Thứ Ba, 2 tháng 4, 2013

Florida Auto Insurance


Getting auto insurance Florida quotes is very simple. With the internet it is very easy to find a variety of auto insurance companies in the state or Florida who are more than happy to provide you with a free auto insurance quote.

One reason it can be beneficial to get a few auto insurance Florida quotes is to ensure that you are getting the best possible deal for you and/or your families auto insurance needs. Since a majority of auto insurance companies will use the same guidelines and criteria for evaluating your insurability, do not expect huge or dramatic differences between your auto insurance rates.

If you already have a renters insurance policy or a homeowners insurance policy with a particular insurance company, you may want to began your Florida auto insurance search with that company first, since you may be eligible for a multiline discount. Read more about cheap car insurance for young drivers.

FL Auto Insurance


Auto Insurance Florida Requirements

In the state of FL it is required by law to have auto insurance, so keep these requirements in mind when you are shopping Florida auto insurance quotes.

The auto insurance requirements for the state of Florida are:

1. $10,000 minimum for personal injury protection

2. $10,000 minimum for property damage liability

For any questions you have regarding the Florida auto insurance laws, you will want to contact a insurance agent who is licensed to sell insurance in the state of FL. They will be able to insure that you are receiving an auto insurance policy that covers all of the FL state requirements.

Full Coverage Auto Insurance


Most people are confused when they hear the term full coverage auto insurance thrown around by either their auto insurance company, or some other authoritative resource. It really isn’t something that should be that confusing, as full coverage auto insurance has a pretty standard meaning when spoken about in relation to the amount of coverage available for an individual policy.

Full Coverage Auto Insurance Defined

Essentially, full coverage auto insurance is an auto insurance policy that covers all of the damages incurred to the policy-holder’s vehicle during an accident. It is important to note that only damages that have been sustained during an accident will be covered by such a policy. Minor damages caused by the policy-holder are not covered by a full coverage auto insurance policy. Examples of such instances include if you ever get a flat tire, or if you somehow require a part for you engine. If things like this happen to your vehicle, and are not the result of an accident, then you are out of luck in terms of reparations made by your full coverage auto insurance policy.


Knowing When to Buy

Some people are told by the company that has financed their automobile that they must purchase a full coverage auto insurance policy in order to get the loan. This has been common practice by many banks for some time, and it is something they do so that they will be covered in case something ever happens to the car they are financing. There are several kinds of auto insurance coverage. The minimal amount of coverage that is required by most states does not cover damages done to the policy-holder’s vehicle if he or she is the responsible party during that accident. Auto finance companies and banks know this, and to make sure that they are covered when there are damages to the car they are financing, they stress that the individual financing the vehicle must purchase a “full coverage” policy. This will guarantee they will get their money regardless if they car is damaged beyond repair.

It is important to note that in order to get a full coverage policy, you must ask your own auto insurance company specifically what they offer, as the typical policy does not cover damages that need to be repaired to your vehicle. The standard kinds of coverage you will be required to purchase only cover the damages you cause someone else during an accident, and do not cover the damages on your own vehicle. Don’t be fooled into thinking that just because you have what is called public liability and property protection, or PLPD coverage you will have the necessary coverage to make repairs to your vehicle. This kind of coverage is the kind of standard coverage most people have, and it does not typically pay for damages to your vehicle, and is thus different from a full coverage policy.



Making Decisions

It is important to first decide whether you want to pay more for the additional coverage a full coverage auto insurance policy provides. When you do understand what you are buying, and you have come to the decision that you want to go ahead with the purchase, it is now time to contact your auto insurance company to see what kind of policies they have available for you. When you are willing to pay for this additional coverage, they will be more than happy to work with you, and understand that most companies can make available all sorts of arrangements when it comes the various kinds of coverage you are able to purchase.

In the end, just make sure you go through all the terms and details of your policy, as it is vital you fully understand what you are buying before you hit the road. A full coverage auto insurance policy is a good thing as long as you can grasp what it is you are really buying, and you have a situation that appropriately warrants such a purchase.

California Auto Insurance Ratings


You may want to compare auto insurance companies before you decide on one, but where do you start? Yes, it’s quite difficult to make a decision.

Finding low cost auto insurance rates in California has never been easier. Jumping from one company to another just to find out which one has a good rate definitely takes much effort. And being patient is just one of the main factors a buyer must possess in looking for best insurance company ratings.
Become educated in the art of comparing insurance companies.  Ratings must be observed painstakingly before committing with a certain insurer. This must be done to avoid such regrets in the future times. Auto insurance isn't that easy to understand, as it is to decide on what is the best auto insurance policy to choose.  This includes various factors that are advised to be considered properly.

No auto insurance companies are the same. They greatly vary on their respective offers. Some offer basic, with no excellent feature all while other auto insurance companies offer more coverage than you could imagine.

