Monday, November 24, 2008
Auto Insurance Quotes Online
Actually, vehicle insurance also known as auto insurance, car insurance, or motor insurance is insurance purchased for cars, trucks and other vehicles. It is definitely easy to get an auto insurance quote without even providing your name. Auto theft and fraud do increases the annual cost of auto insurance. In america, auto insurance covering liability for injuries and property damage done to others is compulsory in most states, though enforcement of these requirement varies by state.
However, penalties for not purchasing auto insurance vary by state but often involve a substantial fine, license or registration suspension or revocation, as well as possible jail time. There are a lot of companies out there offering auto insurance. The newest generation of drivers often find that auto insurance is very expensive for them. If you have had accidents, tickets or past problems that does not mean you are left with no options for auto insurance.
You can get an auto insurance quote or car insurance quotes and a fast online insurance policy on the internet. Basically, car insurance is designed to help financially cover potential auto related damages, loss or injuries. Infact, cars that are driven less often, in less risky ways and at less risky times of day can receive large discounts. It is an offence to drive a car, or allow others to drive it, without at least third party insurance while on the public highway or public places but no such legislation applies on private land.
As a bigger excess reduces the financial risk carried by your insurer, your insurer is able to offer you a significantly lower premium. Our teenage drivers who have no driving record will have higher car insurance premiums. Most owners of sports cars, other sport utility vehicles and motorcycles would have higher insurance premiums as opposed to compact cars or luxury cars. Some car insurance plans do not really differentiate in regard to how much the car is used.
As such several car insurance plans rely on a reasonable estimation of the average annual distance expected to be driven which is provided by the insured. This benefits drivers who drive their cars infrequently but has no actuarial value since it is unverified. Indeed, some states require that motorists carry liability insurance coverage in order to ensure that its drivers can cover the cost of damages to people or property in the event of an automobile accident.
It is easy and quick to get a free car insurance quote online. You could be saving even more by getting a free online car insurance quote. While a car may not exactly be an investment in conventional terms, there is often a lot of money tied up in it. Generally, from paying your insurance bill to reporting and tracking a claim, you will have continuous secured access to your policy information. All excess payment, also known as a deductible, is the fixed contribution you must pay each time your car is repaired through your car insurance policy.
If your car is declared to be a write off, the insurance company will deduct the excess agreed on the policy from the settlement payment it makes to you. Liability insurance sometimes does not protect the policy holder if they operate any vehicles other than their own. Nevertheless, the online policy application is available round the clock, which allows you to get an automobile insurance rate quote when it is convenient for you.
There are many different coverages available to you as part of your car insurance quote. You could find the best, most affordable auto insurance by going online, input your zip code into the quote box and get best quotes from insurance companies available in your location. You are free to get online quotes without any obligation to buy.
Finally, there are a lot of companies out there online offering auto insurance. While teen auto insurance will always have a higher premium, it does not mean there are not deals to be found. Business owners who lease or buy vehicles for their employees may find out that auto insurance is a good chunk of their costs. Search online for quotes and get the best deal. You could even save more more money by getting a free car insurance quote online.
However, penalties for not purchasing auto insurance vary by state but often involve a substantial fine, license or registration suspension or revocation, as well as possible jail time. There are a lot of companies out there offering auto insurance. The newest generation of drivers often find that auto insurance is very expensive for them. If you have had accidents, tickets or past problems that does not mean you are left with no options for auto insurance.
You can get an auto insurance quote or car insurance quotes and a fast online insurance policy on the internet. Basically, car insurance is designed to help financially cover potential auto related damages, loss or injuries. Infact, cars that are driven less often, in less risky ways and at less risky times of day can receive large discounts. It is an offence to drive a car, or allow others to drive it, without at least third party insurance while on the public highway or public places but no such legislation applies on private land.
As a bigger excess reduces the financial risk carried by your insurer, your insurer is able to offer you a significantly lower premium. Our teenage drivers who have no driving record will have higher car insurance premiums. Most owners of sports cars, other sport utility vehicles and motorcycles would have higher insurance premiums as opposed to compact cars or luxury cars. Some car insurance plans do not really differentiate in regard to how much the car is used.
