Showing posts with label Policy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Policy. Show all posts

Sunday, March 18, 2007

Specific type of car insurance policy coverages

by RGann

It is important for you to understand what coverages are
involved when you get a car insurance policy. Each of these
details covers different areas. If you do look for a car
insurance policy, it is good to make sure you get it in any
combination you want, but make sure to get it from the same
company; to avoid any complications later, when and where as
claims are involved.

The type of car insurance policy coverages are:

Liability to Bodily Injuries

This type of car insurance is a basic requirement in most, if
not all, areas and countries. Liability to bodily injuries
provide coverage in other people's bodily injuries or death for
which you are responsible. It also provides for a legal defense
if another party in the accident files a lawsuit against you.
Claims for bodily injury may be for such things as medical
bills, loss of income or pain and suffering. In the event of a
serious accident, you want enough insurance to cover a judgment
against you in a lawsuit, without jeopardizing your personal
assets. Bodily injury liability covers injury to people, not
your vehicle. Therefore, it's good idea to have the same level
of coverage for all of your cars. Bodily Injury Liability does
NOT cover you or other people on your policy. Coverage is
limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.

Normally the country or state limits are usually low; in fact
too low, to protect you sufficiently. Purchasing higher bodily
liability car insurance would not increase your premium too
much. So if you can consider getting a higher and better
coverage. There is no deductible.

Liability to Property Damages

This type of car insurance covers damages to someone esle's
property. May it be the other party's car or other vehicles
involved in the accident, but it also covers other type of
property such as buildings or public properties ( such as lamp
posts, barriers etc). It also pays for legal costs. It also
covers you personally, members of your family and those you gave
permission to drive your car.

Check with your local car insurance company for the basic
requirements. There is no deductible.

Collision Insurance

Car Insurance coverage for collision covers damages to your car
when your car hits, or is hit by, another vehicle, or other
object. It pays to fix your vehicle less the deductible you
choose. To keep your premiums low, select as large a deductible
as you feel comfortable paying out of pocket. For older cars,
consider dropping this coverage, since coverage is normally
limited to the cash value of your car. Coverage is limited to
the terms and conditions contained in the policy.

Collision insurance carries a deductible, and the maximum you
can collect for repair costs is limited to the value of your car
proir to the accident minus the deductible. This coverage is
optional. so it is wise to consider carefully whether you need
it or not. Weigh the vaule of your car against the premium ypu
have to pay to cover it.The cost of the collision car insurance
is determined by the value of your car, or how much it would
cost you to make a replacement if it were totaled in an
accident. Add the deductibles to cost of the collision insurance
for the car. If it exceeds the market value of the care,
collsion insurance is a waste of your money because you will be
paying out more than you can ever collect if you have an
accident that totals your car. If the deductible and collision
insurance combined are less than the value of your car, then
collision insurance makes sense. As the age of your car
increases, the cost to replace it goes down, so before renewing
your policy every year, make a assessment whether or not it
makes sense to keep the collision insurance.

Comprehensive Insurance



Comprehensive Insurance Coverage Covers your vehicle, and
sometimes other vehicles you maybe driving for losses resulting
from incidents other than collision. For example, comprehensive
insurance covers damage to your car if it is stolen; or damaged
by flood, fire, or animals, falling objects, explosions,
earthquakes, riots and civil commotions or even if your car is
overturned during a natural disaster. It pays to fix your
vehicle less the deductible you choose. To keep your premiums
low, select as high a deductible as you feel comfortable paying
out of pocket. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions
contained in the policy.

Compressive coverage is normally not compulsory in most
countries. How much you carry is up to you and should never
insure your car for more than its actual cash or market value.
Damages not associated with accidents can still be rather
expensive, and so it is advantageous to include comprehensive
car insurance coverage on your car insurance policy.

