Things to Consider Before You Switch Auto Insurance Companies

Switching auto insurance is a temptation that should be carefully considered, and you should only change if you are absolutely certain that it will save you money or hassle. There are a million great offers from companies all over the planet hoping to get a piece of your insurance business. It can be quite confusing trying to compare your old policy to your new one, but this is the only way to tell if you are truly getting a great deal on car insurance.

Be Sure to Cancel Your First Policy
One of the first things which can go wrong when changing insurance companies is that the old company might not quite get the message, and you might continue to receive invoices from them. There can be cases where they send you to a collections agency over this premium if you cannot prove in writing that you canceled them in time. This can sometimes happen if you cancel over the phone, since data entry issues can occur where records are lost or are not updated properly. This can be avoided by cancelling in writing, and also by making sure to alert the old company of your intent to cancel well in advance. This period of transition is a time to be extra careful behind the wheel, because it will be hard to work through things if you have an accident after canceling the old and still working on starting the new. In a perfect world, the one coverage would end and at the same exact moment the new would begin, but sometimes you may need to settle for a few days of overlap in premiums, which is preferable to a gap in coverage.

Make Sure Your New Insurance Starts on Time
Sometimes something goes wrong, and the new car insurance company does not enable your new policy until some date after the old one is already shut down. Again, it is wise to get your new policy start date in writing, and make sure you follow up with your new company around the time the switch is supposed to occur. If you are a week from the two insurance companies switching and do not have a policy in hand from the new company, then get over to their office and find out why. If you do have a brief lapse, there is a chance that you could have an accident, and then it would be a huge battle for you to get anything resolved. This often happens with health insurance changes as well.

Check to See If You Are Under-Insured
Sometimes, the new auto insurance company does not provide you with the same level of coverage as your former insurer, and you are now saving money but may also be under-insured. You don't want to find out about this after you have an accident, so make sure to do a side-by-side comparison of your old policy against the new one. Remember, the agent is there to clarify any items that you may find confusing. Take the time to go over this line by line, and make notes in an insurance folder so that you know what was happening when you decided to switch. Keep this folder in a handy and safe place, and re-evaluate your coverage every six months to be sure you are getting the best coverage at the best rates.

Verify the Security of Your Policy
The fourth thing that may go wrong when switching car insurance is that the new company may have far more strict cancellation policies or stronger policies on dropping you in the event that you ever make a claim. I was with one company for over 20 years, and after I had one accident they dropped me like a hot rock. I was shocked at how fast they dropped me. Make sure you understand their terms regarding making claims and dropping your policy. It is wise to do this at the beginning, when everyone is still happy with each other, and they are still interested in having you as a customer.

Find Out What Will Happen If You Can't Make a Payment
The fifth thing that can go wrong in your new insurance coverage is that you could have setbacks where you cannot make your premium payment on time. What happens with your insurance? Do they turn off your policy instantly, or will they work with you until you get back on your feet? There is nothing more frustrating than having to fight with an insurance company over your payment amount when you really are struggling to make ends meet. Talk to them about this kind of thing in advance, and ask them if they have any programs that could help you if there was a loss of employment or other situation where you cannot reliably make your premiums.
All things considered, using the Internet and working closely with your agent can make switching your auto insurance go very smoothly, with no hitches or glitches. Making sure you know your local insurance agent can make this change a lot easier to manage, so take the time to visit with your agent periodically. Once you have established a rapport with them, it will help make the entire insurance process easier.

Ref: http://voices.yahoo.com/five-things-consider-switch-auto-insurance-6253868.html?cat=27

Best Car Insurance Tips

How much you pay for Car insurance depends o­n several factors, including your age and marital status, where you live, and what you drive. You can't do anything about your age, and few people will move just to lower their insurance premium. You can, however, choose a vehicle that costs less to insure.
In this article, we'll give you all of the helpful tips you need when getting car insurance.

Know Your Coverage Types

What is your car insurance actually insuring? Although you're buying a single insurance policy covering a specific vehicle, a number of components make up the final cost:

• Bodily injury liability: Covers injury and death claims against you, and legal costs, if your car injures or kills someone.
• Property damage liability: Covers claims for property that your car damages in an accident. Because liability coverage protects the other party, it is required in all but three states.
• Medical payments: Pays for injuries to yourself and to occupants of your car. This is optional in some states. In "no-fault" states, personal injury protection replaces medical payments as part of the basic coverage.
• Uninsured motorist protection: Covers injuries caused to you or the occupants of your car by uninsured or hit-and-run drivers. "Under-insured" coverage also is available, to cover claims you may make against a driver who has inadequate insurance. In some states, as many as 30 percent of drivers are uninsured.
• Collision coverage: Covers damage to your car up to its book value. Collision coverage carries a deductible, which is the amount per claim you have to pay before the insurance takes effect. The lower the deductible, the higher the premium. While it is legally optional, a lending institution or leasing company usually requires collision coverage.
• Comprehensive (physical damage): Covers damage to your car from theft, vandalism, fire, wind, flood, and other non-accident causes. Comprehensive also carries a deductible.

Your Vehicle Affects Your Premium
Y­ou might want a sports car or a fancy SUV, but your insurance company may charge you more to protect you while driving it.

Insurance premiums are based partly on the price of the vehicle, which affects the replacement cost if it is stolen or "totaled" in an accident. How expensive the vehicle is to repair -- including parts and labor -- can also affect the cost. In addition, surcharges may apply to vehicles that are frequently stolen or involved in accidents.