As such several car insurance plans rely on a reasonable estimation of the average annual distance expected to be driven which is provided by the insured. This benefits drivers who drive their cars infrequently but has no actuarial value since it is unverified. Indeed, some states require that motorists carry liability insurance coverage in order to ensure that its drivers can cover the cost of damages to people or property in the event of an automobile accident.
It is easy and quick to get a free car insurance quote online. You could be saving even more by getting a free online car insurance quote. While a car may not exactly be an investment in conventional terms, there is often a lot of money tied up in it. Generally, from paying your insurance bill to reporting and tracking a claim, you will have continuous secured access to your policy information. All excess payment, also known as a deductible, is the fixed contribution you must pay each time your car is repaired through your car insurance policy.
If your car is declared to be a write off, the insurance company will deduct the excess agreed on the policy from the settlement payment it makes to you. Liability insurance sometimes does not protect the policy holder if they operate any vehicles other than their own. Nevertheless, the online policy application is available round the clock, which allows you to get an automobile insurance rate quote when it is convenient for you.
There are many different coverages available to you as part of your car insurance quote. You could find the best, most affordable auto insurance by going online, input your zip code into the quote box and get best quotes from insurance companies available in your location. You are free to get online quotes without any obligation to buy.
Finally, there are a lot of companies out there online offering auto insurance. While teen auto insurance will always have a higher premium, it does not mean there are not deals to be found. Business owners who lease or buy vehicles for their employees may find out that auto insurance is a good chunk of their costs. Search online for quotes and get the best deal. You could even save more more money by getting a free car insurance quote online.
Car Insurance When Renting a Vehicle
When you rent a vehicle you will be surprised by the amount of taxes
and fees that you will pay on top of the rental cost. As you are checking out, you will be asked whether or not you want an insurance policy
on your rental vehicle.
This question may throw you if you are not prepared for it, because the rental agency agents are quite good at making it sound like you need the coverage to save yourself thousands of dollars in the event of a crash. Do you need this coverage, or is it simply an additional cost to put more money in the rental agency 's pocket?
What Is Covered
Answering this question begins with understanding what is covered by the policy. This will vary from rental company to rental company, but there are usually some similarities to these insurance policies. There are four basic types of coverage: loss damage waiver, liability insurance, personal accident insurance, and personal effects coverage.
Loss damage waiver covers your liability for damage to the vehicle if it is in a collision. This is not actually an insurance product, because it does not pay for the damage. Instead, it takes the liability for the damage off of you, as the renter, even if you caused the crash. The rental company 's insurance will cover the damage to the vehicle. Some exclusions apply to the waiver, such as accidents caused by off-roading, drunk driving, or speeding. This waiver will also usually protect you from being charged for the loss of use that the rental company suffers while making repairs to the vehicle.
Rental cars automatically come with some liability insurance, because the state law will require it. However, the protection is minimal. Because most drivers need more liability coverage than what comes with the vehicle, rental agencies offer liability insurance.
If you or your passengers are injured in a crash while driving the vehicle, your medical care could be covered under personal accident insurance. This is fairly affordable to add to your policy. However, you likely do not need it if you have health insurance.
Personal effects coverage, the final type of coverage, will pay for any theft of the things you are transporting in the rental car. Keep in mind that your homeowner 's or renter 's insurance policy probably already covers the theft of personal belongings, even while traveling.
Do You Need Insurance When Renting a Car
Before you sign up for the car rental company 's insurance policy, make sure you really need it. Some of the insurance products you already own may cover the same things that these insurance products will cover. Before you head out for your trip, call your insurance agent and find out what type of coverage you have when renting a vehicle. If you have collision and comprehensive coverage, you are probably already covered for a rental. However, if you only have liability coverage, you may want to consider purchasing the loss damage waiver when renting a car. When you call your insurance agent, find out if loss of use, towing, and administrative charges are covered if you were to wreck the rental.
Another place to look for existing coverage is with your credit card company. Many credit card companies that offer rewards programs automatically insure the rental cars rented with that card. This coverage is usually only for the rental vehicle itself, not for the people in it or the other vehicles on the road. However, this coverage combined with your existing liability policy and health insurance plan may be all that you need.