Medical Expenses Insurance

Medical Expenses Insurance covers medical expenses to you and
your passengers injured in an accident. There may also be
coverage if as a pedestrian a vehicle injures you. Coverage is
limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy. It
pays the medical bills, disability,lost in wages, even the costs
for furnetal. It Does NOT matter who is at fault, and covers
you, your family members and passengers in you car.



Coverage for Uninsured Motorists

This coverage pays for injuries to you and your passengers in
you car if you are involved in an accident, and that party does
not have insurance. You will be covered if you got clobbered by
a hit-and-run driver.Normal this type of car insurance coverage
is mandatory. Uninsured motorist's coverage increases the payout
to make sure you get the protection you need.

About the author:
RGann is an independent writer and marketer online. Ther are
more ways to save money on car insurance. If you found this
article useful you can learn a lot more about car insurance tips
and resources by visiting http://at-car-insurance.com

Saturday, March 10, 2007

What Does a Car Insurance Policy Covers?

by RGann

Liability to bodily injuries Liability to property damages
Collision Insurance Comprehensive Insurance Medical Expenses
Insurance Coverage for uninsured motorists

It is important for you to understand what all these do for you
when you get a car insurance policy. Each of these details
covers different areas. Normally they are lumped together in a
car insurance policy. But you can always separate them. If you
do look for a car insurance policy, it is good to make sure you
get it in any combination you want, but make sure to get it from
the same company; to avoid any complications later, when and
where as claims are involved.

In general car insurance falls in two categories. Namely,
property coverage for damages to your car, and liability
coverage to others' vehicles and properties involved. They type
and level of liability car insurance you have to be insured is
subjected to regulations imposed by the area authority you are
in. Requirements varies from areas you

are in, but it always wise to insure more that the minimum
required, so as to protect you sufficiently.

To get the best deal on the car insurance you will need you
should get familiar with all the options available in the

coverage. Determine your local authority's requirements, and
then specifies what is needed for you. Decide on the type of

deductibles you need and the premiums you are willing to pay.
Check with the car insurance company or the agent you approached
for

discounts you may have or entitled due to your good driving
record (sometime termed as "no claim bonused"). Go about asking
for quotes

from differennt car insurance companies and talk to as many
agents as possible.

Rgann is an independent writer and marketer online. Ther are
more ways to save money on car insurance. If you found this
article useful you can learn a lot more about car insurance tips
and resources by visiting http://at-car-insurance.com

About the author:
Rgann is an independent writer and marketer online. Ther are
more ways to save money on car insurance. If you found this
article useful you can learn a lot more about car insurance tips
and resources by visiting http://at-car-insurance.com

Auto Insurance Policy, Coverage and Cost Disparities--What You Must Know Before Buying!

by Mike Boerner, in4m8ion.com

Auto Insurance Policy, Coverage and Cost Disparities--What You
Must Know Before Buying!

By Mike Boerner



There can be vast differences among auto insurance quotes and
auto insurance policies currently offered in the marketplace.
Use of your favorite search engine with the terms "auto" and
"insurance" quickly provides a plethora of coverages, coverage
levels, rates, options, payment terms, insurance companies, and
geographic availability, just for starters. With virtually
limitless choices, how does one select a suitable policy?



First, remember what you are buying: risk coverage, pure and
simple. You want this coverage to pay for any damages, bodily
injury, medical care, or loss of life, for which you are found
liable. Sounds pretty serious, doesn't it? It is. Not only is it
important to insure against the full range of risks under which
you will operate your vehicle, it is of the utmost importance
that you be indemnified (protected) against those risks by a
company with the resources to do so. While those resources
include the obvious financial ones, they also include customer
service, and good will within the industry. An insurance company
customer service function that is efficient, conscientious, and
courteous can prevent a lot of distasteful complications.
Similarly, good insurance company relations within the
fraternity of auto insurers may greatly facilitate handling of
your claim, or the claim of the damaged party. Basically, a
lawsuit avoided is a win for all concerned parties. With risk
coverage established as the primary consideration, all others,
including cost, take a back seat. Nevertheless, no matter what
selection process you utilize, keep in mind the following
factors:



