Archive for May, 2009

5 Easy Ways to Save Money on Car Insurance for Your Motorcycle

By Anthony Peck

There’’s nothing like the feel of the wind in your hair and the pavement beneath your tires when you”re cruising down the highway on your motorcycle. Summer’’s right around the corner, and more and more people are getting back to nature (and cutting their gas expenses!) by hitting the highways on the back of their bikes. You never want to be caught on the road without a good insurance policy for your bike, however! Here are five easy ways to save money on car insurance for your motorcycle:

1) Keep your driving record clean. The need for speed can have claws when you”re out on the open highway, but that doesn”t mean you have to listen to it! Keeping your driving record clean for at least five years will immediately qualify you for a good driver discount on your car insurance and cut the cost of insuring your motorcycle dramatically.
2) Shop around! Almost every car insurance company in the United States offers motorcycle insurance as a part of its repertoire, and much like snowflakes no two car insurance companies are ever exactly the same. You”ll be amazed at how much you can save just by doing a little shopping. (And if you decide to shop for car insurance online you can save hours by using a quote service that works with companies all over the country and will provide multiple quotes with a single request.)
3) Take a motorcycle safety course through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. It’’s the biker’’s equivalent of driver’’s ed-the DMV assumes if you”ve managed to pass the class you know what you”re doing when you”re behind the wheel.
4) Make sure your bike comes equipped with safety features. If you can save your car insurance provider money by minimizing the chances that you”ll be involved in an accident in the first place they”re likely to return the favor by shaving some money off your premiums.
5) Scope out your discount options. You”ll be amazed at what will save you money when you”re heading down the highway! (See table below for a list of common motorcycle insurance discounts.)

It’’s not hard to save money on car insurance for your motorcycle if you can resist signing on the dotted line with the first cute little insurance policy to bat its discount savings your way. Do your homework and it won”t be long before you”re cruising down the highway with the wind in your hair and the peace of mind that comes from known you”re ready for whatever the road wants to throw your way.

**Common car insurance discounts for your motorcycle include:

1. Your age.
2. Your driving history.
3. The make and model of your bike.
4. The safety features of your bike.
5. Your bike’’s security features.
6. Your credit score.
7. Your job.
8. The levels of insurance you need.
9. The deductible you”re able to pay.

About The Author

Anthony M. Peck is the Senior Developer, Software Project Manager, and Director of Business Development for QuoteScout.com, specializing in matching consumers with the best rate on their car insurance. For more information, please visit them on the web at http://www.QuoteScout.com.

Comparing all Types of Insurance

By Graham McKenzie

Insurance is a confusing business. Odd terminology, fine print and high pressure tactics may keep you from really researching and comparing your options. While quick insurance shopping may get you a policy, it probably wont get you the right insurance policy.

There are many types of insurance out there and countless policies offered for each insurance type. Educating yourself about how the insurance system works should be your first step before choosing a policy.

It may surprise you to know that 65% of South Africans have no auto insurance at all. When we take the incidents of accidents and road injuries, this shocks us.

Auto cover comes in three forms. Third party is the minimum coverage and protects you if you injure someone or damage someone elses property in an auto accident. Third Party Fire and Theft includes cover provided under Third Party and adds protection for damage caused by fire, theft or attempted theft. Comprehensive coverage adds to this by providing protection for your vehicle in an accident that is your fault.

To ensure that you aren”t paying too much for expensive auto insurance, be sure to compare prices and quotes. To reduce your costs, try negotiating with the insurance companies for a lower rate. Also, think about asking for higher excesses, as well as increasing security measures to further reduce your premiums.

Term life insurance is the least expensive option and provides cover for a specified amount of time or can be linked to specific debt obligations. Term life is beneficial for families that may have a large amount of debt that will be paid off by the end of the policys term.

Whole life insurance is permanent insurance that remains in effect as long as the premiums are up to date. The policy does not need to be renewed and the premiums remain the same throughout the life of the policy. It provides your beneficiaries a lump sum at your death regardless of when that occurs.

Universal life insurance cover is structured the same way as whole life in that it is permanent insurance with level premiums. In addition, it adds provides financial products such as a savings plan, investments and the ability to add a person to the policy. It is the most expensive life insurance option due to its flexibility.

Your life changes and it is always beneficial to check on the current status of your life insurance to make sure it is still meeting your needs.

Your options for homeowners insurance have expanded thanks to the National Credit Act. Previously, borrowers had to purchase their cover from the bank that financed their loan. Now, you can shop and choose the cover that fits your needs and budget. Youll be required to cede the policy to your lender so that your policy can pay your bank directly.