If after checking these two sources you do not feel that you have adequate coverage, then consider purchasing the insurance. While a crash is not that likely to occur while you are driving a rental car, it could, and not having enough insurance will end up costing you a pretty penny.
and fees that you will pay on top of the rental cost. As you are checking out, you will be asked whether or not you want an insurance policy
on your rental vehicle.
This question may throw you if you are not prepared for it, because the rental agency agents are quite good at making it sound like you need the coverage to save yourself thousands of dollars in the event of a crash. Do you need this coverage, or is it simply an additional cost to put more money in the rental agency 's pocket?
What Is Covered
Answering this question begins with understanding what is covered by the policy. This will vary from rental company to rental company, but there are usually some similarities to these insurance policies. There are four basic types of coverage: loss damage waiver, liability insurance, personal accident insurance, and personal effects coverage.
Loss damage waiver covers your liability for damage to the vehicle if it is in a collision. This is not actually an insurance product, because it does not pay for the damage. Instead, it takes the liability for the damage off of you, as the renter, even if you caused the crash. The rental company 's insurance will cover the damage to the vehicle. Some exclusions apply to the waiver, such as accidents caused by off-roading, drunk driving, or speeding. This waiver will also usually protect you from being charged for the loss of use that the rental company suffers while making repairs to the vehicle.
Rental cars automatically come with some liability insurance, because the state law will require it. However, the protection is minimal. Because most drivers need more liability coverage than what comes with the vehicle, rental agencies offer liability insurance.
If you or your passengers are injured in a crash while driving the vehicle, your medical care could be covered under personal accident insurance. This is fairly affordable to add to your policy. However, you likely do not need it if you have health insurance.
Personal effects coverage, the final type of coverage, will pay for any theft of the things you are transporting in the rental car. Keep in mind that your homeowner 's or renter 's insurance policy probably already covers the theft of personal belongings, even while traveling.
Do You Need Insurance When Renting a Car
Before you sign up for the car rental company 's insurance policy, make sure you really need it. Some of the insurance products you already own may cover the same things that these insurance products will cover. Before you head out for your trip, call your insurance agent and find out what type of coverage you have when renting a vehicle. If you have collision and comprehensive coverage, you are probably already covered for a rental. However, if you only have liability coverage, you may want to consider purchasing the loss damage waiver when renting a car. When you call your insurance agent, find out if loss of use, towing, and administrative charges are covered if you were to wreck the rental.
Another place to look for existing coverage is with your credit card company. Many credit card companies that offer rewards programs automatically insure the rental cars rented with that card. This coverage is usually only for the rental vehicle itself, not for the people in it or the other vehicles on the road. However, this coverage combined with your existing liability policy and health insurance plan may be all that you need.
If after checking these two sources you do not feel that you have adequate coverage, then consider purchasing the insurance. While a crash is not that likely to occur while you are driving a rental car, it could, and not having enough insurance will end up costing you a pretty penny.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Top 5 ways to save on car insurance
Car insurance is a type of cover that can be quite costly depending on your needs and circumstances, but this is a type of cover that is a legal requirement for drivers in the UK so no matter what the expense you have to get this cover if you wish to take your vehicle on the road. It is important to remember that there are ways and means of lowering your insurance premiums on car cover, however, so with a little thought and research you could save yourself a small fortune.
Below are some of the top ways in which you can save money on the cost of insurance cover:
1. Don't go for the first quote. Never assume that the first quote you get is going to be representative of all other quotes, as the cost of cover can vary widely from one provider to another. Make sure that you get at least three quotes from different providers before you make any decision – don’t feel tempted to rush into taking cover with the first insurance company that sends you details.
2. Remember that price comparison sites may not cover all providers. Many people have started to use price comparison sites to find their insurance cover, but you should bear in mind that these sites only cover a portion of the market and not all providers are on their databases. You should therefore be mindful that there may be a cheaper and more suitable policy available that is not on the price comparison site, so it may be worth checking individual providers to get your price down further.
