Sunday, August 30, 2009

Auto Insurance – 5 New Ways To Save Money On Car Insurance

Here are five ways to save in the new online economy:

Shop Online with Several Auto Insurance Companies
Auto insurance companies use a lot of the same ranking factors to set premiums costs, but each one is different. Some companies are great if your driving record is prefect. Others are best for drivers with tickets or accidents. A site like QuoteWizard.com can help you compare auto insurance rates and find the right provider for you.
Find a Smaller, Specialized Insurance Company that Fits Your Needs
Lately, the national, big-name underwriters have shifted their higher-risk coverage into small subsidiary brands. Also, most states have smaller, local insurers that specialize in writing higher-risk auto insurance polices. Their rates are far more competitive that the national brands if your driving record is less than perfect. When you shop around for auto insurance in your area, you'll get an idea of what smaller, local options are available.
Consider an Online-Only Auto Insurance Company
It started with online-only savings accounts. Banks realized that by offering consumers a savings account that was handled completely online the bank could save dramatically on overhead costs. This savings was passed on to consumers by way of higher interest rates. Online savings accounts typically yield about ten times more than their brick-and-mortar counterparts. Currently, new auto insurance companies are beginning to follow suit. By eliminating the costs associated with operating storefronts, online auto insurance companies are able to offer significantly cheaper premiums to consumers that don't mind conducting their insurance business over the internet and on the telephone.
Purchase Less Auto Insurance
If the sagging economy has you scrimping to save money, you might want to reduce your auto insurance levels. It's risky to only purchase your state's minimum auto insurance liability coverage, but dropping parts of your policy that you don't need can save you money. If your car has lost significant value since you purchased your policy, consider eliminating comprehensive and collision coverage.
Check Insurance Rates Every 6 Months
Now that it's so simple to find the best auto insurance rates online, you should make a point of getting a fresh set of quotes about every six months. Gone are the days of signing off on another year of the same overpriced coverage just for simplicity's sake. Major life changes like moving, purchasing or selling a car, getting married, or paying off your home are also excellent checkpoints.

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Monday, August 17, 2009

Consumers warned over belongings in care homes

Consumers have been warned to be careful about belongings that are in care homes, as they may not be automatically insured against theft, loss, and damage. The report claims that many elderly people that have moved into care homes and taken their belongings with them may actually have no protection against such eventualities because the insurance cover may not extend to covering belongings in care homes.
An official from Bupa said that it was important for residents to find appropriate insurance cover if necessary in the event that their belongings were not covered. He said: ‘It’s the responsibility of individual residents, as stated in our terms and conditions. However, if we are responsible for an item being lost or damaged, we will reimburse the cost.’
He added: ‘In addition, we provide our residents with secure facilities such as a lockable drawer in their rooms.’
According to recent reports most care homes do provide a safe and secure storage area or safe for residents, in which valuable such as expensive jewellery and the like can be stored. Consumers are advised that there may be stand alone cover available such as that used to protect the belongings of students who live in shared college accommodation, which is something that a number of providers offer.
However, officials have said that consumers should be aware that it can be difficult to find one of these stand alone policies at an affordable price, as many insurance firms are too worried about the risk of theft given that care homes provide so many communal areas, making it more likely that theft could occur.

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Monday, August 3, 2009

Finding Cheaper UK Car Insurance Quotes

When its time for you to look for a car insurance quote, the internet option is usually the best choice for cheap car insurance quotes. This is the reason we created this website so you can compare the car insurance market faster with a better chance of finding money saving car insurance policies for you and all your friends.
Using a free comparison website like this saves you loads of time and probably money as you consider the quotes offered to you by the car insurance comparison search engine given to you to use as you like.
Car insurance is becoming more expensive every year so saving just £50 is worth 5 minutes of you time because that’s all you need when you compare car insurance online.
We will also give you some tips and advice about car insurer and the policies they offer you. Most policies are standard, these policies are…
Third Party
This cover is very standard and it’s needed by law to drive on UK highways. Third party is the cheapest form of car insurance in the UK.
Third Party Fire and Theft
Just like third party, this cover also protects your car form fire damage and theft.
Compressive
The daddy of all car insurance policies. This level of car insurance protects you and your car from loss, damage and theft. This cover can include breakdown cover as standard.
You can be sure of one this one this site, you will be able to compare the best car insurance quotes from Britain’s best car insurers. Most of the important insurers are listed on our car insurance comparison quoting engine when you use it.
The system will bring back all the quotes on one screen so you can choose the best one and the best price from all the best insurers and as you know, for free.

