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Only a purchased Bentley was stolen from a pipe factory worker. This is the real, endlessly offensive story of a 25 years old guy from St. P...

Why Does The UK Have A �2.3 Trillion Protection Gap?

According to Swiss Re, one of the world's largest re-insurance companies, less than half of the UK population has any form of life insurance protection. They then go on to put a figure on the value of this protection gap. Using an average income of �20,000 and assuming that the value of protection needed ranges between 5 and 10 times income, they put a value on the protection gap at �2.3 trillion.

But in all probability, whilst the gap is huge, �2.3 trillion is likely to ...

According to Swiss Re, one of the world's largest re-insurance companies, less than half of the UK population has any form of life insurance protection. They then go on to put a figure on the value of this protection gap. Using an average income of �20,000 and assuming that the value of protection needed ranges between 5 and 10 times income, they put a value on the protection gap at �2.3 trillion. 



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But in all probability, whilst the gap is huge, �2.3 trillion is likely to be somewhat over stated. After all there are people who are disqualified from having life cover due to their age - just over 1 in 5 are under 18 years old, the minimum for life cover, and 1 in 6 are effectively uninsurable as they're over 65. Then there's a raft of persons for whom life insurance is just not necessary. These are people aged between 18 and 65 who do not have dependents. Having said that, without doubt, there are still many families in the Swiss Re survey that have been correctly identified as desperately needing life insurance.

So if they need life insurance, why do they hold back?

Undeniably there are still many people who have no understanding what life insurance provides and because they don't think about it, they don't care, and nothing ever gets done. After all life insurance isn't a fun buy - there's no enjoyable window-shopping or pleasure in owning it. The chances are that unless financial advisers sit down and talks to these, they'll remain totally uninterested and uninsured. Hello Listner, are you looking for mera dil bhi kitna pagal hai lyrics Dekhte Dekhte Lyrics Despacito Lyrics in English
Newspaper reporting given to the insurance industry also tends not to help. The Sunday papers in particular are regularly full of stories about one family or another that has had a claim turned down. These stories make the headlines, as behind them there's invariably a poignant tale of personal tragedy and distress. It all gives the life industry a tarnished image and creates a feeling that they can't be trusted. In practice, when you read the stories, the reason for the claim being refused often comes down to the fact that the policyholder missed off some relevant information from their application form. Nevertheless, some refusals are clearly wrong and this undoubtedly damaging. 


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Then there are those people who fully appreciate that they need life insurance but just can't be bothered or say they can't afford the premiums. More realistically, for many �can't afford� actually means, �I choose not to afford�. They might be happy to spend �100 at the pub each month but are unwilling to cut back a little to pay the premium that protects their family's future.

For sure, there is no disputing the fact that some life insurance applicants have found the final quote to be genuinely unaffordable. Whilst for the majority, cover at standard premiums is affordable, over the last seven years we've seen a huge rise in the number of people who have seen the proposed premium substantially increase once the insurer has looked at their application form. It's a result of the life companies making it harder for people to meet the company's definition of �healthy�. Seven years ago half as many applicants were seeing the price increased as a result of the insurance companies classifying them as an above average health risk.

Even a few years ago it was usually obvious who'd have difficulty getting insured at standard rates � people with heart or circulatory problems, former cancer suffers and diabetics for example. How the picture has now changed. Application forms are much more detailed and medical problems that were previously acceptable are now only acceptable with a higher premium. Take weight for example � these days insurers clamp down when they judge an applicant's weight to be a risk to their longer-term health. And it's not just the obviously obese that attract the insurer's notice. Companies are now using the Body Mass Index to identify weight problems. This is your weight divided by the square of your height. Most life companies now want a BMI of no more than 29, whereas previously up to 40 was acceptable. This means that a woman weighing 83 kilos and 1.66 meter tall will now face a higher premium.

The application process can also be put some people off. Whilst about 30% of people will receive an immediate decision, for others the process can become one delay after another. Ban Ja Tu Meri Rani Lyrics � Tumhari Sulu | Guru Randhawa�s As if a 14-page application were not enough, some people are being asked to complete more forms in addition to medical examinations. The whole process can take up to 9 weeks, sometimes even more, before the applicant finds out precisely how much their premium will be. If that premium works out more that they can afford, the applicant is often too tired of the whole process to start applying again to a new insurance company. The result is yet another family without life insurance. Courses After 12th Science and also Database Management System And Types of dbms

Despite these problems, the life companies say that thanks to more sophisticated underwriting procedures, prices are lower today that they were a few years ago. The arrival of the Internet has also had a profound affect on prices. Around 10% of life insurance is bought online and discounting has become the norm. This too has helped more families to become insured.