Auto Insurance Information:


Local car insurance available in California:

• Los Angeles
• San Diego
• San Jose
• San Francisco
• Long Beach
• Fresno
• Sacramento
• Oakland
• Santa Ana
• Anaheim

Learn the tactics and what it takes to locate the cheapest rates when there are so many choices. Though the main goal here is to avail inexpensive auto insurance but the reputation and stability of the company must not be overlooked.

Auto Insurance Policy


Many people do not understand what type of auto insurance policy are available for their choice hence end up buying wrong auto policy thinking that they have got the best.

Below are some types of auto insurance that you need to know

The third party insurance

Also known as liability insurance, offered by almost all auto insurance companies, it is the basic insurance that an automobile insurance company will pay the third party, in simpler terms when you car got an accident and damage another car, auto insurance company will pay the car you have damaged, it is the type of car insurance that the companies held you responsible for causing the damage. The auto insurance company may decide to cover car damage or body injuries; it is your responsibility to find out what you insurance company offers. With the third party insurance, auto insurance company will always limit the payment amount

Collision and comprehensive coverage, comprehensive insurance and full comprehensive insurance

Unlike the third party insurance with collision and comprehensive coverage, the auto company will pay you comprehensively for the damaged caused or any injuries that might have been incurred. So any time you car get involved in an accident and it is badly damaged, your auto insurance company will pay for it repairs. Your car will be repaired at a market value, so your car insurance company will determine the market value and that is what you will receive. With a comprehensive coverage insurance companies will have higher limits of payment.

Medical (MedPay), Persona Injury Protection (PIP) and No Fault Cover

This auto insurance policy enables you and your passenger’s medical expenses to be covered in the event of an accident. The No Fault Cover means that auto insurance company will compensate regardless of who committed the fault. It assures you that whoever boards the car that is covered by the auto insurance company

Uninsured/Underinsured motorists' coverage – being offered by auto insurance companies, and covers you if the person at fault is not insured or is underinsured. Since most people do not get their car for such auto insurance policy, it is safe to have such kind of coverage to protect yourself from uncovered reckless drivers

These are just some auto covers that you will find from various auto insurance companies. Take your time and do due diligence to find out more on what types of auto insurance are available. Remember that internet is a warehouse of information, get more information from other auto insurance companies and brokers, do not be information less on this

What Changes Impact Your Auto Insurance Rate?


There are eight major things that will impact your auto insurance rate. The rates paid will vary with insurance company but with all companies the following will impact (generally, for the better) your auto insurance.

Marriage-being married makes you safer when you drive. Statistics show this, married people tend to have fewer accidents. If you are single and get married, inform your insurance provider, it might prove beneficial.
Reduce your commuting distance to your job and the less miles you drive yearly, the lower your rate will be. If you use your car for business (real estate sales) you should also get commercial coverage to protect you.
Live in small towns. It is true, living in Healdsburg (10,000) is a great risk reducer when compared to living in San Francisco (800,000). You are much less likely to get into an accident. Local weather also makes a difference to insurance rates. The more extreme and frequent, the auto rate may be higher.
Try to avoid sport cars because stats show they are more costly to repair, more frequently in accidents and stolen. However, many other non-sport cars also have high premiums because they are frequently stolen. Try to get a car with anti-theft, airbags and anti-lock brakes for reduced rates.
Drive the car less. If you drive less (share rides to work) your risk drops, your rate drops.
Be happy about being 25 yrs. or 50 yrs. old or more. If you are turning 25, your insurance rate should drop. At 50+, many companies will reduce the rates especially if you have not had a ticket since age 25 or have taken a defensive driving course.
Credit ratings impact everything nowadays. Employers look at them to see what kind of person you are and insurance will increase the rates when there is a poor credit score (under 600) even if your driving record deserves an Oscar.
Stay with the same insurance company for years for the 4-5% less loyalty rate many companies give you.

Direct Auto Insurance


 Auto insurance can cost you a fortune or it can be very affordable, but what makes the difference?  Which insurance provider offers the cheapest rates?  Do some companies allow you to finance your premium so that your monthly payments can be lowered?  This is your direct auto insurance guide where we will walk you through how you can save thousands a year on your auto insurance.


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Auto Insurance 1010

Auto Insurance is required by law and there is no way to get around it. First of all lets go over the different policy name and what they mean. This will help you to understand exactly what you do or do not need in an auto policy.

Collision Coverage - This simply pays for the damage to your covered vehicle when it collides with an object.
Bodily Injury Liability - This pays for injury to body or even death if an insured person become legally responsible for a car accident.
Comprehensive Coverage Policy - This pays for damage or loss to your covered automobile for events that dont' involve a collision. These types of events include fire damage, theft, hail, flood, contact with animals, or vandalism.
Deductibles - This is the amount that must be paid before insurance benefits go into effect. Usually the higher the deductible, the premium is greatly reduced.
Insurance Premium - The amount of money your pay to an insurance company in return for insurance protection on the items being insured.
These are just the insurance basics that one should know before they talk to an insurance company. Please make sure you ask additional questions if they arise as new products are always coming out and existing products are always changing.

