Tag Archives: Shopping

New Ways To Save More Money When Shopping Auto Insurance

New Ways To Save More Money When Shopping Auto Insurance

Auto insurance can seem so overwhelming. There can be so much to consider and to choose from. This article can help to demystify the subject and to help you find your way in the world of auto insurance. Once you know more about auto insurance, you will find that it is mostly, common sense.

Discounts on auto insurance coverage are sometimes offered for low mileage drivers. If you only drive a few miles each day to get to work, or if you take public transportation, you will likely qualify for a low mileage discount on your policy. Be sure to ask your agent before you finalize your auto insurance plan.

Before buying a car, take into consideration the cost of the insurance policy for the type of car or cars you are looking at. Generally, the more expensive the car is, the higher the insurance cost will be. Take into account the insurance cost before purchasing the car you have chosen.

In order to save money on car insurance, it is critical that you understand what level of insurance you need. If you are driving an older car, it might not be worth paying for comprehensive or collision coverage. The most your insurance company will pay for damage to the car is its current resale value. Find the current resale value of your car and check it against how much you could save over two or three years by switching to the minimum liability insurance. You could find that simply switching your coverage from collision to liability will save you hundreds of dollars!

It’s important, if you’re looking to get the most out of your auto insurance dollars, to continue to evaluate whether you’re paying too much in terms of the number of drivers you need to cover. For example, if you’re still carrying auto insurance for your children who are grown and in college who don’t use your car, then take them off the policy and your rates will go down nicely.

As long as your auto insurance is in accordance with state law, you should not have to purchase a more comprehensive package. This is a great way to save money. If you are a safe driver in a relatively safe area, you can drop certain features like collision coverage and end up saving a bundle of money.

If you want to get affordable rates on auto insurance one of the best things that you can do is to buy insurance from the internet. This is because most companies offer reduced rates for online applications because the process is automated. You can get reductions that range from 5 to 10 percent.

When trying to get the most affordable auto insurance policy possible, you should consider only having one car in your household. If you or your spouse works from home, then you both only really need one car. By doing this, you could potentially save yourselves hundreds of dollars per month.

As was stated before, auto insurance doesn’t have to be an overwhelming subject. By heeding the advice and the knowledge contained in this article, you can make informed decisions about auto insurance. Auto insurance is not only mandatory, it can be a life saver on that fateful day, if an accident does occur.

Instant Homeowner Insurance Quote – Shopping Online Is Easy

Instant Homeowner Insurance Quote – Shopping Online Is Easy

The online insurance shoppers have some distinct advantages. They don’t need an appointment. They don’t need to be on the telephone. They just need to be prepared. If you are planning to shop online then you need to have some basic information at your disposal. The first time buyer needs to have some basic information. The best resource for that information would be an appraisal. The home appraisal has most of the information necessary to give you an adequate quote. The market value of the home along with the square footage are the two most important criteria used to determine the amount of insurance needed. The market value and age will dictate the type of policy to purchase. The renewal declarations page is a valuable source of information for the comparison shopper.

Actual Cash Value – Actual cash value is one way the insurance companies settle losses. This method will calculate the actual replacement cost at the time of loss and subtract any depreciation because of age or use. You will generally see actual cash value policies written on older homes. Many of your older homes have a market value much less than the cost to rebuild. The older Victorian homes built in the early 1900’s are a good example.

Replacement Cost – This method is used for newer homes or homes under construction. Replacement cost claim settlements use materials of like kind and quality when repairing or rebuilding the structure and there is no allowance for depreciation.

The correct square footage is very important because the online insurance calculators determine the actual cost to rebuild your home based on your square footage calculation. Air conditioning and fireplaces are upgrades that increase the replacement cost value of your home. Finished basements and outdoor decking also add to the calculation.

Discounts are given for smoke detectors, dead bolt locks and fire extinguisher. There are even larger discounts for burglar and fire alarms that transmit directly to the police station and fire department. Be prepared with this information and your online shopping will be so much easier. View our recommended insurers for more detailed information.