When shopping for insurance, remember the old adage that the cheapest policy isn”t always the best. For example, a bicycle costs less than a car but it will not serve the same transportation needs. Hence, you need to find an affordable insurance policy that meets your particular coverage concerns.

About The Author

Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator for http://www.carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica’’s leading car insurance portal.

Stop Overpaying for Car Insurance - Tips That Can Save You Hundreds!

By Nick Vernon

Insuring a car before it is driven on the road is mandatory in most countries, especially in the US. The purpose of taking up insurance on a car is to protect the driver, owner and other occupants of the car in case of an accident. Getting insurance on a car would of course mean paying for that insurance service. Premiums are the inevitable payments and all that one can attempt to do is to reduce the premium cost through any possible means. Here are ways to reduce the insurance cost on your car:

1. Keep clean credit record: before one can take up the car insurance policy, the insurer will check the Credit rating of the person. Therefore, before you apply for insurance for the car, clear up any outstanding credit issues if possible. Any person who has good credit rating will be entitled for special discount.

2. Driver improvement courses: Before you apply for insurance to for car, ensure that you attend a driver improvement safety courses. Attending the course on your own and not because you are forced to will look good to your prospective insurers. If you have attended the course on your own, it only shows your sincerity to be a responsible driver. By attending the course, the car insurance cost could gain a rebate of about 15 precent. It would be much beneficial if all the members of the family who have a car attend the course because it would drastically reduce premium payments on any group insurance policy you might get in the future.

3. Safety measures: If you have installed safety gadgets on your car you will earn notable discount in your premium. In fact many insurance companies have made it obligatory on the part of owners to install the safety gadgets like burglars alarm etc. These safety gadgets protect the car from being stolen and at the same time it lessens the risk of the insurance companies. That is the reason why all the Insurance companies insist on installation of these safety gadgets.

4. Revalue the car: Normally, cars carry high rates of depreciation. Therefore, once every two years get the value of your car assessed by an official valuator. The insurance cost depends on the value of the car after depreciation. But if the market value of the car is less than the sticker cost minus depreciation, then ensure that the insurance cost is computed on the present market value of the car. Otherwise, you will be paying higher insurance cost for a vehicle which cost much less in the open market.

About The Author

Clicksmore.com is your one stop for quick auto insurance quotes.

Only at http://www.clicksmore.com

Elder Care For Seniors At Home

By Leo Vidal

As the American population ages solutions to the medical and social challenges faced by senior citizens are receiving greater attention than ever before. In earlier generations, few women worked outside the home and most Americans lived close to family. Elder care was largely the responsibility of daughters and daughters-in-law. Today, this scenario is becoming relatively rare.

Many elderly people have health issues that are not serious enough to require nursing care, but which do require some supervision. As people age their circle of friends grows smaller and they spend much of their time at home, often alone. Failing eyesight or other conditions may restrict their ability to walk or drive a car. While not having any ailments requiring full time medical care, these seniors need assistance to maintain themselves in their own homes. There are agencies that can help by providing elder care in the home.

For seniors who are able to remain at home with minimal supervision, an elder care homemaker or companion may be the ideal answer. Elder care homemakers and companions are not trained in medical care, although in some states they may be required to be certified in CPR. Their primary duties are to help with light housework, cooking, shopping, laundry and other household tasks and errands that older people may find challenging. Elder care homemakers also talk to their clients and provide social interaction. Usually, they provide reports on the condition of their clients and are responsible for notifying the appropriate authority if there is a marked change in a client’’s condition.

The needs of the individual client determine how often the elder care homemaker visits. Some clients may only need to be seen once a week for two or three hours, others may need daily visits of an hour or more. Since elder care homemakers are not qualified to assist with personal care, clients who need assistance with bathing or grooming may require a certified nursing assistant in addition to the elder care homemaker.

Short term elder care following surgery or an injury may be covered by insurance or Medicare. In addition to elder care homemakers and certified nursing assistants, visiting nurses may be needed to change dressings or administer medication. In most cases, the treating doctor will have to determine the amount and duration of home care needed. Insurers and Medicare realize that it may be less expensive for a patient to receive assistance at home than to recuperate at a nursing facility. Coverage for at home elder care has been expanded by many insurers.

The cost of elder care is always a consideration. Some government programs like Medicaid assist low income elderly people with in home care. Providing elder care at home creates less drain on state resources than caring for the elderly in nursing facilities. Seniors or their relatives can contact their state government, Medicare and community senior citizen centers for specific information on financial assistance for at home elder care.

