under federal or state or provincial laws that will help you recover from identity theft at no cost. Just make sure you know and understand each and every one of your automatic rights under the law. Once you have a full understanding of that they can make a better decision as to whether a commercial company can offer you enough extra to make the premiums worthwhile.

Having the maximum coverage for personal injury protection on your car insurance. Check out your health insurance policy. Are you covered there? If you are covered, then you have no need to spend money on something you don't need. If you still feel you would like additional coverage then buy the minimum on your auto insurance.

Rental car insurance: This is one that most people are not aware of. Quite often, when you pay for a rental car from a major credit card supplier you will be automatically available for the rental car insurance. Check with your bank or credit card company before you take your trip to determine if they will cover you and exactly what is being covered.

Travel insurance: Check to see if your current health insurance policy will cover you on your trip. Make sure you know whether you are covered in your home country or if you decide to go abroad. You may find you don't need any further coverage beyond your present policy. If you're well covered for all contingencies in your normal insurance policies you won't need travel insurance.

Keep in mind that by avoiding the above situations in various insurance policies, you will not necessarily reduce your risk. You could still end up with a loss in any number of these circumstances. But understand that what you are doing here is making sure that you spend money wisely on the insurance that you do need. You don't want to waste your valuable resources on insurance policies that simply don't make any sense. Find the automobile insurance you really need at http://www.find-insuranceonline.com/

Protect Against DIY Disasters

Easter is the most popular weekend of the year for DIY, with consumers spending billions of pounds on home improvements. But if you are planning to redecorate or renovate this weekend make sure your home insurance is up to date. DIY enthusiasts are expected to cause up to £25 million worth of damage this weekend alone and insurers are warning that if things go wrong your home insurance could be invalid.
According to a survey of 2,000 households carried out by Allianz Insurance, 16% have damaged their homers or their property while attempting to make improvements. 20% also admitted to injuring either themselves, or someone else, while carrying out DIY. This is supported by figures from the Society for the Prevention of Accidents, which estimate 200,000 DIY enthusiasts turn up at hospital each year. Interestingly the survey revealed householders in the north east of England have the most DIY disasters, while people in the south east are least likely to have a mishap.

One of the main problems, according to Halifax Home Insurance, is that many people don’t know what they are doing. Research conducted by the company found that two thirds of men admit they only do DIY due to pressure from their partners or a sense of duty. Contrary to popular belief, men are not natural ‘DIYers’. Despite this many may be planning to attempt ambitious and potentially dangerous home improvement projects this Easter involving building, gas or electrical works. Halifax figures show that over a quarter of men have attempted electrical wiring at home, while almost a quarter of men have attempted to fit an entire new kitchen.

Without the proper qualifications or experience these people risk invalidating their home insurance policies if things go wrong. "TV home makeover shows make it all appear so simple, and it's easy to forget that these are highly skilled professionals. In reality, trying to tackle certain areas you are not qualified for, such as electrics or plumbing, could invalidate your home insurance policy, leaving you liable for any subsequent damage. We'd recommend using a reputable tradesman rather than going it alone,” explains Halifax Senior Claims Manager Martyn Foulds.

Allianz Insurance figures reveal that 55% of those surveyed claimed to have started a DIY job without the correct tools and almost 50% said they had started a DIY job without really knowing how to do it.

“Thankfully people can add accidental damage cover to their buildings and contents insurance to cover them for paint spilt on carpets or hammering a nail into a pipe,” says Simon Coughlin, spokesperson for Allianz Insurance.

Accidental breakage to some parts of the home such as sinks, baths, ceramic hobs and fixed glass in doors is included in most buildings insurance policies. However householders many need additional accidental damage cover to protect against common DIY disasters, such as drilling through water pipes, spilling paint on carpets or putting feet through ceilings.

So before you get bitten by the DIY bug this weekend make sure your policy covers all eventualities, otherwise it could prove to be a very expensive weekend. “We suggest DIY enthusiasts should check to see if their insurance policy covers them for accidental damage in case the job goes horribly wrong,” says Simon Coughlin. “The average cost of a claim for DIY related damage is £600 and our claims staff expect to be busier than usual following a Bank Holiday weekend.” And, if in doubt, get an expert in to do the job!

Carole is an author of several articles pertaining to Insurance, Home Insurance and other Business and Finance articles.

Protection Essential for Medical Tourists

There is constant pressure from the media for us to look good and keep up with the stars. New technologies and procedures are emerging all the time, promising to make us look ten years younger. It is not surprising therefore, that an increasing number of people are being lured abroad by cheap offers of cosmetic surgery. Many of these ‘medical tourists’ however, are putting themselves at risk by failing to check they have adequate travel insurance.
An increasing number of people are travelling abroad to receive lower cost surgery. Last year 70,000 people went overseas for surgery, 30% more than in 2006. The attraction is obvious. According to consumer watchdog Which? a dental implant, for example, which can cost around £2,200 in the UK, can cost as little as £750 in Hungary. A tummy tuck that would cost £4,000 in the UK could be half the price in Poland. Eastern Europe is the most popular destination according to Abbey, with 6% choosing to travel to countries such as Hungary and Poland.

But travelling abroad for medical treatment can be risky. A survey carried out by Which? found that 18% of UK residents who travelled overseas for medical treatment experienced problems. This ranged from a tummy tuck going septic to liposuction leading to one person’s stomach ‘leaking cellulite’. 8% had to return to the NHS for help in an emergency, after having treatment abroad and more than a quarter didn't feel they had received the follow-up care they needed.

However research carried out by Post Office Travel Services found that 25,000 of those travelling abroad for medical treatment were not adequately covered for this type of risk. One in five of these people admitted it simply did not cross their minds to check the policy. Worryingly 16% just assumed they would be covered. A further 9% checked their policy and realised they were not covered, yet still chose not to buy additional cover.

“As with all standard policies on the market, Post Office Travel Insurance will not cover tourists for pre-planned medical or cosmetic surgery so it’s vital that anyone considering this looks into buying additional specialist cover,” warns Helen Warburton, Head of Post Office Travel Services. “It’s also important to check exactly what the specialist insurance covers over and above medical treatment. Travellers may still require traditional travel insurance to cover any potential lost baggage, delayed flights or flight cancellation.”

For those planning to travel abroad for surgery it is important they check that their insurance policy covers expenses such as additional periods of hospitalisation and replacement flights, if their trip has to be extended. It is also advisable to be honest with the insurance provider about plans for surgery and to inform them of any pre-existing medical conditions.

Which? urges potential medical tourists to do their homework before heading off to the sun for surgery. It recommends checking doctors’ qualifications and registration with a professional body, and to make plans taking in to consideration possible problems that could arise. It is vital to read the fine print and be clear about what the contract actually covers. And don’t forget that legal rights differ from country to country.

Carole is an author of several articles pertaining to Insurance, Travel Insurance, and other Business and Finance articles.