However, in the author's view it will take more than a decade to get people covered by life insurance above the 50% level.


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7 Types of Insurance You Need to Protect Your Business

7 Types of Insurance You Need to Protect Your Business

From the day an entrepreneur starts a business, he exposes himself to certain risks. Even before the first employee is hired, a business is at risk, making it important to have the right insurance in place. One lawsuit or catastrophic event could be enough to wipe out a small business before it even has a chance to get off the ground.

Fortunately, businesses have access to a wide range of insurance types to protect them against these dangers. Here are some insurance types that a business must have in place as soon as possible.

1. Professional liability insurance.
Professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions (E&O) insurance, covers a business against negligence claims due to harm that results from mistakes or failure to perform. There is no one-size-fits-all policy for professional liability insurance. Each industry has its own set of concerns that will be addressed in a customized policy written for a business.

2. Property insurance.
Whether a business owns or leases its space, property insurance is a must. This insurance covers equipment, signage, inventory and furniture in the event of a fire, storm or theft. However, mass-destruction events like floods and earthquakes are generally not covered under standard property insurance policies. If your area is prone to these issues, check with your insurer to price a separate policy.

3. Workers� compensation insurance.
Once the first employee has been hired, workers� compensation insurance should be added to a business�s insurance policy. This will cover medical treatment, disability and death benefits in the event an employee is injured or dies as a result of his work with that business. Even if employees are performing seemingly low-risk work, slip-and-fall injuries or medical conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome could result in a pricey claim.

 4. Home-based businesses.
Many professionals begin their small businesses in their own homes. Unfortunately, homeowner�s policies don�t cover home-based businesses in the way commercial property insurance does. If you�re operating your business out of your home, ask your insurer for additional insurance to cover your equipment and inventory in the event of a problem.

5. Product liability insurance.
If your business manufactures products for sale on the general market, product liability insurance is a must. Even a business that takes every measure possible to make sure its products are safe can find itself named in a lawsuit due to damages caused by one of its products. Product liability insurance works to protect a business in such a case, with coverage available to be tailored specifically to a specific type of product.

6. Vehicle insurance.
If company vehicles will be used, those vehicles should be fully insured to protect businesses against liability if an accident should occur. At the very least, businesses should insure against third-party injury, but comprehensive insurance will cover that vehicle in an accident, as well. If employees are using their own cars for business, their own personal insurance will cover them in the event of an accident. One major exception to this is if they are delivering goods or services for a fee. This includes delivery personnel.

7. Business interruption insurance.
If a disaster or catastrophic event does occur, a business�s operations will likely be interrupted. During this time, your business will suffer from lost income due to your staff�s inability to work in the office, manufacture products or make sales calls. This type of insurance is especially applicable to companies that require a physical location to do business, such as retail stores. Business interruption insurance compensates a business for its lost income during these events.

By having the right insurance in place, a business can avoid a major financial loss due to a lawsuit or catastrophic event. Check with your insurer to find out what forms of insurance are advised for your type of business and put those plans in place as soon as possible.

Free Auto Insurance Quotes

Free Auto Insurance Quotes

Sure it's tough to be ludicrously overpaid but it's a burden I gladly carry for your sake right because that's what I think every time I pay that stupid insurance bill and chances are that if you're watching this video you're thinking the same exact thing so it's simple stop overpaying and what insurance agencies fail to tell you is that you deserve to actually save some money and they keep convincing the you that you have to overpay for the coverage you are legally required to have simply put the ranking and fortune of money unscrewing the safe drivers like you and I out of our own small fortune and even when we try to save up it feels like pennies and a piggy bank that won't amount to anything in the future so again they say stop overpaying get a quote from an honest agency that can provide you with reliable and affordable coverage policies that save money time and hassle so while you're online get a quote today give us a call the link is in the description below and we can't wait to hear from you Oh

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Free Online Auto Insurance Quote