About The Author

Leo J. Vidal, J.D., M.A., CPA has over 25 years experience in retirement planning.He is author of the book “The 76 Biggest Financial Mistakes Made by Retirees and What to do About Them.” More information on elder care or elder care at home are found in his site http://www.eldercaredollars.com.

A Brief Explanation of Health Insurance

By Art Gib

Health insurance is a policy or plan that can be purchased either by an employer or other group leader to protect constituent members of a business or group, or an individual directly from an insurance company. In addition to health insurance plans being made available by private health insurance companies, government agencies and social welfare programs may provide health insurance coverage to government employees or those in need e.g. destitute and elderly persons unable to work.
The concept of Health Insurance can be traced all the back to the very end of the seventeenth century when Hugh the Elder Chamberlen of the Peter Chamberlen family presented the idea. Despite this forward thinking on Hugh’’s part Health Insurance as we know it didn”t come into existence until the early twentieth century when it was developed close to the time of World War II. Before this time limited ”accident insurance” that resembles disability insurance provided the foundation on which U.S. Health Insurance ideals and policies would be founded.

Before the advent of modern health insurance, patients would”ve been expected to pay for their services out of pocket. This is known as a fee-for-service model. We”re familiar with this concept since a free market economy operates on daily fee-for-service transactions (think buying a burger at a fast food joint); however, we probably would be a little surprised were all our medically-related transactions to start operating according to this model again. Current practice dictates that insurance companies bear the brunt of the cost.

While it may be true that our attitude is such that we believe Insurance Companies to bear the brunt of the cost, each policy varies enough that it’’s possible that policy holders pay significant amounts of money before their policy kicks in.

Each policy stems from a contract in which the insurance company stipulates at what point and to what degree they will pay for medical services. Many policies require either a copayment for routine check-ups and services, or a co-insurance which means that the policy holder pays a given percent of each service. In addition to copayments (which means you pay a flat rate for check-ups or subscriptions and your insurance covers the rest) some policies require holders to pay a premium, or a yearly fee before the company begins to cover costs. Insurance companies can also require that a minimum amount of out-of-pocket expenses be reached before they will pay for additional services. Whether you”re seeking health insurance in Orange County, CA or NY, it pays to know the ins and outs of your policy so you can take full advantage of it.

About The Author

Whether you”re looking for Health Insurance in Orange County, or Life Insurance in San Diego County, Hughes Insurance Services (http://insuranceservicesca.com) offers competitive options to meet your needs. Art Gib is a freelance writer.

Top Rated Auto Insurance Companies; Price Is Not The Only Thing That Matters

By Lance Thorington

What are some of the top rated auto insurance companies? Each and everyone one of us needs car insurance when operating a vehicle, but what insurance is the best?

When the subject of car insurance is brought up, the first question that pops into everyone’’s heads is where can I find the cheapest insurance? In this time of need, everyone is trying to find loopholes to a cheaper more convenient style of living. However, you should not primarily base your decision on the cheapest coverage, but also who provides some of the best coverage.

You want to ensure that your auto insurance provider is going to be there for you if you suffer a collision of any kind. We run across numerous complaints from people who have insurance, yet their company refuses to cover their claim. Cheaper insurance is not always the best route to take.

Perusing through some great companies, we were able to compile a list of some of the best carriers to consider purchasing a policy through.

1. Allstate- Allstate auto insurance is rated the top company for coverage. The people at Allstate are compassionate about providing you with the best coverage possible. Now with their accident forgiveness plan, which eliminates your rates from rising if you are victim to a collision, this insurance company is receiving some awesome reviews.

2. Esurance- Esurance is an auto insurance provider that operates solely on the internet. Cutting out the middle man has allowed people to obtain some of the lowest rates possible. All of your paperwork is emailed directly to you. You can choose to email the information back, or fax it into their office for a quicker response. Numerous people have reported saving hundreds of dollars of their policies yearly with this awesome high tech insurance provider.

3. State Farm- State farm insurance has been around for a while now. This company gets mixed results when it comes to their policies. It is all depicted on what you are looking for in a company. Rates are not the lowest that you will find around, but they are the quickest to respond to a claim. The only way to ensure this company is going to work for you is to give them a call and discuss your current situation with one of their skilled agents.

4. 21st Century Insurance- This Company is getting a great reputation for their outstanding customer service to their clients. Many companies treat you as simply a customer number; this company tries to obtain a personal level with all their clients. The agents want their customers to be seen as being part of a big family instead of just another policy number with a face next to it. Customer service can be a big help in attracting numerous amounts of people to your particular company.