Industry-wide information on injury claims, collision repair costs, and theft rates by vehicle model is available from the Highway Loss Data Institute (HLDI). You can write them at 1005 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22201. HLDI is affiliated with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

According to HLDI, the lowest injury claims are from large vehicles -- cars, pickup trucks, and sport-utility vehicles. Small 2- and 4-door cars have the highest injury claims. Small cars also are among the highest in collision costs, along with sports cars.

If you have your heart set on a sporty vehicle, you'll probably pay dearly. Insuring a high-performance car can easily cost two or three times the insurance amount for an ordinary model.

Sport-utility vehicles, the hottest market segment, often have higher insurance rates than mid- and full-size cars, but some SUV models are relatively cheap to insure. SUVs are "hot" for other reasons: They are among the most frequently stolen vehicles, and they are more expensive than most cars. Cadillac's Escalade is currently the most popular model sought by thieves, but it's followed by the Nissan Maxima sedan. SUVs also can cost more to fix after an accident if the 4-wheel-drive system is damaged.

However, insurance companies set rates based on their own experience. If Company A has more collision and theft claims for a particular vehicle than Company B, then A will charge more for the same coverage. It all boils down to a company's actual experience with a particular vehicle or category of drivers. That is why it pays to shop around for insurance.


Who You Are Affects Your Premium

Factors that you can least control may have the greatest impact on your insurance costs. Your age, gender, and driving record are key factors that affect your insurance premium.

Single males under the age of 25 pay the highest rates. Statistics show they are involved in the most accidents, so insurance companies charge young men higher premiums than women of the same age. Married men, who statistically have fewer accidents, pay less than single men. A handful of states do not allow rates based on sex or age, but that prohibition has tended to result in higher rates for women, not lower rates for men.

If you are convicted of moving traffic violations or of causing an accident, your premiums will likely go up, no matter what your age. Drivers with clean records -- no tickets, no accidents -- pay the lowest rates.
Where you live also plays a big role in how much you pay. Urban areas, with their greater population densities and heavier traffic, get higher rates than rural areas.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average insurance expenditure in mainly urban New Jersey -- traditionally the most expensive state -- in 2002 was more than double that of North Dakota, a rural state with the lowest average premiums. High costs in states such as Florida, Massachusetts and New York are attributed to growth in fraud and theft.
In most states, too, insurers set rates by zip codes. If you live in a major city like Chicago or Los Angeles, you will probably pay more than if you lived in a nearby suburb.  

Decide How Much Coverage You Need
While it is dangerous to be underinsured, having too much insurance can be an expensive mistake as well. Without insurance, your property is put at risk in an accident that is your fault. The minimum amount of insurance required in your state is seldom enough.

State law may require as little liability coverage as $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident, and $5000 property damage. About half of the states require $25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident. Half of them require $10,000 in property damage coverage. If you can afford it, buy more than the minimum. After all, $10,000 for property damage may not be enough if you hit a $100,000 Mercedes-Benz.

The more assets and income you have, the more insurance you need. Most insurers recommend liability coverage of at least $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident, and $50,000 property damage if you have assets to protect, such as a house. Some insurers also recommend a $1 million "personal liability umbrella" policy issued in conjunction with homeowner's coverage. State Farm reports that such coverage averages $270 a year, but the amount varies significantly depending on location and other factors. An "umbrella" policy could protect a family from financial ruin in a major lawsuit.

Like buying a car, there is no single best solution when it comes to buying insurance. Rates vary widely. Surveys suggest that you could pay anywhere from $500 to $2000 annually for the same coverage from different companies. Shop for insurance by consulting two or three of the largest insurers, such as State Farm and Allstate. Then, contact one or two independent agents who can quote premiums from more than one company. In addition, there are direct-marketing companies, such as GEICO and Progressive, which do business over the phone rather than through agents and offer some of the lowest rates. Ask for an itemized list of coverages and costs.

"We're price-competitive," said spokesperson Dick Luedke of State Farm, whose rates dropped somewhat during 2004. But with so many factors involved in setting rates, it's wise to check several prospects.
In 2004, the average price of auto insurance nationwide was $871, according to the Insurance Information Institute. They expected that the cost of auto insurance would rise by 3.5 percent in 2004, which would be the smallest increase in four years.

Don't forget the Internet. Many companies now offer online quotes, and insurance shopping on the Web allows you to compare rates from multiple providers in the comfort of your own home.

You Can Reduce Your Premiums
The biggest difference you can make is to buy a vehicle that qualifies for a discount or at least doesn't carry a surcharge. Ask your insurance agent about the cost of insuring vehicles you are interested in before you make your purchase decision. Here are several other ways that you can save money on your car insurance:

