Archive for July, 2010

How High Gas Prices Can Lead to Lower Auto Insurance Rates

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

Auto Owners Insurance Company Home Office Building (1951) Kenneth C. Black Associates, Inc.
Auto Insurance

Image by MI SHPO
The main entrance lobby, c. 1970.

For more information on the Auto Owners Insurance Company Home Office Building, Kenneth C. Black Associates, Inc., and Mid-Century Modern architecture and design in Michigan, visit www.michiganmodern.org

How High Gas Prices Can Lead to Lower Auto Insurance Rates

If all of our neighbors would just drive even less, we’d get lower auto insurance rates.

And that could be in the process of happening. When Americans spend less time on the road, the frequency of auto accidents declines. And when auto accidents go down, so do claims on auto insurance. That gets the ball rolling: When auto insurance companies see their costs on claims declining steadily, they typically respond to market conditions by lowering their auto insurance quotes and, ultimately auto insurance rates in a bid to stay competitive. And voila!, we write smaller checks for our auto insurance premiums.

With run-away gas prices, Americans are already driving less. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reported in May 2008 that Americans are driving at “historic lows.” The estimated “vehicle miles traveled,” or VMT, for March 2008 fell 4.3 percent compared to March 2007, making it the sharpest dip for any month since the FHWA began tracking traffic-volume trends in 1942. Want to follow driving trends? The FHWA publishes monthly “Traffic Volume Trends.”

When auto accident claims go down, auto insurance companies can usually respond fairly quickly. To adjust premiums, they must file new auto insurance rates with every state in which they operate. They can file new auto insurance rates any time they want to respond to market conditions, and many states offer a “file and use” system, where auto insurance companies can file

10 Ways to Lower your Car Insurance Payments

Saturday, July 31st, 2010

Car Insurance

10 Ways to Lower your Car Insurance Payments

Many people buy their own cars because it makes life easier. However, many also struggle with the costs that come with maintaining a car especially when it comes to making car insurance payments. Many car owners are continuously in search for better ways to lower their car insurance premiums. What most do is simply search for companies that provide cheap car insurance. However, what many do not know is that they can save so much more just by following a few simple tips.

For those who aim to save on car insurance payments, the first thing to do is make sure to shop around every so often. In fact, the reason why six-month car insurance polices are most preferred is that it allows car owners to switch and buy car insurance from other providers at the soonest possible time. This means that it is important to continuously survey the insurance market to search for the cheapest car insurance around. Some people find that it is most effective to check out rates for car insurance online while others learn about the cheapest services from their friends and family. No matter what your preferred method for getting car insurance quotes may be, the bottom line is to find the best car insurance to not only suit your lifestyle but your budget as well. Many people who make this a practice report savings of over 0 on policies valid for six months. This would translate to so much more in a span of one year.

Another thing to consider when

Auto Insurance Loss of Use: Is it Part of Automobile Policy?

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Auto Owners Insurance Company Home Office Building (1951) Kenneth C. Black Associates, Inc.
Auto Insurance

Image by MI SHPO
This photograph shows the East Garden of the Auto Owners Insurance Company Home Office Building. The landscape design was completed by Wilcox & Laird in 1949.

For more information on the Auto Owners Insurance Company Home Office Building, Kenneth C. Black Associates, Inc., and Mid-Century Modern architecture and design in Michigan, visit www.michiganmodern.org

Auto Insurance Loss of Use: Is it Part of Automobile Policy?

What is Loss of Use Term in Auto Insurance?

One of the things that the consumers may not really contemplate, but do expect, is that their auto insurance will cover the cost of a replacement car when their automobile is being replaced. Many auto insurance policies actually do not provide for this automatically. If you are at all dependent upon your car, it is vital that you make sure that this type of coverage is included. Rental cars are not cheap!

How do you tell if you have this kind of auto insurance coverage for automobile or RV? First, you need to look at your car insurance policy. The language you are looking for refers to something called “loss of use.” What is loss of use coverage? As the name suggests, loss of use coverage refers to the expenses for transportation while your automobile is in being repaired or replaced. In more practical terms, this simply means that you have coverage for a rental car. Indeed, many people including those in the auto insurance business refer to this clause of the car rental coverage clause.

Buying loss of use auto insurance

Buying loss of use auto insurance with the car policy is definitely something you want to do. The idea of buying more car insurance coverages and auto insurance quotes probably is one of the least favorite things for most people. That being said, going for days without your car is far worse. Most of us drive to work and home. Most of us need our cars just to get around to find

Car Insurance Leads – Are They Worth the Money?

Friday, July 30th, 2010

Car Insurance

Car Insurance Leads – Are They Worth the Money?