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Monday, July 20, 2009

Car Insurance In Colorado, Five Free quotes

With myriad auto insurers vying for your business, it's difficult to know where to turn. You want non-biased information about which Colorado car insurance is right for you, and you want it from a company you can trust.
We understand and have “partnered with InsureMe” we have been helping Coloradoans shop for auto insurance since 1993, and we want to add you to our long list of satisfied consumers. So provide us with some information, and we'll get you up to five free quotes for car insurance in Colorado.
Fill out our form and get rollin' today!
What You Need
In July 2003, Colorado switched from a no-fault insurance system to a tort system.
Previously, medical expenses resulting from an accident were covered no matter who was at fault, causing premiums to be much higher. But currently, the negligent person foots the bill for injuries and damages, making it even more important than ever to protect yourself with adequate Colorado auto insurance.
Below are the main types of personal Colorado auto insurance available.
  • Bodily Injury Liability: This provides coverage for bodily injury you cause to another while driving. Minimums of 25,000 per person and $50,000 per accident are mandatory in Colorado.
  • Property Damage Liability: This provides coverage for damage you cause to someone's property while driving and has a minimum of $15,000 per accident in Colorado.
  • Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This coverage protects you and the occupants of your vehicle should you or they sustain an injury when another party with insufficient or no insurance is at fault. This type of Colorado auto insurance is optional. However, 34 percent of Colorado drivers are uninsured. In most cases refusing uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage saves you a negligible amount compared to the protection it offers in the event of an accident.
  • Medical Payments: Under the tort system, medical payment coverage provides benefits for you and injured passengers in your vehicle regardless of fault. Insurers aren't required to offer this coverage, but those who do usually have limits between $5,000 and $25,000 per accident.
  • Collision: Regardless who is at fault, this type of Colorado auto insurance covers damage to your car caused by collision with another vehicle.
  • Comprehensive: If your car is damaged through theft, fire, vandalism, hail, falling objects or collision with an animal, comprehensive coverage pays to repair the physical damage to your vehicle.
Colorado Auto Insurance Rating
How much you pay in premiums is determined by several factors. Some, like gender and age, are beyond your control, but others you may be able to adjust to favorable rating.
  • Amount and Type: The lower your payout limits and less inclusive your coverage, the less you pay in Colorado auto insurance premiums.
  • Driving record:  A clean driving record results in lower premiums.
  • Age, sex and marital status: Although it doesn't seem fair, statistics prove certain demographical segments have more accidents and violations, which cause those groups to have higher premiums. For example, young, single male drivers usually pay the most.
  • Location: Common sense tells us the more people, the more accidents. So those residing in metropolitan areas pay more for Colorado auto insurance than those in rural ones.
  • Your ride: Because some cars cost less to fix, individuals with those cars generally pay less for Colorado auto insurance.
  • How much you use it: This one is simple: drive less = pay less.
  • Credit history: A good credit history may favorably affect your premium rate.
Bargain Shopping
The following are a few ways to become a "better risk" for insurance companies and consequently receive lower premium ratings.
  • Multiple Vehicles: The more the merrier! If you insure more than one car with the same Colorado insurance company, they usually offer a discount. It is less risky for insurers to underwrite an individual with whom they have a previous relationship.
  • Good Student: Good grades will not only get you into college, but may reduce your insurance to boot. To insurance companies, responsible students = responsible drivers.
  • Safety First: Insurers often offer discounts for safety devices such as air bags, anti-lock brakes and automatic seatbelts, as well as anti-theft devices that prevent theft or vandalism. 
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Monday, July 6, 2009

10 ways to slash that car insurance premium

So here are my tried and tested tips to get the best cover for the least cash!