Free Online Auto Insurance Quote

Free Online Auto Insurance Quote Learn what you need to get the best auto insurance policy for you. Whether you've just bought a new car, are looking to change insurance carriers or are simply shopping around, getting an online car insurance quote from Liberty Mutual is secure, quick and easy. What Information Will I Need? Your time is important, and we'll try to get you through the quote process as quickly as possible. In many cases we can fill your vehicle information in automatically based on public records, but to make things easier, it's best if you have the following information nearby: � Your current policy (if you have one) � this is helpful as a reference so you know what coverages you currently have � Driving record information from the last five years (including accidents, violations and claims) for all drivers you'd like included on your policy � Driver's license number(s) � Your car's make, model and year, as well as its Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) � The odometer reading for each car you'd like an insurance quote for � The location where your vehicles are typically parked What Factors Will Affect My Rate? When you request an auto insurance quote online, there are three major factors when your rate is calculated: � Your Vehicle: The more expensive a car is to repair or replace, the more it costs to insure.

Your vehicle's safety features can help lower your auto insurance quote, as can how often you drive the car and what type of driving it's used for (business or personal). � Your Address: Where you live and park your vehicle will affect your auto insurance quote. � Your Driving Record: Having fewer incidents such as accidents, moving violations or claims in your driving record will help lower your rate. If you already have a car insurance policy and are comparing new car insurance quotes to determine what is best for you, make sure that you are comparing similar coverage, limits and deductible amounts. In most cases Liberty Mutual can provide multiple car insurance quotes, any of which can be customized to meet your car insurance needs. What Coverage is Best for Me? When purchasing a car insurance policy, you want to make sure that you're getting the coverage you need to fit your specific situation.

You can learn more in our Car Insurance Coverage section. If you're not sure what type of coverage you need, try using our Car Insurance Coverage Calculator. This easy-to-use tool lets you review different levels of auto insurance coverage to help you determine what best fits your needs. What if I Need to Talk to Someone? If you need help during the online quote process, we have an extensive online help center, as well as a real-time chat feature. But of course you can also always give us a call or contact a Local Agent to get the same great insurance quote experience.
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Cheap Auto Insurance for Military Personnel

Auto Insurance Advice :  Cheap Auto Insurance for Military Personnel
If you are in the military and you are thinking about buying car insurance I would strongly suggest with your own agent that you are currently dealing with. There are many carriers that they represent that are going to give you discounts just because you are in the military. My name is James. I'm an agent with The Resurgence Group. We're a full service insurance agency in St. Petersburg, Florida. So again when you are thinking about buying that car insurance and you currently are dealing with an agent, give them a call or you can call some of the carriers direct, mention that you are in the military and they'll see what it is that they can offer you as far as a discount. A lot of times it is going to be where you have certain deductibles and certain limits that you have to adhere to on a specific policy and that is how they are saving you money because they design a policy specific for the military so what I would suggest is give a call to your agent and let them do some research and they should be able to come back and give you different options as far as different carriers.

My name is James. I'm with The Resurgence Group and if we have a chance to help the military we would love to as well as I am sure your agent would. Let them go to work for you and get you the best possible policy for the least amount of money. .

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Life Insurance for Military: Options for Life Insurance for Military Personnel

Life Insurance for Military: Options for Life Insurance for Military Personnel

In this video, I'm going to talk to you about what your options are for life insurance if you're in the military. So if you're in the military and looking for life insurance, you only have a couple of options. One is insurance through the SGLI. Through the SGLI, you can get instant issue coverage, guaranteed coverage, up to $400,000. The only downside with that insurance is that once you leave the military, you no longer have that insurance. You can typically convert that insurance, but your costs will typically go up, and you're going to get a much better price by getting an individual life insurance policy. So, what are your options for individual life insurance policies? Well, there are two companies out there, Prudential and MetLife, that will insure you if you're in active military, even if you have a deployment order. The only consideration is that you have to do a medical exam to qualify, and that you have to be in the U.S.

on U.S. soil to do the application and sign the delivery receipt documents. Other than that, that's it. So your best options, if you're looking for an individual life insurance policy, if you want to make sure that you have insurance for your family for when you leave the military, your best bet is to get the insurance while you're young and healthy with an individual life insurance policy. If you're looking for a quote, click the link below or visit our website, chooseterm.com, and we can help you with a life insurance quote. Thank you.

