Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Term Insurance: Can You Afford Not to Have It?

Term Insurance: Can You Afford Not to Have It? by David McEvoy

Losing a family member can create both emotional and financial hardship on the entire family - whereas having a secure life insurance plan can help mitigate the costs involved. This is a benefit with both short and long-term plans. As you plan for your future, learning about the value and extensive benefits of your life insurance policies can help you maximize your investment.



Term life insurance can help your family with any costs in the event that you pass away, and can help minimize the risks involved with financial hardship on loved ones. When a key family member passes, their employment benefits cease to exist. Although some employers extend special insurance coverage to the employee's immediate family, this may not be enough to cover long-term needs and expenses.



Term insurance is commonly known as a ‘pure' form of life insurance because it only covers the insured for a specific period of time. The insurance policies will expire after a certain date, making sure that the policy holder's family and immediate beneficiaries are covered completely. It can help to protect a family's financial standing, or make money immediately available for children's college education or living expenses.



Determining Term Insurance Coverage



If you invest in a term insurance plan, you'll need to consider the length and type of the policy you want to invest in. The insurance policy is a legal document, and each type of insurance will vary by state or country. Term insurance is an affordable way to cover any potential risks in your future years; if you have numerous dependents, you really cannot afford not to have it. The best coverage for your family will depend on how many assets you own; if these are not valuable enough to provide cash after a sale, your family can be at a severe financial risk. Another factor to consider is whether you require a death benefit for a business. Any outlying businesses will require some form of coverage in the event that you are no longer the owner. Ultimately, term insurance is designed for complete financial protection in the event that you pass away.



Annual Renewable and Level Term Insurance



The beneficiaries of your insurance proceeds will receive the funds free of federal and state income taxes. The money can be used for any expenses, costs, and even pay off some debts such as a mortgage or outstanding revolving accounts. Term insurance can be renewed each year, while other premium policies can be extended for a specific period of time. Annual renewable term policies are ideal for short-term needs and the premiums will fluctuate each year upon renewal. However, this may become unaffordable if it is started too early. A level premium term life insurance plan may be a better option, since this will cover the insured for a set of years: 10, 15, or 20 years at a time will be covered at a set rate so there will not be any fluctuations in payments. Renewals may require an evidence of insurability, but you will have a chance to take advantage of more favorable rates.



Key Benefits of Term Insurance



A number of benefits exist for term insurance policies, and finding an affordable plan can help minimize the costs involved with alternative options such as permanent life insurance. Key benefits of term insurance include:



• Beneficiaries are paid the face value of the policy when the insured dies during the term

• Term insurance generally costs less than permanent life insurance plans and policies, making it more affordable in the long-term

• Some policies are renewable and may even be converted to a permanent insurance status

• A level term life insurance policy can last up to 30 years

• A higher cash value after proceeds are distributed to beneficiaries



Death benefits are not paid at the end of the term, so establishing the right amount of the policy is important during the selection process. Term insurance is the simplest and easiest type of insurance available. Most have a renewable feature that will allow you to increase the premium if any health concerns or life changes occur, and locking in a secure rates becomes much easier. Qualifying for various policies can be challenging, but once the medical evaluation is completed, the physical examination will easily approve a certificate of insurability.



What Term Insurance Proceeds May Be Used For



Once the insured has passed away and the beneficiaries receive the proceeds, term insurance can be used for a variety of purposes that can maintain your family's financial health and protect them from hardship. Common uses for proceeds may include:



• Paying off a mortgage

• Setting up a retirement fund for a spouse

• Covering children's school and college expenses

• Paying off debts such as credit cards or auto loans

• Purchasing stocks for long-term investments

• Covering business expenses

• Cover health costs of immediate family members

• Pay for personal expenses



For more information about life insurance please come and visit our site which is packed full of useful links and tips. http://www.information73.com



Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net

Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Pay as you drive, the best car insurance deal

Pay as you drive, the best car insurance deal by Kirthy

Pay As You Drive commonly known as PAYD, has set a revolution in the car insurance. You can now save money by driving less. Usually, the insurance trend is low mileage drivers receive minimal discounts for driving less. Not any more. With Pay As You Drive you get a financial incentive for driving less. It also reduces driving and congestion by 10 to 12% approximately.