• Most companies give a break to those who drive less than 7500 miles a year. If you take public transportation instead of driving to work, your premium will go down. Out of the question? Try carpooling.
• Make sure you get all the discounts you are entitled to. You might qualify if your vehicle has an alarm, for example. Discounts used to be given for such safety features as airbags, but they're fading away as those items become more commonplace. Discounts might also be available if you insure your vehicles and your home with the same company. People who pass a defensive-driving course or don't smoke or drink often get discounts.
• Review the status of all the drivers in your family with your agent. Most discounts apply only to one portion of the policy, so don't expect dramatic savings.
• Increase your deductible for collision and comprehensive. Switching from a $100 deductible to $1000 can reduce the collision portion of your premium by 30 percent, said Luedke. You'll still be covered for catastrophes, but you foot the bill for fender-benders. Also, think twice about filing small claims with your insurance: Why risk a premium increase?
• Shop around. Instead of just renewing, study the fine print of your policy to see if its terms -- or your situation -- have changed. Another company might have better rates, but you won't know unless you shop. Most insurers give rates over the phone and many via online computer services, making it easy to compare premiums.
• Drop collision coverage on older cars. Claims are limited to "book" value, so you're not likely to get much anyway if you car is more than seven years old. A good rule of thumb is to drop collision when the annual premium reaches 10 percent of your car's value.
• Be a good driver. Avoid accidents and traffic violations and you will be rewarded with good-driver discounts. Bad driving is expensive. The "safer you can be" on the road, Luedke said, "the lower your premiums."
• Drop coverage for such extras as towing costs or the expense of renting a car while yours is in the shop. The savings are probably small, but your new-car warranty's roadside assistance provision may provide them at no cost.
• Have your teenager share the family car instead of owning his or her own. Be sure to tell your agent if your son or daughter makes the honor roll or moves away to college. Both qualify for discounts with most companies.
• If your group health insurance provides generous coverage, consider dropping the medical-payments portion of your policy.
• Keep your credit rating healthy. A growing number of insurers are considering a person's credit score when setting rates.

Now, you know tips before buying car insurance, good luck!

Src : http://auto.howstuffworks.com/buying-selling/cg-car-insurance-tips.htm

Tips How to Reduce Your Insurance Expense

With the cost of insuring homes on the rise in recent years, now is a good time to examine your policy and look for ways to save money.

The Insurance Information Institute, a non-profit organization supported by the property and casualty insurance business, attributes the increases to the mounting number of catastrophes, the high cost of home repairs, and the emergence of mold claims.

So what can you do to help keep your rates reasonable? The III makes the following suggestions:

• Shop for the best deal. Get at least three quotes. See if your state department of insurance has any price comparisons available. But don't just look at prices. Evaluate which companies provide the best customer service and are readily available to answer your questions.
• Raise your deductible. The higher your deductible, the less premium you'll have to pay. The III says if you raise a $500 deductible to $1000, you may save as much as 25 percent.
• Buy your home and automobile policies from the same insurer. Some companies will reduce your premium up to 15 percent if you have at least two policies from them.
• Reduce the odds of being affected by a disaster. Make your home more resistant to disasters - you might be able to save by adding storm shutters and shatter-proof glass or reinforcing your roof. If you live in an older home, you should consider modernizing your heating, plumbing and electrical systems to reduce the risks of water and fire damage.
• Understand the costs. The cost to rebuild your home is going to be different than what you paid for it. Don't include the cost of the land in deciding how much coverage to purchase.
• Secure your home. Some companies offer a modest discount, usually at least 5 percent, for installing smoke detectors, burglar alarms and dead-bolt locks. Some insurers will also offer a discount if you install a sprinkler system and a fire and burglar alarm that rings at the police, fire or other monitoring stations. First you'll want to research the costs involved, and whether you'd be saving on your premiums.
• Inquire about discounts. Ask your company about all potential discounts. For example, some offer discounts to those 55 and older.
• Investigate group coverage. You may be able to get a group coverage plan through your employer or a professional or business group. See if it's a better deal than what you have.
• Stay put. Many companies offer discounts for longer-term customers - sometimes up to 10 percent if you've had your policy through the company for more than six years. Be sure to compare prices against other companies once in awhile.
• Review your policy and the value of your possessions. If you sold that pair of diamond earrings or other valuable for which you have a floater policy - additional coverage for items not covered by a standard homeowners policy - be sure you're not paying for the extra insurance.

Finally, when you're ready to buy a new home, be sure you factor in the cost of homeowners insurance. The cost of your premium will depend on how much it would cost to rebuild, and whether the house is likely to succumb to a disaster or fire.

Also, flood and earthquake damage are not covered by a standard policy. If you need flood insurance, which costs about $400 per year, you'll want to contact the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Most insurance companies offer a separate earthquake policy.

Source : http://www.realtor.com/home-finance/insurance/tips-for-reducing-home-insurance-costs.aspx?source=web

Tips to Buying Auto Insurance

When it comes to auto insurance, you want to be adequately covered if you get in an accident, but you don't want to pay more than you have to. Unfortunately many people are doing just that, simply because they don't want to spend time shopping for car insurance. It's not inherently enjoyable, after all, despite how it looks in commercials featuring disgruntled cavemen and joke-cracking spokespeople.

But by doing some comparison shopping, you could save hundreds of dollars a year. When one of our editors used a rate-comparison service, he got basic coverage quotes for his two old cars that ranged from $1,006 to $1,807 — a difference of $801 a year. If you're paying thousands to your current insurance company because you have a couple tickets, an accident or an out-of-date and unfavorable credit rating, shopping your policy against others might be well worth the effort. Look at it this way: You can convert the money you save into buying something you've wanted or needed for a long time.

Step 1: Decide How Much Coverage You Need
To find the right auto insurance, start by figuring out the amount of coverage you need. This varies from state to state, so take a moment to find out what coverage is required where you live. You will find a list of each state's requirements and an explanation of the various types of insurance in "How Much Car Insurance Do You Need?" Also, check out "Little-Known but Important Car Insurance Issues," which has a glossary of basic insurance terminology. If you're a first-time driver and need a comprehensive overview of car insurance before you go on, review this guide from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Now you're ready to make a list of the different types of coverage you are considering.

Once you know what's required, you can decide what you need. Some people are quite cautious. They base their lives on worst-case scenarios and insurance companies love that. Insurance companies are in the risk business, and they know a policyholder's likelihood of being in an accident, as well as how likely it is for a car to be damaged or stolen. The insurance company crunches the information it has collected over decades into actuarial tables that give adjustors a quick look at the probability of just about any occurrence. You don't have those tools at your disposal, so your decision will depend on your own degree of comfort in assuming a certain level of risk.