3. Go for the most appropriate level of cover. If you have a new or expensive vehicle then you should opt for the top level of cover, which is fully comp. However, if you have an old car that has a low value then you can get away with taking out a lower level of cover, which will enable you to keep the cost of cover down whilst still fulfilling the legal requirement of having insurance.
4. Increase your excess. The amount of excess that you choose on your policy will make a difference to your premiums. If you choose to have a higher level of excess on your policy you can knock down your premiums significantly in some cases – just make sure that you do have enough money put aside to cover the excess in case you do need to make a claim.
5. Take the pass plus test if you have recently passed. New and younger drivers often find the cost of cover crippling. However, you can save a considerable amount on the cost of cover if you take the advances pass plus test after passing your standard test, with some insurers offering up to 35% off if you have passed this advanced course.
Below are some of the top ways in which you can save money on the cost of insurance cover:
1. Don't go for the first quote. Never assume that the first quote you get is going to be representative of all other quotes, as the cost of cover can vary widely from one provider to another. Make sure that you get at least three quotes from different providers before you make any decision – don’t feel tempted to rush into taking cover with the first insurance company that sends you details.
2. Remember that price comparison sites may not cover all providers. Many people have started to use price comparison sites to find their insurance cover, but you should bear in mind that these sites only cover a portion of the market and not all providers are on their databases. You should therefore be mindful that there may be a cheaper and more suitable policy available that is not on the price comparison site, so it may be worth checking individual providers to get your price down further.
3. Go for the most appropriate level of cover. If you have a new or expensive vehicle then you should opt for the top level of cover, which is fully comp. However, if you have an old car that has a low value then you can get away with taking out a lower level of cover, which will enable you to keep the cost of cover down whilst still fulfilling the legal requirement of having insurance.
4. Increase your excess. The amount of excess that you choose on your policy will make a difference to your premiums. If you choose to have a higher level of excess on your policy you can knock down your premiums significantly in some cases – just make sure that you do have enough money put aside to cover the excess in case you do need to make a claim.
5. Take the pass plus test if you have recently passed. New and younger drivers often find the cost of cover crippling. However, you can save a considerable amount on the cost of cover if you take the advances pass plus test after passing your standard test, with some insurers offering up to 35% off if you have passed this advanced course.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
How To Secure Cheap Car Insurance
There is definitely a need to have a new car insurance if you have just acquired a new vehicle. A car insurance is somehow more of a protection if ever the vehicle would be involved in several troubles in the future.
At the same time, you also should strive to find and secure a cheap car insurance policy. As you all know, paying premiums for new auto insurance policies is the usual source of problems regarding the car insurance industry nowadays. Many policy holders are finding it hard to cover for the costs of the new auto insurance they subscribe to.
It has always been a challenge to find and secure a cheap car insurance nowadays. The market is saturated with numerous firms providing financial protection, but alas, not too many are offering comprehensive programs at very reasonable costs.
However, experts give hope to car buyers and policy seekers by assuring that given proper procedure and initiatives, the effort to secure cheap car insurance is not impossible.
Here are some of the most practical tips any car buyer could observe.
1.You could secure a cheap car insurance by getting into a multi-policy with your current provider. For sure, you have a coverage for your health, your home or your life policy.
In your quest to find and buy cheap car insurance, always remember that you could realize a great and significant amount of discounts if you would buy a new policy from the same provider that provides you with your other policies.
It would be more advisable if you would inquire about any new car insurance offerings from your trusted firm as soon as possible.
2. Do a comparison shopping when finding for a cheap car insurance. As mentioned, there are numerous companies and policies available in the market.
By getting quotes from four or more policy providers, you could easily compare prices and premiums and at the same time determine which program offers the most reasonable, practical and comprehensive coverage according to your needs.
3. To be able to secure cheap car insurance in the future, it would be advisable if you would maintain a clean and good driving history. Do not speed drive or do any traffic or driving violation.
If you do, be aware that all your over speeding records are accumulated and compiled are being held as a reference to look at when evaluating your application for a cheap car insurance policy.
4. Solicit and consider recommendations and suggestions from peers and experts. You can always ask friends and other people who are more familiar to such services about any recommendations regarding the search and purchase of cheap car insurance.