It is an innovative concept related to car insurance which is calculated per mile you travel. PAYD links insurance polices to an odometer instead of just the date on the calendar. PAYD offers dual purpose, it provides opportunity to all drivers to save money and at the same time protect the environment.



Such PAYD insurance is more cost-effective and affordable as it gives every driver a greater control over his premiums. And low mileage drivers like a carpooler, low-wage earner etc. subsidize high mileage driver.



The technology that has revolutionized the car insurance is GPS(Global Positioning System). This enables to gauge monthly insurance premiums on the basis of where you drive and how often you drive. So the monthly premiums is based on the individual’s driving habits rather than others.



Take greater control over your premiums by settling down with a fair deal!



In addition to the above benefits, it allows you to have a volley of some in-car features. You gain access to your personal assistant with the help of 24/7 Assistance button which offers support in case of some inevitabilities such as an accident or a break down. A driver who gets covered under PAYD, also gets a 30 day free trial of a speed camera detection and a satellite navigation. On completion of this free trial period, you can purchase which ever best suited you.



PAYD resulted out of a research with which it was evident that low-mileage drivers are a large untapped market. Pay-as-you-drive insurance is as simple as buying gasoline. Drive less and Pay less. A driver covered under this insurance will get a per mile rate which is also based on other rating factors currently in vogue. It could be the geographic location, vehicle type and the driver’s crash history.

In some countries like Arizona, Indiana, Illinois and Pennsylvania, there’s a new mileage discount program which is designed in collaboration with both GMAC Insurance and Onstar vehicle service. All those drivers with a GM Vehicle and an OnStar service can earn an additional discount based on the miles they drive. The discount offered would be quite significant if the vehicle mileage is less.

From an environmentalist point of view such an insurance motivates one to drive less and thus reduce air pollution and other climate impacts.



Kirthy Vijay,Expert writer on bankruptcy.Log ontoHome owner personal loan



Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

Credit History & Auto Insurance: How One Can Save You Big Bucks On The Other

Credit History & Auto Insurance: How One Can Save You Big Bucks On The Other by Andrew Daigle

Your credit history can influence your ability to get a loan or a credit card, but did you also know that it can play a large role in the cost of your car insurance? It can. In fact, poor credit can result in higher auto insurance rates regardless of your past driving history. When you apply for coverage from an auto insurance company, you will likely be required to sign a release giving the company permission to access your credit file. If you want the best auto insurance rate possible, it's time to start cleaning up that credit report.



Your first step to cheap auto insurance is to check your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies, including TransUnion, Equifax and Experian. Closely review all information contained in each report, including both payment history and contact information. If there are any inaccuracies, file a dispute with the reporting agency immediately and await correction. In most cases, this takes less than two weeks.



You may be wondering why your credit history would play such a crucial role in how much you pay for auto insurance rates. When you apply for this type of coverage, you are asking the auto insurance company to put their trust in both you and your driving ability. By applying for coverage, you are agreeing to pay a premium and, in the event of an accident, a deductible. Your past credit history will give the auto insurance company an idea as to how you will handle your car insurance payments.



It's important to note that even with a few blemishes in your credit history, it is still possible to compare auto insurance rates and even find discount auto insurance if you know where to shop. Many auto insurance companies realize that past credit history is, well, in the past. If you have a less than perfect financial history, don't hesitate to explain your situation to the auto insurance company and let them go to work to find you the best auto insurance rate available.



If you have a credit report that needs improving, you can begin to see positive results in as little as three months. Avoid carrying a credit card balance that exceeds 50% of your total available credit, always pay your bills on time and pay more than the minimum payment if/when possible. After several months of regular payments, your credit report and score will begin to improve. What does this mean for your auto insurance rates? As your credit score goes up, your auto insurance rates may go down. One of the best ways to find the best provider for your needs is through obtaining several auto insurance quotes, compare rates and choosing the best one that offers a customizable plan.