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Top 10 Car Insurance Companies in the United States

Top 10 Car Insurance Companies in the United States

Hello! Today I am telling you about Top 10 Car Insurance Companies in the United States Let's Start What are the simplest thanks to determining UN agency the highest dog is once it involves automobile insurance? Well, at the end of the day, there ar in all probability additional differing opinions than there are insurers. We�re not kidding. Just look at this list of insurance firms to urge however a style of what�s out there. If customer service is �your issue,� you may strive Amica, which has command onto the J.D. Power customer service award for over a decade currently. But action speaks louder than words�and �action� might be best delineate as putt your cash wherever your mouth is.

If that�s true, then we would like to seem at the highest ten automobile insurers by market share, which suggests that nothing over UN agency brings within the most premium greenbacks within the U.S. Since we pride ourselves on the �truth� here at TTAI, we tend to feel we ought to illustrate that the highest insurers for market share also are the highest advertising insurers within the U.S. Let�s face it; advertising works�why else would these insurers collectively pay over a BILLION greenbacks annually to tell you ways nice they're.

You don�t have to be during this industry too long to note however furiously a State Farm client can defend the integrity of their insurance company for no alternative reason than that they're most acquainted with that company � even supposing they'll haven't filed associate claim in twenty years of being a client. Almost any company can take your cash for twenty years while not truly benefiting you in any manner�and be extremely nice concerning it! Tip: Smaller, �Regional� insurers almost newer build it on any of the �Best� lists, as only �National� insurers sometimes take the stage. But there are some smaller, regional companies out there with the best client service within the business. Back to why you�re here in the first place. Let�s look at the list, which is knowledge from 2010 (latest available) from the Insurance info Institute (III). Don�t let the login info brings you down.

There probably won�t be too several changes on this list as time marches on. At no. 1. State Farm Mutual � as recently as 2009, State Farm controlled 18.11% of the U.S. car insurance market. Makes you wonder why they aren�t the foremost value effective insurance company. No wonder they�re asking you to do a �Discount control.� At no. 2. Allstate � coming in at ten.85%, Allstate is definitely one among the large dogs. Over 10% of the U.S. car insurance market permits Allstate to own a star endorser pitch their product twenty-four hours per day on each TV and station, along with each website on the net. And they�ve even got the Allstate Value set up currently for that UN agency can�t afford their traditional coverage! At no.

3. GEICO � that lizard is making a heap of money! Warren Buffet�s Berkshire wife (which operates as Geico) has been a competition for years, coming in with eight.64% of the U.S. market share for car insurance in 2009. Mr. Buffett loves the idea of the premium �float,� which is nothing additional than cash to be used for alternative investments. At no. 4. Progressive � with their amount of advertising you might have expected to listen to variety over seven. 83% of the market share. This insurer light-emitting diode the approach in the non-standard insurance market. They were the first company to mention, �It�s OK if you have some tickets and accidents.� Of course, this was the plan of obligatory insurance laws, which mandated that virtually everybody had to shop for insurance�even those folks UN agency wouldn�t unless it absolutely was the law. Progressive is leading the market with their Snapshot� technology. At no. 5. Zurich money Services � you would possibly be asking, �Who?� Here�s a tip. Zurich is Farmers Insurance. Now that you recognize this, it�s probably not a surprise to you that they �own� a vi.06% share of the market when it comes to insurance.

Just like it�s exhausting to know however Ford manufactures panther cars, insurance companies purchase and sell one another so as to realize market share and line their pockets. At no. 6. Liberty Mutual � This insurer purchased Safeco Insurance not too long gone, which helped them solidify spot variety six with a four.57% market share. They are in all probability best famed for his or her higher automobile Replacement commercials, which is a distinctive sort of new automobile replacement. At no. 7. USAA Insurance � we here at TTAI can bet you a shiny nickel that you had no concept that USAA isn't related with us government or the Department of Defense in any approach, shape or manner. They simply market to military service members to earn their four.39% market share. The advertising certainly works, as a family member of yours may have �earned� the proper to shop for insurance from this company for his or her service within the U.S. military�even if that �right� costs you additional for the same coverage than a unique insurance company. At no. 8. Nationwide Mutual � Nationwide comes in at 4.29% market share.