Do Women Get A Better Car Insurance Deal?

Insurers are keen to offer women drivers cheap deals on insurance, it seems the numerous jokes that float around about women being worse drivers than men are fictitious, since it is women who get the best insurance deals. It is a proven fact that women make less insurance claims than men, and the numerous insurance companies dedicated to covering women are further proof of this.

Home office figures showed that men are liable for 83% of speeding offences and 97% of dangerous driving offences, so it seems it’s down to men that women pay less for their insurance. It is facts and figures like this that have resulted in the popularity of companies that only offer women’s car insurance.

Plus, statistically women drivers have significantly lower annual mileage than men, the lower the mileage, the cheaper the insurance, because the less you are on the road, the less chance there is that you will damage your car and make a claim. Women are also less likely than men to make an expensive claim or write-off their vehicle. Overall they are a cheaper and safer bet than their male counterparts.

These figures do not prove that women don’t have as many accidents as men, women simply do not do as much damage when they do crash because they drive slower than men. This is why women are offered cheaper car insurance by women-only insurers, but are they really being offered a better deal?

Despite the clever marketing used by the insurance companies that are exclusive to women, Diamond even offers handbag insurance as part of the package, it seems the products are nearly identical to those offered by mainstream insurers and are not always the cheapest.

Direct Excellence conducted independent research which concluded that three out of four women drivers would save money opting for mainstream insurers. The best option for women is to thoroughly research the prices and packages of different companies. Price comparison sites such as Only Finance, are the quickest and most efficient way to compare hundreds of different premiums while only inputting information once.

Of course, for some customers specialist women’s insurance packages will work out cheaper and offer a better package, although other factors will make a big difference. The size of the engine, the make and model of the vehicle, safety features you have installed and even the postcode in which you live will all affect your quote.

There are currently no companies who offer men an equivalent exclusive deal to those that women receive in abundance, although men can benefit from insurers’ favourable treatment of their mother/wife/sister/aunt. Being a named driver on a female’s insurance policy can often work out cheaper for men than being the policy holder, so it’s definitely worth looking into. Alternatively having a female driver named on a male’s insurance policy can also bring premiums down.

Despite the fact that at present women are classed as safer drivers with fewer high cost claims and write-offs, it seems that women are gradually becoming more aggressive drivers and more likely to drive competitively, as well as driving longer distances than in the past.

According to Confused.com’s analysis database, which surveys 5.5m users, 16.8% of men have driving convictions compared to 9.8% of women. However the gap between the sexes is closing, the number of women drivers with points on their license has more than doubled to 4.8%, compared to the figure from three years ago.

It is likely that, until the government release figures proving this theory, insurers will still look favourably upon women and offer them better deals.

Jemma is an author of several articles pertaining to Insurance, Car Insurance, other Business and Finance articles.

Comparing Travel Insurance Policies

Smart travellers will always spend some time comparing travel insurance policies before deciding on the proper one for their needs. They know that travel insurance is one of the best ways to protect themselves against potentially losing the money they will invest to go on holiday.
The type of travel insurance policy you choose can be different, depending on the plans you have for your trip. If you plan to spend your holiday checking out the slopes, then you should be comparing travel insurance policies that will cover you for ski related expenses, medical assistance in case of illness or accident, trip cancellation, loss of your luggage, and more. A ski holiday can be a lot of fun, but there is always the chance of an accident while skiing. Medical bills while away from home can add up very quickly, so having the buffer of travel insurance can help to make a skiing holiday less stressful.

Or, perhaps you are planning a family holiday this year. You should be comparing travel insurance policies that will protect your family in case your trip is delayed or cancelled, and will reimburse you for the money you would have to spend to secure lodging and meals for your family until the holiday is underway again. Medical coverage is also important to families. You want benefits that will allow you to enjoy a serene holiday, free of worry.

What could happen to you on a cruise ship? You’d be surprised. If you are planning a cruise holiday, comparing travel insurance policies geared to cruise ship trips should be just as important as what cruise ship line to use! Most people take a cruise in order to relax, so the last thing you want to be doing is fretting over all the things that could go wrong. Cruise ship insurance is available to ease your mind and know that if something does happen, you will be covered, even if you are many miles away from home.

You would be surprised when you realize that comparing travel insurance policies will save you money. It is possible to buy a policy that will be tailor made for you and the activities you plan to do while on holiday. The premiums for your travel insurance will not be expensive at all. In fact, when you read your policy, you will be amazed that you are getting so much coverage for so little!

If you do a lot of travelling in a year’s time, whether on holiday or for your job, comparing travel insurance policies can save you even more money. You can take advantage of multi trip travel insurance. This type of policy covers you during every trip you make in the space of twelve months. You can settle back and relax during your many holidays, secure in the knowledge that you have saved money by not having to buy a separate policy each time you take a trip.

Of course, if you only go on holiday once each year, then you only need one single travel policy. Comparing travel insurance policies before taking that annual trip is very wise. You are sure to have safe holidays when you have travel insurance coverage to suit your needs.

am Uninsurable! What Choices are Available?

Individuals with pre existing conditions like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, heart attack, stroke, kidney disease, liver disease, AIDS, depression and a long list of other health conditions, have found it almost impossible to find affordable healthcare. Thousands are being declined for health insurance. If you are looking for uninsurable health insurance or pre existing condition health insurance, you know how hard that can be. Being uninsurable, due to pre existing conditions, will limit your health insurance choices, but there are ways to provide you with affordable healthcare coverage. Using creative insurance planning and the knowledge and understanding of what’s available, you can greatly reduce the potential financial strain on both you and your family.
Should you locate a health insurance company that will provide you with healthcare coverage, expect to pay more than someone with no health problems. Also, the coverage will probably be limited in scope. Here’s the bottom line, if you do find health insurance coverage, it’s probably best to take it until something better comes along.

So… what are my options now that I am uninsurable?

Here's 6 choices to consider. The option you choose will dependent upon your individual situation...

Group Health Insurance

It’s the best choice for those with chronic health concerns, pre existing conditions or even if uninsurable. Group health insurance is usually provided by your employer or maybe by your spouse’s employer. Usually the employee has little or no choice in deciding what features the policy will include. Basically this is a guaranteed issue health insurance program. The principal advantage of group health insurance is that coverage is available to newly hired employees. Usually no medical questions are asked. Even a pre existing condition will not keep you from getting covered under the company’s group health insurance plan. This works out great for the uninsurable individual. However, there is one main disadvantage: the coverage typically ends when the employee's job ends. This could present a problem for an uninsurable employee.

Professional Organizations

Most don’t know about this option. A number of professional organizations offer their members a health insurance program as a fringe benefit. This health insurance coverage could be a great way to stay insured if you are uninsurable or have a preexisting condition. This is really like a group health insurance policy. See if you can get access to a membership organization which offers health insurance for preexisting conditions or health insurance for the uninsurable. A valid certification or career experience may be required to join. Other associations might accept your membership without these prerequisites. Look for local and national associations. Even with a yearly membership fee, it still might be worth the money.