The information in this article is designed to be used for reference purposes only. It should not be used as, in place of or in conjunction with professional financial or insurance advice relating to auto insurance quotes, discount auto insurance or auto insurance rates. For additional information or to receive an auto insurance quote, contact a local auto insurance company.



Andrew Daigle is the owner, creator and author of many successful websites including Free Auto Insurance Quotes, an auto insurance company research site and a Low Loan Rates site for finding the best personal loan, payday loans, student loans and more for your financial needs.



Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Recourse For California Workers Exposed to Harmful Asbestos<

Recourse For California Workers Exposed to Harmful Asbestos by Nick Johnson

California companies responsible for toxic exposure to asbestos have no recourse in the eyes of the public. Many people feel that the ignorant and careless nature of asbestos exposure is not compensable regardless of how high the awards are.



Asbestos exposure is simply inexcusable. Asbestos is the only cause of the deadly lung lining cancer known as Mesothelioma. Mesothelioma is diagnosed annually in approximately 3000 new patients. Mesothelioma carries nearly a 100% death rate.



Asbestos exposure is also responsible for the lung disease known as asbestos, and can significantly contribute to the contraction of lung cancers. The government has dabbled their hands in Mesothelioma and asbestos law and is slowly concluding that victims of asbestos exposure and Mesothelioma aren't necessarily entitled to high jury awards or Mesothelioma settlements.



The proposed Mesothelioma and asbestos laws would prohibit people from suing for asbestos related illnesses. These laws would protect big business as well as governmental agencies from asbestos related lawsuits and leave victims of Mesothelioma and other asbestos related illnesses to file with the government once they are no longer able to financially care for their responsibilities for nominal governmental compensation.



This would be a serious violation of basic human rights as well as an insult to the American worker. It would be the hope of the vast majority that our government would think twice before condemning Mesothelioma victims to such an atrocious sentence.



The passing of laws which prohibit Mesothelioma and asbestos related illness victim from collecting compensation may very well have a much larger effect on big business than anticipated. Often the threat of a Mesothelioma lawsuit, which has the potential to wipe out large companies if they are sued multiple times, helps to keep big business in line when it comes to asbestos exposure.



Taking that threat away from big business means that they are simply required to be within governmental standards and be courteous enough to their employees to avoid infecting them with a fatal disease. How long would the government anticipate it would take to notice a rise of Mesothelioma cases?



Unfortunately the disease can lay dormant in the body for ten to forty years, which means that often people come down with Mesothelioma without being 100% positive where they contracted the disease or where the asbestos exposure existed in their work history. While this can complicate a Mesothelioma lawsuit, it doesn't terminate it.



California mesothelioma lawsuits often hit one company in succession. If three employees from twenty years ago are diagnosed with Mesothelioma, all three have the right to sue.



This creates a spiraling effect that may prevent future Mesothelioma lawsuits from receiving their day in court. This presents a serious problem for future Mesothelioma victims. There is not an unlimited supply of funds to cover the costs of multiple lawsuits, and insurance companies and big business alike are in danger of closing their doors due to bankruptcy.



That means if the fourth Mesothelioma victim hasn't been diagnosed or filed a Mesothelioma lawsuit at that time, there is not enough money left for him or her to receive their fair share. Part of this is due to exorbitant jury awards and very high California mesothelioma settlements.



These two factors have led to an increase in Mesothelioma lawsuits, although there is a much higher percentage of people filing Mesothelioma lawsuits and negotiating Mesothelioma settlements that are not sick and have received no diagnosis. And they are winning against big business.



Juries are awarding Mesothelioma awards based on the risk presented by the exposure to asbestos that has been able to be proven. There are two sides to this very unusual coin. Asbestos companies are still being held accountable for their irresponsible and careless attitude toward their employees, but those who are filing Mesothelioma lawsuits before being diagnosed with Mesothelioma or another form of asbestos illness are taking money away from those who are definitely diagnosed with Mesothelioma.



