Tuesday, February 22, 2011

A life insurance policy is essentially a form of business deal with the insurance firm and the person who seeks for the insurance. There are some insurance providers which grant the policy seeker stakes in the firm. This form of insurance policy is particularly advantageous to those families where there is only a single breadwinner. Life is very unpredictable. We cannot foresee what causality awaits your loved one or the only income earner of your family. Accidents are unpreventable. However you can reduce the impact of any such unfortunate events by taking a life insurance policy. The cheap life insurance quotes that are available these days will give you an idea of your investments in advance. To receive the insurance policy benefits, the policy bearer will have to remit an amount on a monthly basis or yearly basis depending on the convenience. On the event of an accident, the company will make the payment in case the insurance bearer is suffering from any physical disability in the form of damage or loss of limbs or any of the crucial bodily functions such as hearing, sight and so on. The insurance coverage will not apply in situations wherein the bearer voluntarily takes risk. The activities involved are namely paragliding, parachuting, air travel and service in a war to mention a few. There are numerous life insurance brands available in the domestic, national and the global market. Hence a thorough research would be apt before zeroing in on any specific plan. The cheap life insurance quotes available in the internet is an easy method of assessing the insurances. One has to assess if the policy will bring under its purview the funeral expenses and the catering expenses wholly or partly in addition to providing further financial assistance to the family. Hence one has to scrutinize the agreement as well as the policy documents before signing the contract. It is needless to say that the plan you choose will have to be based on your affordability and budget. A cheap life insurance quote is full of details as to the criteria of investment leaving you enough time to ponder whether the policy suits you or not. Do not be deluded with the brand label and the gloss of ads. There are numerous small scale, yet reliable local insurance firms around. It is advisable to go for a cheap insurance quote that suits your preferences. If the insurer expires, to claim the insurance amount, the nominee has to produce the legal death certificate. The nominees will be mentioned by the insurer itself at the time of signing the agreement. The companies are very much alert these days due to the increasing number of false accidental deaths, illness and other insurance claims. Despite being a punishable offence, the number of people turning on to desperate measures like these to make money and get rich through easy means is on the rise. In the present day, the insurance coverage can be extended not only to adults and children but pets as well. The insurance coverage extends to anybody whom we care for and love these days.

A life insurance policy is essentially a form of business deal with the insurance firm and the person who seeks for the insurance. There are some insurance providers which grant the policy seeker stakes in the firm. This form of insurance policy is particularly advantageous to those families where there is only a single breadwinner.
Life is very unpredictable. We cannot foresee what causality awaits your loved one or the only income earner of your family. Accidents are unpreventable. However you can reduce the impact of any such unfortunate events by taking a life insurance policy. The cheap life insurance quotes that are available these days will give you an idea of your investments in advance.
To receive the insurance policy benefits, the policy bearer will have to remit an amount on a monthly basis or yearly basis depending on the convenience. On the event of an accident, the company will make the payment in case the insurance bearer is suffering from any physical disability in the form of damage or loss of limbs or any of the crucial bodily functions such as hearing, sight and so on. The insurance coverage will not apply in situations wherein the bearer voluntarily takes risk. The activities involved are namely paragliding, parachuting, air travel and service in a war to mention a few.
There are numerous life insurance brands available in the domestic, national and the global market. Hence a thorough research would be apt before zeroing in on any specific plan. The cheap life insurance quotes available in the internet is an easy method of assessing the insurances.
One has to assess if the policy will bring under its purview the funeral expenses and the catering expenses wholly or partly in addition to providing further financial assistance to the family. Hence one has to scrutinize the agreement as well as the policy documents before signing the contract.
It is needless to say that the plan you choose will have to be based on your affordability and budget. A cheap life insurance quote is full of details as to the criteria of investment leaving you enough time to ponder whether the policy suits you or not. Do not be deluded with the brand label and the gloss of ads. There are numerous small scale, yet reliable local insurance firms around.
It is advisable to go for a cheap insurance quote that suits your preferences. If the insurer expires, to claim the insurance amount, the nominee has to produce the legal death certificate. The nominees will be mentioned by the insurer itself at the time of signing the agreement.
The companies are very much alert these days due to the increasing number of false accidental deaths, illness and other insurance claims. Despite being a punishable offence, the number of people turning on to desperate measures like these to make money and get rich through easy means is on the rise. In the present day, the insurance coverage can be extended not only to adults and children but pets as well. The insurance coverage extends to anybody whom we care for and love these days.

