Pay as You Go car insurance?

You can pay as you talk with a cell phone plan, so why not pay as you drive auto insurance? It sounds like a good idea; but would pay as you drive auto insurance work for you? The idea behind pay as you drive auto insurance is simple. Basically its this- if you do not drive very much, you will not pay high insurance premiums. Advocates for this type of insurance policy think that there are many merits to this type of program. What if you car pool to work, or take public transit? You are not using your car very much so why are you paying high premiums. With a pay as you drive auto insurance premiums you would be able to quite literally pay as you go.

Another situation where this plan would be of benefit is that of many retirees who have winter homes in temperate climates, the ’snowbirds’ living in Florida or Arizona six months of the year and six months in New York or Toronto for example. Essentially the insurance companies would set an average driving amount for each car type. It could then be broken down into a cents per mile basis. If you wanted to us the pay as you drive auto insurance system you could purchase a set number of miles and you would be covered for insurance during this period.

Pay as you drive auto insurance is an excellent idea for those individuals who do not use their car very much or try to find cost saving methods or environment saving alternatives. Currently this type of program is not yet available, but there are supporters in many states who are hoping to change that soon. Groups including Environmental Defense, the Conservation Law Foundation and even the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are working to organize a national cooperative that would work with insurance companies to offer deep discounts for low-mileage drivers; halfway a step toward PAYD (Pay As You Drive) insurance.

General Motors and On-Star Offers PAYD Rates. In mid-2004 General Motors Acceptance Corporation (GMAC) Insurance began offering mileage-based discounts to OnStar subscribers located in some states. The OnStar system reports a vehicle’s odometer readings at the beginning and end of the policy term to verify mileage. Motorist who drive less than specified annual mileage can receive insurance premium discounts of up to 40%. PAYD programs are also currently available in Israel, South Africa and Holland. PAYD is gaining momentum, and will be coming to your area soon.

But will it ever arrive in the biggest Car Insurance market, the UK?
There has been a lot of debate and forwarded working concepts but non yet approved. Discussions have been put in place and considerations made but for as far as the UK drivers are concerned, that is as far as it has gone. Perhaps the industry has too much to lose with this new money saving concept so it will be put off for a while, but as pressure and countrys evolve into the new scheme it would be irrational for the UK to stay behind, fingers crossed peps.

Online Car Insurance

Car Insurance Quotes

Buying car insurance can be a real hassle, taking up most of a day while you call different companies to get quotes and wait to hear back. Everyone advertises that they are the best and they give the best deals but the same cant be true for all of them. And you know that you want to get the most for your money. If youre a serious bargain shopper, it might take you a long time before you can narrow the field when it comes to car insurance. However, real bargain shoppers know that the Internet is their best bet for a great deal on virtually anything. When you get your quotes online, the whole process is much quicker and easier. And the best part of all is, no automated voices telling you to press 1or 2or 3

Ah, the Ease of Online Buying

Because its so much easier, a lot of people feel more comfortable buying car insurance online, in a click-and-point process that doesnt involve sitting through ten minutes of automated questions and answers. The options and companies are endless even in a strictly online environment. The casual consumer might search through web sites and read quotes for hours, and still be no closer to finding what they really want. Yes, even comparing quotes online can be tedious. Its possible to compare quotes from many different companies very quickly and with no stress or a lot of web site-hopping.

How to Find Online Car Insurance Quotes

There are many sites dedicated to giving you car insurance quotes online. These sites will help you compare rates and plans side-by-side from many different companies at once. One of the most time-consuming factors of searching for affordable car insurance is the variety of companies offering this service. You could drive yourself crazy accessing each web site and gathering different quotes, one at a time, from each companys web site. Why not get many quotes all at the same time? The beauty of the Internet is that you can, and this will save you a whole lot of time and aggravation.

Where Do You Find These Sites?

A simple Internet search will lead you in the right direction if youre looking for companies that will give you online car insurance quotes. These web sites are very easy to use and to navigate, and in most cases you have only to fill out a very simple online form. All the standard questions are part of this form what kind of car you drive, your age, etc. You will be under no obligation to purchase any of the plans you take a closer look at, and can compare and bargain shop to your hearts content.