Private Individual Health Insurance

Individuals who have no employer sponsored or professional organization health insurance options, yet they have extensive health care needs and medical expenses, will find that obtaining coverage from the individual health insurance market may not be a viable option. If coverage is found, premiums charged are often unaffordable. Moreover, insurers can turn down “high risks” individuals for coverage because of an existing or previous illness. As we stated earlier, if you do find an insurance company that will provide you with health insurance coverage, even if it’s somewhat limited, it would still be best to take that coverage until a better alternative becomes available.

State Risk Pools

For individuals who have serious medical conditions, some states allow access to either private individual health insurance for uninsurable or health plans for uninsurable. These plans are defined as high-risk health insurance pools. Individuals in these state risk pools have access to comprehensive private coverage plans. However, the premiums can be very costly, often double what private health insurance would cost for someone who is healthy. Individuals may find enrollment is closed to a new enrollee or the state pool has a long waiting list. These high-risk pools are often the last resort for people who have serious pre existing conditions and are paying exorbitant fees for their insurance, or who are able to meet key state conditions for enrollment.

Discount Health Cards

Companies selling discount health cards claim to save subscribers money by offering discounts on hospital, doctor, prescription drugs, dental, vision and chiropractic care. Consumers seeking affordable healthcare may be confused by these health cards. They really are not health insurance. You’re still responsible for paying the medical bills. The discount health card simply offers a reduced price for services from participating healthcare providers. They sometime make grossly inflated promises on expected benefits and savings. Use caution when purchasing these discount health cards. You may pay more than you save.

Guaranteed Issue Health Insurance

For those who are uninsurable, those with preexisting conditions or someone who just can not afford or qualify for health insurance, then a guaranteed issue health insurance plan may be a good choice. These plans, known as “mini-meds”, provide much needed healthcare coverage. They’re usually quite affordable and offer a considerable amount of coverage. Most pre existing conditions are covered after 12 months. Understand these plans are not basic health insurance or major medical coverage but are limited indemnity plans. This just means the plan pays benefits based on a pre-defined amount per service or procedure. Usually covered are doctor visits, hospital stays, emergency room visits, surgery, accidental death, etc. Most plans do not require completing medical questions or taking a physical exam to qualify. Don’t confuse these plans with the “discount health cards”.
About the author:
Rudy Wilson is active in the insurance industry. He is also a researcher and an author. Visit his web site at http://www.UninsurableHealthSolution.com to view more information on finding affordable health care for the uninsured, the underinsured and the uninsurable.

How to Compare Health Insurance Quotes to Get the Best Rate

Health insurance can take a sizeable chunk out of your family budget, especially if you aren’t lucky enough to have an employer who pays part of your premium. To get the best value for your money, you need to take the time to compare health insurance quotes so you get a policy that fits your budget and your needs.
Find Quotes to Compare

The fastest and easiest way to get health insurance quotes quickly is to go to an insurance comparison website. There you fill out a simple online application and you'll receive quotes from several A-rated companies that you can compare.

What Plan Features Do You Need?

As you compare the quotes, look for which ones offer plan features that are important to you. For example, do you need a policy that ...

* Allows you to continue seeing your current providers with no extra cost

* Allows you to visit specialists without approval

* Covers any pre-existing conditions you may have

* Includes preventive care coverage

* Includes prescription drug coverage

* Includes coverage for diagnostic tests

* Includes coverage for surgery and emergency care

* Covers rehabilitation therapy

* Includes prenatal and maternal care coverage

* Offers additional coverages like mental health, dental, and vision

How Much Does the Plan Cost?

In addition to finding a plan that offers the features you need, you also need to find a plan you can afford. As you compare plans, look at all the plan costs:

* Monthly premium

* Annual deductible

* Annual out-of-pocket limit

* Coinsurance rate

* Co-payment amount

* Out-of-network charges

* Lifetime cap

You must take all of these costs into mind when you compare quotes. Just choosing a plan with a low monthly premium will not help you save money of your health insurance if you later find you cannot afford the co-payment or deductible.

Where to Get the Best Rate
Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/health-insurance.html or click on the following link to compare health insurance quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more tips and advice in their Articles section, and get answers to your questions from an insurance expert by using their online chat service.

The authors, Brian Stevens and Stacey Schifferdecker, have spent 30 years in the insurance and finance industries, and have written a number of articles on how to compare health insurance quotes.

Insurance: Auto Insurance - Finding the Discounts?

Auto insurance is an necessity, but why pay more for it than you have to? Take advantage of every possible discount on auto insurance that you can. Many people choose to pay auto insurance on a monthly basis. However, the premium is calculated on a six month or annual basis. If you look at your monthly statements, you are being charged for the convenience of making the payments monthly. If you pay the six month or annual premium in full you will save money over the course of the policy.
Most insurance companies offer more than just auto insurance. They want to be a provider for all the needs of their customers. There are multiple discounts offered on auto insurance if you combine it with another policy such as your home owner’s insurance or a life insurance policy. This is because the insurance company wants to maintain your business. They can even roll everything into one convenient monthly, quarterly, semi annual or annual payment.

Many people don’t realize that the types of vehicles they operate have a huge effect of the base cost of the auto insurance that they pay. Sports cars and convertibles are among the highest autos when it comes to insurance rates. To get discounts, consider buying vehicles with added safety features including passenger air bags, side air bags, four wheel drive, and a sensor for backing up.

The more you are able to establish yourself as a safe driver, the more discounts you will get on your auto insurance. An insurance provider will look at how long you have had your driver’s license as well as any claims, accidents, and moving violations. Major moving violations such as driving under the influence will raise your insurance costs because of the high risk involved with covering you. If you have young drivers in your household, consider having them take driver’s education so that you can get a discount for them. Many insurance company’s offer a discount for student with good grades as well.

The internet is a great place to find out about the various discounts that may apply to your particular auto insurance needs. If you are new to getting auto insurance or you have a spotty driving record, you may have to start out paying a high premium. You can work to establish a pattern of being reliable by following the rules of the road and paying your premiums on time. This way you will be eligible to reap the rewards of discount auto insurance in the future.

Insurance: Auto Insurance - Getting it Online!

Insurance: Auto Insurance - Getting it Online! by NICHOLAS TAN
Do you need to search for new auto insurance but it just doesn’t seem to fit into your schedule? If you are like me, there is only one insurance agent in this small town, and the rates definitely aren’t the best. A great alternative is the internet; you can find reliable auto insurance any time of the day when it is convenient for you. In many cases, you will get a lower rate because they don’t have the overhead costs involved with running an office.

It is very simple to do an online auto insurance. In fact, you will likely find thousands of links if you type it into a search engine. You can narrow the search by typing in a specific insurance company name. Some other helpful search options include searching by specific types of insurance (car, motorcycle, motor home, etc.) or searching by state.