Shopping For Home Owner’s Insurance? Follow These Basic Steps! (3)

Shopping For Home Owner’s Insurance? Follow These Basic Steps!

Most of us never really think something like a burglary can happen to us, but over a million homes are burglarized every year. If your valuables are stolen or if your property is damaged, a solid home insurance policy can see that you are compensated. Make sure you read these tips to find out how you can get the best insurance.

When signing up for home insurance, shop around. Insurance costs up to one-fifth of your income, so you shouldn’t take it lightly. Don’t go with the first company you contact – they’ll still have the same offer on the table if you go back to them tomorrow or the day after.

Can you imagine having to rebuild your home only to find out that your insurance won’t cover the full costs? A way to avoid this is to get guaranteed replacement cost coverage which ensures that whatever the cost is, your house will be returned to it’s former glory. There is no limit to the replacement costs you can claim.

Always select guaranteed replacement value home insurance. This type of insurance policy ensures that your home will be rebuilt, no matter what the cost, in the event of a disaster. This is important as the cost of building a new home tends to increase yearly. Without a guaranteed replacement value policy, if disaster does strike your insurance company may not provide you with enough money to rebuild your home.

If you live in an area prone to hurricanes, or even if you don’t, it’s unlikely your basic home owner’s insurance actually covers the damage that comes from the storms. If there is any risk of a hurricane heading your way, ensure that you get the coverage you need, just in case. Remember – NO private insurance company provides flood insurance, even if you’re covered for a hurricane.

Place a card with the price of the item and date that you purchased it next to the item you’re photographing or videotaping for your homeowner’s insurance. If you have a copy of the receipt, that is an excellent help to a claim. So keep those receipts with the video for safe keeping.

To save money on your homeowners insurance, you should pay off the mortgage as soon as possible. Most companies will consider you a smaller risk when there is no debt against a property and you will take better care of the property. Look into how much faster you can pay the loan off, by refinancing at 15 years instead of 30.

To lower your home insurance rates, add new safety features to your home. Home insurance companies often have discounts available based off of safety features like door and fire alarm systems. If you have recently upgraded your home with these features, be sure to call your insurance company to alert them and check on potential discounts.

Taking out the best possible home insurance policy is just smart on your part, whether you rent or own your home. No one can predict when something bad will happen. And although you can prepare for the worst, there is often no way to stop it from happening. It’s best if you’re protected, though, and the tips you just read, can help you find the right protection.

Tips You Should Know When Shopping For Life Insurance (2)

Tips You Should Know When Shopping For Life Insurance

Life insurance is more important that you will ever know. You may think it is a waste of money while you are young, but that may be when your spouse and children will need it most. This article can help you decide which kind of life insurance you need and how much to get.

Don’t put off buying a life insurance policy. The older you are when you purchase the policy, the higher your premiums will be, even for the same amount of coverage. Also, if you are young and healthy, you won’t have any trouble getting approved for coverage, which might be a problem as you grow older.

If you are considering buying life insurance, be sure to check with your employer before going to your insurance agent. Your employer may be able to give you a better rate on life insurance due to having made a deal with the life insurance company to insure a large number of people. You may be able to get life insurance for yourself and your family members at very attractive rates.

Pay your life insurance as soon as the bill comes in. If you miss a payment or stop them altogether, your policy will be cancelled. It can be difficult to find a new one, and you may wind up paying significantly more than you were before, particularly if any of your life circumstances have changed.

To save money on your life insurance policy, improve your risk class by getting in shape. Something as simple as losing weight, reducing your blood pressure and cholesterol, or quitting smoking can save you a significant amount of money. Be sure to take a medical exam as well before you apply for life insurance to insure you are not surprised by extra fees.

You should understand the difference between term life insurance and permanent life insurance, such as whole life insurance. For the most part, people do not need any more then a term life insurance, but they let a sales representative talk them into buying a whole life insurance. So make sure that you know the difference and know what your real need is.