Online Car Insurance

Some plans can only be purchased through an online means with some companies. More and more in today’s world, everything is going online, so it only makes sense that car insurance move online, too. Online car insurance is becoming more and more popular, and every virtually every company that is in search of new customers has a web site now. Why go through the stress of talking to twenty different people on the telephone if you can avoid it? Online car insurance is definitely your best bet if you’re thinking about changing you car insurance plan…or even if you aren’t. Use this as a resource to be sure your current company is offering the best coverage and price. If you find otherwise, bring your findings to your current insurance agent and see if there is anything better that they can do.

Obtaining a Free Car Insurance Quote

Insurance is one of those things that we all need to protect us from the unforeseen. When it comes to obtaining coverage for our vehicles many of tend to find one insurer and stick with them. However, smart consumers know that by being a comparison shopper when it comes to obtaining coverage can significantly reduce their monthly premiums. Many insurers have made being a smart consumer easy by offering the ability to get a free car insurance quote directly through your computer.

One of the largest insurance companies out there that focuses most of its marketing efforts and sales online is Progress Auto Insurance. They are unique in that they not only will give you their rates, but also provide rates from competing companies. Many times they are the lowest, but on occasion other companies can beat their rates and they actually encourage you to use the other guy if they can’t match or beat the competition! Talk about customer service!

Of course, there are hundreds of insurers you could use. Since you probably don’t want to spend days or weeks online or on the phone getting quotes it is best to narrow your selection down to about 10 companies and go from there. Remember, the reputation of the company is as important as the rate you receive – you want an insurance company that will be there for you, not just one that collects the premiums and then disappears into the night when you need to file a claim.

Once you find an insurer with a good rate you might want to do a little background research on them online by seeing what others are saying. How is their customer service? What about claims handling? Do they offer low rates at first and then raise them significantly when it comes time for renewal?

Being a smart consumer means you will be able to find the best deal to meet your insurance needs while making sure you have a reputable company to stand behind you if you are ever involved in an accident.

New Jersey Car Insurance Online What You Need To

New Jersey Car Insurance Online What You Need To Look For

Shopping online can be both fun and beneficial, but many of us are wisely careful about what it is exactly that we are purchasing. If youre a car owner and driver in New Jersey and are interested in looking for car insurance online, there are a few things you need to know first.

Did you know that in order to drive legally in most states, drivers are required to purchase a minimum of liability insurance, including property damage and bodily injury? Its true. And in all states, you are financially responsible for car accidents in which you are involved so youll have to show proof that you can cover the financial responsibility. The costs of automobile accidents are usually much higher than the costs covered by the minimum insurance limits set by each state.

New Jersey car owners are required to have bodily injury and property damage liability, as well as personal injury protection (which can cover medical, rehabilitation, and funeral costs, as well as any lost earnings due to the accident personal injury protection is mandatory in all no-fault states) and uninsured motorist coverage. The minimum liability limits for New Jersey car owners is 15305. Although New Jersey car owners are not required to show their proof of insurance at the time of vehicle registration or registration renewal, they are required to show proof of insurance at the time of an automobile accident and keep such proof of insurance in their vehicles at all times. If at any time a New Jersey car owner is caught without proof of insurance, he or she risks being fined anywhere from 300 to 1,000, being sentenced to community service, and having his or her license suspended for one year.

So, the next time you look online to do some shopping make sure you know exactly what youre getting, and that what youre getting is what you need especially if youre purchasing New Jersey car insurance online!

New Driver Car Insurance – Tips To Save Money With

New Driver Car Insurance – Tips To Save Money With Your New Driver

As a new driver, expect to pay more for your car insurance than you would if you were an older more experienced driver. All is not lost, however, there are things you can do to take the sting out of the cost of insurance and lower your rate.

1.Vehicle: Stay away from brand new, very expensive, very fast, sport cars. Expensive cars cost more to insure, the more horse power, the higher and the premium. Go for something that is older, with many safety features. Companies offer discounts for features like automatic seatbelts, airbags and anti-lock brakes.

2.Drivers Education: As a new driver, it will help your insurance rate if you take an approved drivers safety course. Chat with your insurance agent before taking the course. You want to make sure that they recognize and approve of the institution offering the class. Aside from getting good driving information, you do want to get the insurance premium discount so make sure that it is one accepted by your insurance carrier.