5. As you finally buy a new policy, always intend to keep your responsibility. Aim to finalize and finish the buying transaction for the cheap auto insurance program. As always, as you buy a policy for your new car, be vigilant and extra careful in your choices and decisions.
At the same time, you also should strive to find and secure a cheap car insurance policy. As you all know, paying premiums for new auto insurance policies is the usual source of problems regarding the car insurance industry nowadays. Many policy holders are finding it hard to cover for the costs of the new auto insurance they subscribe to.
It has always been a challenge to find and secure a cheap car insurance nowadays. The market is saturated with numerous firms providing financial protection, but alas, not too many are offering comprehensive programs at very reasonable costs.
However, experts give hope to car buyers and policy seekers by assuring that given proper procedure and initiatives, the effort to secure cheap car insurance is not impossible.
Here are some of the most practical tips any car buyer could observe.
1.You could secure a cheap car insurance by getting into a multi-policy with your current provider. For sure, you have a coverage for your health, your home or your life policy.
In your quest to find and buy cheap car insurance, always remember that you could realize a great and significant amount of discounts if you would buy a new policy from the same provider that provides you with your other policies.
It would be more advisable if you would inquire about any new car insurance offerings from your trusted firm as soon as possible.
2. Do a comparison shopping when finding for a cheap car insurance. As mentioned, there are numerous companies and policies available in the market.
By getting quotes from four or more policy providers, you could easily compare prices and premiums and at the same time determine which program offers the most reasonable, practical and comprehensive coverage according to your needs.
3. To be able to secure cheap car insurance in the future, it would be advisable if you would maintain a clean and good driving history. Do not speed drive or do any traffic or driving violation.
If you do, be aware that all your over speeding records are accumulated and compiled are being held as a reference to look at when evaluating your application for a cheap car insurance policy.
4. Solicit and consider recommendations and suggestions from peers and experts. You can always ask friends and other people who are more familiar to such services about any recommendations regarding the search and purchase of cheap car insurance.
5. As you finally buy a new policy, always intend to keep your responsibility. Aim to finalize and finish the buying transaction for the cheap auto insurance program. As always, as you buy a policy for your new car, be vigilant and extra careful in your choices and decisions.
The Fine Print on Long-Term Care Insurance
"If I would have known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself!" That funny line isn't so funny when you're facing a health crisis without the funds to deal with it. Health care costs go up as we age but fortunately we now have some financial tools to help. Now we can make those golden years more comfortable; both physically and financially. Here's one vehicle... Long-term care insurance (LTCI). But don't hop on this insurance product until you really understand what you're getting into. Like any insurance policy, we learn how well it works when we really need it. Here are some of the fine-print considerations to examine if you are looking at any form of long-term care insurance (LTCI).
Long-term care is often considered an issue exclusively for elders. Not so. A person who requires continuous care because they are unable to independently perform basic daily living activities such as dressing, bathing, or eating due to an injury, illness or in some cases, cognitive disorders may be a long-term care candidate. Being able to afford long-term care is something that concerns many of us. One way to deal with the unpredictability of long-term care costs may be long-term care insurance (LTCI).
Hopefully you'll live a long and prosperous life and health or money issues won't cloud your golden years. But, if you want to be prepared, consider how to make long-term care insurance work to your advantage. Don't count on Medicaid. It does cover a bit of your long-term care expenses but you've got to be dang near death or flat broke or a combination of the two to qualify. Then there's your friendly neighborhood HMOs, Medicare, and Medigap but guess what. Right. They don't help much either.
Here are three things you can do to get over your anxiety about this whole not-so-fun question of "How long will I live and can I afford it if I do?"
1. Eat your dang vegetables! Your mother was right. They are good for you and they keep you healthy. In other words, get with a fitness plan, clean up your diet, kick the smokes, and see if you can't add a few more healthy years to your life before long-term care insurance becomes a really big issue.
2. Make a ton of money. Yeah, yeah, yeah, your mother told you to start saving early. If you did as mama advised and got yourself some of that thar financial plannin' stuff then yer in dang good shape. If not, it's never too late to start with some basic planning and investing.