1. Buy only the insurance coverage you need, and cannot
self-insure. If you're driving a $2500 vehicle, and Collision
coverage (which covers the cost of repairing YOUR car) costs
$3000 per year, it should be obvious that you can self-insure
total loss of your vehicle, and do so at a profit. It should
also be obvious that any automobile in motion, regardless of
cost, is capable of inflicting approximately the same amount of
property damage, bodily injury, or death, and that these
Liability coverages are necessities for all but the super-rich
and the penniless. Many other coverage options allow you to
customize your policy based on your aversion to specific risks
and the premiums quoted to relieve you of those risks. Among the
many factors that influence the amount of your premium, the
coverage deductible, which you specify, offers the greatest
opportunity for overall premium savings. These savings aren't
free, of course, as you are assuming the risk of covering the
cost of the deductible should a mishap come your way, in
exchange for a lowered premium.



2. Buy only from a reputable insurance company. These companies:
- are generally corporations of, and hold corporate assets in,
your country of residence, and are subject to local and national
laws and court decisions; - are registered with your state
insurance commission (website URLs can be found at
http://www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm) - are licensed to do
business in your state; - compare favorably against their peers
in the A.M. Best (http://www.ambest.com) Ratings for qualities
such as: - financial stability; - customer service; and, -
claims handling.



3. Get the best price you can for the coverage you need. While
this sounds like an endless process, it is self-limiting when
restricted to obtaining an auto insurance quote from reputable
insurance companies. Three auto insurance quotes should suffice,
but get as many as you need to exhaust a given level of
insurance company quality: if there are six top-rated firms, get
six quotes, for the same coverage needs, in order to ease your
selection. Since no two companies have the same customers,
workforce, or business base, no two companies have the same
experience (profit and loss) base, and therefore, no two
companies will have the same cost history on which to predicate
(future) premiums. Although companies must compete with their
peers in the marketplace, a number of considerations (such as
whether a company made a profit or incurred a loss, consumed or
accumulated reserves, or added or lost policyholders)
necessitate obtaining multiple rate quotes. While many people
have reported substantial savings purchasing auto insurance
online, it is critical that you purchase your insurance from a
reputable insurance company. Remember, you're buying risk
coverage here. Don't buy without checking the rating of your
intended risk coverage partner.



4. Don't invalidate your coverage by being less than completely
candid during the application process. The quote an insurance
company gives you is based on rating a number of factors
concerning you and your driving habits. This includes your
driving record; number of tickets; age; sex; marital status;
location; daily and yearly mileage; vehicle use (business or
pleasure); make, model, year, engine/hp; number of operators;
number of vehicles, etc. Your driving record is public
information readily available to your insurance company. You
provide most, if not all, of the other rating factors. Doing so
with less than complete candor is almost certainly not in your
best interest. Most reputable insurance companies validate the
information you provide. Those that don't are not what you want
in terms of a risk partner. Among the options available to
companies that have unknowingly issued policies based on
falsified information are correcting (raising) your rates or
cancelling your policy, upon discovery of falsified information.
Once again, remember that you're buying risk coverage here. You
don't want to find out that your risk coverage partner has
dropped you because of falsified application information AFTER
you've had an accident or are involved in a lawsuit. This
situation may be a rarity, but if you were the insurance
company, and were being sued for millions in damages caused by a
policyholder who materially mis-stated the factual basis on
which your risk coverage contract was based, how hard would you
try to invalidate the policy? Enough said.