You might acknowledge them from those �hilarious� vanishing deductible tv commercials they run on TV perpetually. At no. 9. Travelers � did you know that Travelers sold the primary insurance policy within the U.S.? However, that fact might surprise you less than they're a pair of.14% the share of U.S. car insurance market. Truth is, they sell their product through independent insurance agents, so they don�t bank an excessive amount of on the multi-hundred-million dollar advertising budgets used by a number of the higher-ranking members on this list. They simply provide a smart product at an affordable value (i.e. they don�t spend a lot of your premium greenbacks on attracting new customers). At no. 10. American Family Mutual � you would possibly be the expression, �Who?� American Family is a Brobdingnagian player within the region of America (1.97% market share) once it comes to insurance coverage. There is a heap of individuals between big apple and l. a. that require insurance and American Family answers the decision. .

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5 Insurance Tips Before You Deploy | Texas Department of Insurance

5 Insurance Tips Before You Deploy Texas Department of Insurance

If you're in the military, ask your insurance agent about deployment issues before you buy a policy. And if you're getting ready to deploy, here are five things to keep in mind. Number one: Suspend your auto coverage. If no one's going to be driving your car while you're deployed, you might be able to suspend your coverage until you return and save some money. Number two: Arrange to pay your premiums.

Think about how to pay your premiums or renew your policy while you're deployed. You might be able to set up automatic payments or renew the policy early, but if you let the policy expire or pay late, you may have trouble getting a new policy or have to pay a higher rate. Number three: Check coverage for personal items. If you have a homeowners or renters policy, ask your agent if personal items you take on your deployment will be covered. The military usually doesn't pay to repair or replace property that's damaged or stolen in military housing or in a war zone. Number four: Protect your home. Many homeowners policies don't cover damage to your home if it's been left vacant for more than two months. Ask your insurance agent how your policy handles vacant homes. They may offer some special coverage for a home that's unattended for an extended period of time.

Number five: Evaluate your life insurance needs. Active-duty military personnel, including reservists and National Guard members called to active duty, are automatically insured for $400,000. But if you need more life insurance, compare policies and get price quotes from several companies. And on behalf of all of us at the Department of Insurance, thank you for your service. .

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USAA Auto Insurance NIGHTMARE (Car Accident) NO HELP FOR MY SUBARU - USAA PROBLEMS

USAA Auto Insurance NIGHTMARE (Car Accident) NO HELP FOR MY SUBARU - USAA PROBLEMS
Oh eleven days ago I was involved in an automobile accident on 95 south the guy came up right behind me hitting my car and actually pushed my car into the truck in front of me as you can see the light is busted up in the front and this is my story about how bad USAA insurance is I am still dealing with this you know this is the back damage here as you can see he crunched it up pretty good you know unfortunately he you know did admit fault there wasn't any question about that you know the police came out and when I found out he had USAA insurance I thought well you know that's that's great I've heard they're really good and they you know should take care of the claim well 11 days later I have not gotten a rental car they have not taken care of anything and just saying they're still continuing the investigation to determine fault well it's pretty clear-cut even including according to the police you know he was you know given a citation for hitting me my poor car it is only a year old my poor cross track as you can see he really he can't really see underneath there he really damaged the exhaust it's not really safe to drive at this point I need a rental car and they are not helping me out with that at all 11 days later and I keep calling and I'm not getting anywhere I'm very disappointed in the customer service that I am receiving from USA I always thought you know heard that they were good but maybe because it's the other person's insurance I don't know but this is what I'm doing once I got a car that I can't drive and uh there's not even anybody to come out to assess the damage yet much less be in the shop or get me a rental or anything as this progresses when I finally am able to get a response from them I will update in the description section below of what the outcome is if their acts are going to take care of my car the extensive damage here to the back my card ridiculous and the muffler is about to come off crushed in it's the mustard completely crushed in and crimped off and first just not drive alone it's just not drivable so we'll see what happens eleven days so far

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Auto Insurance Tips


Auto Insurance Tips

 Even though you've done your research and insured your vehicle, there's still more to know when it comes to the wonderful world of car insurance. Below, we look at some not so commonly discussed, but important, issues about insurance that can benefit you tremendously when managing your automotive coverage.