Experts recommend that if you have a lot of assets, you should get enough liability coverage to protect them. Let's say you have $50,000 of bodily injury liability coverage but $100,000 in personal assets. If you're at fault in an accident, attorneys for the other party could go after you for the $50,000 in medical bills that aren't covered by your policy.

General recommendations for liability limits are $50,000 bodily injury liability for one person injured in an accident, $100,000 for all people injured in an accident and $25,000 property damage liability (usually expressed in insurance shorthand as 50/100/25). Here again, let your financial situation be your guide. If you have no assets that an attorney can seek, don't buy coverage unnecessarily.

Your driving habits might also be a consideration in determining the coverage you need. If your past is filled with crumpled fenders, or if you have a lead foot, or if you make a long commute on a treacherous winding road every day, then you should get more complete coverage. Collision coverage pays for damage that your car experiences in an accident or damage from hitting an inanimate object (a tree, light post or fence, for example). Comprehensive coverage addresses damage that didn't occur in a collision — such as from fire, theft or flood. It also covers damaged windshields.

Keep in mind that you don't have to buy collision and comprehensive coverage. Let's say your vehicle is older, you have a good driving record and there is little likelihood that your car would be totaled in an accident, but a high likelihood of it being stolen. Then you could buy comprehensive coverage and skip the collision insurance.

Step 2: Review Your Current Insurance Policy
Read through your current policy or contact your auto insurance company to get the information you need. Jot down the amount of coverage you have now and how much you are paying for it. Take note of the yearly and monthly cost of your insurance, since many of your quotes will be given both ways. Now you have a figure to beat.

Step 3: Check Your Driving Record
You should know how many tickets you have had recently. If you can't remember how long that speeding ticket has been on your record, check with your state's department of motor vehicles. If a ticket or points you earned are about to disappear, thus improving your driving record, wait until that happens before you get quotes. Nothing drives up the price of insurance like a bad driving record.

Step 4: Solicit Competitive Quotes
Now it's time to start shopping. Set aside at least an hour for this task. Have at hand your current insurance policy, your driver license number and your vehicle registration. You can begin with online services. If you go to an online site to get a quote for an insurance rate, you can type in your information and begin to build a list of companies for comparative quotes. Keep in mind that not all insurance companies participate in these one-stop-shopping sites, however. If a recommendation from friends and family or other research points to a company that you think might be a winner, you can go directly to its Web site or call its toll-free number to get a quote.

Each quote form takes about 15 minutes each to complete. It might be well worth your time, since if the entire shopping process takes you two hours and you save $800, you're effectively earning $400 an hour.
When you use these sites, you might not get instant quotes. Some companies may contact you later by e-mail. Some that are not "direct providers" might put you in touch with a local agent, who will then calculate a quote for you. (A direct provider like Geico sells insurance policies directly to consumers. Other companies, such as State Farm, sell insurance through local agents.) You can learn more about the various kinds of agents here.

Step 5: Gather Quotes and Company Information
While you're researching companies, take careful notes so you can easily make price and coverage comparisons. Keep a list of:

• Annual and monthly rates for the different types of coverage. Make sure to keep the coverage limits the same so you can make apples-to-apples comparisons for cost and coverage.
• The insurance company's 800 telephone number, so you can get answers to questions you couldn't find online.
• The insurance company's payment policy. When is the payment due? What kinds of payment plans are available? What happens if you're late in making a payment?

Step 6: Work the Phones
Once you have gathered information online, it's time to work the phones. Contact those companies from which you haven't been able to get an online quote. Doing the research by phone can actually be easier and faster than on the Internet, provided you have your driver license and vehicle registration close at hand. When you get a quote over the phone, be sure to confirm the price by asking the representative to e-mail the quote to you.

Step 7: Look for Discounts
When you're making these calls and shopping online, make sure you explore all your options relating to discounts. Insurance companies give discounts for such things as a good driving record, your car's safety or security equipment and certain occupations or professional affiliations. Some companies are now offering lower rates if you enroll in "pay as you drive" plans. Some will give substantial discounts for young drivers in the family who have high grade-point averages. (You can use this as an incentive to your teen drivers and offer to share the savings with them.) Also consider using the same insurance company for home and auto policies. That will usually get you a better price. For more guidance on discounts, check out "How to Save Money on Car Insurance" and "Top 10 Ways To Lower Your Car Insurance Bill."

Step 8: Assess the Insurance Company's Track Record
You now have most of the price and coverage information that you need to make a decision. You can see which company's coverage is least expensive, but it's important to keep in mind that cheap isn't the only basis for choosing an insurer. How do you know which company is financially sound? How do you find out if an insurance company is going to treat you right — particularly in the event of a claim?
Here are some places to check to develop a clearer picture of an insurance company's track record for fairness, financial stability and customer service.
1. Use the National Association of Insurance Commissioners' Consumer Information Source to access information about insurance companies, including closed insurance complaints, licensing information and key financial data. You also can visit your state's department of insurance to check consumer complaint ratios and basic rate comparison surveys.
2. Consider contacting an independent insurance agent for additional information about a company.
3. Check out the financial strength ratings for an insurance company by referring to the ratings from A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's (registration may be required).
4. Review consumer satisfaction surveys from J.D. Power and Consumer Reports (subscription required).
5. Ask friends and family about their insurers and whether they're satisfied with them. In particular, ask them how their insurance companies treated them if they had a claim. Did they get fair, straightforward service? Or was it a hassle to get the matter resolved?

