Insurance Adviser

Articles and tips covering all aspects of Insurance

Archive for April, 2008

Apr
30

Car Insurance for the Convertible

Posted under Car Auto Insurance

With the warmer weather approaching, many Brits will be considering buying a convertible so that they can live the dream of driving on the open road with the wind in their hair.

However, before getting too carried away, it is important to make sure you take the time to choose comprehensive car insurance.

This is according to a leading comparison website which indicates that to insure a typical convertible vehicle you will be paying around £32 more every year than you would to insure an average hard-top car.

The site also said that they found many people who are considering a convertible don’t consider the more practical concerns and the costs involved.

As motor cover is becoming increasingly more competitive, it is important to spend the time searching for cheap car insurance to ensure that you are getting the best deal you can.

In addition to this, the website reminded motorists not to leave valuable items in their car and to make sure that it was parked in a secure place.

Another leading comparison site have recently revealed that rising car insurance costs are causing 8 per cent of vehicle owners to use their vehicle less often in order to try and keep the costs down.

In addition to people using their cars less, figures have been released which show that the sales of second-hand electric vehicles have risen by 473.5 per cent. The highest rise of sales was in East Anglia.

Hybrid cars have also seen a boost in sales as their popularity has gone up by 71.8 per cent and used diesel car sales have gone up by four percent.

Due to the effects the economy has had recently, more and more people are concerned about the extra costs of running a car and also their capacity to purchase a vehicle.

As a result of theses worries, many seem to have resorted to purchasing more eco friendly vehicles to ensure saving money.

Another way people are trying to save money on their car is by finding cheap car insurance and this seems to be a lot simpler if you are female, as women’s car insurance is a lot less due to women being statistically safer drivers.

Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/car-insurance-for-the-convertible-398546.html

Apr
30

Auto Gap Insurance - How to Get the Best Rate

Posted under Car Auto Insurance

Auto gap insurance is a must-have if you’re leasing a car or if you’re “upside-down” in your car, meaning you owe more than it’s worth. Read on to learn what gap insurance is and how you can find a low-cost policy.

What is Gap Insurance?

Everyone knows that if you buy a new car, its value plummets as soon as you drive it off the lot. Suddenly, the car you financed for $25,000 may be worth only $20,000.

So imagine that this same car is totalled within the first year or two of owning it. “That’s OK,” you think. “I have collision coverage, which will pay me enough to pay off my car loan and get a new car.”

But then you find out the insurance company sets the value of your car at considerably less than what you still owe on the car. Now you are not only without a car, but you still have to finish paying off the finance company.

This is where gap insurance comes in to save you. A gap policy covers the difference between the value of your car and what you owe the finance company. Gap policies are often required when you lease a car and are a good idea for the first couple of years after you buy a new car.

Where Can I Get a Gap Policy?

You can probably purchase a gap policy through your auto dealership or leasing company. However, this is the most expensive option for what is usually a pretty inexpensive policy.

A better option is to check with your current insurance company to see if they can add gap insurance to your existing policy, or go to an insurance comparison website where you can get quotes from a number of different companies, compare them, then choose the cheapest rate (see link below).

Where Can I Get a Cheap Rate?

Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com or click on the following link to get auto gap insurance rate quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more tips and advice in their Articles section, and get answers to your questions from an insurance expert by using their online chat service.

Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/auto-gap-insurance-how-to-get-the-best-rate-399781.html

Apr
29

How to Get the Best Homeowners Insurance Rates From Top Companies

Posted under Home Insurance

With homeowners insurance you want full protection with a top company at an affordable price. But where do you begin to look?

A Job You Can Sit Down For

Fortunately, finding the perfect insurance policy no longer means you have to spend days on the phone or in your car calling and visiting insurance agencies. Instead, you can sit down at your computer and log on to an insurance comparison website.

These websites let you fill out a homeowners questionnaire right online and will then submit the application to multiple insurance companies. Before you know it, you’ll receive rate quotes from A-rated insurance companies. Then all you have to do is compare the quotes and choose a company. (See link below.)

What Should I Look For As I Compare Quotes?

So now you have quotes from several companies. How do you choose the best quote?

The easy answer would be to just pick the quote with the lowest price, but this may not always be the best choice. In addition to price, you need to consider several other factors:

* Does the policy use replacement cost or actual cash value when it comes time to pay a claim? Replacement cost is better, as it pays the actual cost to repair or replace your home and possessions regardless of depreciation.

* Is the policy an at-risk policy, covering all perils that aren’t specifically excluded. The cheaper alternative is a named perils policy, which only covers perils specifically named in the policy.

