Posts Tagged ‘f’
Monday, August 10th, 2009
by Graham McKenzie
Processing a life insurance claim properly is very important as it can determine the amount of time that it takes for the life insurance company to give you the funds. It can be hard to secure the funds for a proper funeral and burial without the money. If you understand how to properly process a life insurance claim then you will be able to receive the funds in a timely manner. You may also be able to work with the life insurance company to get more of the money that you need up front.
The life insurance company should be contacted within 24 hours of death. While this is not necessary it will help in speeding up the claim so that the funds arrive in time. If you are not sure if the person had a life insurance policy then you will have to talk to the person that’s in charge of the affair and possibly other family members. In some cases no one may know if the deceased person had a life insurance policy. If this is the case then you will need to do some investigating to find out. The best way to go about this is to call all of the local life insurance companies and find out if the person had a policy with them.
Once the agent’s been notified of the death they will have paperwork that has to be filled out before they can release the funds. The beneficiary can but doesn’t have to fill out the paperwork. However the beneficiary will need to go to the life insurance company to not only validate the claim but to be able to receive any initial funds that are released.
Next you will need to locate and collect the certificate of death. In most cases you can get the death certificate right from the coroner’s office. You may be able to get it from the funeral director if the body has already been sent to the funeral home. After you’ve got the paper you will need to make copies of it. Most insurance companies will take a copy of the certificate of death as proof. You should note that you don’t want to accidentally send out the original copy.
You will then want to ask the life insurance company how the payment is going to be made. Each policy is different. Some policies will have a lump sum payment while others will be set up to distribute the money in payments. While this may be more convenient for the company it may hurt your ability to pay for the funeral. Most funerals are held within a week of the person’s passing. If the insurance company has not given the money from the plan before then you should get in contact with them and find out the status of the account.
About the Author:
Graham McKenzie is the syndication coordinator a leading South African
Insurance information portal, which amongst others specialises in
Car Insurance.
Tags: a, b, business;finance, c, car insurance, d, Disability Insurance, f, finance, h, Household Insurance, i, insurance, l, life insurance, money, n, o, personal finance
Posted in life insurance | No Comments »
Monday, August 10th, 2009
by Susan Reynolds
4×4 vehicles are notorious for having higher insurance premiums than other vehicles. Although it may come as a surprise at first, 4×4 are considered by many insurance companies as a higher risk vehicle. To counter these hazards insurance companies charge higher premiums. There are several things you can do to avoid these higher rates and obtain a more manageable monthly insurance premium. While using these techniques, it is still very important that you shop around for the best quotes you can find.
Since 4x4s stand out more than regular cars, they will end up receiving more vandalism and will get stolen more often. While getting your quote, reassure your agent that you will keep your vehicle out of sight when it is not being used. This may mean keeping it in a garage or behind your home. By doing this it is at a lower risk for incurring damage, so you will be offered lower rates. These cases are particularly common in areas of the inner city.
Drivers looking for lower insurance rates should also try to get some experience by driving a 4×4 beforehand. Luckily this does not necessarily mean you have to own one before you get insurance. Try driving around a friend or family member?s car for a bit to become familiar with the specific type of handling required. While sitting down with your agent you can tell them that you already have experience with such vehicles and are less likely to get into an accident.
Keeping your driving record clean is always an important part to getting low insurance rates. The fewer claims you have on your record, the better. If an insurance agent sees you already have several different claims they will charge you even more for insurance just because you are at a higher risk. If you manage to go for a period of time without any claims you may subject for a claims bonus, a discount given to drivers after about a year of claims-free driving. Mention that you this and your insurance agent will work to get you the best rates possible. Sometimes you may want to pay for an accident yourself just to save money that may add up to more if spend on increased rates from claims. This only works if the accident was very small and with little damage.
The security of your 4×4 will always be looked at before you get a final rate on insurance. Agents will ask what type of features it has and what category the safely standards are. If you have a category 1 or 2 4×4 you can get lower rates. Better security insures that your vehicle will be less likely to be damaged or stolen.
Military personal, including those from the National Guard, can take advantage of special discounts. Even if you are not a part of the military you should always be on the watch for discounts that may help you. Search online for the best quotes before going to visit your insurance agents personally.
Tags: a, auto insurance, automobile;truck, automobiles, c, car insurance, cars, e, f, finance, i, insurance, n, p, personal finance, u, v, vehicle insurance
Posted in auto insurance | No Comments »
Monday, August 10th, 2009
by Susan Reynolds
Life insurance offers two important benefits. The first benefit is that it protects your loved ones against the financial consequences of an unexpected death. The second advantage is that it provides living benefits.
The financial effects of death can be devastating. When you lose a spouse, parent, child, sibling or grandparent, the emotional turmoil can be extremely severe. Yet, the financial repercussions can be even more overwhelming than the loss itself. With no life insurance, surviving family members are often thrust into a position of acute financial hardship. Not only are they are left dealing with the loss of a future income, but they must also handle the immediate outlay of finances demanded by the death and burial expenses that have been unexpectedly generated.