Step 9: Review the Policy Before You Sign
When you're done your research and zeroed in on a company, read over the main points of the policy. In addition to verifying that it contains the coverage you've requested and priced, it's a good idea to find out if the policy states that "new factory," "like kind and quality" or "aftermarket parts" may be used for body shop repairs, says Dennis Howard, director of the Insurance Consumer Advocate Network. If the policy has such a requirement, think hard about whether this is the company for you, particularly if you own a relatively new car that you plan to keep for a while. In this case, it's best to know at the outset that the insurer will pay for original manufacturer parts, rather than try to fight later, when you have a claim.

Step 10: Cancel Your Old Policy; Carry Your Proof
After you have secured the auto insurance policy you want, cancel coverage with your existing insurance company. If your state requires you to carry proof of insurance, make sure you put the card in your wallet or the glove compartment of your car.
Finally, here's a quick checklist to keep you on track:

• Determine your state's minimum insurance requirements.
• Consider your own financial situation in relation to the required insurance and consider whether you need to increase your limits to protect your assets.
• Review the status of your driving record — do you have any outstanding tickets or points on your driver license?
• Check your current coverage to find out how much you are paying.
• Get competing quotes from Internet insurance Web sites and individual companies of interest to you.
• Make follow-up phone calls to insurance companies to get additional information about coverage.
• Inquire about discounts.
• Evaluate the reliability of the insurance companies you're considering by visiting your state's insurance department Web site, reviewing consumer surveys and talking to family and friends.
• Review the policy before finalizing it. Remember to cancel your old policy.

That's all tips to buying auto insurance, good luck!

Reference : http://www.edmunds.com/auto-insurance/10-steps-to-buying-auto-insurance.html

10 Items You Need When You Make A Claim of Auto Insurance

Do you have problem when make auto insurance claim, or your claim was rejected? What do you need when you make auto insurance claims ? Here are top 10 items to make auto insurance claim

1. Take pictures of the accident right after it occurred.
Take a photo of your vehicle and the other vehicle(s) involved including all 4 corners. Also, if you can get the other party in the photo, that will help in the event that either insurance company needs help identifying the other party involved.

2. Write down all the information.
Record all the information that you have gathered and keep it in a safe place. This is to assist you if there is a problem with the claim. When you report it, be sure to write down who you spoke with, your claim #, and what if any promises were made. This will make your life easier if someone says something and then it doesn’t happen.


3. Were the police called?
If the police called or showed up, make sure to get the name and badge # of the officer and a report number. It may take your insurance company up to 3 months to get a police report, so be sure you take the information but don’t rely on the insurance company getting the information.

4. What kind of vehicle or vehicles were involved in this accident?
You want to make sure that you get the vehicle year, make and model, the license plate #, and VIN number for each vehicle involved.

5. Where did this happen?
Get the intersection or street that the accident happened on. Also, you want to make sure that you know how many lanes are on each side of the street, if the street or streets are 1 way or 2 way, the type of striping on the pavement within 100 feet each direction of the loss, i.e. is it a solid, double yellow line, a white line, etc. Also, you want to know where each vehicle impacted, what lane you and the other car were driving in just before the accident, the direction of travel for each vehicle, and if there were any signs posted that control traffic flow.

6. How many passengers were in each vehicle?
Take note of how many people were in each of the vehicles involved. Once you know, make a brief note of their description or name including: ethnicity, gender, weight, height, etc. This will help if you are the victim of a staged accident or other type of insurance fraud since people sometimes mysteriously are reported as an occupant of the vehicle when they were not present. This is not common, but if it ever does happen, this will help you avoid being a victim.

7. What type of condition was the car in right after the accident?
Was the vehicle drivable? Where is the damage? Is there any additional damage on the vehicle not related to the accident? If there is additional damage on the vehicle not related to this accident, be sure to tell your insurance company.

8. Where do I want to get my vehicle repaired?
 If you have a shop in mind, have that information with you. If you don’t, ask around, your friends might have a good recommendation. Otherwise, you can ask your insurance company if they have a repair program. If they do have one, be sure to ask about the program’s warranty, cost, and if there is a benefit to using it.


9. Were there any witnesses?
Was there anyone who saw the accident happen? You want to make sure that you get information from anyone who saw the accident. This will assist the insurance companies to determine who is liable for the accident.

10. Who did I have an accident with?
Be sure to get complete information from the other party(ies) involved. This means copying down their address, driver’s license #, date of birth, and ask for their phone number.  In addition, obtain their insurance information including, the company, policy #, agent if there is one, the policy begin and expiration date and their phone #. You need to make sure that you have as much info as possible to give your insurance company; this will help get your claim resolved as fast as possible.

If you have a claim that needs to be filed, the above items are good to gather since it will make the process easier and assist your insurance adjuster to resolve your claim at a faster pace. The insurance adjuster(s) you will deal with each have a job, it is to resolve as many claims as they can in the least amount of time possible. As a result, the more information you can give him or her, the smoother the process will be.

If there is less or more important than the above items, please comment !

Reference : http://www.autoinsurancetips.com/auto-insurance-claims-top-10-items-you-need-when-you-make-claim

10 Step By Step to Get Lowest Price Car Insurance

According to consumer watchdogs and insurance experts. To find the lowest possible rates from an insurer that'll be there when you need it, learn what type of coverage you must carry, research the reputations of insurance companies and take advantage of every possible discount for which you're eligible, experts say. They also recommend checking out pay-as-you-drive policies that peg premiums to how many miles you put on your car each year.

Finally, if you're eligible, look into low-cost auto insurance programs that such states as California, Hawaii and New Jersey offer to people with very low incomes.