3. Buy some long-term care insurance. Nobody likes paying those insurance premiums but the right kind of long-term care insurance could make a huge difference when the going gets tough.
Eat your veggies, make some money, and buy some long-term care insurance. The first two are relatively easy; the last one has a few complexities to be aware of. Get with an agent you trust. Get a referral from someone in the legal or financial fields. Here is some of the even finer print to watch for when it gets down to the nitty gritty of policy comparison:
1. Elimination Complication... Or, in the insurance industry words, Elimination Period: This is the period of time before your insurance policy will actually begin paying out benefits. They typical options range from 20 to 100 days. This is also referred to as a waiting period. Make sure and ask your agent to clarify what your elimination period is and have him explain the cost/benefit considerations of making it longer or shorter.
2. Time Crunch... Or, as the insurance lingo goes, Duration of Benefits: The ceiling or limits placed on the benefits a policy holder will receive. This may be limits such as a set amount of money or a time limit of two years, etc. Again, it's important to compare these benefits to other financial capabilities and resources available to you.
3. Daily Bread... Or, as the insurance industry feeds it to you: Daily Benefit: This is the amount of coverage you choose as your benefit on a daily basis. This usually ranges from about $50 to as much as $350 each day. Also keep in mind the cost of living in your neighborhood. Health care in a small town in Wisconsin may be less costly than downtown San Diego. Your agent should be able to give you some guidance on this.
4. Easy Rider... Or as our insurance friends call it, Optional Inflation Rider: The term used to describe the method of protection against inflation.
5. Done-Got-That-Bug Before Or, affectionately known as Pre-existing Conditions and we-aint-gonna-cover-your-tail-for-that-one-for-a-while rule. The insurance provider will require a waiting period (in some cases 6 or months or more) before full coverage goes into effect on treatment for pre-existing conditions. This will vary from company to company.
6. Home on the Range... Or, our insurance folks refer to this as Range of Care: In other words, coverage may vary for different levels of care. Some care may be at a skilled level, intermediate level, or a custodial level. The facility will also have a range-of-care definition that the insurance agent should thoroughly explain. The nursing home is one price. The assisted living facility is another. And of course, the home care is still another price. Maybe a little complicated but this each of these services has different costs and various levels of service. Therefore they all have their own unique price tag. Ask for clarification on this.
7. Jacking Premiums... Or, also known as Premium Increases: Your policy will have terms in it that explain if, how, and when your premiums will increase. Reality check here. There is rarely an "if" but almost certainly a "when." Of course your costs will go up, just make sure you know how much and if you have any options when they do. Can you reduce the type of coverage you have if your premiums increase or are you locked in? Ask your agent.
8. To Know me is to Renew me... Or more commonly referred to as: Guaranteed Renewability: This is a policy agreement in long-term care insurance policies that allows you to renew it and maintain coverage even though you may have had changes in your health.
9. Amazing Grace Period... Or in less poetic terms, Grace Period for Late Payment: If you slip up and you're a little late on your payment, this is how much time the company will allow before they do something nasty like cancel your policy. It is wise that you don't put your grace period to the test. They may not always have the same warped sense of humor that certain article writers do.
10. No Debate Rebate... This is a fun one for a change, Return of Premium: This is the little clause that says you may get some of your money back if you haven't used your policy for a certain number of years. Remember, we did say "may get some of your money back."
11. Bed Pan Ally... Better known as Prior Hospitalization: This is the tiny little clause that indicates whether or not you must stay in a hospital before you qualify for long-term care insurance benefits.
It's obvious there's a lot to know about long-term care insurance so do your homework early. Make sure and check with a financial planner, attorney or accountant to get some guidance on this complicated topic. Not everyone needs or qualifies for long-term care insurance so ask a lot of questions and don't forget to eat your dang vegetables!
Long-term care is often considered an issue exclusively for elders. Not so. A person who requires continuous care because they are unable to independently perform basic daily living activities such as dressing, bathing, or eating due to an injury, illness or in some cases, cognitive disorders may be a long-term care candidate. Being able to afford long-term care is something that concerns many of us. One way to deal with the unpredictability of long-term care costs may be long-term care insurance (LTCI).