3.Sober Driving: This is a no brainer, but needs to be said. Driving while under the influence is not only dangerous, but costly in more ways than one. If you are stopped with a DUI, not only will your insurance rates increase, if you are under aged, it is illegal and your insurance company may void your coverage.

4.Student Drivers: If you’re a new young driver that is still in school, maintaining good grades (B average or above) may earn a discount of up to 25% of your insurance premium.

5.Talk to your agent. Your insurance agent is aware of various discounts offered by the insurance company. You might qualify for some of them, but you won’t know unless you ask.

6.Compare: Get quotes from more than one company. Shop around.

Hang in there. You’re only new once; rates will go down with driving experience.

Motorcycle Vs. Car – Myth or Madness

Motorcycle riders often get an unjustified reputation as being reckless, risk takers, and that they generally disobey traffic laws. This perception is unfounded and there are many statistics that back up the fact that most motorcycle accidents are not the fault of the motorcycle rider, but that of another driver.

A major study conducted by the University of Southern California (USC) found that approximately three-fourths of motorcycle accidents involved a collision with another vehicle, usually a passenger automobile. It was also found that in the multiple vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle right-of-way and caused the accident in two-thirds of those accidents. Further the study by USC found that the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.

These findings go to show that the motorcycle rider has unjustly received a bad reputation from the general public as well as from insurance companies that cover motorcycle riders. Motorcycles are inherently prone to accidents caused by other drivers because of their small size. Motorcycles easily fit into the blind spot of typical passenger automobiles. The truth is that most motorcycle riders are very good drivers and keep an eye out for motorists who do not see them. This awareness of other drivers however does not prevent all accidents.

When accidents such as these happen, the insurance company of the driver who is at fault will go to great lengths to keep from giving the motorcycle rider the money he or she deserves. Insurance companies will frequently rush the victim to make a quick settlement as a way to save money. Most people in the general public are not insurance experts and do not know if they are getting a bad deal from the insurance company or not. When a check is stuck in front of them it can be quite tempting to sign.

Taking the insurance companies first offer is usually a mistake. Other times the insurance company of the other driver will try to not pay at all for the accident and resulting injuries. They often try to make it appear that the motorcycle rider was at fault in the accident. It is not hard to convince a jury of this since motorcycle riders have this unjust reputation of being less than careful.

This is why it is critically important to have a qualified and competent lawyer on your side if you find yourself the victim of a motorcycle accident. A qualified lawyer will help make sure that you get the settlement that you deserve; a settlement that will cover your medical bills as well as paying for the damage to your motorcycle. Not having a lawyer to stand up for you will cost you more than just money, it will also cause you a great deal of headaches and heartache. Trying to fight an insurance company on your own, while at the same time dealing with physical injuries can be an overwhelming task.

A qualified lawyer is the only one who will be on your side in case of an accident. A lawyer works for you and only you. The insurance company works for their shareholders and will try very hard to keep from getting you the money that you deserve.

Lower Your Car Insurance Rate

If You Refuse To Pay High Insurance RatesHere Are 7 Bargaining Chips you Can Use to Negotiate a Better Insurance Rate.

Lower Your Car Insurance Rate

Having a good driving record is one of the best ways to keep your car insurance rates down. Here are a few other ways to help lower your costs.

1.Shop Around

Make companies compete for your business. Prices will vary from company to company. So, be sure to ask at least 3-4 different companies for a quote. Make them earn your business.

Talk to your friends, neighbors and coworkers about their insurance policies. If theyre happy with their insurance company there is a good chance you will be too.

There are dozens of companies on line willing to give you a free car insurance quote (like FreeCarInsuranceQuotes.org and CarInsurance.com). This may be a good starting place for you. Keep your eyes and ears open for radio and TV advertisements.

Again, these agencies are willing to compete for your business; so, dont settle.

2.Ask For Higher Deductibles

Deductibles are what you pay before your insurance policy kicks in. By raising your deductible, you can lower your insurance rates significantly. For instance, raising your deductible from 250 to 500 can reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage 10-30 percent. Raising your deductible to a 1000 could save you as much as 40% or better.

Just be sure you have the cash on hand to cover yourself in the event of a claim.

3.Have Safety Anti-theft Devices Installed

You may be eligible for further insurance discounts if your vehicle is equipped with one or more options: anti-lock brakes, automatic seat belts, air bags, or traction control.