Most of the top rated companies, do not only rectify claims in a timely manner, but also listen to what their customers have to say about them. Word of mouth is one of the best ways to promote any company. While searching for the right company for you, be sure to pick a company that cares about you as a person, is quick to respond if there is ever an issue, and works diligently to provide you some of the best premiums possible.

About The Author

Lance Thorington has written several articles about top rated auto insurance companies. To find out which ones are the best visit http://www.onlineautoinsurance.com/Company_Analysis.htm

The Benefits and Risks of Long Term Care Insurance

By Leo Vidal

While the concept of long term care insurance may seem simple, there is nothing simple about it. Long term care insurance may be offered through your employer or purchased privately. While most policies guarantee lower premiums on policies purchased by younger people, there will undoubtedly be premium increases and they can be substantial.

Research by the Weiss-Ryder Institute suggests that is best to purchase long term care insurance when you are between the ages of 60 to 65, unless you have, or are at risk for, a chronic condition which may require long term care. You must continue to pay the premium to keep the policy in force.

Whether you are purchasing the policy yourself or are purchasing it through an employer, you should check the standing of the company offering the policy. Many such companies are on shaky ground financially and may not be there when you need them.

Most long term care policies offer reimbursement rather than direct pay. You have to pay the care provider and the company reimburses you. Most have daily limits on cost of care, so be sure your plan offers reimbursement at at least 80% of the average cost of care in your area. Additionally, some plans may not cover assisted care facilities and may only partially cover at home services.

Most long term care plans have a deductible which is based on the number of days of care you must pay for before your policy begins reimbursing you. These periods can range from 20 days to 90 days or more. Some policies may offer a lifetime benefit after payment of a set amount of premium is paid (similar to whole life insurance) but these policies are very expensive.

You may be able to claim part of your premium payments as a deduction on your taxes. You may be able to purchase a flexible policy which adjusts benefits to keep pace with inflation in nursing home costs. In some cases you may be able to recoup part of your premium payment when you cancel a policy if the policy contains a non-forfeiture agreement.

The maximum term for benefits should be 4 years. Most elderly people living in nursing homes will not require more than 4 years of care.

In some states, it is possible to purchase partnership plans. These plans have a set monetary limit. If your costs exceed the limit and you are forced to apply for Medicaid, your assets up to the policy limits will be protected. For instance, if your long term care policy is for $100,000 Medicaid will not count those assets totaling $100,000 against your eligibility requirements. This is on a state by state basis, so be sure to check with your state Medicaid office to find out if this option is available to you.

This type of insurance is very much buyer beware, so make sure you understand your policy and know exactly what your rights and benefits are before you buy.

About The Author

Leo J. Vidal, J.D., M.A., CPA has over 25 years experience in retirement planning.He is author of the book The 76 Biggest Financial Mistakes Made by Retirees and What to do About Them. He may be reached at 800-535-4072, and through his website at http://www.eldercaredollars.com.

How To Save Big Money On House Insurance

By Carlos Scarpero

It may not be as hard as you anticipated to find insurance that fits in your budget as long as you are well informed. Being aware of the way that insurance companies work will help you to present your home in order to favor you and your insurer. Following are a few suggestions to help you get started.

1.Insurance companies are able to check your credit rating and use that information to determine what insurance rate to charge you. A good indicator of the number and size of claims that you will be submit is your credit rating, based on statistics from insurance companies. Historically, policyholders that have a bad credit history usually make more claims than those who have a good credit history.

2.Membership in a professional association may entitle you to receive discounts on insurance premiums. Check with the company to see if they are one of the ones who offer discounts to senior citizens who are over fifty five. Discuss with your insurance agent the qualifications for credits which may be available to you.

3.Don”t buy insurance for the land: In a situation where you lose everything, you will still have the land. Make sure that you include everything when creating a new policy. And you should always get your property appraised to know exactly how much it is worth. Don”t forget that the insurance company has one objective and that is to get you back to the same state as you were before the loss. Your land will still be OK even if your house burns down.

4.Stay with a company once you have made a choice you are comfortable with. Credit discounts are available as rewards to the most loyal customers of insurance companies.

5.Update your home: If you reside in a home that is older and you have updated either the plumbing or the electrical system, you need to tell your insurance company. There will be a dramatic decrease in the chance of the insurance company having to pay a claim due to a burst pipe or an electrical fire. Installing any new systems will give you lower premiums.

6.Shop: Always shop various places. A similar risk that is judged by different insurance companies might end up with two different premiums. Research and look for similarities and differences.

7. Get house insurance quotes from many providers. It’’s quite easy to do this online. Many sites will let you get several quotes at once. It’’s best to find someone qualified instead of just going for the cheapest rate.