Any car insurance agent knows how competitive the insurance business is. Gone are the times when a handful of agents supplied insurance to everyone in town. Now there are thousands of insurance agents competing with each other for clients. With the economic downturn many agents are having a hard time making ends meet. With so many insurers and seemingly so few potential customers, how is an agent supposed to keep the doors open? The best approach is to always have a pile of new car insurance leads on your desk. You might think this is easier said than done. Advertising costs a lot of money, and it takes time before your new clients walk in the door. Cold calling is tedious and ineffective. However, it takes new leads to make new sales. Fortunately, the situation isn’t as bad as you might think. There are a lot of drivers out there, and every one of them needs some form of insurance. So although it seems like people are reigning in their spending, they will still buy insurance. Indeed, many people are shopping around for better insurance rates, which means there is an increase in potential customers. The key to a successful insurance business is to get in contact with the people that are interested in buying insurance or changing policies. These are the leads you want on your desk, and if you have lots of these leads you will make plenty of sales. Luckily, it is easier (and more affordable) than ever before to get just these sort of quality auto insurance leads.

About Declarations Pages in Auto Insurance

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Eagle Insurance
Auto Insurance

Image by Roscoe Van Damme (In Memory of Maureen)
I remember these commercials from when I was a kid. They were for a
local Chicago auto insurance company and they were so awful! Some of
the worst acting ever seen in the history of advertising. Jeff and
Kevin may remember them as well, or anyone from the Chicagoland area.

About Declarations Pages in Auto Insurance

To break the declarations page down further, we’ll discuss each aspect presented on the page, and this is done in no particular order, meaning your declarations page may or may not have the same information in the same order listed here. First we’ll mention the auto insurance company’s information on the page. The declarations page will have the name of the insurance company, as well as their contact information including a phone number and address. If you need to contact the company, the information is readily available here and also on the insurance card that you should have somewhere in your car in case it is immediately needed.

Next, you should find your policy number. Your policy number is a way the auto insurance company can identify you without using your name. This lessens confusion as there is typically more than one client sharing the same first and last names. A policy number can include numbers and letters together, or just numbers. You will need to know your policy number any time you want to contact the insurance company. You can also find your policy number on the insurance card.

Information regarding the coverage you have purchased is also included in the declarations page. The coverage you purchased will include the minimal requirements provided by your state, as well as any additional coverage options you felt the need to purchase. Bodily injury liability, property damage liability, personal injury protection,

Car Insurance Fraud Protection

Thursday, July 29th, 2010

Car Insurance

Car Insurance Fraud Protection

Facing a car insurance fraud even if you’re the victim always means that you’ll still have to pay more insurance deductible. Your rates will go up due to an expensive claim. So learning about insurance fraud protection is a must to make you prepared for illegal insurance scams that may harm you and your finances.

Fraud users have gained a very big market enriched with opportunities with the development of automobiles and car insurance. Many organized crime groups and individuals are utilizing the flaws of today’s sophisticated insurance system for their own interest, making you vulnerable to their activities. However, there are certain measures you can take in order to minimize the chance of becoming an insurance fraud victim.

First, you have to learn what insurance fraud is all about and the schemes that are usually utilized. The range of schemes is very wide; it can be a connivance of many people to testify your fault or a set-up accident having a car intentionally stopping in front of you to cause a collision.

Learning the most common types of insurance fraud is actually the best way to be protected against such things. Here are some of the most widely used schemes of fraud to be on the lookout for:

ADDITIONAL DAMAGE: Whether intentionally or not, the scam driver leaves the accident site and causes additional damage to the car to claim that it was caused during the accident. This claim can raise auto insurance

Some Tips for Insured on Keeping Your Auto Insurance Premium Rates Down

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Technology Insurance, Cyber Liability Insurance, Internet Liability
Auto Insurance

Image by alcrisk
Technology insurance from ALC Risk Solutions in Miami, Florida includes property, liability , workers comp and auto insurance supplemented wtih Technology Professional Liability Insurance, Internet Liability Insurance, Cyber Crime Insurance, Network Security Insurance, Privacy Insurance, Idenitity Theft Insurance, Intellectual Property Insurance, Patent Insurance and Media Liability Insurance depending on your technology business insurance needs. Visit www.alcrisk.com/technology for more information about technology insurance from ALC Risk Solutions and Insurance in Miami, Florida.

Some Tips for Insured on Keeping Your Auto Insurance Premium Rates Down

Tips you can use car insurance rates comparison

There are so many ways that you can use to keep your auto insurance rates down and some of them you can use at the same time as other discounts to maximize your savings.