How To Get The Lowest Premium

 There are definitely some tricks of the trade and factors that will help you get the most coverage available for the lowest premium out there.  Premiums are usually priced in 6 month increments or even sometimes 12 month increments.

An insurance company pulls your insurance score.  This is different than your credit score.  Just like a credit score, however; the less you get pulled over and the lesser amount of tickets will help you have a higher score.  The higher score you have on insurance will result in better insurance rates which will yield you a lower premium.  What people don't realize is that insurance companies are just like any other financial company, they deal with risk and depending on the risk level, it will directly affect your premium cost and insurance rates.  Depending on your history, some products may not even be offered to you even if the insurance company offers them.

Tips to lower insurance premiums:

Too many people over insure their cars.  If you own an old car that is completely paid off, just make sure you have a policy that will cover the car of an individual if you caused a crash so that their car could be paid for.  Don't make the mistake of getting comprehensive insurance on a car that is worth less than $3,000 dollars.
A high deductible may sound lame, but it will drastically lower your premium amount.  If an insurance company knows that you are willing to put down some money if you get in an accident, they will consider you a lesser risk than someone that has a very small deductible.
Many insurance companies offer discounted premiums when you first sign up with them for the first 6 months.  It may sound silly, but changing insurance agents every year will keep your premiums low as you will be utilizing these discounted premium rates.
Make Them Compete Over You

 Because Auto insurance is required by law, auto insurance companies take advantage of many people.  They know that you are going to have to pay for insurance regardless so many have higher fees.  Don't just go to one insurance place and take their word for it.  Get 3 or 4 different price quotes and then call the same 4 insurance agents back with what the lowest price you can get somewhere else.

Even though it may seem on the surface that insurance companies cannot change their prices or rates, they most definitely can.  If agent knows you are shopping them, they will be more inclined to give you the lower price right upfront.  We would suggest saying to a new agent, "Hi there my name is _______ and i have been calling around to several agencies.  I have some very low premium offers and wanted to first of all see what you could do for me."  If they ask you what the other agencies priced you at, don't tell them until AFTER they quote you.  This will help you to see if the agency is inflating their prices or if they are realistic.  The more realistic the agency the better you can feel about them insuring your vehicles.

Auto Insurance Reviews


When you are considering buying auto insurance, there are several things to think about when making your decision. First, you will want to read a variety of auto insurance reviews so that you can find out what customers think of specific auto insurance companies. Then, you will want to think about how much auto insurance it would be appropriate for you to carry.

Price is always a concern as well. So, when you are reading through your list of auto insurance reviews, you will want to think about getting the best deal on the auto insurance that you eventually purchase. One key point to consider when purchasing car insurance (or vehicular insurance of any type), is the fact that you want to carry enough auto insurance to cover your costs if you have a car accident but at the same time you don’t want to pay more than is necessary. In other words, it is a balancing act. You don’t want to spend too little on auto insurance, but at the same time, you don’t want to spend too much.


While it is certainly important to read your fair share of auto insurance reviews during your research process, it is not enough. You will also need to call some auto insurance companies to get some specific quotes on various car insurance policies. The more companies you call, the more you will have to choose from. Admittedly, it’s not particularly fun to make these calls, but they are a key part of the research process, and in the end you will be happy that you made them because you might find that you can save a lot of money if you choose one auto insurance company over the others.

Of course the cost of the auto insurance is only one factor that you will need to consider during your decision making process. You also want to choose a reputable company. There are several “name brand” auto insurance companies from which to choose. Why is it so important to pick an insurance company that has a good reputation and a stellar track record with customers? Well, you don’t want to choose an auto insurance company that has a poor reputation (or no reputation at all because it has not been in business for a very long time). Even if such companies offer low prices on their insurance policies, you can’t be certain that they will come through for you in an emergency. And that, of course, is where the rubber meets the road. If an insurance company does not come through for their customers when their customers really need them, then their policies are worthless.


This is another value of reading a lot of auto insurance reviews. In fact, the more reviews you read that were written by actual customers who have dealt with their car insurance companies in the aftermath of an accident, the more valuable information you will have. These will be the most revealing and helpful reviews of all. When you are reading through these reviews, pay particular attention to whether or not the customers felt listened to, and whether or not the company made good on its policies following an accident.

In other words, to put it quite bluntly, did the company pay up and honor their policy to the fullest extent? Customers tend to be very honest when writing reviews online or offline. You will also find that most reviews are not “middle of the road.” That is, people are usually only moved to write auto insurance reviews (or any other types of reviews, for that matter) if they are profoundly satisfied with the customer service they received following an accident, or if they are profoundly dissatisfied with the customer service they received in the aftermath of their accident.

More specifically, if they talked to an insurance agent or customer service rep who had a calm, comforting demeanor, who listened to them and then really followed through on any promises that they made, customers will often feel moved to write a stellar review of their experiences with that company. On the other hand, if they were treated poorly, or if their phone calls were ignored, or if they felt that the company reneged on their verbal or written promises and policies, then they may feel angry enough to write a very negative review. However, people who receive only "pretty good" service may or may not feel moved enough to write auto insurance reviews describing their experiences.