Before you choose a life insurance, you should establish a financial plan. You have to make sure you will be able to afford your monthly payments. Just in case you cannot make your payments for a month or two, you should ask your insurance company about what kind of emergency measures they will take to help you.

If you already have life insurance, ask yourself if it is still adapted to your needs. The policy you selected years ago reflected your concerns at that time, but your situation has probably changed. For instance, you could choose to stop paying for life insurance if your children are old enough to take care of themselves.

As previously stated, life insurance is more important than you will ever know. It is not a waste of money, but a wise investment in your family’s security. By taking the advice of the above article, you can properly plan for your spouse and children to make sure they are covered at a time when they need it most.

Shop ‘Till you Drop: Shopping for Health Insurance

Shop ‘Till you Drop: Shopping for Health Insurance

Shopping for health insurance can be a frustrating hassle. There are so many companies with so many rates to compare. However, it is important to take your time and find the best company for your money. Although it may be frustrating, health insurance is a necessity. In any area, there are usually quite a few health care providers that can supply you with a quote over the phone. You could also use the Internet as a resource. By using these tools, you can make the shopping process go more smoothly.

The first step is going to be deciding which type of insurance you should be shopping for. If you have a family, it would be in your best interest to find a company that will give you one decided premium and co-payment plan no matter how many children you add to the plan at any time. Without a family, you would be shopping for individual health insurance but will need to decide if you are in need of short-term insurance or insurance for an extended period. Short-term insurance is for people who are in-between jobs and expect to enroll in whichever health insurance plan their future employer sponsors.

Once you have established what type of insurance you need, it is time to make some calls. Go through your local phone book and start calling down the line. After answering a few simple questions, you can get a quote and move on to the next company. Cost is one of the most important factors. If you find two or more of them with very similar premiums and a low co-payment amount, you should compare the benefits. Can you add immediate family at no charge? Will this health insurance include dental, emergencies, prescriptions, or doctor visits? This may help you find one that appeals more to your needs and is within your budget. Using the services of the Internet to find a company will be a very similar process. Some reputable web sites out there will ask you to fill in a few blanks and then give unbiased quotes from many different health insurance companies.

Whether you are going to be doing your shopping over the phone or on the Internet, you should use your best judgment of the information that you get on each company to decide on one that makes you comfortable. The Better Business Bureau can also help you be sure that you are not being scammed. Health insurance is a cost that is necessary to save you money in the long run on prescriptions, doctor visits, and unforeseen emergencies. Don’t get left with bills that you have no way of paying because you didn’t have insurance.

Buying life insurance: A Shopping Checklist

Buying life insurance: A Shopping Checklist

When shopping for term life insurance, you want to find the right amount of insurance coverage at a reasonable price with a company you can trust. But for many people, getting started is the hardest part. That’s where the following Life Insurance Checklist can help.

1. What you would like your policy to achieve?
Ask yourself what it is you want your life insurance to do. For example, do you want to have insurance coverage that will:

• Pay funeral arrangements?
• Pay the outstanding balance owing on a mortgage and other debts?
• Offset the loss of your income? And if so, for how long?
• Contribute to the future education of your children?
• A combination of all or part of the above?

Knowing what you would like to accomplish with your life insurance policy and approximately how much you need to achieve these goals will help you determine how much life insurance you should consider purchasing. Online life insurance calculators are available to help you put a dollar value on the amount of coverage you need.

2. Who would you like to insure under the life insurance policy?
Most insurance companies offer a variety of life insurance products to suit your lifestyle and family needs. You can get an insurance policy on your own life, or you can get one policy for both you and your spouse (called a joint life insurance policy). The most common joint life policy provides coverage when the first partner dies, leaving the life insurance benefit to the surviving spouse.