Before you begin, make sure you are aware of your state regulations. This is because many online auto insurance companies are going to ask you about the limits you want on medical coverage and such. You need to know what is required to meet the guidelines of the state where your vehicle is registered. You should also know what dollar amount you are willing to pay as a deductible. The deductible is the amount of money you will be required to pay when you submit any claim before the insurance will cover anything. The higher deductible you choose the lower your premium will be. However, make sure you can cover the cost of that premium should you need to.

While you will find many reputable online auto insurance companies, there is also an opportunity for scams to take place under false pretenses. Anyone can design a website that looks legitimate. Find out information about the insurance company. How long have they been in business? Where are they physically located? Look for a phone number on the website and call it. You should always check the business out with the Better Business Bureau as well. Make sure you type the name in exactly as it is listed. This is because scams often use a name very similar to a legitimate business name to avoid suspicion.

Compare Motorcycle Insurance

If you are looking to compare motorcycle insurance for the best bike deals and cheapest motorcycle insurance rates. Then you will probably already know it can be a time consuming business with so many bike insurers offering deals on line the sheer amount of information and number of web based deals can be overwhelming .However with the advent of a number of specialist online insurance comparison sites the laborious task of finding the best insurance deals has been made a little, if not a lot easier. The main criteria for most people looking for insurance online is price but it makes sense to also compare policies for aftercare such as break down cover and replacement vehicle service its also worth baring in mind what kind of long term deductions are being offered, It is quite possible to miss an insurance deal that seems slightly more expensive initially but actually works out cheaper over the medium to long term. Many insurers are now offering 10 deductions for policies bought online Further saving you money. By nature most of us will tend to stay with the same insurers For many years, the hassle factor of looking elsewhere kicks in and as with any accounts we tend not to change. Insurance companies are well aware of this and along with keeping their existing customer base are very eager to attract new customers with tempting deals. even if you feel you are getting a good deal where you are. It is still worth looking around to see what is available come your insurance renewal time. Lets face it none of us enjoy the task of finding and paying for insurance. We do it because we are required to by law and to cover our investments in our vehicles should anything unfortunate occur. If your Motorcycle insurance is now or soon to be up for renewal then why not take a look around for a better deal why not Compare Motorcycle Insurance prices.

Orphaned Life Insurance Clients

It is obvious to any successful life insurance agency that that orphan leads are important and should not be discounted. If someone has purchased a service from you, keeping them happy and current can help both parties involved. The problem, however, arises from trying to make the seemingly simple phone call to get the orphaned client with a new advisor.
“The problem is simple,” says Rene Lacape, Marketing Manager for Equote Life Insurance. “When you have a client who has not been assigned to an agent for quite some time, it’s quite possible this may be the first time they have heard from your company in years. This is not something they think about daily. Suddenly getting a phone call from a new agent can be confusing and basically a strange feeling at best.”

The call is not about apologizing for the years that have passed since they talked, however. The call is not about trying to impress them and lure them into something else, either. The call is about developing trust and building a new relationship with the customer encouraging them to meet and talk about things. Since it’s likely a new agent is now on the account, getting them to meet for the first time is crucial.

“It’s all about going back over things and getting the client to come in and chat is the best way to rekindle and improve the relationship,” advises Rene Lacape. “They do not want a sales pitch. They do not want a pity party. You have to find a way to connect to the client in a way that will make them interested. If you can get them to feel that it is important to review everything with you, you can make your job a lot easier.”

“One of the most important outcomes is simply a review of their current life insurance policy. You have to get them to go over what they have in a way that makes them feel as if they are not pressured. The key is to not bring up the word “review.” You have to get them to realize that you are new to their account, and that going over the policy together is not to make sure that it is ok. It is often more about getting you both on common ground, and seeing if they need coverage or even change the type of life insurance they have,” said Rene Lacape.

The appointment is just that, an appointment. This is not a policy changing experience. It does not have to be a high-pressure situation that makes the client feel uncomfortable. If you can get them to realize this, you have a much better way of getting them to that appointment. A phone call and e-mail can only do so much. Use these as tools to get to that appointment to get the ball rolling on the advisor/client relationship. It may be difficult, but trying new approaches and a more cautious approach may be more beneficial in the long run.
Jonathan Carlson is a veteran freelance writer covering the life insurance industry.

Single Employer Welfare Benefit Program

For many insurance agents, the single employer welfare benefit plan is complicated and confusing at best. The plans are cloudy, and many agents are waiting for the air to be cleared before they begin to introduce this to their clients. Others, still unaware of how these plans actually work, have pushed it to clients.
“The problem is the fact that single employer welfare benefit plans seem to have been misunderstood by many agents,” said Rene Lacape, Member of the San Diego Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “The legislation regarding tax liability is different for each one. For some, it seems difficult to understand how each benefit differs. Health benefits and unemployment benefits are different. Unfortunately, the key lies in the details and the interpretation of the benefits and the laws, rules and regulations that surround them.”

The Internal Revenue Code (IRC) is perhaps the most complicated document individuals and businesses to navigate through. While it has multiple purposes its purpose in terms of single employer welfare benefit plans surrounds around abuse. Because of the confusion surrounding the plans themselves, it is important to know the effect these plans can have on your clients. A plan that has little guidance by the IRC can be incredibly risky for said clients, in terms of taxes. Because there is little guidance, the benefits differ depending on the interpretation. Choosing a plan that is guided by the IRC allows for minimal interpretation, meaning what may appear to be the right answer may not necessarily always be the right answer.

“In the end, it is all about the guidance,” reminds Rene Lacape. “There are obviously different ways to go about the single employer welfare benefit plans. It really is a client-by-client basis that can determine how you structure the plan and what the tax implications may be. Those who do not completely understand the system can do their clients a great disservice. Rene Lacape also reminds that while this is a business, “Keeping the client in mind is very important. If you do not know the risks involved on their end of the bargain, you probably shouldn’t push the plans until you can explain the risks associated with them.”

The theme of the whole idea behind single employer welfare benefit plans can be complicated. As an agent, it is important for you to understand the risks of each plan and be able to asses what type of risks your client may want, and should be able to take. The decision is up to them in the end. It is up to you to be informed on the situation and understand the effects it can have. Because the amount of risk will go down as the level of IRC guidance goes up, it is important to discuss this with your client. If they are willing to take a large risk, this may not be a big factor. If they are weary, however, giving them this information will help them to make the decision that is right for them.
Jonathan Carlson is a veteran freelance writer covering the life insurance industry.