* Is the company financially stable? Go to AMBest.com or StandardAndPoors.com to check their financial rating.

* Check with your state department of insurance website to make sure the company is legally able to sell insurance in your state. Also check their complaint ratio to see how they treat their customers.

The Bottom Line

Your home is likely to be your biggest investment, so protect it with the best homeowners insurance you can afford.

Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com/homeowners-insurance.html or click on the following link to get the best homeowners insurance rate quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more tips and advice in their Articles section, and get answers to your questions from an insurance expert by using their online chat service.

Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/how-to-get-the-best-homeowners-insurance-rates-from-top-companies-398659.html

About the Author:
The authors, Brian Stevens and Stacey Schifferdecker, have spent 30 years in the insurance and finance industries, and have written a number of articles on getting the best homeowners insurance rates.

Apr
29

A Few Simple Tips Can Get You the Cheap Car Insurance

Posted under Car Auto Insurance

Every car’s owner hopes to find a cheapest car insurance to protect themselves and the risks. It is one of the ways to help you save some money. There are many tips for you to find cheaper rates and still get the coverage you need most. It is however, not difficult to get.

With an increasing number of people looking for cheap rates for car insurance, it remains to be seen whether it is worth buying in the first place. Car Insurance goes by other names such as vehicle insurance and motor insurance and is divided into several categories such as accidental damages, fire, theft and fully comprehensive. Its primary use is to provide protection against losses incurred.

Cheap car insurance is available to the car owners at very low rates of premium. However the premium depends upon the model of the car, security measures installed in the car. Let your agent be told if your car has a security and safety feature. Such cars are rated as highly safety-wise; so that you may qualify for discounts.

Choose a car that is suitable for a less experience driver. High performance cars are generally not suitable for teenager’s drivers. Choosing the best auto is very important to getting discount.

Shop around town, shop in towns near you and shop on the Internet. Nowadays you have the liberty to shop in many different areas to find cheap auto insurance. Compare the quotes from at least 4 or 5 insurance companies is highly recommended before you decide on your car insurance policy and get the best deal you can get.

Drivers with no points in the last three years qualify for much cheaper rates. Having cheaper rates depend a lot on your choices behind the wheel. It is important to drive safely and avoid fines in order to get cheaper rates. Try to make no claims.

Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/a-few-simple-tips-can-get-you-the-cheap-car-insurance-398509.html

About the Author:
I’m glad you have read my article I hope you found it useful. Why not check out more about Cheap Car Insurance Rate ? Please visit http://www.car-insuranceinfo.com to read more about cheap car insurance .

Apr
28

Auto Insurance: Utilizing Online Discounts

Posted under Car Auto Insurance

With oil currently at $119.00 a barrel, consumers are not only trying to meet the cost of auto insurance, but are feeling the pinch at the gas pumps. Thus, thoughtful consideration is not only being given to the type of car one buys; but the many discounts offered through well-known insurance companies.

While the economy is in recession, it has become difficult for consumers who own SUVs and other types of autos to manage not only the high cost of food prices, but gas as well. There are many auto insurance discounts that can alleviate some of the costs consumers incur. Let’s take a look at some of ways in which automobile owners can reduce auto insurance.

One of the most popular auto insurance discounts offered is a defensive driving class. This can reduce auto insurance by 5% or more, depending upon the state in which you live. Another way to lower auto insurance is to ensure that if you buy or lease a new car, that it comes with air bags, an anti-lock brake system, and an anti-theft system. In addition, since most new models have the daytime running lights, this too can afford you a lower insurance rate depending on the coverage.

According to current estimates, there has been a 38% increase in Hybrid cars sold. Check the auto insurance companies in your state to determine what discount, if any, would be applied to lower your auto insurance.

Other well-known auto insurance companies are offering a substantial discount for drivers who have not had an accident over a five year period. Again, check with your insurance company to ascertain if they offer this feature.

In addition, there are discounts for students who go to school full time, and the discount could range up to 15%. You may also wish to inquire the rules and regulations to determine if your son or daughter qualifies.

You can research many of the well-known auto insurance companies online in order to compare and contrast their rates and discounts as well. Once you have found one that meets all your needs, give them a call and set up a meeting so that you can discuss their coverage one on one.

Perhaps you already have coverage and seek to reduce the rates you are currently paying. It seems that now would be a good time to begin reducing the amount of debt while still maintaining full coverage for your vehicle. Considering how much you are probably paying to drive to and from work, it seems appropriate to either change auto insurance companies or at least find new ways in which you can alleviate the burden of paying high insurance rates.