There is a great debate about the morality of filing a Mesothelioma lawsuit without being diagnosed with an asbestos related disease, yet if the exposure risk was high enough that Mesothelioma is likely, waiting too long may very well mean that no funds will be allocated to cover the California mesothelioma cases that come forth thereafter.



This creates a personal predicament for every individual who has been significantly exposed to asbestos. For each individual who lives under the threat of a future case of Mesothelioma or other asbestos related disease, whether or not to file a premature Mesothelioma lawsuit is only an question they can answer for themselves.



Nick Johnson is lead counsel and founding partner of Johnson Law Group. Johnson represents plaintiffs in many states and focuses on injury cases involving all types of Mesothelioma. Call 1-888-311-5522 today or visit http://www.nickjohnsonlaw.com for a free case evaluation.



Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net

Monday, February 12, 2007

California Mesothelioma Lawsuits, Mesothelioma Claims and Insurance Companies

California Mesothelioma Lawsuits, Mesothelioma Claims and Insurance Companies by Nick Johnson

Insurance companies don't like to pay for things, and if there is any way around their obligation to foot the bill, they will. That is how they stay in business. They need to have a large percentage of money coming in and a very small percentage going out. Insurance adjustors are not humanitarians, they are business people. California mesothelioma claims are a huge liability in the eyes of the insurance companies.



California mesothelioma lawsuits run the risk of drying up the insurance companies limited resources. Juries are willing to award victims of Mesothelioma and their families large amounts of money based on the company's previous knowledge of the asbestos exposure, which is the sole proven cause for it.



Nearly all California mesothelioma lawsuits are filed by people who have held laborious positions all their life, including factory workers, those in the automotive industry, demolition crews, and construction crews. These men and women worked hard every day of their lives and in so many cases the company was well aware of the asbestos risks and did little or nothing to inform or protect their employees.



It's just another example of the wealthy taking advantage of the average. Juries listen to testimony and more often than not are willing to award excessive sums of money to the victims of Mesothelioma. Insurance companies are then forced to pay the claims, only in much higher amounts than would have been necessary had they simply paid the initial claim.



Insurance companies have much more stringent requirements than juries. Insurance companies have the right to initially deny claims until they are forced to pay. Juries are asked to form opinions based solely on reasonable doubt and presented evidence. Juries are fallible. Juries come with their own thoughts and feelings and experiences that create the filters in which they hear evidence being presented.



A jury reviewing a Mesothelioma case that is comprised of upper echelon and society's elite is likely to award nominal sums for cases than a jury comprised of laborers, artists, and retirees reviewing the same Mesothelioma case.



Mesothelioma has had enough press that most people recognize that it is caused by asbestos and typically can only be ignored by the people who hold a position of power. Asbestos laws are not stringent enough to prevent future cases of Mesothelioma. People with annual income of less than $75,000 are more likely to identify with victims than those with annual incomes over $100,000. Those who fall in between are likely to hear the case for what it is.



The insurance companies aren't willing to place their financial future in the hands of juries quite so readily any longer, and legislation is continually making it more difficult for hard working middle to lower class people to present their Mesothelioma cases in court.



More often than not, insurance companies have various rules in place that protect them. Speaking to a California mesothelioma lawyer immediately after diagnosis even if you have not yet decided to file a lawsuit is recommended. Should you choose to file, the lawyer has already advised you of the basic requirements necessary to continue with the filing of the Mesothelioma lawsuit.



Without this information, it is possible to make an innocent mistake that can cost you the right to your benefits. The insurance company is willing to work very hard to deny you the basic coverage under asbestos related laws, it only make sense to respond with someone working hard on your side to protect your rights against insurance company regulations. It is not a disease that can be contracted by a poor diet or unhealthy habits. Mesothelioma has been proven to be caused only by prolonged exposure to asbestos.



Whether you are not receiving fair benefits or treatment from your insurance company in regards to your Mesothelioma or not, you may be able to file a lawsuit. It is possible that you are entitled to many benefits that you are unaware of. Unfortunately, it is a crippling and terminal disease.