When it comes to buying affordable car insurance, you're your own best advocate. At the same time, it's not always easy to take on that role, says J. Robert Hunter, a former Texas insurance commissioner and insurance director at the nonprofit Consumer Federation of America in Washington. Don't settle for the first insurance company or agent you find, Hunter says. Shop around. "That's how big buyers of insurance do it," he says. "They put it out for competitive bids. That's what you should do, too."

Here's a How to Get Affordable Auto Insurance

1. Start with the car.
What you pay for comprehensive and collision coverage depends on the year, make and model of the car you drive. Generally speaking, the newer, more expensive the vehicle, the higher the premium. Rates for comprehensive and collision coverage don't vary much, so if you can't afford to pay a lot for insurance and you're in the market for a car, buy one that's inexpensive.

2. Know your limits.
  Most states have set minimums for liability insurance coverage, both for bodily injury and property damage. Look up coverage minimums here or on your state insurance commission's Web site. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners lists insurance commissions in all 50 states and U.S. territories. If you're taking out a loan to purchase a new or used car, the lender will likely require you to carry a certain level of comprehensive and collision coverage, according to the NAIC.

3. Take the highest possible deductible.
Want an easy way to lower your premium? Take a high deductible. By opting for an annual deductible of $1,000 instead of $250, you'll pay less up front, but should you be responsible for an accident, you'll foot more of the bill before insurance payments kick in.

4. Check your credit score.
Some states allow insurers to take your credit history into account when compiling what's called an insurance credit score, which they use to calculate your premium. Bad credit because of overdue bills or a personal bankruptcy means you could end up paying more for auto coverage. To improve your insurance credit score, pay your bills on time, monitor your credit report and do anything you can to fix problems that could be lowering your score.

5. Narrow the field.
Use the process of elimination to come up with three or four reputable insurance companies or agents to approach for quotes. Start at your state insurance commission's Web site, which usually lists several dozen of the area's top insurers. Choose the half dozen or so companies with the lowest prices for coverage that's closest to what you need. Next, check the reputations of insurers by going to the NAIC's Consumer Information Source Web site to find the "complaint ratios" for each. Complaint ratios show the number of complaints that consumers filed against a company in a given year and then compare this to the company's share of all premiums for a specific type of auto policy during that period. The national median is 1.0, and highly rated companies can score well below that.

Here's exactly how to see where your candidate companies stand. In the search box on the right side of the Consumer Information Source page, type in the name of the insurance company you want to research, your state and "Property/Casualty" for the statement type. From the results page, click on "Closed Complaints." To see complaint ratios for the company's auto insurance policies, choose "Closed Complaint Ratio Report" and "Private Passenger."

If a company's ratio is substantially higher than the median, go back to your state insurance commission's Web site to see if regulators have taken action against them. With that information, whittle your list down to the three or four insurers with the lowest complaints. Then contact them directly. Consumers who are really financially strapped — to the extent of not having Web access at home for this research — can ask a friend or relative with Internet access for help, or use free Internet service at a public library.

6. Find an agent.
If the insurance companies you've identified as possibilities sell directly to customers, you can plug information into a form on their Web sites, get a quote and have someone contact you. If the companies sell through an agent network, ask friends or family who they use, or go back to your state insurance commissioner's Web site to look up agents in your area. Give anyone you contact specific details about the coverage you want and let them know you're comparison shopping. "Say, 'I've talked to this company and got a quote for $480. Can you beat it?'" says Hunter, with the Consumer Federation of America. "Then you've put them to the test."

7. Grab those discounts.
 Insurers offer a multitude of discounts, including lower rates for drivers with short commutes, retirees, students with good grades or vehicles with safety devices such as car alarms or motorized seatbelts. If you're over 55, you could lower your premium by 10 percent by passing a defensive driving course, according to the Insurance Information Institute. When you're talking to agents, don't forget to inquire about the group discounts that some insurers offer to members of professional organizations or other groups. Companies including State Farm, Auto Club of Southern California and Progressive have begun offering pay-as-you drive discounts, with premiums tied to your annual mileage, with a cap at approximately 19,000 miles. In many of these programs, you report your mileage online or to your agent when your policy's up for renewal.

8. Consider opting out of some — but not all — coverage.
 If you drive an older car and own it outright, consider dropping comprehensive and collision coverage. If the vehicle is really old, you could be paying more in insurance than what it's worth. But hold onto that liability insurance. It's illegal in most states to drive without it, and insurers in some states charge significantly higher premiums if you let coverage lapse, even if you haven't been driving.

9. Investigate state-run low-cost insurance programs.
 If you live in California, Hawaii or New Jersey, and if your household income is close to or less than the poverty level, you may qualify for state-run low-cost or no-cost insurance programs. Policies under the California Low Cost Automobile Insurance Program, for example, cost less than $400 a year and cover about 12,000 low-income drivers at any given time, according to Doug Heller, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, an advocacy group in Santa Monica, California. He expects more people to sign up as a new state law takes effect that lets agents sell the program online for the first time. "That's important not just for people who can get online from their homes, but for agencies that provide resources for low-income families," Heller says. Lawmakers in Nevada and Michigan recently proposed or approved pilots for similar programs.

10. Assess insurance needs and premium costs annually.
Life isn't static, and your auto insurance premiums shouldn't be either. Review your policy once a year, especially if you've moved or switched to a job that has you driving more or less. A review is also a good time to check on whether you're eligible for additional discounts.