Does Eating Healthy Make Life Insurance Cheaper?

Eating a healthy diet dramatically reduces the risk of many illnesses and makes many more other ailments easier to treat but a healthy diet alone will do little to reduce the premium rates of an insurance policy. Individual insurance premium rates are based on mathematical formulas that determine how likely a policyholder will be to cash in on the policy by filing a claim. Even so, eating healthy does influence insurance premiums in an indirect way.
One reason a lifestyle of eating healthy is not a direct factor in determining insurance rates is that a healthy diet is quite difficult to quantify. One person’s concept of a healthy diet may seem hedonistic to the next or entirely too austere for someone else. Even members of the medical profession offer conflicting information on dietary matters so there remains no one-size-fits-all healthy diet to use as a standard of measure against all others.
The merits of eating a healthy diet may become obvious in a much more indirect way, however, so keep it in mind when comparing insurance quotes for any type insurance. Rates are based on age but other issues, such as weight and family medical history, come into play, too.
The actuarial tables that are used to determine insurance rates are based on weight as well as age. Individuals who fall below the desired weight range are more prone to suffer from health issues which shorten their lives as are people who fall in the category of overweight or obese. A low weight can be unhealthy, but the more often than not in today’s society excess weight is a more prevalent concern.
Excess weight can trigger medical conditions such as metabolic syndrome, diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease. All these conditions jeopardize a person’s quality of life and longevity.
Family history may be a contributing factor to one’s predisposition to develop any of these medical conditions but a lifestyle of eating nutritious foods can minimize the chance they will develop in an individual and can usually make the disorder much easier to treat or maintain once it’s developed. Adherence to a healthy diet is usually reflected in one’s weight even when family history appears ominous.
People who enjoy a nutritious diet are more likely to exercise routinely, too, and this factor also boosts vitality, strengthens the immune system, and adds years of quality to a life span. This correlation is taken into consideration whenever insurance quotes are calculated.
When rates are determined, dietary and exercise habits will not be recognized as a point for point advantage in premium rate reduction but their existence will become the advantage when weight is compared against age and family history. An applicant of the same age and with similar family medical history who is of healthy weight will almost always be quoted cheaper rates than someone of the same age and family history but who is not in the healthy range category.