If you follow the steps above, you will get some good house insurance and you will be protected.

About The Author

Looking to save money on your house insurance? Get more money saving tips and advice by going to http://www.houseinsurance-quotes.com.

How to Insure Your Classic Car

By Graham McKenzie

A classic car is a sizeable investment. You need to protect that investment by making sure the car is properly insured. The coverage you need will depend on how you use the car.

There are three types of car insurance. Actual cash value is the most common type of car insurance. It pays out the depreciated book value of the car. Stated value allows the car?s owner to state a value for the vehicle that is greater than the actual cash value. Agree value guarantees the car?s owners will get all of their money back in the event that the car is a total loss.

These types of insurance are offered through a standard insurance provider. The owner of a classic car should also consider a classic car insurance policy. These policies can be cheaper and less restrictive than a standard car insurance policy. Some classic car insurance policies require the driver to be 25 years or older. Some programs even require the driver be at least 30 years old. Classic car insurance programs could also limit the amount of driving you do to 2,500 miles or less a year. Annual odometer readings could also be required. The insurance provider will give you specific information on what requirements need to be met in order to insure your classic car.

Whether you choose a standard car insurance policy or a classic car insurance policy, make sure you find an insurance policy with flexible usage guidelines. You want to make sure the car insurance policy is flexible enough to meet your needs while providing adequate coverage to protect your investment. Many insurance providers offer mileage programs for classic cars, which tend to be driven less than other vehicles. Some programs will allow the driver to drop down their premium if they only drive the classic car a certain number of months a year. This is an option to consider if you keep the classic car in storage for part of the year.

When it?s time to choose a car insurance provider, do your research. Make sure you find a car insurance provider with the knowledge and experience in insuring classic cars. You want to make sure your car insurance provider knows how to properly protect your classic car investment without taking advantage of you. Research both standard insurance providers and classic car insurance providers. Shop around and get more than one insurance quote. Compare quotes and see which provider offers you the best deal. Just make sure the policy offered meets your needs. You don?t want to accept an insurance provider?s offer because the price can?t be beat, only to discover later that the insurance coverage is not what you need for your classic car and driving situation.

Whichever kind of policy works best for you, be sure you use a licensed and experienced insurance agent. Licensed agents can look at your situation and offer you the exact coverage you need to enjoy your classic car worry-free.

About The Author

Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator for http://www.carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica’’s leading car insurance portal.

How To Get The Cheapest Motorcycle Insurance

By Gary Hall

Motorcycle insurance is cheap compared to car insurance, and easy to get. You can get a motorcycle insurance quote online in just a couple of minutes. With less time filling out insurance info you can have more time on your bike cruising down the highway with the wind blowing in your face.

How much experience do you have?

How long have you operated a motorcycle? This is a major factor in how much you will be charged. First-time riders will be charged higher premiums no matter what their age is or how long they have driven a car. If you”ve been biking for over 20 years, let them know. If you”ve never been in an accident or have never had to make a claim, let them know. If you do not have much experience and you want to save money on your coverage, you can take a motorcycle safety class. The most recognized classes are those taught by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Low-Risk Policy Holders

Your age is a factor the older you are generally the more cautious you will be. If you are married you will get better rates as having a spouse and responsibilities means you will be more cautious. Are you using your bike just for recreation or only in the summer? If you are you could get cheaper insurance compared to someone who rides their motorcycle to commute to and from work every day. The less you ride the less chance you have of getting in an accident.

Your Motorcycle

Another major factor is the size of your bike, a 1100cc will cost more that 600cc. That is because the faster your bike can go the more damage it can cause. Also how new is your bike? How much did it cost? The more expensive the bike the more expensive it is to fix if broken and so it will cost you more to insure. If you have customized your bike with performance parts you will have different premiums when compared with a stock version of your bike.

Drivers License

Get your license! It’’s great that you can ride with a learners permit year or two but getting your license will give you cheaper insurance. When you get a permit you only have pass a written test but to get your full license you have to pass a drivers test proving you know how to drive. This makes you less of a risk.

Extra things you can do!

Park in a garage your bike will be safer from theft and damage so you can get cheaper insurance. Add an alarm system or a tracking device to secure against theft. Getting a cheap motorcycle insurance quote for your motorbike is easy, convenient, and takes only a few moments. With so many great deals and discounts available, get your free motorcycle insurance quote today!

About The Author

The Cheap Motorcycle Insurance Company helps people get the cheapest insurance possible for their bikes. http://www.motorcycleinsurancecheap.info Gary Hall is a freelance writer.