Installing a vehicle recovery systems such as LoJack or Teletracer can save you up to 7-10% per year.

Other Anti-theft devices like The Club are relatively inexpensive and can also help to reduce your insurance premiums.

4.Consolidate Insurance Policies

Insuring two or more vehicles through the same insurance company can help to reduce your insurance rates by as much as 10%-15%. Covering your home through the same company that insures your vehicles can help lower your rates by an additional 10%-15%.

5.Teenagers and College Bound Drivers

Teenagers and college bound drivers may consider driving the family car instead of driving his or her own vehicle. Students attending school and living away from home can reduce their premiums by as much as 30-50 percent this way.

6.Take Advantage of Low Mileage Discounts

Many insurance companies offer reduced insurance rates to people who car pool to work or find other ways to keep their mileage low.

7.Safety Courses

Along with having a clean driving record, taking additional drivers safety courses could save you some 7-10% on your car insurance. If you are given a traffic citation, ask about the types of courses they offer. Some states willing to keep your insurance record clean if you agree to take complete these courses.

Conclusion

Lowering your auto insurance, in many instances, is about knowing what questions to ask and what you are entitled to. Since many companies arent going to do your homework for you, here is the short list of discounts you should inquire about:

[ ] Low Mileage
[ ] 500 Deductible
[ ] 1000 Deductible
[ ] More than One Car
[ ] No Accidents in 3 Years, 5 Years, and so on
[ ] No Moving Violations in 3 Years
[ ] Driver Training Course
[ ] Defensive Driving Courses
[ ] Anti-Theft Devices
[ ] Safety Features (like Air Bags, Anti-lock Brakes, Daytime Running Lights, etc.)
[ ] Student Drivers with Good Grades
[ ] Consolidating Policies
[ ] College Students Away From Home
[ ] Long-Time Customers
[ ] Discounts for Non Smokers and Retirees

Deductions will vary from state to state and from insurance company to insurance company. So be sure to ask.

Also the key to lowering your auto insurance rate is not necessarily how many discounts you are eligible for. Its the bottom line that matters.

Lower The Cost of Your Car Insurance

Buying auto insurance is an important part of your overall financial planning. The auto insurance premium rate varies depending on the company and the type of policy coverage you choose to have. Here are some guidelines to lower the cost.

Shop Around- Compare the costs by shopping around at least four to five insurance companies and comparing the quotes. Take the help of your friends, relatives and yellow pages. Your insurance company should offer fair price and posses excellent service records. Check the financial ratings of the company as it indicates the strength and stability of the company.

Ask for higher deductibles- Deductible is the amount of money that you pay before making any claim for an accident. The collision and comprehensive coverage are sold with the deductibles. Higher the deductibles lower will be the premium rate. Increasing the deductible from 200 to 500 may reduce the cost by 15 to 30 percent.

Drop collision and comprehensive Coverage on older cars- If your car is worth less than 10 times your premium inthe current market, consider dropping the collision and comprehensive coverage.

Buy auto coverage from your existing insurer- Buy insurance coverage from your existing carrier. This may help you to reduce the cost. Sometimes low rates are available for the longtime customers.

Avoid double health coverage- If you think that you have enough health insurance, and then avoid health coverage with your auto policy. This will help you to reduce the cost.

Maintain a good credit record- Insurers are using the credit history while determining the price of insurance. Statistically, the lower your credit score, the more you are likely to file claims. A person with a good credit score is more likely to settle the accident without the support of the company. Try to maintain a good credit record.

Discounts with low profile car- Cars that are expensive to repair or attractive to thieves will have a higher rate. Consider buying a low profile or average car as it your insurer might come up with discounts for such a car.

Take advantage of the low mileage discount: Obtain some discount on premiums by driving less than the national average mileage recorded per year.

Consult about group discount- Sometimes you can get some discounts on group plans provided by your employer, or a business groups, or other associations. Find out whether such a plan is available.

Seek Car Safety discount- Some insurers offer discount if you keep your car equipped with air bag, anti-lock brakes, anti-theft devices, automatic seat belts. Take advantage of this.

Long Term Care Insurance Should I Get This?