Cheap Auto Insurance


The first thing you have to remember is that all car insurance companies are not the same when it comes to their policies, discount packages and rates. So if you want to avail yourself of cheap auto insurance, take some time to research these things.

Once you found a couple of insurance companies, try to compare their auto policies. You may notice that certain companies have better and cheaper offers than the others. If you want to avail yourself of lower premiums with an agreement that will answer all your needs, you really have to take a look at these variations. See what they have to offer when it comes to auto coverage, collision coverage, split limits, and coverage on body injuries. Find a standard auto policy from various online companies in order to do this.

Searching for cheap auto insurance is not an easy task these days. But the best way to make the process less troublesome is by making use of online tools. The truth is there are a lot of Internet based car insurance companies offering the best rates and special packages. You can also get a free insurance quote from these auto insurance companies.

Once you've found these online car insurance companies, all you have to do is to compare their quotes and offers in order to decide which one you think is the suitable one. It also helps if you are well-versed with the terminologies used in the policies. If not, you can always seek the help of someone who can explain to you some of the insurance terms. If you fully understand the policy, then you are off to a great start.

But in case you can't find a reputable auto insurance company for cheap auto insurance, you can just search for any website and avail of a standard auto policy. This way, you can have knowledge when it comes to the provisions and restrictions of a typical car policy from an insurance company.

In order to make the process less tiring, you should first determine the amount you are willing to pay when it comes to the auto coverage. If you don't have that much money for insurance, you don't have that much option and just simply pick something that your budget would allow you to. If you have multiple cars, you can avail of multiple car discounts. All you have to do is to enroll all your cars under one policy. This is a great way of saving money for insurance, although it only applies to people with more than one car.

Once you've found an attractive package, it is important that you understand the provisions and restrictions in the fine print. Cheap auto insurance that answers all your needs are not that hard to find if you really search the web for various auto insurance. You can always ask these companies to provide you with insurance quotes as well so you can have something to compare.

Auto Insurance Company : Compare


There are so many car insurance companies hawking their services on television, radio and on the web, it's hard to tell which one has the best rates, deductibles, customer service and overall coverage options. Should you really buy insurance from a talking gecko or other similar type of computer generated celebrity?

Advertising and marketing has made it real easy for auto insurance companies to appear like the are the best or one of the best auto insurance companies out there. Sure the gecko is cute but where is he when that uninsured deadbeat rams your brand new car and then drives away.

You could be fighting with the very auto insurance company that claimed they would be there for you in the hard times. Suddenly that gecko isn't so cute and lovable anymore.

I don't men to pick on the little gecko and the auto insurance company he represents. There are many other mascots and celebrity hawkers out there touting the savings and advantages of their own particular car insurance.

It seems they are all the "best" and will save you the most money. Well, that just can't be true.

So how do you find out which are the best auto insurance companies and ultimately get the best deal on your own car insurance? Read on...

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You should know exactly how much insurance you need before you start searching fora rates with any of the best auto insurance companies.
Source: kimberlygauthier; CC BY-ND 2.0 via Flickr.com
First, Determine How Much Auto Insurance You Need

This is perhaps the most overlooked aspect of auto insurance. Fact is, most people are either underinsured or overinsured.

With hard economic times here, most folks are looking to get by on the least amount of auto insurance in order to save money. The problem with carrying minimal coverage is that you may be exposing you or your family to a severe financial crisis.

If you, or your family member is found to be at fault in an accident and your minimum liability auto insurance does not cover all of the other driver's medical expenses, you could lose everything you own.

You may not want to leave the amount and type of insurance up to an auto insurance company that may out a priority on profits over your particular insurance needs.

Of course, you don't want to unnecessarily spend money on auto insurance coverage that you will never need or use. For example, if you're driving a car that is 10 years old and worth just a few thousand dollars, carrying full coverage collision or comprehensive auto insurance is not necessary. In this case, it's just going to cost too much.

Experts in the auto insurance industry recommend a minimum liability 100/300 insurance policy. That simply means $100,000 coverage for one person and $300,000 for all person injured in an auto accident.

Edmunds.com has an article that addresses this very subject here. Before purchasing any auto insurance policy, be sure to do your homework. If you don't want to do the work, you may wish to consult with a trusted insurance specialist to help determine your specific insurance rates and coverages.

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Get a Rough Idea of Typical Auto Insurance Rates

Before you decide on which insurance company is best for you, check out the website of your local state insurance department. Most websites like this will show the hypothetical insurance rates from various insurance companies for different types of customers.

For example, one website may provide hypothetical information on what it might cost to cover a 35-year-old married female with a few tickets and accidents or a 21-year-old single male with a clean driving record.

You can link to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners website and find links to the insurance departments in every state.