Hopefully you'll live a long and prosperous life and health or money issues won't cloud your golden years. But, if you want to be prepared, consider how to make long-term care insurance work to your advantage. Don't count on Medicaid. It does cover a bit of your long-term care expenses but you've got to be dang near death or flat broke or a combination of the two to qualify. Then there's your friendly neighborhood HMOs, Medicare, and Medigap but guess what. Right. They don't help much either.
Here are three things you can do to get over your anxiety about this whole not-so-fun question of "How long will I live and can I afford it if I do?"
1. Eat your dang vegetables! Your mother was right. They are good for you and they keep you healthy. In other words, get with a fitness plan, clean up your diet, kick the smokes, and see if you can't add a few more healthy years to your life before long-term care insurance becomes a really big issue.
2. Make a ton of money. Yeah, yeah, yeah, your mother told you to start saving early. If you did as mama advised and got yourself some of that thar financial plannin' stuff then yer in dang good shape. If not, it's never too late to start with some basic planning and investing.
3. Buy some long-term care insurance. Nobody likes paying those insurance premiums but the right kind of long-term care insurance could make a huge difference when the going gets tough.
Eat your veggies, make some money, and buy some long-term care insurance. The first two are relatively easy; the last one has a few complexities to be aware of. Get with an agent you trust. Get a referral from someone in the legal or financial fields. Here is some of the even finer print to watch for when it gets down to the nitty gritty of policy comparison:
1. Elimination Complication... Or, in the insurance industry words, Elimination Period: This is the period of time before your insurance policy will actually begin paying out benefits. They typical options range from 20 to 100 days. This is also referred to as a waiting period. Make sure and ask your agent to clarify what your elimination period is and have him explain the cost/benefit considerations of making it longer or shorter.
2. Time Crunch... Or, as the insurance lingo goes, Duration of Benefits: The ceiling or limits placed on the benefits a policy holder will receive. This may be limits such as a set amount of money or a time limit of two years, etc. Again, it's important to compare these benefits to other financial capabilities and resources available to you.
3. Daily Bread... Or, as the insurance industry feeds it to you: Daily Benefit: This is the amount of coverage you choose as your benefit on a daily basis. This usually ranges from about $50 to as much as $350 each day. Also keep in mind the cost of living in your neighborhood. Health care in a small town in Wisconsin may be less costly than downtown San Diego. Your agent should be able to give you some guidance on this.
4. Easy Rider... Or as our insurance friends call it, Optional Inflation Rider: The term used to describe the method of protection against inflation.
5. Done-Got-That-Bug Before Or, affectionately known as Pre-existing Conditions and we-aint-gonna-cover-your-tail-for-that-one-for-a-while rule. The insurance provider will require a waiting period (in some cases 6 or months or more) before full coverage goes into effect on treatment for pre-existing conditions. This will vary from company to company.
6. Home on the Range... Or, our insurance folks refer to this as Range of Care: In other words, coverage may vary for different levels of care. Some care may be at a skilled level, intermediate level, or a custodial level. The facility will also have a range-of-care definition that the insurance agent should thoroughly explain. The nursing home is one price. The assisted living facility is another. And of course, the home care is still another price. Maybe a little complicated but this each of these services has different costs and various levels of service. Therefore they all have their own unique price tag. Ask for clarification on this.
7. Jacking Premiums... Or, also known as Premium Increases: Your policy will have terms in it that explain if, how, and when your premiums will increase. Reality check here. There is rarely an "if" but almost certainly a "when." Of course your costs will go up, just make sure you know how much and if you have any options when they do. Can you reduce the type of coverage you have if your premiums increase or are you locked in? Ask your agent.
8. To Know me is to Renew me... Or more commonly referred to as: Guaranteed Renewability: This is a policy agreement in long-term care insurance policies that allows you to renew it and maintain coverage even though you may have had changes in your health.