How to Save On Car Insurance Quotes

When you’re checking around for best value car insurance quotes keep these tips in mind to save hundreds.
Making savings on your auto insurance starts as early as when you start thinking about what car you’ll buy. It’s simple really. If you want to pay a fortune on car insurance then buy a high powered speed machine and park it in the street each night. If you want to keep your insurance down keep your tastes more conservative, park it in a secure garage and install an immobiliser and an alarm.
Insurance options include basic third party, for when your rego cost more than the car; fire, theft and third party only, often with a limited kilometer option; or fully comprehensive. Comprehensive car insurance quotes can vary considerable by choosing options such as nominated driver and agreed or market value, and may offer the choice of paying an additional fee to protect your no claim discount or to reduce your excess.
Once you’re behind the wheel, how you drive can make a massive difference to your premium over time. Most companies offer benefits for not making a claim or if any accident you have been involved in has been outside your control. When you compare car insurance quotes, check if the company offers no claim discounts, no claim bonuses and Rating 1 status.
Always be totally upfront and answer all questions accurately when completing auto insurance quotes. Failure to do so comes under the rather nasty name of non-disclosure, and can lead to some even nastier repercussions such as cancellation of your policy or having only part, or even none, of your claim paid out. Non-disclosure clauses are common with all insurance companies.
Site security is a key issue when comparing online car insurance quotes and then going on to purchase online. Look for the SSL certificate logo indicating authentication and verification and that all information of a private nature is encrypted.
Other points to look out for include ease of contact and customer ‘service’, if you can choose your own repairer and if repairs come with a life-time guarantee for as long as you own the vehicle. All companies should also offer at least a 21-day cooling off period where you can cancel the policy providing you have made no claims.
And all companies should offer free insurance quotes, so don’t ever pay for the privilege of shopping around for car insurance quotes.
Article Bio: Peter Smyth is Marketing Manager for 1Cover Car Insurance. 1Cover offer competitive car insurance quotes online - compare car insurance at 1Cover and save.

Car insurance can protect your possessions but not your identity

One in ten British car owners are putting themselves at risk of identity theft, research from Direct Line Car Insurance has revealed.

According to the study, Brits are putting themselves at risk of identity theft by leaving personal documents such as household bills and bank statements in their cars. These two documents combined could contain all the information a thief needs to open an account or credit card in another person’s name.

It is easy to forget leaving important papers in your car, but Direct Line Car Insurance is urging Britons to be more careful due to the rise in cases of identity fraud over the last few years. According to the research, it is not just sensitive documents that Britons are leaving in their cars. Valuable items worth hundreds of pounds, such as laptops, iPods and mobile phones are also being left on display in cars to tempt thieves, despite various campaigns and warnings.

To reduce the risk of a car being broken into, get a stereo that has a removable front, park in a busy, well lit area and remove all valuables and possessions from the car before leaving it unattended. It is also a good idea to buy a good steering wheel or a handbrake lock.

The research also found that many car owners in Britain treat their vehicle more like a second home than a car, using them to store various sports equipment and clothes for the office. It is not advisable to use cars as extra storage; leaving items on display will tempt thieves, especially when as many as six per cent of British car owners admit to occasionally forgetting to lock their car.

But while most car insurance policies offer the option of insuring valuables left in cars, often at an extra cost, it is unlikely that car insurance companies will cover for identity theft. Identity theft can prove much more damaging than the theft of some possessions. With just a few details, criminals can apply for bank accounts, benefits and credit cards in another person’s name, causing permanent damage to the victim’s credit rating.

According to the Government, more than 100,000 Britons fall victim to identity theft each year. Leaving personal documents in a car increases the risk of identity theft, as does throwing this information out with the rubbish. The Government recommends being extra vigilant with personal information and shredding everything before throwing it away. Signs of identity theft include rubbish bags being tampered with, mail going missing and unusual payments or direct debits appearing on a bank statement.

A credit report can reveal whether or not identity theft has taken place, as it lists all bank accounts, credit cards and financial services a person has applied for. In the event of suspected identity theft, the Government recommends reporting it immediately to the local police station

However, prevention is better than cure; next time you grab the mail on your way out to work, don't leave it lying in your car in plain sight, as you've much more to lose than just a few letters!

Majority of UK homeowners inadequately insured

According to newly unveiled research almost two-thirds of UK mortgage holders have no life cover, and half of those who do are inadequately insured to cover the outstanding balance of the home loan.

These findings have prompted real concern at the financial burden that may be placed on families and partners left behind after the unexpected death of a major earner. But, despite the fact that many people are unaware of the dangers of not having sufficient life cover there is also evidence that those who do realise its importance simply can’t afford it because of rising mortgage costs.

Mortgage brokers John Charcoal have revealed that 59 per cent of mortgaged homes have no life cover at all, while from the remaining 41 per cent, at least half are inadequately insured.

Homeowners who have no dependents or family and therefore for whom life cover would be a costly and unneeded expense are included in the figures, but are not considered to be in the majority. However, for the rest of the borrowers the implications could be devastating. If someone paying for half or more of the mortgage dies unexpectedly the remaining borrower faces the real prospect of losing their home at worst, or facing a financial crisis just when they are ill-prepared to deal with one.

It appears that as homeowners compare life insurance premiums to other day-to-day living costs they are not considering it worthwhile. So, despite the cost of cover falling over the last few years mortgage holders are turning their back on life insurance.

Many reasons are quoted as being the prime reasons for not taking out life cover, but one irrational one seems to be people’s reluctance to consider their own untimely demise. However, if that person has one or more dependents it will be those left behind that have to face the reality of living under reduced financial circumstances.

Another more understandable reason for declining life cover is that many people, especially those getting a mortgage from a broker consider the life insurance discussion to be a ‘hard sell’. They have seen the news stories about commissions from insurance sales, and many believe it is an unnecessary expense and one that they have not factored into their calculations when working out how much they could afford for their house purchase.

However, many more homeowners are needing to cut back on their expenditure as a result of the credit crunch and costs regarded as non-essentials are first to be cut back. Unfortunately, for too many that includes life insurance premiums, forcing many to abandon their policies and leave their dependents in real danger of financial hardship if they die unexpectedly.

Fat Tax For Life Insurance

A new “fat tax” is being introduced by insurers to punish the obese. The cost of seriously overweight customers will be up to 50% higher when taking out new life insurance policies, the threshold at which the higher rate begins is also going to be lowered.
A new “fat tax” is being introduced by insurers to punish the obese. The cost of seriously overweight customers will be up to 50% higher when taking out new life insurance policies, the threshold at which the higher rate begins is also going to be lowered.

Legal & General, Britain’s biggest life insurer, has confirmed that 13% of new life insurance applicants are facing increased premiums, which currently apply to anyone who has a body mass index of over 30, which is the point people are classified as medically obese.

People with a body mass index of over 30 can face up to a 400% rise in their policy price depending on the insurer’s terms, other high risk categories such as smokers or people with existing or previous medical conditions will also face a hike in price.

For example a 55 year old man who is a healthy, average weight non-smoker will pay approximately £1,000 per year for a £150,000 life insurance policy. If the same man were obese the annual price on a 25 year policy will cost up to an extra £500 per year.