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Determine What Car Insurance Coverage is Best for Your Situation

What happens if you or a member of your family is hit by an uninsured motorist? If he doesn't have auto insurance, and you're not carrying full coverage then you're stuck with the repair bill for your car.

If you own vehicles that are older and not worth much, this may not be a problem, however, newer cars can be quite expensive to repair.


Most folks just don't have any idea what auto insurance coverage they have until they are in an accident.
Source: andrew steinmetz/CCBY-SA2.0/www.flickr.com
Experts say that if your car is worth less than 10 times the amount of your collision or comprehensive auto insurance rates, you should probably buy a liability insurance policy.

For example, if your yearly collision premium is about $500 (USD), and your vehicle is only worth $2,000, is it worth keeping the collision insurance? If you can afford to replace the vehicle in case of a total loss, then liability auto insurance may be a better value.

This coverage pays for any damage or injury you may cause to another driver but does not pay anything to repair or replace your vehicle. If liability coverage is all you need, you will pay far less for your auto insurance.

If you drive a newer car or if you're financing a car, you will be required by the lender to carry comprehensive or full coverage auto insurance. This type of insurance pays to repair or replace your vehicle in case of accident. theft or other damages like those caused by a hailstorm.

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All the big auto insurance companies claim they are working for you - I say make 'em do all the work and pit them one against the other.
Source: roberthuffstutter/CCBY2.0/www.flickr.com
Make Auto Insurance Companies Work for Your Business

It really does pay to shop around for the best deal when it comes to getting the best auto insurance rates. During a recent search for his own auto insurance, an Edmunds.com writer was quoted rates ranging as much as $800 from one policy to the next.

Auto insurance quotes can vary wildly depending upon the type of coverage needed, the driver's record, region of the country and various other factors. They all claim to be the best auto insurance agencies working for you. It's time to make them live up to that claim.

Start by going out to websites like NetQuote.com or Insure.com and get some quotes form several of the best auto insurance companies. Get quotes from one company and tell another company what insurance rates were quoted. Make them work for you.

A word of warning here - some of these websites may not be affiliated with the same big name auto insurance company appearing on the website so you may need to visit the official company website to get the best quote. In any case, be sure to read all the fine print. You could also work with an independent insurance agent to help you find the best rates.

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The best auto insurance companies will typically be able to provide the best rates, service and coverage options, although you may find some smaller companies that also offer great deals.
Source: natloans; CC BY-ND 2.0 via Flickr.com
The Bottom Line on the Best Auto Insurance Companies

These big insurance companies spend billions of dollars each year to make you believe they are one of the best auto insurance companies with the best rates, service and coverage options.

Truth is, you have to do some research and find out for yourself. Cheaper rates could mean terrible service when you really need it, however, there are some good companies out there who offer some great auto insurance.

Take a look at consumer surveys, lawsuit reports, financial fitness reports, consumer complaints and information compiled by your state insurance commission.

Auto Insurance Quotes


A little Know How can go a very long ways! Saving on automobile insurance requires shopping around. The Internet has brought us a great amount of convenience when comparison shopping for Automobile Insurance. But the real question we should be asking is this: What are we really getting for our money if we purchase insurance online? Is the company going to be there when you need them? Is the auto insurer going to sucker you in with a low cost rate up front then try and jack you up later at renewal time? This is very common!

If you do have an accident will you be able to get someone on the telephone to take your call? I don’t buy insurance online because I am not willing to deal with some guy in Indonesia should I have a problem. I’m very comfortable calling my local agent and discussing my needs. However I’m not above using online quote forms to see if my current rate is competitive. Auto insurance rates are not always about price… they also are about SERVICE. You need to know that the company you choose will be there for you when you need them.

How Automobile Insurance Rates are Determined

Each company will use their own in house method to determine your Car Insurance Rates. For example:

Credit Scoring: Farmers uses an A-Z system in most states. If there are no tickets or accidents, you are 30 years or older and one of the adults in the household has an A-F score you just made the top company Ultra-Preferred. If you have a G-O and are over 25 you qualify for the middle range company which still has great rates, in Texas it is called Mid-Century. If you have a P-Z or are under the age of 25 just get out your wallet, it’s going to hurt a little bit. That is true of all of the companies though, not just Farmers.

According to the United States Department of Insurance the #1 Factor in determining your rate is the frequency of claims. If you have a history of claims your rates will be significantly higher! In their exact words:

The single greatest influence on the rating process is claim frequency. This does not mean how many times you specifically have made an insurance claim, although that will have an additional effect. Claim frequency measures how often an insured event occurs within a group relative to the number of policies contained in that group. Persons sharing characteristics with high claims groups will be charged more for insurance coverage.