Here are some things that you can ask your auto insurance company for:

- Ask if you can receive a discount if you have more than one type of insurance with their company. For instance, you may find that you can have your auto insurance and your homeowner’s insurance with this company and they will provide you with a combined discount. Carry all of your insurance policies with them, such as auto, home, and life and you may find that you can get even more money off.

- If the driver of the car is a student or is listed as a driver on the car, you may find that you can get a good student discount. This is where the student maintains at least a B average on their report card. You may be required to take that report card to the automobile insurance company each time it comes out, but it really pays off. If grades go down, the discount may disappear until the grades go back up.

- See if there are any safe driver discounts available. When you haven’t had a ticket or an accident, you may find that there are discounts available for you.

- If you are a senior citizen and you’ve not had any accidents in a specific amount of time, there may be discounts available to you.

- You can always raise

Import Car Insurance

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

Car Insurance

Import Car Insurance

Import car insurance

Imported cars are increasingly popular in the UK. This is because very often they have higher specification levels and performance than cars purchased in the UK, and can be much cheaper too. Plus there are the bragging rights that accompany having an unusual car on the road!

The problem for insurers is that imported cars are an unknown quantity. Insurers often cannot check, through the usual channels, what risks are involved in insuring an imported car. For example, unlike mass-produced and widely available cars, insurers don’t know what safety and security testing has been done on an imported vehicle, or how easy is it to obtain parts and specialist labour for crash repairs. For this reason, imported car insurance premiums can be prohibitively high.

The first thing to do when looking for import car insurance is to shop around. This is standard advice when looking for any type of insurance, but it’s doubly true of imported cars! You should look for a niche insurer that specialises in imported cars, and who knows and understand all the varying factors and risks involved. And get detailed quotes from all so you can compare what’s on offer.

You will need to know whether your car is considered a parallel import; that is one built and sold to European specifications, or a ‘grey’ import; one that comes from outside the EU, such as from the USA or Japan. Ask lots of questions and give as

Car Insurance Discounts You Can Choose From

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

Car Insurance

Car Insurance Discounts You Can Choose From

If it’s about saving money, we are all very much interested. But it’s important to remember that the lowest insurance rates are not necessarily the best. Never purchase car insurance from a company who offers ridiculously low rates. We should be aware that sometimes, these “discount offers” can be a trick and will cost you more in the long run. So here are a few of the legit car insurance discounts that you can rely on and be assured that are not concealing large amount of problems.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING DISCOUNT- It could also save you money if you let your teen take a DRIVER’S EDUCATION COURSE or learn from professional instructors as most insurers offer discounts for teens that have successfully completed this course and signed an agreement about safe driving style to avoid tickets. This course teaches you some driving techniques to avoid accidents. Auto insurance companies believe that this course helps you become more aware of what is happening on the road.

GOOD STUDENT DISCOUNT- The classic discount is the good student discount. Most auto insurers believe that good students make responsible drivers so they give 5-10% premium discount if your kid has grade point average of at least B, staying out of trouble, or if your child goes to college or university as this means that they are leaving home.

CAR INSURANCE FOR TEACHERS- A person’s occupation actually plays a much larger role in

Windshield Repair and Roadside Assistance, a Safe, No-Cost Option with your California Auto Insurance

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

Auto Life Insurance building 11
Auto Insurance

Image by regional.modernism
Automotive Life Insurance building
1963
Curtis and Davis
4140 Canal Street
29.974985 -90.101417
Colm Kennedy

Windshield Repair and Roadside Assistance, a Safe, No-Cost Option with your California Auto Insurance

You could be driving along a country road or a highway when a stone kicks up and hits your windshield. If you’re lucky, it will bounce off the glass without any damage. If you’re not, it may cause a small star-shaped crack or circular chip in the glass.

If you find a chip or a crack smaller than a quarter, there’s a good chance your windshield can be repaired—at no cost to you. Why repair your windshield rather than replace it? Here are a few benefits to consider:

• A safe, quality repair won’t cost you a penny. Your California Auto Insurance company will waive your deductible when a windshield is repaired vs. replaced.

• A repair can usually be performed at your home, your office or anywhere you might travel – typically in less than 30 minutes.

• Repairs improve safety by helping to restore the structural integrity of your vehicle.

• Repairs are environmentally friendly. Windshields are difficult to recycle due to the laminate layer between the two pieces of glass. Choosing the repair option helps keep windshields out of landfills.

If your windshield is damaged, contact your insurance company as soon as possible and report the damage before it grows worse. This ensures the best chance that a repair will be possible. Your insurance company will either arrange a repair for you, or you can select your own repair shop and they can help arrange service.

It’s nice to know that your insurance carrier can