Britain is currently experiencing an epidemic of obesity, weight problems can lead to cancer, heart problems, diabetes and liver disease. 16% of children and a quarter of adults have weight problems which threaten their health, last year doctors wrote more than a million prescriptions for obesity drugs, compared with 127,000 in 1999.

Legal & General’s director of underwriting and claims, Russ Whitworth, said: "Most people understand that poor diet and lack of exercise can lead to health problems but they might not realise that being significantly overweight would also make their life insurance more expensive.

"Although it is not an exact science, we find that BMI is the best indicator of the risk of being overweight, so it pays to stay in shape."

Other insurers have also confirmed they charge up to 50% extra for their cheap life insurance policies. Norwich Union, the UK’s second largest life insurer, admits it raises life insurance premiums once people’s body mass indexes hit 35. Friends Provident, the third largest life insurance premium, begins to increase policy prices when the body mass index is over 33.

A spokesman for Association of British Insurers said: "If you are obese, you are at greater risk of contracting certain diseases. It is just the same as increasing the premium for a smoker or somebody with previous medical conditions."

Endless details are required by life insurance applicants, including their exact weight and height. If you lie to keep the price of your policy down you will face strict consequences from your insurer when you are caught. Your policy may even be invalidated and your insurer is unlikely to pay out if you are classified as obese but do not tell your insurer when taking out your policy.

In a recent case, a 37 year old man told his insurer when taking out his policy that he was 6 foot tall and weighed 16 stone. Five months later he died of a blood clot, but his life insurance claim was not valid because he was found to be 5 foot 9 inches and 21 stone. If his insurer had known his true weight and height his policy would have been increased by 275%.

Life insurance is a protection for your loved ones if something happens to you, it is therefore important, for the sake of your family, to be totally honest when taking your life insurance policy out.
Jemma is an author of several articles pertaining to Mortgages, Insurance, Debts, Credit, Loans, Life Insurance, Bike Insurance, Van Insurance, Health Insurance, Remortgaging, Refinancing and other Business and Finance related articles.

Homeowners Insurance - Insurance Against Premises Liability

Premises liability coverage is the term for the insurance that protects you and your assets in the event that you face a lawsuit arising from an injury sustained on your property. Part of standard homeowners insurance, premises liability coverage pays for your legal defense if you are sued by a person injured in or around your home. It may pay for damages that are awarded as well. If a visitor to your home is injured through their own carelessness, their lawsuits normally do not succeed. However, if a person is injured due to carelessness or negligence on your part, then you might be liable for damages.

For example, let’s say that you decide to replace a damaged plank in a deck on the side of your home. You remove the plank and take it to your garage to mark the replacement for cutting, but you are interrupted before you finish the job. You let your family know there is a missing plank on the deck, but you do not mark the area with caution tape or safety signage. That evening, a stranger stops by and decides to seek entry from the deck instead of the entry door. Unaware of the missing plank, the visitor steps into the opening. He sustains serious injuries to his knee and back.

In this scenario, the visitor has grounds for lawsuit because you failed to maintain a safe property. He had a reasonable expectation that he was walking on a safe, level surface. Your removal of the plank and your failure to mark the danger amounts to negligence. If you have homeowner insurance, your insurer will pay for your defense and for any losses arising from the claim.

Things could get complicated, however, if the injured party claims the injuries were sustained as the result of an intentional action on your part. In the example above, you intended to replace the plank, but your good intentions would not prevent the visitor from at least alleging not only negligence, but also intentional action. Most home owner insurance excludes intentional actions from their premises liability coverage. For example, if you lay a booby trap for trespassers or burglars, injuries caused by your actions would be excluded from coverage. Your insurer would be required to mount a defense in your behalf, but it could issue a letter stating that it does not agree to pay for damages arising from actions excluded by the policy. If the litigant convinced the court that you removed the plank to protect your home against burglars, you would have to pay those damages yourself.

As with all insurance, you must read your policy carefully to understand what it covers and what it excludes. If, after reviewing your policy, you still have questions about your premises liability coverage, ask your agent. You might have special circumstances that require a rider to guarantee that you are covered against liability claims. Considering that a fair-sized injury loss could wipe out some or all of your savings and/or home equity, you should make sure that your property is well maintained and that your premises liability coverage is thorough.

Comparing Travel Insurance Policies

Smart travellers will always spend some time comparing travel insurance policies before deciding on the proper one for their needs. They know that travel insurance is one of the best ways to protect themselves against potentially losing the money they will invest to go on holiday.
The type of travel insurance policy you choose can be different, depending on the plans you have for your trip. If you plan to spend your holiday checking out the slopes, then you should be comparing travel insurance policies that will cover you for ski related expenses, medical assistance in case of illness or accident, trip cancellation, loss of your luggage, and more. A ski holiday can be a lot of fun, but there is always the chance of an accident while skiing. Medical bills while away from home can add up very quickly, so having the buffer of travel insurance can help to make a skiing holiday less stressful.

Or, perhaps you are planning a family holiday this year. You should be comparing travel insurance policies that will protect your family in case your trip is delayed or cancelled, and will reimburse you for the money you would have to spend to secure lodging and meals for your family until the holiday is underway again. Medical coverage is also important to families. You want benefits that will allow you to enjoy a serene holiday, free of worry.

What could happen to you on a cruise ship? You’d be surprised. If you are planning a cruise holiday, comparing travel insurance policies geared to cruise ship trips should be just as important as what cruise ship line to use! Most people take a cruise in order to relax, so the last thing you want to be doing is fretting over all the things that could go wrong. Cruise ship insurance is available to ease your mind and know that if something does happen, you will be covered, even if you are many miles away from home.

You would be surprised when you realize that comparing travel insurance policies will save you money. It is possible to buy a policy that will be tailor made for you and the activities you plan to do while on holiday. The premiums for your travel insurance will not be expensive at all. In fact, when you read your policy, you will be amazed that you are getting so much coverage for so little!

If you do a lot of travelling in a year’s time, whether on holiday or for your job, comparing travel insurance policies can save you even more money. You can take advantage of multi trip travel insurance. This type of policy covers you during every trip you make in the space of twelve months. You can settle back and relax during your many holidays, secure in the knowledge that you have saved money by not having to buy a separate policy each time you take a trip.

Of course, if you only go on holiday once each year, then you only need one single travel policy. Comparing travel insurance policies before taking that annual trip is very wise. You are sure to have safe holidays when you have travel insurance coverage to suit your needs.

Save money on your travel insurance today. For a free quote, visit Travel Insurance

Insurance: Quotes For Automobile Insurances

Auto insurance is a necessity, whether your state mandates it or not. The risk of not having it is far more expensive than the monthly premium involved. Auto insurance will help to cover the cost of replacing your vehicle as well as any medical bills associated with the incident. If you live in a state that has mandatory auto insurance laws, you will be fined for driving without insurance. You can also be sued by other parties should you be involved in an accident.
To get the very best deals on auto insurance, you should ask around for several different quotes from various agencies. You will need to give them your personal information including your name, address, and driver’s license number. They will conduct a check with the Department of Motor Vehicles. Keep in mind that you will need to give them the same information on any other licensed drivers in your home who operate your vehicles.