Other Factors use to Calculate Your Auto Insurance Rates


Your driving history.
Your Location – Regions and Cities; urban vs rural areas
Your Gender – males have more accidents
Your Age – Too old or Too Young will increase your rate
Prior Insurance History
How you use your vehicle – business, personal, highway
Make and Model of your Car
Amount of Coverage
Type of Coverage
You should shop around to get a price range, the internet makes this easy. Next you should make an effort to obey traffic laws so you will not incur violations that drive up your cost. Consider taking a higher deductible to offset premium costs. The chances of a good driver having an accident are always present, but low enough to make a higher deductible worth the risk in savings. Never purchase a care until you know the cost to insure that vehicle… certain makes and models are stolen more frequently and this will drive up the cost of your automobile insurance. Don’t be late on payments! And keep your credit score in good standing… yes insurers look at credit scores and this will affect your rate!

What might Help Lower Your Cost of Automobile Insurance

Multiple car discounts
Multiple Policy discounts – home $auto from same company
Completing drivers education courses
Good student discount for those under 25
Choosing low risk automobiles
Air bags, safety equipment, and anti-theft devices
Low Mileage – the less you drive the better for insurance purposes
Asking your Agent for discounts!

Thứ Sáu, 15 tháng 3, 2013

Condominium owners coverage basics




Condominium coverage is available to condominium and co-op owners, and bridges the gap between your condo association's master policy (which insures property owned by all unit owners) and your property and personal liability protection.

The master policy includes coverage for the actual building in which you reside, as well as common property like a pool or gazebo.

Your condominium owners policy offers you the following important protection:

Personal Property Coverage


A condominium owners policy provides coverage for your furniture and personal possessions against such covered hazards as fire, lightning, windstorm, hail, explosion, collapse, smoke or vandalism. This is also called Contents Coverage and it ensures that your damaged or destroyed property is protected...up to the amount of insurance protection you purchase.

Theft protection: the condominium owners policy also protects your property against practically every type of theft loss in your condo or anywhere in the world. Also included is coverage for thefts from your unattended car or boat, even if there is no evidence of forced entry.

Special coverage for important possessions: Most condo policies offer special amounts of coverage for certain types of property. For example,

$200 for money and coins
$1,000 for theft of jewelry, watches or furs
$2,000 for theft of firearms
$2,500 for business property at home.
You can choose to increase these amounts if you like.

Optional Property Coverages

Every home is different. You may require special coverages for your individual needs. The following coverages can be purchased separately:

Broadened Coverage for Contents: provides "all-risk" protection for your possessions. This means that your personal property is covered in most situations, regardless of the cause of loss.
Contents Replacement Cost: pays full cost to repair or replace most personal property in your condo with no deduction for depreciation.
Valuable Items Plus: provides higher limits and worldwide protection for special property such as jewelry, silverware, fine art, furs, cameras, firearms, musical instruments, and home computers for an extended variety of losses. For your convenience, no appraisal or listing of insured items is required.
Additional Coverage Endorsement (ACE): extends protection or increases limits on special types of property (for example: jewelry, firearms, or silverware). This coverage also increases personal liability coverage by $100,000 and includes coverage for personal injury.
Coverage for other structures: you may own other structures that are not part of your basic condo unit (such as a carport, detached garage or storage shed). If these structures are not considered to be common property, they are not covered under your Association's Master Policy. This add-on coverage would insure these other structures.


Personal Liability Protection

Liability coverage is important protection in the event that you are sued for accidentally hurting other people or damaging their property. Personal liability helps to cover the associated legal costs and related damages. Most condo owners policies provide $100,000 (minimum) of financial protection against liability claims and lawsuits brought by others for accidental bodily injury or damage to their property:

while in your condo


caused by your personal activities, including most sports
caused by your children or pets.
Medical payments: Most policies will pay up to $1,000 per person in medical bills -- regardless of your legal responsibility -- when an accident involves bodily injury to others. Higher coverage amounts are available.

Damage to property of others: Should you accidentally damage someone else's personal property while that property is in your care, your condo owners policy will pay up to $500 for each occurrence


Condo Additional Living Expenses

If your unit is damaged and you have to move out while it's being repaired, you're covered! The policy pays for all necessary living expenses (hotel, meals, laundry, etc.)...up to 40% of the contents coverage amount you selected.

Additions and Alterations

Once we move into a new home, we often make improvements. According to your condominium declaration and/or bylaws, you may be responsible for interior parts of your unit such as glass, walls and doors.

Additions, alterations and other improvements made to your unit are also covered. For example, if you or a previous owner installed built-in appliances, wall-to-wall carpeting, upgraded kitchen cabinets, etc., they are insured up to $2,500 (however, you can choose to increase this amount).



Loss Assessment Coverage

Condominium coverage provides up to $1,000 of protection against financial loss if damage to commonly owned property exceeds the amount of coverage in the Master Policy. If your condo association is forced to assess all unit owners for the additional loss (or for personal liability claims against the association), you're covered!

Choosing Your Condo Deductibles

A deductible is the amount of loss you agree to assume before your insurance coverage takes over. The higher your deductible, the lower the cost of your policy premium. The deductible applies to property losses only. Liability protection does not require a deductible.