Auto insurance is costly enough; but if you can utilize any of these discounts, the savings will add up immeasurably.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/auto-insurance-utilizing-online-discounts-397676.html

About the Author:
Craig Thornburrow is an acknowledged expert in his field. You can get more free advice on auto insurance and auto insurance companies at http://www.autoinsurancepeople.com

Apr
28

Capita Launches Cover for Muslims

Posted under General Insurance

A new insurance business which is tailored to fit Islamic beliefs is being launches by outsourcing giant Capita, best known for managing London’s congestion charge and collecting the BBC television license fee.

Capita will work with British Islamic Insurance to launch this initiative in April. The partnership will initially sell car and cheap home insurance followed by investments. Life insurance, savings and ethical finance products are being added later in 2008.

Capita will run the back office side of the business, selling policies and processing claims. Over the next 8 years the deal is expected to be worth £87 million to Capita.

Typical UK insurance products are not in line with Islamic beliefs as “riba”, or interest, is forbidden in the Koran, although progressive Muslims tend to view this as extortionate interest. Devout Muslims are also put off by the elements of gambling and uncertainty insurance products involve as you are betting on whether you think your property will be safe or not.

Chief executive of British Islamic Insurance Holdings, Bradley Brandon-Cross, said: “The Muslim faith states that, because of various product features, conventional UK insurance options are in conflict with Islam and this creates a dilemma for British Muslims. We are planning to create a British insurer that operates in a way that removes this dilemma and creates an exciting new sector in the British insurance market.”

This is a corner of the market previously untargeted by insurers and if Capita manages to get it right it could be very lucrative. Insurance is a practical purchase, designed to cover you against theft, accidental damage, loss and sometimes ever natural disasters and it often pays to have this cover.

Capita’s new insurance product is going to comply with ‘Takaful’ principles. This is an Islamic insurance concept which has been seen for more than 1400 years being practised in many forms. Its origins are from the Arabic work Kafalah which is loosely translated as guaranteeing each other or a joint guarantee. Takaful is a form of mutual insurance, based on responsibility and co-operation. Policyholders co-operate among themselves, each will pay a subscription, meaning any uncertainties are eliminates, losses are divided and the liability is spread across the community of policyholders.

Capita began trading in the financial markets in 2000, initially offering general insurance and then more so in the life and pensions side of the market. Insurance has provided Capita with some of its biggest contract wins, for example in the past year it began a £722 million agreement with Prudential for the administration of 7 million mature life and pensions policies. This has since seen 1,750 Prudential UK staff move to Capita and 1,250 Bombay staff have also joined Capita.

The company has also been appointed to run the back office in Norwich of Marsh in early 2008, a US based insurance broker, this deal is expected to be worth £200 million to the company across the next decade.

Pre-tax profits have risen for Capita in 2007 by 19% to £238.4 million on turnover up 10% to £2.07 billion. Capita also said it has excellent visibility on its 2009 and 2010 earnings having already got 2008’s £2.3 billion secured.

Capita’s chief executive, Paul Pindar believes that any economic downturn would be a good thing for Capita, because other companies would be looking to outsource their back office work.

Capita is also beginning to take on other companies’ sales and front office operations. It run customer contact centres for DSG, formerly Dixons and eircom, an Irish telecoms operator.

Capita has said its dividend will increase by 33%, this is in line with a five-year average of 32% increase. The company has also proposed to return to 25p per share through a different, special dividend.

Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/capita-launches-cover-for-muslims-397583.html

Apr
26

Think About Theses When Considering Your Travel Insurance

Posted under Travel Insurance

You may have spent a long time to save money for your vacation. You can now plan ahead to go to your dream destination. However, you may wonder whether you will need to purchase travel insurance. In fact, it is quite essential to plan the insurance as well when you are planing for your vacation.

Of course you may have already thought of travel insurance before you travel. Yet you need to read carefully about what will be covered. In some cases, the policy may not cover problems that may caused by some pre-existing conditions. In some other cases, the policy may not cover both illness and injury at the same time. You may also so check for the emergency aid in your policy.

As a matter of fact, there will be policies for virtually any kind of trip. However, it will be your own choice regarding the amounts of coverage. You should also bear in mind that your policy will only cover all the conditions stated. Anything beyond that will probably not be covered.

Usually, your policy will cover thing like cancellation of trips and loss of baggage. On the other hand, it will also cover medical and dental expenses. What is more important is that it will cover death in accidents. If necessary, you can also get a policy which cover other things such as damage of vehicles. You have to check and compare before you make the final decision because there are just too many possibilities.