Buying Life Insurance? What You Don’t Know Might “Hurt” You

f you are considering buying life insurance, how do you know if the agent will show you all the products available so that you can choose the one that will best meet you and your family’s needs and goals? I am a firm believer in “comparison shopping”. The key here is making sure you know what to ask for so that you have the right things to compare. You have to ask the right questions to get the answers and information you need to make an informed choice.
When dealing with the average agent you will most likely be presented with policies that are of a type that is referred to, (in the industry), as “cash value” or “permanent” insurance. These products are often called “Whole Life”, “Universal Life”, “Variable Universal Life” or some variation of those names. These are products where, in essence, the insurance company has bundled together a death benefit and some type of account that accumulates a balance of cash, (often called an accumulation account). The way these policies work is part of the monthly amount paid to the insurance company is used to purchase the death benefit, (i.e. pay the premium), pay any required fees, and then remaining amount of the monthly payment is placed in an account where it is supposed to earn interest and grow.
What most people don’t know is that there is another option available that the agent has somehow “neglected” to present. This other option is very rarely offered to the consumer on a regular basis. This is unfortunate. I feel it is a very powerful alternative to the other products available. What is it? It is an option where the customer purchases a term insurance policy and invests the difference of the cost in a stand-alone savings/investment “vehicle”. Here is an illustration*.
First let’s look at one type of insurance plan that is often presented by agents. We’ll call it, “Plan A”
Let’s pretend that Mr & Mrs Smith want to have life insurance, (and yes, they should have it). They are both in their mid thirties and have two children. Their budget is such that they can afford to spend about $150 a month. The first type of insurance under consideration is the “whole life” policy. The Smiths are probably able to get a policy that provides $100,000 death benefit on him, and $75,000 on her. The coverage will last from now until age 100. When the Smiths reach the age of 100, the insurance company promises to pay them $100,000. If they decide they want to “take the money and run” before that, (at age 65, for example), they can terminate the policy, (end the insurance), and take what ever cash has accumulated to that point, (probably about $50,000 to $65,000). Ok, that sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?
Let’s look at the other option. We’ll call it, “Plan B”
With a 30 year, renewable term policy, Mr. Smith can get about $200,000 of coverage, Mrs Smith about $150,000, and they can get $10,000 on each of the kids. Total monthly cost, about $53. Remember, they budgeted $150 per month for this, so what would happen if they took the $97 and put it into some type of savings “vehicle”? Over the course of 30 years, $97 a month could grow to about $300,000 **. This is what is referred to as, “buy term and invest the difference”.
With this type of policy, at age 65, Mr & Mrs Smith would have the choice of continuing their insurance coverage if they felt they needed it, AND they could also take the $300,000 and use it how ever they see fit, (without ending their insurance coverage). Some agents might argue that the premium on the term policy will be higher at re-newal. That may be true, but the $300,000 would also be creating about $2500 in interest income each month**. More than enough money to pay for any modest rise in the premium costs. (Besides, if the Smiths have $300,000 saved up, do they really need to buy that much insurance any more?)
So which would you choose?
(A) Pay $150 per month for $100,000 in coverage and get $100,000 at age 100
-OR-
(B) Pay $53 per month for $200,000 in coverage and set aside $97 per month in savings, and have $300,000 at age 65 **
So why don’t insurance agents present this second option? (I’ll let you answer that one yourself)
There are some other differences between the two plans. For example, what happens if the Smiths need to use some of the money that was accumulated?
If the Smiths had gone with Plan (A), in order to get the money they needed, they would have two choices.
(1) They can terminate the policy and take the entire amount of what has accumulated. They would have their money, but now they don’t have any insurance coverage.
(2) The other choice is to borrow the money they need from the insurance company, using their account as collateral. Their coverage would still be there, but they would have to make payments on the loan, (including interest), in addition to their monthly premium payment. If one of them should die before the loan is paid off, the outstanding loan balance is subtracted from the death benefit. For example, if Mr Smith dies and they still owe $5,000 on the loan, the death benefit paid to his wife would be $95,000. ($100,000 - $5,000). Also the $5000 could become taxable as non-death benefit income.
With Plan (B), the savings account is separate from the insurance policy so the Smiths can take money out of their account, and it would not have any effect on the insurance coverage. The policy does not have to be canceled, and the amount of the death benefit paid is not reduced. Depending on the type of savings “vehicle” the Smiths use, they might have to pay some type of tax or interest penalty on the money they withdraw, but again, there is no effect on the insurance coverage.
As you can see there can be some clear advantages to buying term coverage over a “cash value” type of policy. Which type of policy works best for you is strictly a matter of personal choice, but that is the key word, “CHOICE”. You deserve to be shown ALL of the options available that best meet YOUR needs and not be steered into something just because the agent gets more commission.
* The insurance plan costs and coverages described are hypothetical and for illustrative purposes only. A actual comparison can only occur using actual policy documents issued by an insurer.
** This is an illustration only and is not a representation of a specific investment product or plan.
This above information is provided for educational purposes only and is not an offer or solicitation to conduct any type of business or transaction.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Cheap Automobile Insurance is Beneficial to the Driver As Well As For the Family