Thứ Ba, 26 tháng 2, 2013

Understanding your home insurance coverage




Understanding your home insurance coverage


Homeowners insurance provides financial protection in the event that your home or its contents are damaged. It also provides protection if you or a family member are held legally responsible (liable) for the injuries to others or damage to their property. It's also required by most mortgage lenders.

There are different types of insurance policies that cover your home. They range from a basic policy, to those that will provide a much broader ranger of protection. Not all policies and coverages are available in all states.
What's covered; what's not

Most homeowners insurance policies will cover damage caused by such perils as fire, windstorms, hail, lightning, theft or vandalism. There are other homeowners policies that cover additional perils as well. Typically, floods and earthquakes are excluded. It's important to talk to your agent or Travelers representative to learn what your policy may and may not cover. And for those perils that are not covered, there may be supplemental insurance you can purchase.
What most standard homeowners policies provide


    Dwelling coverage


. Pays to repair or rebuild your home - including electrical wiring, plumbing, and heating and air conditioning - if damaged by a covered cause of loss. It's important to buy enough dwelling coverage to cover the cost to rebuild. Learn more about cost to rebuild.
    Other structures coverage. Pays for damages to detached structures like garages, sheds, fences and cottages on your property.
    Personal property coverage. Reimburses you for the personal items in your home that may be damaged or destroyed by a covered cause of loss, which could include your furniture, clothes, sporting goods and electronics. Learn more about Travelers Personal Property insurance.
    Loss of use coverage. Pays your additional housing and living expenses if you must move out of your home temporarily while it's being restored. Learn more about Travelers Loss of Use insurance.
    Liability insurance. Helps protect your assets and cover your defense costs in the event of a lawsuit because you or your family members are responsible for causing injuries or damage to other people or their property. Learn more about Travelers Liability insurance.
    Additional home coverages. There are a number of additional coverages you can add on to your homeowners policy to help you meet your insurance needs.


HOME OWNERS INSURANCE








Protect your home with homeowners insurance


Home. It's your safe haven. It's where you raise your family and create memories that last a lifetime. Whether you're buying insurance for your first home, or the high-value home of your dreams, Travelers can help you protect this prized possession with homeowners insurance that fits your priorities and your budget.
Get comprehensive coverage with Travelers homeowners insurance

Travelers policies can provide coverage for:

     1.Damage to your home's physical structure (Dwelling coverage)
     2.Damage to other structures like a garage or shed (Other Structures coverage)
     3.Your personal belongings - whether in your home or elsewhere (Personal Property coverage)
    4. Additional living expenses if necessary in the event of a covered loss (Loss of Use coverage)
    5. Your personal liability in the event someone is injured or their property is damaged by you or a family member (Liability coverage)
    6.Extra coverage for valuable items

Travelers offers you way to save and protect your home

Travelers offers many ways to save on your homeowners insurance, one being a discount if you buy other Travelers policies, such as auto insurance, personal liability umbrella insurance and more.

We also can provide home maintenance tips which can help decrease your chances of having a loss in the first place.
Travelers will be there when you need us

In the event of a loss, we know you want it resolved quickly. With Travelers, you get:

   1. Fast, efficient claim service and 24/7 claim reporting
    2.More than 12,000 claim professionals located across the country and more than 100 points of service to respond quickly to routine and catastrophic claims
    3.Employees, expertly trained at Travelers Claim University, to inspect your property/auto in the event of a loss
    4.Catastrophe response teams and vans that mobilize fast in the event of a severe weather event or disaster

We've been providing trusted service for more than a hundred years, and we'll be there for you.

Be confident in your insurance choices. Contact your agent or Travelers representative today. We'll work with you to develop a homeowners insurance policy that fits your needs and your budget

Thứ Năm, 14 tháng 2, 2013

AUTO INSURANCE IN ACTION


See how your auto insurance performs

Scenario #1

A tree falls on your car during a thunderstorm causing major damage.

Here's where your comprehensive coverage proves its value.

You'll pay your deductible – say $1,000 – and then your comprehensive coverage pays the rest of the bill. If your car is considered a total loss, your insurance will cover the actual cash value of the car or what it's worth today, minus that $1,000 deductible.


Scenario #2 

Your car collides with a stopped car at an intersection. Both cars are damaged but no one is hurt.

Your collision coverage covers the repairs on your vehicle, minus the deductible. If your car is considered a total loss, you'll get the actual cash value of the car, minus the deductible. If you're liable for damage to the other vehicle, your property damage liability coverage provides coverage up to the limit.

Scenario #3

You're driving alone when your vehicle collides with a car carrying three people. Everyone sustains injuries


As in scenario #2, your collision coverage covers the damage to your car and your property damage liability covers damage to the other car up to your property damage liability coverage limit.

Where it's available, PIP – personal injury protection – may pay covered medical expenses up to the limit of the policy, regardless of who was at fault in the accident.

If the other driver is liable, but has no insurance, youruninsured/underinsured motorist coverage could provide protection up to the limits of your uninsured/underinsured motorist liability limit.