Mortality statistics show that a significant number of people die, every year, before they reach their normal life expectancy. If the deceased person happens to have been a breadwinner, the consequences of their premature death can be extremely tragic, in many ways. The survivors are not only dealing with personal grief, but they must also find a way to deal with the financial consequences. There are still daily living expenses, even though one income is now missing.
Of course, the cost of a funeral can be heavy, but there are other expenses to consider, as well. An executor’s fees and expenditures involved with estate administration, for one. Outstanding debts such as car loans, mortgages, credit card balances, promissory notes, medical expenses, death taxes, and federal taxes, must still be paid.
The future security of loved ones is something else to consider. Living expenses, mortgage payments, and children to raise and educate are important considerations. It can be an overwhelming burden, and it really does not matter what financial obligations are left behind. There is only one thing that can resolve them, and that is money. If you want to ensure your family does not deal with the financial devastation a premature death can produce, you need to arrange to provide sufficient monies to cover their needs.
Some survivors may have a time during which it will be difficult to work, and some may have to think about a survivor’s blackout period. This is a time where social security stops paying the surviving spouse, because dependent children are no longer a factor. These events are difficult if no monies are available. Also, some families try to plan for a surviving spouse’s retirement needs. Because of the fact that life insurance can generate an immediate estate, at a time when it is most needed, it is a means of estate building.
An added advantage of life insurance is its living benefits. Some permanent policies provide policyholders with a cash benefit, in addition to the death settlement. This cash value belongs to the policyholder. Insurance companies allow the policyholder to make withdrawals from the cash benefit, which can then be used by the policyholder for any reason. The policyholder can also take out loans from their insurance company, and they use the policy’s cash value as their collateral.
About the Author:
Susan Reynolds is the content coordinator for a leading South African
Insurance Provider who specialises in
Life Insurance.
Tags: d, death, disability, e, f, family, finance, h, health, i, insurance, life cover, life insurance, n, p, people
Posted in life insurance | No Comments »
Sunday, August 9th, 2009
by Michael Cobbs
Death insurance, or Burial Insurance as it is more commonly known, is a way of making sure that your funeral costs are taken care of before the event comes. It is a way of preparing yourself for the inevitable whilst making sure that loved ones are not left with the responsibility. You will find many options when it comes to insurance relating to life and death and it certainly pays to find out more about them.
Having an insurance policy that is either known as burial insurance or death insurance is a great asset to making sure that you are sorted before you do pass away. This policy provides funds for your funeral costs and so close relatives are not let digging into their own pocket. There are a few choices when it comes to this kind of insurance and it is worthwhile finding out as much as you can about each one.
Other options of death insurance you can pick from differ from this basic package. Some policies are quite liberal and the amount that is paid out after your death can be paid to anything else, as well as the cost of the ceremony. After your death, any outstanding debts or expenses can be paid using the death benefit the beneficiary is given. When looking for these options, they will either be titled as burial insurance or final expense insurance.
The unique thing about these two types of policy is that you are entitled to name any beneficiary that you want. A friend, spouse, colleague or your children could all be picked by you as the named beneficiary. Insurers usually suggest that it is wise to discuss the policy with the beneficiary to ensure that they are clear on your wishes. Make it clear if there are any particular people or organizations that you wish money to be paid to in the event of your death. Unless you discuss these issues with the beneficiary, it is worth mentioning that they can spend the funds in any way they wish if not told otherwise. It is commonly the case that if any of the funds are left unallocated they belong to the named beneficiary.
It is recommended that if you opt for a single policy or nominate one of your children as a beneficiary, the policy is best put into a form of trust. This is due to tax issues which may affect the policy and death benefit if not within the confines of a trust. Taking out a joint policy for you and your partner is a viable option, however it should be noted that many insurers will only pay out one time and that is when the first death occurs. The remaining partner will not have any death benefit paid out once they have passed away.
If you open a single policy or name one of your children as a beneficiary, most insurers recommend that the policy is placed in trust. This is usually for tax related purposes and could prevent any hiccups or queries in relation to tax. There is the option of taking out a joint policy with your partner, however, it should be noted that it is highly unlikely that the insurance company will pay anything out after the first death. Subsequent deaths ordinarily do not receive any further death benefit from the policy.
Getting death insurance is very easy and can be done in person, on the telephone or via the internet. Many insurance agents and companies have their own websites where you can fill in a quick application form. Depending on the type of policy you are after, you may not need to provide any details of your medical history or undergo an examination by a physician.
Purchasing death insurance is really something you should think about before you get too old. It will contribute to a better quality of life; knowing that the funeral costs arrangements are all taken care of will be a weight off of your shoulders.
About the Author:
FuneralInsuranceCost.com has the answers to all the questions that you were afraid to ask about
final expense life insurance! To make sure that you won’t settle for anything less than the full story on
death insurance, check out the site right away !