Finally, We hope this article can help you to get the cheap car insurance! Thanks

Source: http://www.edmunds.com/auto-insurance/how-to-get-affordable-car-insurance.html

Simple Guide to Small Business Insurance

Are you small business owner ?
Here are simple guide to insurance your small business :

Legally Mandatory

Workers’ Compensation Insurance

Also known as employer’s liability insurance, this insurance is mandatory in every state. By providing workers’ compensation insurance, your company can award employees monetary sums in the event that an employee is injured or disabled while on the job. Since coverage is provided in exchange for the employee’s right to take legal action against the company, you will be protected from lawsuits in the case of employee injury or death.

Business Auto Insurance

If your company owns vehicles, then all 50 states require you to carry business auto insurance. The extent of coverage will depend on who drives the vehicles and what your state requires.

Disability Insurance

If your business operates in the states of California, Hawaii, New Jersey, New York or Rhode Island, you are required to carry disability insurance. Disability insurance replaces a percentage of income for employees or business owners should they be injured and unable to earn a living themselves.

Not Legally Mandatory, But Must-Haves Nonetheless:

Property and Liability Insurance

Property and liability insurance protects your business’ assets from disasters such as fire and theft. Though you are not required to have it by law, you may own valuable assets such as furniture and expensive equipment that you cannot afford to lose. When purchasing this insurance, ensure that you are covered for the “replacement value” of these assets.

Errors and Omissions Insurance

We’re all human, and we all make mistakes. E&O insurance covers you when a client holds your company responsible for mistakes or errors made by your firm that were damaging to the client. Since OfficeDrop handles valuable customer documents, we decided to carry this insurance in case customer documents are accidentally lost or damaged. Every one of our customers is protected up to $1 million if they are adversely affected by an error.  Consulting and other professional service firms are also good candidates for this insurance.

Criminal Liability

While E&O insurance protects against unintentional errors and damage, criminal liability insurance covers damages intentionally done by employees. Even with extensive background checks of each of our employees, criminal acts are sometimes completely unpredictable, so we chose to carry criminal liability.

Business Owner’s Insurance

Recommended for any business owner, business owner’s insurance protects you from personal liability in the case of litigation against your business.

Other Options

Besides the above mentioned, there are many other insurance options that may greatly reduce risk in your business. Other policies include:

• Business Continuation Insurance
• Product Liability Insurance
• Key Executive Insurance

Though not all companies carry these insurance policies, they are still worth considering.
Still not sure as to what insurances to get for your business? While you may not need all of the insurance policies not mandated by law, we highly recommended that you review your business with an insurance advisor to discuss which insurance options are best for you.

Reference : http://smallbiztrends.com/2010/07/a-simple-guide-to-small-business-insurance.html

Tips to Protect Yourself from Insurance Fraud

Of course we all do not want to experience instead of insurance fraud? maybe the article below can help you to protect against insurance fraud, please read!
Insurance Fraud comes in several forms, because the creative thinking of the unscrupulous "bad actors" who are involved in its schemes have developed. Here are some things that you as a consumer and driver, can do to prevent yourself from becoming a victim and a pawn in this dangerous game.

Most insurance agents are reputable individuals, who uphold the ethics your state’s Department of Insurance sets for their behavior. There are however occasionally, individuals who will collect premium dollars, never intending to forward the money to an insurance carrier, on your behalf. Be sure to always await confirmation that insurance is in place, via a Declarations Page in the mail. If you do not receive a Declarations Page, call the company your agent has indicated to be your insurance carrier directly, to confirm your coverage and ask for verification in writing. If you do not have the name of the intended insurance carrier, call your agent and request this information. If you have any difficulty in obtaining information or written verification, contact the Department of Insurance for your state. If a policy does not look right, call to confirm coverage. There have been occasions when insurance agents have issued "fake" policies to consumers.

If you have any doubt about the credibility or licensing of an insurance agent, contact the Producer Licensing Bureau at your state’s Department of Insurance. Some states have web sites which allow you to confirm the licensing, types of insurance transacted, and even continuing education completed by, your insurance agent. If there are complaints against the individual, they may or may not be noted, depending upon timing. Don’t be afraid to ask about a situation if you have a concern. Your Department of Insurance exists to protect you.

Drivers come in as many varities as all of humanity. Carefulness and adherence to the law vary greatly within this population. The law does have an expectation of "prudence" among those given the priviledge of driving. This being said, unfortunately there are drivers who prey upon those who are not actively aware of their environment. Following are some criminal driving schemes to be on guard for, as you go about your business.

It was a beautiful stary night. I was driving home from the grocery store, on an unlit country road. Suddenly a car came up behind me, at a high rate of speed,  pulled in front of me, and then screeched to a stop. This was no fortuitous event. It was clear to me that I was meant to collide with the vehicle, so that my insurance could be collected for damages to the vehicle, and injuries to the occupants. I did not fall prey to this attempt, because I had my vehicle in control, and was watching in my rear view mirror. I was already anticipating a problem, before the vehicle pulled ahead of me, and adjusted my speed accordingly. This is the classic "swoop and squat" scheme.

I had just pulled into a large parking lot. I proceeded toward the front of an aisle of parked cars. Suddenly the car ahead of me began to reverse at a high rate of speed. I immediately hit my horn, and continued to sound the horn, until the other driver stopped his movement. Within seconds, the driver lurched his vehicle forward, and drove out of the parking lot, running two stop signs, as he made his escape. This too was an attempt to take advantage of my insurance. I once handled a similar auto insurance claim in my work. The responsible party in the accident insisted that my insured had rearended him. As it turns out, he had backed into my driver’s vehicle.