If an injured person sues you, your bodily injury liability provides your defense and, if you're found responsible, that same coverage pays damages up to your bodily injury liability limit.





Understand your insurance deductible and limitsA of liability




Understand your insurance deductible and limits

of liability


Car insurance coverage should fit your needs – and your budget

To create the auto insurance policy that's right for you, think about what you'd like covered, what you can afford to pay for that coverage and how much you can pay out of pocket if an accident occurs.



Deductibles

Your car insurance deductible is the amount you'll pay out of pocket before your insurance kicks in. The lower the deductible, the less you'll pay out of pocket if an accident occurs. Selecting a higher deductible may lower your auto insurance premium.
For example, if you choose a $1,000 deductible and have an accident causing $2,000 in damage, you would pay the first $1,000 of a covered loss before insurance kicks in.

Limits of liability

Your car insurance coverage limits, also referred to as limit of liability, is the most your insurance will pay if you have a claim. Choosing a higher coverage amount provides you additional protection if an accident occurs.
The available coverage limits may vary by coverage type and state. It is important to choose limits that meet your needs.

Even more protection with a personal liability umbrella policy

You may want to consider additional liability coverage over and above the basic limits in your automobile policy. For example, if you're in a serious accident involving medical bills or litigation, umbrella insurance pays after you have used up the underlying auto insurance. Typical policies provide $1 million in additional coverage.


Weigh budget and risks

AS Travelers, we understand your need to obtain thorough coverage while keeping your premiums reasonable. That's why we recommend that you carefully weigh your budget considerations against your exposure to potential risks as you select your coverages and limits. You can consider different scenarios with our online Auto Coverage Guide or call us and a Travelers representative will help.
Be confident in your insurance choices. Contact your agent or Travelers representative today. We'll work with you to develop an auto insurance policy that fits your needs and your budget.

OPTIONAL COVERAGES




Optional coverages, including gap insurance


As you build your Travelers auto policy, you may want to add one or more of the following coverage options. Please note that in some states, some of these coverages may already be included in your auto policy:

  • Gap insurance – or loan/lease insurance – can protect you if your vehicle is financed or leased. If your vehicle is totaled, this coverage may pay the difference between the actual cash value of the vehicle and the unpaid balance of the loan or lease.
  • Towing and labor pays for covered towing and labor costs if your vehicle is disabled, up to your policy limits.
  • Rental reimbursement or extended transportation expenses coverage can pay for a rental car if your car is damaged in a covered accident and your car is out of commission for more than 24 hours.
See how your insurance performs

NO FAULT INSURANCE





Personal injury protection, or no-fault insurance


Personal injury protection – or PIP – is often referred to as no-fault insurance because covered claims are paid regardless of who is at fault in an accident.

Key points about PIP no-fault insurance:


  • If you're in an accident, PIP covers you, your family and any passengers.
  • PIP pays for covered medical and hospital expenses, and may pay for lost wages and expenses for childcare or household-related services while you're recovering.
  • It may also pay for funeral expenses.
If you live in a state where PIP is required by law, your auto insurance policy should include this no-fault insurance. Contact a Travelers representative to learn what's required in your state.
Coverages vary by state. In some states medical payments are covered under medical payments coverage.
See how your insurance performs

Uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage




Uninsured motorist/underinsured motorist coverage


It's scary to realize that some drivers on the road have no insurance or have insufficient coverage. But when you have uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, you'll have protection even if you're in an accident with one of those drivers.

Key points about coverage for uninsured/underinsured motorists:



  • As long as you've chosen sufficient limits on the policy, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage can cover your medical bills and bodily injury resulting from an accident with someone who does not have sufficient insurance.
  • Coverage extends to you, your family and your passengers.
  • As a pedestrian, if you are hit by an uninsured driver, you can be covered.
The requirement for uninsured motorist coverage varies by state. In most states, it applies only to bodily injury coverage, but you can usually add uninsured/underinsured motorist property damage coverage to your policy as well. Ask your Travelers representative about the coverages available in your state.
See how your insurance performs

MEDICAL PAYMENTS




Medical payments coverage

The medical payments portion of your policy pays for covered medical expenses up to policy limits for this coverage for anyone injured in your vehicle – regardless of who's at fault. It also covers you and your family members who might be involved in an accident as a pedestrian.

Coverages vary by state. In some states, medical payments are covered under personal injury protection (PIP), also known as no-fault insurance.

Talk to your Travelers representative about the advantages of medical payments coverage.

See how your insurance performs


The information on this site is general in nature. Any description of coverage is necessarily simplified. Whether a particular loss is covered depends on the specific facts and the provisions, exclusions and limits of the actual policy. Nothing on this site alters the terms or conditions of any of our policies. You should read the policy for a complete description of coverage. Coverage options, limits, discounts, features, deductibles and repair options are subject to availability and to individuals meeting our underwriting criteria. Not all features available in all areas.