*        Switching Auto Insurance Companies Relatively Painlessly
*        Closing the Gap�With Gap Insurance
*        OEM vs. Aftermarket: Decisions, Decisions...
*        Deciphering Auto Insurance Lingo

Switching Auto Insurance Companies Relatively Painlessly

You may choose to terminate your auto insurance policy for any number of reasons. Maybe you're moving to another state, getting rid of your car altogether, or maybe you're just dissatisfied with your existing company's service. Beware, however, that if you don't give your insurer sufficient notice, it could end up costing you money, or negatively affecting your credit history.
Standard practice for most insurance companies is to allow you to cancel your policy at any time during the policy term by sending written notice stating the date of cancellation. Your car insurance policy does not necessarily terminate at the end of each policy term, so it isn't safe to assume that you can just cancel by failing to pay your next bill. If you don't send notice of cancellation, your insurance company will automatically bill you in advance for the next term's premium payment. If you don't pay it, they'll cancel your policy and it will go on your credit report.
Don't expect this information to be made explicit in your policy; while insurers are quick to inform you that your coverage will terminate at the end of the policy period if you don't pay your next premium, they don't always inform you of the repercussions you may face for not giving formal notice of your policy termination.
Another thing to keep in mind is that allowing your car insurance policy to be canceled may hurt your chances of obtaining auto coverage in the future. A cancellation in your insurance history may cause other companies to label you a high-risk applicant, thus giving them an excuse to charge you a higher premium. However, you can usually avoid this trap by officially terminating your policy in a timely manner.
Here's what to do: Call your insurer, let them know that you want to cancel your policy and give them an effective date. They will then send you a cancellation request form - review this form carefully before you sign and return it to your insurer.
If you're switching to another insurer, and you plan on driving your car throughout the process, you want to make sure there is no lapse in your car insurance coverage. Therefore, be sure to coordinate the effective starting date of your new policy with the termination date of your old policy. The last thing you want is to get in an accident during an uninsured interim - how stupid would you feel if that happened?
As long as you are considerate about giving your insurance company plenty of notice when you want to cancel your auto policy, and then go through the official termination process, you should avoid any negative repercussions.

Closing the Gap�With Gap Insurance
Just when you thought you knew everything about insurance � along comes gap insurance.
Though it may sound trivial, gap insurance is a must for leasing. And if you made a small down payment when buying a car, a gap policy can be lifesaver as well. But first, let's look at why it exists.
As the name implies, gap insurance covers what traditional auto insurance doesn't. In other words, it closes the gap between what your insurance company pays if your car is stolen or totaled and what you owe the finance company.
Let's take a test case. Say you bought your car two months ago for $25,000. You begin making payments at about $500 a month based on a 6 percent interest rate. Then, disaster strikes: a tree falls on your car and flattens it.
You call the insurance company and it looks into its crystal ball and decides at the time of the accident your car was worth only $20,000. The car may only be a couple of months old, but it has already lost 20 percent of its value. Unfortunately, the finance company still wants the full amount you owe them. With interest, tax and license fees, they figure that to be $27,000.
Yikes! There's a gap of $7,000 between the $20,000 that the insurance company is willing to pay you and the $27,000 the finance company is demanding. Most folks are going to be eating Spam dinners for the next two years, but if you have gap insurance you can safely order steak.
Apply the same scenario to someone who bought their car. If they left the dealer lot without putting several thousand dollars down, they likely owe more than the insurance company will pay if the vehicle gets totaled or stolen in the first few years. Once again, gap coverage can save the day.
And that's why gap insurance is a must for many drivers. In fact, gap insurance is usually mandated by lease contracts or included within them. If a gap policy is required but not included in your contract, you should shop around for this coverage (insurance companies sell it). If gap coverage is included in the lease, check to see how much is offered and how much you're going to be paying for it. (In some cases, lease contracts may include what is known as a gap waiver, which protects you from gap charges in the event that the leased vehicle is declared a total loss � eliminating the need for a gap policy.)
Is gap insurance necessary for people who finance their cars? Well, it depends on your coverage. If your regular insurance policy is written to pay off the fully financed amount, then you don't need gap insurance.
A few things to keep in mind when buying gap insurance:
Although most people purchase it when a lease is initiated, some insurance companies will sell you a gap policy anytime during the lease term.
You must be in compliance with all terms of the lease.
Your gap insurance policy may not be honored if you don't have collision and comprehensive insurance coverage. Further, lease contracts generally require that you carry collision and comprehensive at all times.
If your car is totaled, or stolen, carefully follow all requirements made by your insurance company. For example, some companies require you to continue making loan payments on your totaled car until the money from the gap insurance is paid out.
So when initiating a car loan or lease, always remember to ask your insurance agent or loan officer about gap insurance. If you have an accident you'll be glad you planned ahead.