1. Shop, shop, shop around!

While this used to mean giving up half a day and arming myself with the Yellow Pages and a phone, life is so much easier with the internet.
Plug your details into an online comparison tool and you can apply for quotes from twenty or thirty insurers at once - now that really does save time. And as the AA reckons shopping around can shave £225 off the average comprehensive policy, it could save you a fair bit of money, too.

2. So what do you do?

You may not realise this, but your specific job title can make all the difference to an insurance quote. For example, the job description "lawyer" can often attract a higher premium than "solicitor".
If you can think of a few, alternative job titles that still describe what you do, give each one a try and see if they affect the price of your quote.

3. Add an additional driver

Another way to reduce premiums, particularly for younger drivers is to name a parent/older driver on the policy - this can shave 15% off the price. But try and avoid taking out an "any driver" policy - they can be shockingly expensive.
Additionally, make sure you mention whether you also drive another car, as this tends to make your premium cheaper.

4. Keep your car safe

Insurers give lower quotes to lower risk drivers, so you need to reassure them that you look after your vehicle.
Keeping it in a locked garage/on a driveway is obviously preferable to roadside parking, and having an alarm/immobiliser/tracking device will help too, so make sure you mention if you have them.
If you live in a particularly crime-ridden area it could even be cost-effective to rent a garage to reduce that premium.

5. Protect that no-claims discount/bonus

You earn one year's no-claims discount for every claim-free motoring year you build up. And the effect is impressive - just one year's no-claims discount can reduce your premium by 30%, and 2-year's worth can be worth a 40% saving.
This typically continues until you achieve the magical 5 years' no-claims discount - which equates to a whopping 65% off your premium.
But once you've reached that milestone consider protecting your no-claims discount. This will increase your premiums slightly but will mean that, should you need to claim, you'll be able to do so at least once before losing that hard-earned discount.

6. Get the right cover for your needs

Don't apply for cover on auto-pilot - assess your current needs. You may have bought your car brand new, but if it's now getting on a bit is fully comprehensive cover still worth the extra, or would third party, fire and theft fit the bill?
If you barely drive your car anymore, would you be better off selling it and joining a car club? Alternatively, drivers who do very few miles could save with a pay as you drive policy.

7. Pick your excess...

And another way to slash that premium is to voluntarily increase your excess (the amount you will pay, should you need to claim).

8. A personal loan, Sir, at 30%APR?

If you fancy taking out a loan for a few hundred quid at a rip-off rate, you've come to the right place. While insurers offer us the chance to pay our premium in monthly instalments over a year, they don't do so for free.
Read the small print carefully and you'll see that most charge for the privilege - and an APR of 30% is not uncommon. That's almost twice as much as it costs to borrow on a typical credit card! Ouch...
Check with your insurer about monthly payments and if he charges, pay upfront. If you don't have enough money in savings and are sensible, a 0% card for new purchases can help you spread the cost.
And forewarned is forearmed - open a dedicated savings account for next year's car insurance premium and start stashing £20 away a month - and this time next year you'll have £240+ to cover that bill.

9. Get qualified

Insurers love qualifications - take a Pass Plus advanced driving course and not only will you become a more proficient and confident driver, but you could find your insurer will shave 30% off your premium, which can be a great option to help younger drivers.
The course does cost between £150 to £200, but the good news is that many local councils support the scheme and offer bursaries to individuals to cover up to 50% of the fees.

10.  Haggle

And finally, once you've got your cheapest quote, call your existing insurer and see if he will beat it to keep your business. Or see what you can get thrown in for free (legal cover etc.).  Go on; try your hand at haggling - it won't do any harm and could save you a few more quid - better in your pocket than theirs!
So there you have it, 10 ways to slash that car insurance premium. Give them a go and see how much you could save.

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