It can be quite daunting, giving the same information over and over again. However, spending time doing so could get you the very best auto insurance rates. Make sure when you are comparing the rates you get that the information is comparable. For example two different agencies may give you an auto insurance quote that are $30 a month different. However, one offers a $500 deductible and the other offers $1,000. The one that is most expensive is a better value because you have to come up with less in the event of an accident. It also comes with medical coverage that is substantially better than the lower auto insurance quote. Take a look at the whole picture rather than just the monthly rate when you are obtaining auto insurance quotes.

The internet is a great place to find auto insurance quotes. In most cases you can get an instant quote as soon as you enter your information. Some insurance sites such as Progressive Auto Insurance offer you their rates as well as those of the competition. Keep in mind that they are going to show you quotes for the more expensive competitors rather than the best possible prices out there. Make sure that you find out if the auto insurance company is legitimate though before you give out any personal information.

Insurance: Auto Insurance - Finding the Discounts?

Auto insurance is an necessity, but why pay more for it than you have to? Take advantage of every possible discount on auto insurance that you can. Many people choose to pay auto insurance on a monthly basis. However, the premium is calculated on a six month or annual basis. If you look at your monthly statements, you are being charged for the convenience of making the payments monthly. If you pay the six month or annual premium in full you will save money over the course of the policy.
Most insurance companies offer more than just auto insurance. They want to be a provider for all the needs of their customers. There are multiple discounts offered on auto insurance if you combine it with another policy such as your home owner’s insurance or a life insurance policy. This is because the insurance company wants to maintain your business. They can even roll everything into one convenient monthly, quarterly, semi annual or annual payment.

Many people don’t realize that the types of vehicles they operate have a huge effect of the base cost of the auto insurance that they pay. Sports cars and convertibles are among the highest autos when it comes to insurance rates. To get discounts, consider buying vehicles with added safety features including passenger air bags, side air bags, four wheel drive, and a sensor for backing up.

The more you are able to establish yourself as a safe driver, the more discounts you will get on your auto insurance. An insurance provider will look at how long you have had your driver’s license as well as any claims, accidents, and moving violations. Major moving violations such as driving under the influence will raise your insurance costs because of the high risk involved with covering you. If you have young drivers in your household, consider having them take driver’s education so that you can get a discount for them. Many insurance company’s offer a discount for student with good grades as well.

The internet is a great place to find out about the various discounts that may apply to your particular auto insurance needs. If you are new to getting auto insurance or you have a spotty driving record, you may have to start out paying a high premium. You can work to establish a pattern of being reliable by following the rules of the road and paying your premiums on time. This way you will be eligible to reap the rewards of discount auto insurance in the future.

Insurance: Auto Insurance - Getting it Online!

Insurance: Auto Insurance - Getting it Online! by NICHOLAS TAN
Do you need to search for new auto insurance but it just doesn’t seem to fit into your schedule? If you are like me, there is only one insurance agent in this small town, and the rates definitely aren’t the best. A great alternative is the internet; you can find reliable auto insurance any time of the day when it is convenient for you. In many cases, you will get a lower rate because they don’t have the overhead costs involved with running an office.

It is very simple to do an online auto insurance. In fact, you will likely find thousands of links if you type it into a search engine. You can narrow the search by typing in a specific insurance company name. Some other helpful search options include searching by specific types of insurance (car, motorcycle, motor home, etc.) or searching by state.

Before you begin, make sure you are aware of your state regulations. This is because many online auto insurance companies are going to ask you about the limits you want on medical coverage and such. You need to know what is required to meet the guidelines of the state where your vehicle is registered. You should also know what dollar amount you are willing to pay as a deductible. The deductible is the amount of money you will be required to pay when you submit any claim before the insurance will cover anything. The higher deductible you choose the lower your premium will be. However, make sure you can cover the cost of that premium should you need to.

While you will find many reputable online auto insurance companies, there is also an opportunity for scams to take place under false pretenses. Anyone can design a website that looks legitimate. Find out information about the insurance company. How long have they been in business? Where are they physically located? Look for a phone number on the website and call it. You should always check the business out with the Better Business Bureau as well. Make sure you type the name in exactly as it is listed. This is because scams often use a name very similar to a legitimate business name to avoid suspicion.

Travel insurance for holidays at home – worth considering?

Travel insurance for holidays at home – worth considering?
Most cheap travel insurance bought in the UK is aimed at people resident in the UK and indeed, will require customers to indicate that they have lived in the UK for a period of six months. It is also a fact that most people buy travel insurance for trips and holidays abroad but insurers do offer policies for travel just within the UK. It is not uncommon to find that Ireland will be included in this definition. The big advantage of UK only cover is that the premiums can be ridiculously low - well below £5 for a 3 day break is very common place. But is it worth taking out in the first place? The answer really depends on the type of holiday planned, the length of stay and whether you want to accept the risk of not being covered if something does go wrong. It is also worth remembering that UK travel insurance cover is generally included if you take out the more expensive Europe of Worldwide cover, though do check the small print rather than assuming that this is always the case. A Europe or Worldwide annual multi-trip travel insurance policy will be more expensive as an initial payment up front but will cover you for an unlimited number of trips abroad, and in the UK, throughout the year, provided the length of stay of each trip does not exceed the policy limit, normally around 31 days away per trip.

So is a UK travel insurance policy worth considering? Probably yes if only one or two short breaks a year are planned and it will be very inexpensive to purchase for the cover provided. This can be very useful should you subsequently cancel a trip, say for illness, as your holiday costs will be reimbursed subject to any excesses to pay. Your personal effects will probably be covered too which is an important point to consider as theft and loss is not just confined to holidays on the ‘Costas’ – these things happen at home too. What you will almost certainly not be covered for will be for medical emergencies and expenses as insurers argue that the NHS is available for such instances and will point out that travel insurance is not a substitute for private medical insurance. The lack of medical cover in UK only travel insurance policies is the main reason why insurers can offer these policies for the very low prices on offer.