3. How long will you need life insurance?
Consulting a psychic isn’t necessary, although it does require that you estimate the timing of your life insurance needs. For example:

• When will your mortgage be paid off? The amortization period of your mortgage will often determine how long your term life insurance policy should be.
• When will your children be finished school? One day they’ll finish their education and having enough life insurance coverage to pay their educational expenses won’t be necessary.
• When are you planning to retire? You will have less income to replace at that time.

Knowing how long you’ll need life insurance coverage before you begin shopping will ensure you’re comfortable with the life insurance product you end up purchasing. Online tools are available to help you figure out which term for your life insurance policy is most recommended for people with similar lifestyles.

So now that you’ve got the how much, who and how long questions answered, you’re ready to shop.

1. Compare life insurance quotes from multiple companies:
It pays to shop around because life insurance rates can vary considerably depending on the product you choose, your age, and the amount of coverage you request. This is the easy part, because with the Internet you can compare life insurance quotes easily, online, anytime.

2. Which life insurance rate has been quoted – standard or preferred?
There are two basic life insurance rate groups you should know about when shopping for life insurance coverage: standard rates and preferred. Standard life insurance rates are the rates the majority of Canadians qualify for, while about one third of the population is eligible for preferred rates.

Preferred life insurance rates are typically offered to very healthy people and means you may pay a smaller premium than most. Usually preferred rates are offered only once the results of the medical information and tests are known. It will depend on your blood pressure, cholesterol levels, height, weight, and family health history. But preferred rates are worth it. They could save you up to 30-35% off your quoted premium.

When comparing prices, make sure you’re comparing ‘standard to standard’ or ‘preferred to preferred’ life insurance rates. If you’re not sure, ask the broker. It would be disappointing to find out you were quoted preferred rates at the beginning, only to find out you don’t qualify for them later.

3. Review the life insurance broker’s availability:
How easily can you get a hold of the broker? What are their hours of operation? Whether it is through their website or telephone, the life insurance broker should be easily accessible to you should you ever have questions or need to speak to them about a change in your life insurance needs. Look for toll-free numbers and extended hours of service as guides.

4. Review the medical information required to obtain the policy:
Typically the more medical information you provide, the better the price. For a policy that asks few or no medical questions, you can bet the premium is higher for the same coverage then a plan asking for more information. Depending on the company, your age, and the amount of coverage you want, you could be asked to provide blood and urine samples. To obtain the samples, a nurse will visit at not cost to you.

5. Consider a life insurer’s financial stability and strength:
A company’s financial stability is something to consider if you are planning on making a long-term purchase like life insurance. There are organizations out there, like A.M. Best, that evaluate insurers and provide a rating on their stability and strength.

6. Ask about renewal options and requirements:
Once the initial premium is set, it is usually guaranteed for the length of the policy (often 10 or 20 years). But what happens when the policy expires? Most policies are renewable until you are 70 or 75 so don’t forget to ask your broker if you will have to take a medical to renew your policy. While your premiums will be higher on renewal, find out if they will also be guaranteed to remain level for the second term of the policy.

7. Confirm the policy can be cancelled without penalty:
Most term life insurance policies can be cancelled at any time without penalty. Make sure to check with your broker to see if the life insurance company has any unusual cancellation policies.

8. Consider the conversion options and restrictions for the policy:
As your life changes so do your life insurance needs and you may want the option to convert your coverage some day.

To convert a term life insurance policy means to transfer all, or part of, the death benefit of the policy into a permanent life policy without a medical. For example, say you originally bought a term policy to protect a mortgage and child. Once the mortgage is paid and the child grown, you might find it desirable to convert the policy into one that will give you a new level premium for the rest of your life, and a death benefit that is guaranteed not to expire as you age.

When you purchase your life insurance policy, find out if there are any limitations on your age at the time of conversion. In most cases, you have the option of converting up until you are 60 or 65. As well, ensure you are given several options of the type of policies you can move into, the more the better.

Final tip – choose a life insurance broker you trust:
While it doesn’t necessarily impact the type of policy you choose to purchase, a rapport with your broker is critical in feeling comfortable with the life insurance policy you buy and the information you’ve received.