Yes, you may want to consider a long term care insurance plan if you dont want to drain your retirement savings and other investments in the future! It is currently estimated that nursing home costs are more than 10,000 per month. Imagine, how much this will cost you on an annual basis if you had to pay this money out of your pocket if you needed care from a nursing home! This would be financially devastating without long term care insurance.

Did you know that prior to the passage of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, most Americans were able to count on Medicaid to assist them with long term health care. The Deficit Reduction Act changes all of that. This new law places the majority of long term health care costs on you, especially if you have assets. Unfortunately, middle class Americans will be hit the hardest with this new law.

How does the Deficit Reduction Act affect me if I need nursing home care and have assets? Well, for the most part, you will need to exhaust your assets before you will be eligible for Medicaid. Under this new law, there is a five year look back period from the date that you apply for your Medicaid benefits. This five year look back period, is to ensure that you have not transferred assets to relatives, friends, or other individuals. If you have transferred your assets to someone, Medicaid will count this against you and you will have a period of penalty wherein you will not qualify for benefits. Basically, this means that you could be out of money and Medicaid will not pay for your nursing home care!

The other side of this new law is that even if you have not transferred your assets to someone, you cannot have more than 500,00 in home equity. The majority of your assets including trusts and annuities are viewed differently under this new law.

It is important, that you consider long term care insurance as part of your retirement planning. With passage of the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, it is a must! Unless you are independently wealthy and dont mind coming out of your pocket with more than 10,000 per month for your prospective nursing home care! For the average person, this would be a severe financial hardship.

What age should I consider getting a long term care insurance plan? You may want to consider in your early to mid fifties. However, it is recommended that you consult your insurance agent or financial advisor about this.

Planning is important, in order to assist you in eliminating a potentially devastating financial disaster. You want to live out the golden years of your retirement as stress free as possible. So make sure you plan for your future long term health care needs!

Long Term Care Insurance

What is Long Term Care Insurance?
Long term care insurance serves to help those individuals who need extra care and attention as they age. Long term care insurance helps to take financial burden away from family members, and for the individual in need of such care. Often, the elderly have very little income and no extra money. Yet, the cost of aging itself seems to be rising. Those who can least afford it are expected to pay huge healthcare costs.

This is why long term care insurance can be beneficial, and take financial burden away from those who cannot afford the high cost of healthcare. A long term care insurance policy may be purchased at any time, though policies are ideally purchased before the need for long term care arises.

Paying the Price of Long Term Care Insurance
Long term care insurance premiums and rates will usually go up as the policyholder ages. In some cases, long term care insurance will not be needed at all. In those cases where long term care is needed, however, long term care insurance can be invaluable.

The price of paying for long term care insurance is much less than the cost of paying for long term care. Healthcare these days is very expensive. Long term care, these days, is astronomical.

An average private nursing home room this year costs over 190 per day. Now, to receive 24 hour care at home costs more than 400 per day. Life expectancy for women is 80 years, five more than men. You want to stay in your home as long as you can. You want to choose where and how you receive long term care as you grow older. About sixty percent of those age 65 and older will need long term care. A third of those receiving long term care today are under 65
-Long Term Care web site, July 2006

Obtaining a Long Term Care Insurance Policy
Many insurance companies offer long term care insurance policies. It is always a good idea to shop around for the best rates and coverage when it comes to purchasing any type of insurance policy, but especially when it comes to health insurance.

Rates on long term care insurance will rise as time passes, but in general it is best to purchase a long term care insurance policy before the need for long term care arises. Do as much research and obtain as many quotes as possible when considering a long term care insurance policy. Make sure you know the rate at which the policy will increase and how much the long term care insurance will pay.

Understanding Your Long Term Care Insurance Policy
These days, simple insurance policies are so complicated that you almost need a translator to decipher the more complex language. Its very important that you understand the details of your long term care policy, including limits and deductibles that are applied to that policy. If you need help understanding a policy, you can consult with a lawyer. Do not sign up for a policy unless you understand every detail of that long term care insurance policy. You want to have all the details before you sign.

How Do You Know Long Term Care Insurance is Right For You?
Long term care insurance is for anyone who does not have an unlimited supply of money, who does not want themselves or their family to bear a heavy financial burden as they age. Long term care insurance serves to protect you, both financially and health-wise. Long term care insurance is a good idea for anyone, whether they believe they may need long term care or not.