On balance, travel insurance for UK holidays and short breaks is probably a good buy for those holidaymakers who tend to stay at home for their breaks away and there is an increasing number of people who are doing this. One final word of warning though is do check the small print as many, if not most, insurers do require you to have proof of booked accommodation for a minimum stay of normally 2 nights away for the policy to be in force so the Sunday ‘trip out’ is definitely outside this definition!
About The Author Keith McGregor is a partner of Strawberrysoup, a web design agency with offices in Chichester and Bournemouth. Strawberrysoup specialise in creative web design, content managed websites, search engine optimisation, search engine marketing and graphic design
http://www.strawberrysoup.co.uk/

Most cheap travel insurance bought in the UK is aimed at people resident in the UK and indeed, will require customers to indicate that they have lived in the UK for a period of six months. It is also a fact that most people buy travel insurance for trips and holidays abroad but insurers do offer policies for travel just within the UK. It is not uncommon to find that Ireland will be included in this definition. The big advantage of UK only cover is that the premiums can be ridiculously low - well below £5 for a 3 day break is very common place. But is it worth taking out in the first place? The answer really depends on the type of holiday planned, the length of stay and whether you want to accept the risk of not being covered if something does go wrong. It is also worth remembering that UK travel insurance cover is generally included if you take out the more expensive Europe of Worldwide cover, though do check the small print rather than assuming that this is always the case. A Europe or Worldwide annual multi-trip travel insurance policy will be more expensive as an initial payment up front but will cover you for an unlimited number of trips abroad, and in the UK, throughout the year, provided the length of stay of each trip does not exceed the policy limit, normally around 31 days away per trip.

So is a UK travel insurance policy worth considering? Probably yes if only one or two short breaks a year are planned and it will be very inexpensive to purchase for the cover provided. This can be very useful should you subsequently cancel a trip, say for illness, as your holiday costs will be reimbursed subject to any excesses to pay. Your personal effects will probably be covered too which is an important point to consider as theft and loss is not just confined to holidays on the ‘Costas’ – these things happen at home too. What you will almost certainly not be covered for will be for medical emergencies and expenses as insurers argue that the NHS is available for such instances and will point out that travel insurance is not a substitute for private medical insurance. The lack of medical cover in UK only travel insurance policies is the main reason why insurers can offer these policies for the very low prices on offer.

On balance, travel insurance for UK holidays and short breaks is probably a good buy for those holidaymakers who tend to stay at home for their breaks away and there is an increasing number of people who are doing this. One final word of warning though is do check the small print as many, if not most, insurers do require you to have proof of booked accommodation for a minimum stay of normally 2 nights away for the policy to be in force so the Sunday ‘trip out’ is definitely outside this definition!
About The Author Keith McGregor is a partner of Strawberrysoup, a web design agency with offices in Chichester and Bournemouth. Strawberrysoup specialise in creative web design, content managed websites, search engine optimisation, search engine marketing and graphic design
http://www.strawberrysoup.co.uk/

Would You Benefit From Taking Out Mortgage Insurance?

While this question should, of course, be the first thing you ask yourself before buying mortgage insurance, many do not even give it a thought. Usually those who give no consideration to the suitability of a policy are those who take it alongside the mortgage at the time of borrowing. Of course, many put trust in the lender – after all, the lender got them the cheapest loan so why not the insurance to protect it?

While the high street lender may get the best deal for the mortgage this does not mean they can do the same for the protection for the mortgage. In fact, buying mortgage cover alongside the borrowing is often the most expensive way of doing so and the most risky. Often very little information is given regarding the terms and exclusions that come with a policy. This means the consumer is unaware of the exclusions and could be buying a very high-priced policy that they cannot claim against if they find themselves out of work.

Some lenders might ask that you do take out some form of protection for the money you are borrowing but it does not have to be taken at the same time. Consumers do have the right to shop around for a policy and your mortgage should not depend on taking the cover offered by the lender. By choosing to shop around for the cover you can make huge savings on the total amount you pay. A specialist lender will give an instant quote for mortgage protection based on the amount you wish to cover and age of the policy holder. Along with this, they provide all the information needed for the consumer to be able to choose whether a policy would be suitable.

While providers of mortgage protection can add in their own exclusions there are some that are common to most policies. Individuals who are self-employed, retired, have a pre-existing medical condition or who are not working in a full-time position could find cover would be useless. This is not black and white; for example, self-employed individuals who had to ceased trading altogether through involuntary unemployment could still benefit from a policy. And those who have an illness that has not reared its head during the last two years could also benefit. It is essential to carefully check the policy details to make sure an exclusion would not apply to you.

After taking out suitable cover the policy holder would have peace of mind if they lost their income through sickness, accident or unemployment. Their policy would provide a tax-free income once they had been incapable of working for between 30 to 90 days. The money received would cover the monthly repayments for the mortgage and related outgoings such as insurance.

Those individuals who think they could rely on the state helping out in their time of need could be in for a disappointment. While the state does offer help, you have to qualify for it. The help the state provides depends on how much money you have in savings; having over £8,000 means you would be expected to use this money to support yourself. Also, if you have a partner living with you who is in full-time work then you also would not be eligible for help, and the help that is given will only pay towards the interest part of the first £100,000 of your mortgage. So a far better solution to relying on the state is to take out mortgage insurance from an independent provider.
About The Author
Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance (http://www.britishinsurance.com), a specialist provider of low cost income payment protection insurance (PPI), mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) and loan payment protection insurance.

How To Protect Your Business And Reduce Insurance Costs

No matter how large your organization security needs to be taken very seriously, a good quality security system can not only prevent an unauthorized act but can also help to reduce insurance payments and protect the workforce. Even if you run a small business it is possible to install and monitor security cameras at a very reasonable price. Many small businesses are now turning to the wireless camera networks for monitoring the inside and outside of the premises. Since new Wireless technology has evolved over the years and has become more accessible and cheaper for everyone. It is now possible to have a state of the art complete monitoring system in place and running within 10 minutes.

What do you need to have a good installation that will protect you? The first and most important part will be the actual cameras, you can get small cameras that will send crystal clear footage to the camera receiver, if you do not want to buy an external viewing monitor then it is possible to display everything on a standard television. Installation could not be more simple, mounting the cameras is a very simple process and can involve as little as two screws, plug it into the standard mains output and the job is near done. All that then remains is to plug the video receiver into the television output and the system is installed. This eliminates any unwanted cabling and the expense involved in running it, the cameras are so good that they can even transmit through doors, floors, ceilings and walls. The cameras can be very small as well which can be useful if you need to monitor staff or if you are monitoring open access areas. The camera systems can even be more sophisticated and offer the ability to have motion detection and infra red should this be needed.

There are so many benefits to having security cameras for small business installed of which some are the theft prevention aspects, insurance benefits, peace or mind and the simplicity of installation. Any small business can benefit from an installation from Restaurants, small shops, professional offices and small warehouses. In terms of the business impact of having security cameras installed this can range from avoiding law suites, ensuring customer and employee safety, preventing theft, evaluating the staffs performance and monitoring the building while you are away. There are so many uses and cases for having a system installed that it could potentially be saving you money and time in the long run. As sated earlier in the article with the simplicity of the monitoring systems and the ease of use virtually every small business should be able to budget for a good quality low cost security system to install in their premises. Whether you choose to install a wireless one or a wired solution, cheap or expensive, the options will be able to provide you with the added security that is need when running a small business and help to prevent loss and safe money.