9. Amazing Grace Period... Or in less poetic terms, Grace Period for Late Payment: If you slip up and you're a little late on your payment, this is how much time the company will allow before they do something nasty like cancel your policy. It is wise that you don't put your grace period to the test. They may not always have the same warped sense of humor that certain article writers do.
10. No Debate Rebate... This is a fun one for a change, Return of Premium: This is the little clause that says you may get some of your money back if you haven't used your policy for a certain number of years. Remember, we did say "may get some of your money back."
11. Bed Pan Ally... Better known as Prior Hospitalization: This is the tiny little clause that indicates whether or not you must stay in a hospital before you qualify for long-term care insurance benefits.
It's obvious there's a lot to know about long-term care insurance so do your homework early. Make sure and check with a financial planner, attorney or accountant to get some guidance on this complicated topic. Not everyone needs or qualifies for long-term care insurance so ask a lot of questions and don't forget to eat your dang vegetables!
Top 5 ways to save on car insurance
Car insurance is a type of cover that can be quite costly depending on your needs and circumstances, but this is a type of cover that is a legal requirement for drivers in the UK so no matter what the expense you have to get this cover if you wish to take your vehicle on the road. It is important to remember that there are ways and means of lowering your insurance premiums on car cover, however, so with a little thought and research you could save yourself a small fortune.
Below are some of the top ways in which you can save money on the cost of insurance cover:
1. Don't go for the first quote. Never assume that the first quote you get is going to be representative of all other quotes, as the cost of cover can vary widely from one provider to another. Make sure that you get at least three quotes from different providers before you make any decision – don’t feel tempted to rush into taking cover with the first insurance company that sends you details.
2. Remember that price comparison sites may not cover all providers. Many people have started to use price comparison sites to find their insurance cover, but you should bear in mind that these sites only cover a portion of the market and not all providers are on their databases. You should therefore be mindful that there may be a cheaper and more suitable policy available that is not on the price comparison site, so it may be worth checking individual providers to get your price down further.
3. Go for the most appropriate level of cover. If you have a new or expensive vehicle then you should opt for the top level of cover, which is fully comp. However, if you have an old car that has a low value then you can get away with taking out a lower level of cover, which will enable you to keep the cost of cover down whilst still fulfilling the legal requirement of having insurance.
4. Increase your excess. The amount of excess that you choose on your policy will make a difference to your premiums. If you choose to have a higher level of excess on your policy you can knock down your premiums significantly in some cases – just make sure that you do have enough money put aside to cover the excess in case you do need to make a claim.
5. Take the pass plus test if you have recently passed. New and younger drivers often find the cost of cover crippling. However, you can save a considerable amount on the cost of cover if you take the advances pass plus test after passing your standard test, with some insurers offering up to 35% off if you have passed this advanced course.
Below are some of the top ways in which you can save money on the cost of insurance cover:
1. Don't go for the first quote. Never assume that the first quote you get is going to be representative of all other quotes, as the cost of cover can vary widely from one provider to another. Make sure that you get at least three quotes from different providers before you make any decision – don’t feel tempted to rush into taking cover with the first insurance company that sends you details.
2. Remember that price comparison sites may not cover all providers. Many people have started to use price comparison sites to find their insurance cover, but you should bear in mind that these sites only cover a portion of the market and not all providers are on their databases. You should therefore be mindful that there may be a cheaper and more suitable policy available that is not on the price comparison site, so it may be worth checking individual providers to get your price down further.
3. Go for the most appropriate level of cover. If you have a new or expensive vehicle then you should opt for the top level of cover, which is fully comp. However, if you have an old car that has a low value then you can get away with taking out a lower level of cover, which will enable you to keep the cost of cover down whilst still fulfilling the legal requirement of having insurance.
4. Increase your excess. The amount of excess that you choose on your policy will make a difference to your premiums. If you choose to have a higher level of excess on your policy you can knock down your premiums significantly in some cases – just make sure that you do have enough money put aside to cover the excess in case you do need to make a claim.
5. Take the pass plus test if you have recently passed. New and younger drivers often find the cost of cover crippling. However, you can save a considerable amount on the cost of cover if you take the advances pass plus test after passing your standard test, with some insurers offering up to 35% off if you have passed this advanced course.