Parking lots present special hazards, since there is always someone coming or going. A elderly neighbor relayed a scenario to me, that she experienced, and did fall victim to. She had just gotten inside her vehicle and put her car in reverse. Before she was able to complete her backing, a vehicle parked directly opposite of her backed up in a hurry, and then maintained that she had "control" of the aisle of the parking lot, when she was backed into by this neighbor.

Her vehicle was damaged, she paid a deductible, her premium went up as a result of a fault accident, and her insurance carrier was forced to pay for the alleged injuries of the other party. She knew she was not at fault, but unfortunately was not cautious enough in documenting the circumstances, and sequence of the accident. The key prevention technique here is to be very aware of your environment, and prepared to wait out a dangerous possibility. Just sitting in your car, till the coast is completely clear, can save you from this outcome. Secondly, if a "crash" does occurr, document the event like a reporter. Get all the facts and information. Take photographs. If there are passengers in the other vehicle get their names and addresses. Many criminals will fill a vehicle with "fake" passengers, to collect "pain and suffering"  for additional injury claims.

Never go to a body shop recommended by another driver or a "witness" to the "crash". There are body shops that are less than reputable, and the reworking of your damages can cost you a fortune. Your insurance carrier can usually provide you with names of  "preferred" shops. This means the business is regularly inspected for the quality of  work, scope of damages,  engine  and body parts used in repairs, training of employees, and the way they treat customers.

If you are involved in any situation that appears fraudulant, please be sure to call the Fraud Division of your insurance carrier, the Fraud Bureau of your Department of Insurance or the National Insurance Crime Bureau at 1(800)835-6422. You are doing the responsible thing by reporting fraud. Preventing and curtailing auto insurance fraud, assists every insurance consumer, by lowering premiums, otherwise inflated to keep "bad actors" in their criminal business pursuits.

Source : autoinsurancetips.com/how-protect-yourself-insurance-fraud

General Tips For Choosing Insurance

Buying insurance can be said to be easy but it's hard, because there are many considerations that must be considered. Especially with the high competition among insurance companies today.

But there are some important factors that you should know before you buy insurance. Well, what are tips on choosing insurance? Here's his review.

Tips for Choosing Insurance Products

1. Understanding yourself.
   As the holder or buyer of insurance, we have to know the right and obvious needs. Insurance products are so numerous and varied. Selection of the appropriate needs should be a priority.
   
   In the early stages, health insurance is very necessary parties began collecting insurance investment. Health insurance cover the cost of treatment, including hospitalization if have to.
   
   Furthermore, life insurance bear the risk for future uncertainties, this insurance guarantees funds for the families left behind when the policy holder dies. That is, we remove the risks faced by the family in the future to the insurance company.
   
   When both this insurance (life insurance and health insurance) has been owned, then we require insurance on goods owned. For example, fire-free home insurance, car insurance for loss or accidents can be made too.
   
   If you already have it,then think about a very specific insurance and offered to the public. For example, job title insurance and other


2. Finding desired insurance and offered by the insurance company.
   Many insurance companies offer their products and highly variable between one company and another. the buyer should be aware of insurance products that offered . When necessary, the buyer can consult with friends or insurance experts.
   
   When looking at the product, the buyer should understand the legal language of the brochure products offered. Premiums are the same products can be different for each insurance.


3. Taking into account the ability of insurance to be purchased.
   If the buyer only want insurance, the premium is a charge, not an investment. The next year the buyer must pay a premium again and there would likely be a premium increase due to inflation or cost insurance companies.
   
   Do not force yourself if you can not afford to insure it. It is better to delay and carry out the next year.


4. Match insurance products with the ability funds.
   It is a decision-making process for the selection of insurance products to be purchased. If the product you want some insurance, and offered not only by one company, it is very good information for buyers because there is a choice.


5. Discussing the contents of insurance products from insurance companies that have been chosen according to the ability of funds.
   This discussion is very important because the brochure given to read is often overlooked, and we are less conscientious. All brochures and information from realtors should be discussed with those who understand the law, so that more secure option.
   Due need to cost, the buyer can ask your friends, or "friends of friends" who understand.


6. Choosing an insurance company is equally important.
   Buyers of insurance should be clearly and carefully in order not miscast. Insurance buyers should know the track record of the company. Sometimes ownership status is also a factor election, but not the main factor.
   There are insurance companies that are still small, but very reliable track record. Insurance Buyers can ask to the customer or buyer of the insurance company. even, it could ask to the insurance consumer had been paid according to the agreement.
   
   Large companies also often commit irregularities. Often we hear that the insurance companies are very diligent when collecting premiums, but very difficult when disbursement of insurance claims. Delays in disbursement of claims usually because the company is still investigating the events that led to the emergence of a claim.
   
   Foreign or local ownership is often an option. Foreign owners are usually more experienced than local. However, the buyer can judge for yourself on this characteristic. Good management will always pay attention to customers. Usually, insurance companies have a meeting with the client to meet so many products purchased.


7. Signed the insurance agreement.
   This stage should be carefully considered whether the agreement in accordance offers and desires. Buyers do not be tempted by the phrase that all is as you wish. If the answer is the raw material of the company, the buyer should be careful and request to deferred as your own buyer. What is written in the agreement become grip each party.
   
   In buying an insurance product, the buyer always meet dealer. Do not be tempted by the attitude of agents who want to quickly closed transaction because the buyer can be false in take decision. Buyers should not show behaviour clearly when interested in the one product.
   
   Caution is needed. Fund the purchase does not belong to anyone else, but yours. Loss or the risk of insurance purchase fault still borne by the buyer, not the other party.

Good Luck!