OEM vs. Aftermarket:
Decisions, Decisions... You've been in an accident, you're dealing with the nuisance of getting your car repaired, finding someone to chauffeur you around (unless your insurance covers the cost of a rental, which is always nice), and you've probably had to take some time off from work to recover and take care of the whole mess. Life couldn't get much more complicated, right?
Um...well, wrong.
Oh, did you think you could just turn your car over to the body shop and trust them to do the best job possible to make your car like new again? 'Afraid not, dear friend. You must decide whether or not to mandate that the repair facility use OEM (original equipment manufacturer) replacement parts, as opposed to aftermarket parts. What difference does it make, you ask? The answer is debatable.
According to non-OEM manufacturers and many insurance companies, the difference between OEM and aftermarket parts is negligible. And it's not surprising that insurance companies are such strong advocates of using aftermarket parts, seeing as how they are considerably less expensive than OEM parts. For that reason, many insurance companies will not reimburse 100 percent of your repair costs if OEM parts are used. Most insurers discourage the use of OEM parts by making the policyholder pay for the difference in cost between the non-OEM parts specified in the estimate and the OEM parts used. This can turn into a large sum of money, as OEM parts may cost nearly twice as much as aftermarket parts. For example, an OEM replacement hood for a '96 Ford Contour can cost close to $600, whereas an aftermarket hood can be had for about 300 bones.
A few insurance companies, such as Chubb Insurance Group, actually encourage their policyholders to use OEM repair parts, while not charging them a penalty. It should be noted however, that Chubb is one of the more expensive auto insurers.
The use of aftermarket parts can be called into question for two reasons. First of all, they decrease a vehicle's resale value. This should certainly be taken into consideration if you plan on reselling or trading in your car. Many dealers check the repair history of vehicles to see what kinds of parts were used. The trade-in value of a BMW with non-BMW parts can certainly be adversely affected. By the same token, using non-OEM replacement parts to repair a leased car could cost you all or part of your security deposit, because technically you would not be returning the vehicle in the same condition as when it was leased.
The other concern with aftermarket parts has to do with safety. Advocates of OEM parts claim that non-OEM parts aren't subjected to the same crash-testing procedures as OEM and therefore are not as safe. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), however, contends that making cosmetic repairs with non-OEM replacement parts does not degrade the safety of a vehicle in a crash.

In the end, it's up to you to decide what type of replacement parts are used in your vehicle's repair. If you opt to save money and use non-OEM parts, you should make sure that they are approved by the Certified Automotive Parts Association (CAPA), which sets the standards that must be met in the manufacturing of non-OEM parts for collision repairs.
Obviously, you want to know your options before you turn your car over to a repair facility. If you are concerned with the depreciation of your car, especially if it's a high-end vehicle, you'll probably be wise to go with OEM parts at repair time, even if you have to foot part of the bill. But if your car's resale value isn't of extreme importance to you, and you'd rather not dig too deeply into your own pocket, you should consider allowing the body shop to use non-OEM parts.
Just make sure that you specify one way or the other with your repair facility - the last thing you want is to end up paying for OEM parts that you weren't concerned with using, or to get aftermarket parts put on the super-rare ride that you intend to keep in tip-top shape for the rest of your life. As long as you play an active role in choosing your body shop and then communicate clearly with both the repair facility and your claims adjuster, you shouldn't be caught off guard.