Often in these cases there are more benefits available to the victim within their rights provided by the law than they are aware of, and it is not likely that the insurance company is going to make the offer. A qualified California mesothelioma lawyer can fully explain the benefits available to you and your family in a much more user friendly fashion than even the best insurance company.



Nick Johnson is lead counsel and founding partner of Johnson Law Group. Johnson represents plaintiffs throughout California and focuses on injury cases involving Mesothelioma. Visit http://www.nickjohnsonlaw.com or call 1-888-311-5522 immediately to request a free case evaluation.



Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net

Sunday, February 11, 2007

Things Insurance Companies and Judges Don't Want You to Know About Personal Injury Claims

Things Insurance Companies and Judges Don't Want You to Know About Personal Injury Claims by Arnold Hernandez

The number of secrets behind the closed doors of insurance companies and judge's changers are enormous. This is only the tip of the iceberg.



1. Delay, Delay, Delay. A common strategy of insurance companies when a person suffers a car accident or truck accident injury is to delay your case as much as possible. This before a lawsuit and after a lawsuit. The reason for the delay is to discourage claimants from pursuing a claim, to hurt the claimant's case, and to keep the money as long as possible.



Delay can be effective in decreasing the number of car accident claimants that pursue a claim. The strategy often works in other type of claims as well including car accident property damage, fire damage a home, or water damage to a home, or other claims. In my experience the number of claimants that give up on a case is small, but for an insurance company the tiny number adds up quickly and can mean millions in unpaid claims.



Soon after an accident some insurance companies call the victim and request a recorded statement. They often tell the accident victim not to worry, because they will pay for everything. The adjuster will often guide the case along and keep reassuring the claimant.



When the statute of limitations the insurance carrier would inform the claimant that they would not pay anything. Most claimants did not have the time to find an attorney to represent them and attorneys often decline to accept cases on a rush basis. When California had a one year statute of limitations the strategy often worked well and claimants often lost their case, especially the ones that wanted to avoid hiring an attorney.



Contact with the car accident victim and reassuring the car accident injury victim is means of harming the claimants case. I have had instances when claimants call me two or three months after the fact seeking representation for medical treatment. The common reason for why no medical treatment was sought is that they believed the insurance company would assign them to a doctor or send them a check.



In one case two weeks after the car accident, the claimant had suffered some serious injuries, but he really believed the insurance company would take care of everything and kept checking his mailbox for a check. He even decided to check his mailbox one last time before hiring my firm, convinced a check would be arriving so he could go see the doctor. The reason the insurance companies do this is to keep car accident claimants from seeking medical care right away.



The car accident claimant is required to mitigate his damages, meaning he (or she) is supposed to minimize his own damages. A typical car accident claimant will claim medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If the car accident claimant fails to see a medical doctor not only is his credibility harmed, but he (or she)caused his injuries two worsen and he (or she)suffered longer than necessary. This is how insurance companies pretend to be on your side and then hurt you.



2. Recorded statements. Some insurance companies respond as quickly as possible after and accident and contact the car accident or truck accident claimant and take a recorded statement. The car accident victim is victimized twice. The reason is that most injuries are soft tissue injuries, meaning they relate to muscle sprains, tears, and other non objectively verifiable injuries.



These type of injuries often take a few hours before they start causing pain. These type of injuries are similar to hard physical work or a tough workout when you are out of shape. If you are out of shape or have not exercised for a long time, you may be able to do a lot of strenuous activity, but the next day you may find that you cannot get out of bed. Soft tissue injuries from car, truck, and bus accidents an even slip and falls are very much the same and you may not feel any pain for several hours or until the next day. Sometimes it may take a couple of days. The insurance adjuster will naturally record your statement and ask if you were injured. If it is a soft tissue there is a chance you will not feel anything until at the time of the call.