5. Consider limited field of membership, and group affiliated
policies. Due to the narrow slice of the risk pie that such
policies cater to, rates may be substantially better than those
available to the general public. Since this type of policy
focuses on the lowest risk groups, it invariably raises rates
for all other motorists, since the low-risk policyholders are
removed from the general risk pool. If you fall into the field
of membership for any of these policies or companies, be sure to
compare their costs with your other quotes. Companies offering
highly advantageous policies for preferred risk drivers include
USAA (for US military members, retirees, spouses, veterans, and
their children); GEICO (for government employees); and most
major insurers in association with many fraternal and
professional organizations.



6. Investigate "bundling" your insurance coverage needs. Some
insurers offer discounts, favorable payment plans, or improved
coverage for such things as multiple vehicles, multiple drivers,
homeowners insurance, renters insurance, and life insurance
policies purchased by the same policy holder. Get quotes.



7. Take advantage of all of your positive policy rating factors.
These merit reduced rates for: High-Credit-Rating Applicants;
Good Students; Anti-Theft Car Alarms; Anti-Skid Braking Systems;
LoJack or similar systems; Electronic Stability Protection;
Multiple Vehicles; Multiple Drivers; and, Safe Driver Discounts,
for example.



Time to Shop



With the foregoing factors in mind, you are now ready to
quote-shop, via the internet. Www.insurance.com, or similar
sites, are excellent starting points to obtain multiple quotes
or more detailed information concerning policies and coverages
over the internet. Companies such as Geico, Allstate, Hartford,
State Farm, Progressive, Liberty Mutual, USAA, INA, Nationwide,
Travelers, and most other large companies maintain an online
internet presence, with quote capability. The advantage of using
a multiple quote site is that the application information, which
is as extensive as necessary for an accurate quote, need only be
completed once, vastly reducing the time required to get the
quote process started. Once you've got some baseline quotes,
you'll find the company-specific sites very easy to navigate,
especially if you've printed out the input data you used to get
your multiple quotes. Remember, you're looking for
"apples-to-apples" quote comparisons from reputable, well-rated
insurers. Using the internet, you'll avoid the ubiquitous
automated call menus; being placed on terminal hold while
waiting to speak to an agent; driving half way across town to
get rates then repeating the process until you're either
satisfied or exhausted. It's so much easier to identify the
reputable, highly-rated insurers; mouse-click your way to one or
two multiple-quote sites; fill in the input data, keeping a copy
for later use; compare cost, features and qualities of the top
insurers; and, make your selection.



A Final Warning!



We cautioned earlier concerning the absolute necessity of
dealing with an insurance company that is reputable and
well-rated among its peers. While the internet offers the
possibility of substantially reducing your premium costs, it
also brings into your field of view unscrupulous insurers that
pay few claims, use stalling tactics, or worse, while offering
coverage at premiums well below most of the quotes you obtain.
Living through one claim with one of these insurers will
convince you of the wisdom of buying from a reputable,
highly-rated insurer, despite any advertised savings from lesser
companies. Unrealized savings, coupled with unpaid claims,
relieve you of your premium dollars and leave you basically
self-insured, at risk for whatever damages the insurer avoids,
escapes, or evades. You'll find it far better to reduce your
premium through the many other means mentioned here, than to
stint on the quality of the company you pick to assume your
risk. As the headline above advises, all auto insurance policies
and companies are not created equal. Having thus far tried to
hammer the concept home, one last repetition seems in order: buy
from a reputable, highly-rated insurer, reducing your premiums
through the many means presented herein, and sleep soundly,
knowing your risk-partner's got your back!



Mike Boerner has served aerospace, finance, automotive, and
government clients for over 28 years as a business process
consultant and freelance writer on both professional and
personal issues, offering information, advice, and decision
support. This article may be freely used so long as the by-line
and the writer's resource box in which this notice appears is an
integral part.

To explore other articles of interest, please visit the site at
http://in4m8ion.com



About the author:
Mike Boerner has served aerospace, finance, automotive, and
government clients for over 28 years as a business process
consultant and freelance writer on both professional and
personal issues, offering information, advice, and decision
support. See http://in4m8ion.com for more articles/categories.