Deciphering Auto Insurance Lingo

Here's a glossary of commonly used auto policy terms.
Actual Cash Value The cost to replace property minus the amount it has depreciated since the original purchase date.
Benefit the amount an insurance company pays to you or your beneficiary when you file a claim.
Bodily Injury Liability This covers medical expenses for injuries the policyholder causes to someone else.
Claim the policyholder's request for the reimbursement of a loss covered by their insurance policy.
Collision this covers damage to the policyholder's car from any collision. The collision could be with another car, a light post, parking curb, garage wall, etc.
Comprehensive For damage to the policyholder's car that doesn't involve hitting another car. Covers damage resulting from fire, theft, falling objects, missiles, explosion, earthquake, flood, riot and civil commotion.
Deductible The portion of losses that you agree to pay in the event of an accident. Higher deductibles lower premiums significantly, but will come back to haunt you in the case of an accident, especially if you're at fault.
Endorsements These are changes to the original insurance contract, such as a different deductible or an additional car or driver.
Exclusions Situations that are not covered by a given insurance policy; specific exclusions are listed on your insurance policy.
Extraordinary Medical Coverage Sometimes included in Personal Injury Protection, this coverage protects you if you suffer accident-related injuries that require serious and/or long-term medical care and begins once you have exhausted the limit on your standard medical benefits coverage.
Full Coverage This indicates that you have all the minimum coverage for your state of residence; it does not necessarily mean you will always be fully covered.
Income Loss Coverage Sometimes a part of Personal Injury Protection, income loss coverage takes care of you if you're unable to work due to accident-related injuries.
Indemnity A predetermined sum paid for a covered loss.
Limits The maximum amount of money your insurance company will pay out for your losses; many states have minimum required limits.
Medical Payments or Personal Injury Protection (PIP) Covers the treatment of injuries to the driver and passengers of the policyholder's vehicle. At its most extensive, PIP can cover medical payments and the lost wages of those injured in an accident. It may also extend to covering the policyholder if he/she is injured while in another vehicle or is hit by a car while on foot.
No-Fault Insurance A no-fault policy usually will not require that someone be assigned the blame in order for the policyholder to receive his/her money. In no-fault states, insurance companies are required to have this type of policy.
Property Damage Liability Pays for damage the policyholder causes to someone else's property.
SR-22 A document that shows proof of financial responsibility in the case of a traffic violation.
Tort A legal term that describes circumstances when someone is deemed legally responsible for injuring another person or damaging his/her property. Some states encourage you to make a tort provision, thereby reducing the cost of your premium by limiting your right to sue for non-monetary damages.
Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage This is to pay for treatment and/or property damages of the policyholder in the event that he/she is injured in a collision with an uninsured driver. Underinsured motorist coverage is another policy option; it kicks in when an at-fault driver has auto liability insurance, but the limit of insurance is insufficient to pay for the victim's damages.

How to Buy Car Insurance

How to Buy Car Insurance
How to buy car insurance follow these helpful hints before you sign on the dotted line you will need a credit report knowledge of local law careful consideration and competing quotes optional extra coverage step 1 check your credit report for errors insurance companies use your credit rating to help determine your rate request a copy of your credit report by logging on to annualcreditreport.com or by calling 187 three two two eight two two eight you are entitled to one free copy per year step two find out the minimum car insurance required by law on your state's Department of Insurance website only New Hampshire and Wisconsin don't require car insurance but since they do require people to pay for accidents they caused many people carry it anyway step 3 consider buying more liability insurance than your state requires consumer groups recommend a minimum of $100,000 for injuries per person $300,000 per accident and a hundred thousand dollars in property damage liability most American car insurance does not cover you if you're driving outside the United States some policies are valid in Canada and Mexico but check if your coverage meets those country's requirements step 4 collision coverage pays for the repair or replacement of your vehicle if your car is more than five years old or worth less than $4,000 it may not be worth it step 5 comprehensive coverage covers you if someone steals your vehicle or if it's damaged by a windstorm fire hail or vandalism but if your car is more than 12 years old unless it's a valuable vintage set of wheels the cost may outweigh the potential step 6 weigh the advantage of other add-ons such as extra medical coverage emergency roadside assistance and glass breakage consider buying uninsured or underinsured motorist protection even if your state doesn't require it this provision protects you if someone with no insurance causes a collision with you step 7 shop around get a general quote from an insurance company's website by plugging in basic information like your zip code and car model some websites offer quotes from several companies so you can compare rates just be aware that these quotes reflect a bare-bones policy with no add-ons step 8 once you choose a company ask if you're eligible for discounts having airbags anti-lock brakes or an anti-theft device can reduce your rates so can a clean driving record carpooling a car with low mileage and good grades if you're a student drivers between 50 and 65 may also qualify for discounts step 9 choose the highest deductible you can afford in order to pay the lowest premium possible step 10 once you decide on a policy pay the entire premium up front to save the monthly service fee did you know an estimated 14 percent of drivers in the US are uninsured