3. The physics of a collision. The biggest lie in car accidents that insurance defense attorneys, insurance hired experts, and insurance companies put out for jurors is that minimal impact collisions cause no injury. The reality is that it depends, there may or may not be an injury, but if the vehicle is an old car or truck, chances are the claimant is injured and badly so.



A low impact collision can cause great harm to the car accident claimant. It is basic physics and many text books describe in detail the reasons for why a low impact car accident can cause great physical harm. The irony is that jurors believe that great car damage means great bodily harm, but the design of newer cars is such that the impact will be observed by the car and therefore protect the body.



Insurance companies sponsor unscientific studies from time to time and then cite these studies in courts throughout the country. They often hire doctors and engineers calling themselves biomechanical engineers. These doctors and engineers are the same people called to trial over and over again. The reason is money, big money, some of these engineers make as much as $500,000 to $1 million a year and the same is true of these doctors. You can call any personal injury attorneys at random, and ask if they know who are the defense doctors and you will find they will give you the same responses time after time.



4. Experts. When you serve as a juror you will notice that some of the so called experts are fantastic. They are entertaining, animated, and smooth as can be. These so called experts are experts in testimony. Their job is to testify and be credible. If they looked too polished is because they are. Some of these experts have been to trial more than most attorneys. As stated earlier, the reason is money, big money, some of these engineers make as much as $500,000 to $1 million a year and the same is true of these doctors.



A treating doctor is generally not an expert and rarely testifies, jurors will see them

stumble and see that they are disorganized. Defense experts are always hired, they are obviously not treating doctors. If you are lucky, you might get to see one say "My opinion is not for sale !" Experts are often depose before going to trial.



Depositions are a process where they are asked questions under penalty of perjury before a court reporter. Defense experts contradict themselves as evidenced by the deposition transcripts and court transcripts from prior trials, they have perjured themselves repeatedly, but are rarely sanctioned by the courts. No fines, no jail time, no payback of any kind, and they still get to keep their $500,000 to $1 million a year.



5. The offer in compromise. The California legislature created a powerful tool to push cases to settlement. It is called an offer in compromise. It is a tool where the insurance company can offer to settle the case as well as the car accident claimant. If the defendant offers say $1 to the plaintiff and the plaintiff believes a jury trial will result in a greater verdict, but the jury decides to award no money damages, then the car accident victim is victimized a second time. This because the car accident victim is now liable under the Civil Code to the insurance company for all the money the insurance company paid the doctor and the engineer as well as court reporter fees, jury fees, witness fees, and other associated fees. Judges do not want you to know this !



6. The defendant. In the vast majority of cases involving a car accident lawsuit, the

defendant is really the insurance company and sometimes it is a big company. Personal injury attorneys donnot like to sue uninsured persons and donnot like to go after the assets of people. Most defendants are sorry and want to pay, but their insurance companies do not. It is a long tedious, stressful process for the accident victim as well as the culprit and the culprit generally wants to pay and get it done and over with, but the insurance company forces the culprit to go through the process.



7. Jury Verdicts. Big business and insurance companies have characterized jury verdicts as "run away jury verdicts," and they have been very successful in making personal injury attorneys and car accident claimants, as well as other personal injury claimants, look like they are greedy. The truth is that most jury verdicts are not very big. Many cases are under $25,000.00 and the average settlement is around $7,000.00. About half of a settlement goes to doctors and sometimes neither the attorney nor the car accident claimant get anything. The reason is that there are lots of costs associated with a lawsuit, the actual doctor bills, the cost of hiring the doctor to testify for the treatment provided, the court reporter fees, deposition fees, witness fees, motion fees, court fees, jury fees, copy service fees. Each and every expense is high.



Many attorneys decline to accept small cases, simply because it is a losing proposition for the attorney. Almost all personal injury attorneys accept cases on a contingency fee basis and more than half the time, they take their own money and advance the costs of litigation, it is not unusual for personal injury attorneys to take out loans to finance bigger cases where there are many doctors involved and where experts are hired. So, personal injury attorneys must wait sometimes years before they get paid, if at all. The only winners in car accident litigation is the defense attorney and the experts. The experts do extremely well as does the defense attorney. Defense attorneys get paid often up front for the work they do, regardless of the outcome of the case, usually around $250 an hour and somewhere in the $30,000 to $250,000 range per trial.