One of thing you will certainly ask is the premiums. Normally, the premiums will be calculated based on the cost of your trip. In most cases it will be something like five percent of it. However, this is only a general reference for you. The exact amount you have to pay will depend on issues like your age and the conditions to be covered, as well as your medical history.

Some people will purchase the travel insurance form the travel agent since it is more convenient. However, it is unwise to do so. A better option is the buy them from an insurance company. The main reason is that you will probably have fewer choices if you buy it from the travel agent. They will not be able provide you with policies which suit your personal situation.

Besides, the staff in the travel agent are not trained to provide you professional advices on the issue of insurance. On the contrary, you should expect people from the insurance companies will be more knowledgeable for the issue. As a result, it will be a lot better for you to purchase your travel insurance from an insurance company.

Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/think-about-theses-when-considering-your-travel-insurance-395641.html

Apr
26

Get Cheap Laptop Insurance and Other Laptop Insurance Now

Posted under General Insurance

Laptops are easily stolen. Even how much the owner tries to protect his valuable IT equipment; the thief has always one over him. Laptops are today’s most popular piece of equipment that thieves are eyeing on. They are handy and some are really costly. Thieves don’t have to point a gun at you for your laptop. It is enough that just by a second you focus your attention to other things around you and voil

Apr
25

Car Insurance: Adjusting Your Policy Increases the Cost

Posted under Car Auto Insurance

We all know life throws up certain things that make us change and car insurance is no different. If our circumstances change and we need more protection then we might turn to our providers to alter our policies ever so slightly. Unfortunately, altering policies is costing the British public around £300 million a year.

Nearly 14 million people, which accounts for 60% of drivers, had to make amendments to their car insurance during their contract. Altering a policy normally carries a charge and these charges resulted in customers being charged a total £333 million. The smallest change in circumstance needs to verified with your provider or you risk nullifying your insurance.

Searching for young driver car insurance can be hard enough on a tight budget and added costs are the last thing you want to incur after just passing your driving test. The cost of cancelling a policy is around £38, making an adjustment such as an address change is £17 and for simply getting a duplicate document is £12. These charges can quickly mount up and can be extremely frustrating for customers. There have been court hearings and appeals about the fees and whether they should be allowed so this may be a thing of the past but for now it is something customers are going to have to deal with.

The research threw up some interesting facts with some insurers not charging for certain adjustments and brings up the question; if some insurers do not charge anything, why do certain providers insist on doing so? These hidden costs need to be taken into account when looking for the best deal, Ford car insurance is a good bet and have some great deals available for all kinds of drivers.

Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/car-insurance-adjusting-your-policy-increases-the-cost-396122.html

About the Author:
An experienced advisor in the financial sector, dealing with customers throughout Europe.

Apr
25

How to Understand Life Insurance

Posted under Life Insurance

Life insurance is an important part of any family especially if you have many financial obligations. Some people might not like to think about life insurance for the obvious reasons, but please remember that with the right coverage you can insure that your family will be taken care of if anything should ever happen to you.

Thousands of people around the world neglect to purchase life insurance creating a very strenuous situation for their loved ones. One of the most important aspects of Life insurance is that in case of your death, your family will receive a steady stream of income so that they will be able to maintain their current standard of living. Losing a loved one is hard enough so there is no reason why they should also struggle financially. The good news is that you have the power to prevent this from ever happening.

If you are in doubt and don’t know how much insurance to purchase do not worry because we can help. The primary idea is to provide your family with what they will need to help them overcome any financial obligation presented by your death. To achieve this goal the common guideline is five to ten times an annual salary, but this is nothing more than very general numbers. What you should be aiming for is income replacement. Even if you already have life insurance it never hurts to make sure that your current plan provides sufficient coverage especially if your family has grown over the years. You might even find it sensible to purchase additional life insurance to provide more income to your family.

All you have to do is choose the level of coverage you require and if something might happen to you there will be a lump sum available to help your family when they need it most. With the right life insurance plan you can guarantee that your family won’t have to worry about unpaid bills, taxes, funeral costs and other financial obligations after you have parted.

Life insurance will provide you with a reassurance that in case of any unfortunate occurrence, finances will be one less thing your family will have to worry about. So don’t wait any longer, give your family and loved ones a gift that makes a difference. Act now and rest assured that if anything should ever happen your loved ones will be taken care of.

Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/how-to-understand-life-insurance-395498.html