Automobile insurance has become very important these days. The auto insurance is being made compulsory by the government of many countries. It is necessary for all types of the vehicle. Automobile insurance is beneficial to the driver as well as for the family of the driver. This is because you never know when you can meet up an accident. And in such unfortunate situations, you can lose a great amount of your savings in your medical bills as well as the repair of the damaged vehicle. The auto insurance can be bought by several ways.
One of the ways that was used during the past getting the cheap insurance quotes from different companies is visiting them. In this method, person who is interested in buying the automoblie insurance had to visit the insurance companies of his area. From there, he can get the desired cheap automobile insurance quotes. This method was very time consuming as well as tiring. The other method was to call up different insurance companies and get the insurance quotes form the insurance agents on the phone.
Even this method proved to be irritating to get the cheap insurance quotes as you have to hold on the phone for a very long time. Next come to the local insurance agents. Every area has a local insurance agent who can give you the idea about the cheapest insurance that any company can provide in your area. The insurance agents can be of great help in helping you to decide on the cheapest auto insurance quote. By this you can save a huge sum of money on your auto insurance policy.
Now days, the insurance companies make a deal with the automobile dealers as well as the manufacturers. This deal helps the customers as well the company. The customers can easily get the suitable cheap auto insurance quote at the time of the purchase of the vehicle only. This not only helps in saving time and money as well as the other resources of the customer as well as the company. This is because you don’t have to go from one place to another in search of the cheapest auto insurance policy.
The automobile insurance policy helps you to provide a financial coverage in the case of the accidents, theft or any damage to the vehicle. Since, it is a matter of life and property, one should carefully decide on the coverage of the insurance policy. This is because inadequate coverage will not be very helpful at the time of the crisis. The cheap auto insurance policy may not be able to provide you the complete protection.The greater coverage may demand a higher amount for premium for your auto insurance policy.
There are many companies that claim to provide the cheapest insurance. But before going for these companies, you should always check the authenticity as well as the reputation of these insurance companies. A fraud company can cause a great monetary loss.

3 Techniques to Maintain a Lower Auto Insurance Rate

Do you wince every time you open your mail from your car insurance company? I don’t blame you. Every day thousands of drivers get bad news from their insurance company. They find out they’re going to pay hundreds of dollars more for their car insurance. Don’t be one of them. Follow these 3 simple techniques to keep your rate where it belongs.
1. Take your time
If you want to keep your car insurance rate as low as possible take your time and be a safe driver. This may seem obvious but the worst thing you can do is to have an at-fault claim or a speeding ticket. And most accidents and speeding tickets happen when the driver is in a hurry.
Give yourself enough time. Stay off your phone. Don’t text. And don’t fiddle around with your GPS. Spend the extra minute. Pull over and take care of it. It could save more than a few hundred dollars on your insurance. It could save someone’s life.
2. Watch your credit.
Most insurers use a customer’s credit history or credit score when determining their premium. Research has shown that drivers with good credit or a high credit score number are responsible, cautious, and less likely to file a claim. In turn, having poor credit or a low score tells an insurance company that you are under financial stress and are more likely to take risks.
One of the worst things you can do is stop paying your insurance bill — even if you’re getting ready to switch companies. Missing a payment or letting your auto policy lapse not only puts you at risk if you have an accident, it can lower your credit score and make it more expensive to get car insurance.
3. Shop around.
The cost of car insurance can vary by hundreds of dollars or more from one company to the next for the same coverage. Every company operates differently. Some sell direct to consumers. Other companies use agents and brokers who get paid additional fees or commissions. And just as rates vary, so does the level of features and service. While a company includes emergency roadside assistance at no additional charge, others give you a bare-boned policy and little more.
Just because your insurance company gave you the best rate a few years ago doesn’t mean they’re giving you the best rate now. To be sure you’re getting the price and quality you deserve, you should secure at least three quotes from three different companies every three years.