When a jury comes back with a large verdict the judge often reduces it. When there are punitive damages, meaning an award to make an example out of the defendant, it can not exceed certain standards. If damages intended to make the person whole, which is the whole purpose of personal injury, are X then punitive damages cannot exceed about 6X, or six times the compensatory damages.



For the big companies such as the auto companies that have engaged in some really bad behavior in past, this is usually a drop in the bucket. The $1 million awarded and $6 million in punitive is nothing in comparison to the annual profits of the company. Even though a jury might be extremely upset with the behavior of the defendant and award a lot in punitive damages, the judge will often cut the award and if not the defendant will appeal it.



A car accident victim is just that a victim, he (or she) has not won the lottery and at best will be put back to where he (or she) should have been if the accident had not occurred. It is the intent of the law to put the person back to where he (or she) should have been.



Arnold Hernandez Representing Clients Throughout Southern California
Attorney Arnold Hernandez represents clients in car accidents, truck accidents, dog bites, overtime claims, and unfair home loans in the cities of San Marcos, Escondido, Vista, Oceanside, Cathedral City, Palm Springs, Indio, Riverside, and throughout Southern California.



Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net

Monday, January 15, 2007

Why Is Your Car Insurance So Expensive?

Why Is Your Car Insurance So Expensive? by Nicholas Hunt

Although these days it's pretty easy to arrange your car insurance online, comparing quotes at the click of a button and paying by credit card for instant cover, one ever present difficulty still remains: the high cost of insurance policies. The fact that having car insurance in place is both a legal requirement and a sensible idea doesn't detract from the annoyance of having to pay what seems to be an exorbitant sum, and most of us would jump at the chance of reducing the bill.



To do this we need to know what factors insurance companies use when deciding how much our premiums will be.



Perhaps the most important influence on the level of your premium is your own history as a driver. If you've a history of having accidents, then naturally you're a higher risk to the insurer and so they'll charge you more. Worse, if you've been convicted of a motoring offence such as speeding or driving while under the influence, then your insurance will cost you even more - especially if your licence was withdrawn.



On the plus side, a history containing no black marks such as accidents will result in cheaper insurance as you build up a 'no claims' discount over the years.



The next most important factor is what kind of car you're trying to insure. Naturally, more expensive cars will cost more to replace, and so the insurance will cost you more too. This isn't the whole story though, as other features such as engine size, the availability of cheap spares, and the difficulty of repair will have an influence too. Finally, some models of car are well known for being easier to break into or steal than others - the insurance companies are well aware of this and will adjust their quotes accordingly.



How you use your car will also affect the price you pay for cover. If you rarely drive and have a low annual mileage, then your premiums can be cut as you're on the road for less time, and therefore have less chance of needing to make a claim. City drivers may also have to pay more compared to those who drive in quieter areas.



Where you keep your car is important too - if you have a secure parking area, preferably one that keeps your vehicle out of sight and under cover, then your risk is lowered, as will be your premiums. Cars that are regularly parked at the roadside are at a higher risk of being stolen or involved in collisions, and so will be more expensive to insure.



One final point to cover is that of how attractive your car is to thieves, and not just in the obvious way of how desirable your vehicle is! An expensive car with a good security system including an alarm and window etching etcetera will be more of a hassle for criminals to profit from, and so is less likely to be stolen than a cheaper car with little or no security. Also, a car featuring plenty of gadgets such as an expensive audio system or satellite navigation will attract greater interest from potential thieves.



So as we can see, even though car insurance is an expensive business, it's not always as simple as it seems, and by looking at what insurers want in a 'perfect' customer, you may be able to drive down your premiums.



Nicholas has been writing on financial issues including car insurance for several years. Visit his site for more insurance tips and tricks, including how to get cheaper insurance for female drivers.



Article Source: ArticleBazaar.net