How To Select Best AUto Insurance

Auto insurance rates can vary by hundreds of dollars or more from one company to the next — even for the same coverage limits and deductibles. But choosing a plan based on price, not standard features and quality of service, can cost you more than you’ll ever save on your premiums.
That’s why it pays to shop around. You can have someone do it for you. But who wants the extra cost of an agent, broker or who is often a representative of several companies and may not have your best interests in mind?
Do it yourself and get better coverage, service and savings. Just follow these steps.
Make sure you get an accurate quote.
If you want to compare auto insurance quotes, you need accurate information. So before you start, take a few minutes to make sure you have the following information available.
Have the following information on hand when you shop:
* Your Current Insurance Declarations Page
– By matching your current deductibles and coverage limits you can be sure you’re getting the same protection.
* Vehicle Information
– Year make model and VIN
– Annual miles and distance to work
– Value of any custom or after-market equipment
– Type of alarm or theft recovery device
* Driver Information (For each household member old enough to drive)
– Drivers name, occupation, gender, number of years licensed, and Driver’s License number.
– Any accidents or violation in the past 3 years including dates, who was at fault, if someone was injured and the claim amount.
Get more than one quote.
If you’re only getting one quote to compare with your current policy, you’re probably going to end up spending too much. There are a lot of car insurance companies out there and each one has its own way of determining rates. Multiple quotes will give you a better opportunity to make the right choice. Some website aggregates will give you an opportunity to get several quotes from a limited number of companies. But to get a better understanding of the features and service a company offers you should contact them yourself. The service you get shopping is a good indicator of what you can expect if you purchase a policy.
Check the fine print.
When shopping for car insurance you need to consider more than price. To find out what you’re getting, what’s covered and what isn’t, remember these tips.
– Get your quote in writing and confirm the accuracy of each vehicle and driver you are insuring.
– Make sure your deductibles and coverage limits match your current policy.
– Ask about special features, such as Emergency Roadside Assistance.
– Find out if there are additional membership or broker fees.
– Are repairs guaranteed for as long as you own your car?
– What kind of payment options are available?

Things to Know Before You File a Car Insurance Claim

Accidents happen every minute of every day. There were an estimated 6 million accidents last year alone. So your chances of being in an accident and having to file a claim at some point in your life are pretty good. That’s why it pays to have a reputable insurance company and a good understanding of what you need to do before you file an auto insurance claim.
Before you’re in an accident …
Find out what kind of service you can expect.
Most people don’t give their car insurance much thought. They get a quote with a few companies, pick the cheapest and expect that if they have a claim it will be handled quickly and fairly. However, poor service, repair delays and billing problems can cost more in time and frustration than any amount saved. Before you buy, consider what kind of service you can expect. A good clue is how you’re treated when you call for a quote.
Make sure you have enough liability coverage.
Liability coverage pays for other people’s costs if you cause an accident. The Insurance Information Institute recommends that you have at least $100,000 of bodily injury protection per person and $300,000 per accident. But if your net worth is more than $300,000, consider buying additional liability protection today.
Make sure you have enough money put aside for your deductible.
Choosing a higher deductible can be a smart way to save money on your car insurance. The higher your deductible, the lower your rate. Just make sure you can afford to pay your portion of the auto claim.
After an accident …
If you’re unfortunate enough to find yourself involved in an accident here’s what you need to do before you call your insurance company…
1. Call the police (911 in most areas). Report any injuries.
2. Write down the other car’s make, model, and plate number. Get the driver’s name, address, and license number…get the owners name, too. Most states require drivers to have an insurance identification card in the vehicle and it will provide most of this information.
3. Write down the names and addresses of all passengers and witnesses.
4. Get the officer’s name and badge number. Ask how you can obtain a copy of the police report for your insurance claim.
5. Do not admit to guilt, do not accept money from the other driver, and do not agree to forget about a minor accident.
6. Write down what happened: include the time of day, weather conditions, hazards, road conditions, and driving speed. Make a note of any prior damage on other cars.
Once you collect this information, contact your auto insurance company as soon as possible. Many insurance companies have 24-hour claims service by phone. So you can call your insurer right from the scene. Your insurance ID card should provide the number.