Tags: b, burial, d, death, death insurance, dying, e, f, family, final expense, finance, funeral, funeral costs, funeral insurance, i, insurance, l, life insurance, n, u, y
Posted in life insurance | No Comments »
Friday, August 7th, 2009
by Amy Nutt
Car insurance companies are very strict on their insurance packages and most times, they look at your details to be able to award you the necessary insurance. Therefore, it is not uncommon to find car insurance buyers looking for ways to falsify their details in the bid to reduce their premium price and get cheaper auto insurance quotes. In fact, research has shown that in the UK alone, over 10% of all drivers have lied at a point in time about their details or records while in the US, it is estimated at a whopping 27%. Details that are mostly lied about include the age and address of the driver. In some cases, drivers have been known to leave out speeding tickets, drunken driving records and bans on driving they may have received.
Sadly, many drivers seem to think this is the norm and therefore lie about all these when they are applying for an insurance policy. And this is further influenced by the thinking that the companies are mandated to pay and reward them. Most informed drivers know that falsifying your records is seen as fraud while the uninformed drivers think it is ok to lie about their records. The truth is insurance companies are beginning to catch up with this trend and are taking steps against the frequent occurrence of such acts. One of these steps is in the installation of software that will function as a lie detector and will compare all the different data for traces of irregularities. Besides this, insurance companies now have penalties that are meted out on culprits of this act. These include:
1. Cancellation of the Insurance Policy. All culprits will lose their rights to any form of insurance with the company of they are caught. This means that all the monies paid prior to that time will not be retrieved or paid back and the driver will forfeit all attendant benefits.
2. All Claims will be lost and denied. All drivers caught in the act of falsification will be denied all claims. During accidents, most drivers and car owners resort to the insurance company to offer some form of relief. Even if the claims are genuine, the insurance company will desist from making the required payment if it detects false information.
3. Blacklisting in all car insurance companies Depending on the severity of the false information, most insurance companies will willingly blacklist the driver thus making it really hard for him to drive his car.
4. May pay Fines If the driver is found guilty of severe falsification or under the insurance act, he would be required to pay the sum of one hundred thousand dollars and another two hundred thousand dollars if there are other offences discovered. 5. Jail Terms.
In Canada, all offenders could face up to ten years in prison and may be forced to pay a sum greater than five thousand dollars if found guilty. So whatever the case may be, it is in your best interest to tell the truth at all times.
About the Author:
Full service insurance brokerage offers corporate and personal solutions. When looking for the best protection and information on Personal Insurance,
Car insurance in Ajax,
Health Insurance in Ajax, Commercial Insurance, Life Insurance options.
Tags: a, Ajax, b, business, business;finance, c, car, car insurance, f, family, finance, financial, h, health, home, i, insurance, j, l, liability, life, life insurance, n, o, ontario, s, society
Posted in life insurance | No Comments »
Friday, August 7th, 2009
by Graham McKenzie
Not all people know that their insurance premiums are partly determined by their insurance history. The lack of a current insurance policy or a substantial history of insurance can result in a higher premium when soliciting new coverage. Conversely, continuous coverage can result in receiving lower quotes from other insurance companies when you decide to get more quotes versus just renewing your old policy.
Many will argue that the lack of insurance history should not increase one’s premiums. Regardless, among the many considerations in determining premiums are an applicant’s demonstrated ability to maintain their payment schedule, their proclivity for making claims on their past policies, and their demonstrated clean driving record. A failing in any of these areas will have the effect of markedly increasing your premiums to a much higher rate than you would prefer.
Persons having previous lapsed policies, and are in need to find a new one with better quotes are generally not entertained. Even if it happens, the credit history is checked for timely payment of premiums for the previous policy, so that the new company has some points for consideration.
New drivers, drivers with multiple claims for accidents, those with a history of moving violations, and persons who currently do not have insurance coverage sometimes find it easier to obtain coverage through brokers that specialize in “high-risk” drivers. Companies these brokers tend to work with, however, do not tend to offer the most advantageous terms – oftentimes asking for more sizable down payments, offering only high deductibles, and providing minimal coverage.
So once you have started a policy, be sure to complete it. If you want to establish yourself as a desirable customer, purchase a policy for six months. Drive carefully, _don’t_ get any tickets, and make your payments regularly and promptly. When it’s time to renew, get out the phone book and start checking other brokers. Now that you have a good insurance history, other insurers will be eager for your business. Your original insurer will be reluctant to lose you, and will most likely match any quote you get from another company. Your next six months could end up costing you hundreds of dollars less than your first.
It never hurts to shop around for a better rate at policy renewal time. Your current insurance company would be happy to keep you on at last year’s higher rate. It’s up to you to have them review your policy. If you change jobs or change your address, you may have a shorter and/or safer drive to work. Changes like these can make you eligible for lower premiums, so review your policy when they happen. Now that you have a good history, other insurers will want your business, and they’ll offer you lower rates to get it. Your current insurer, remember, will want to keep you, so they’ll also make you a better offer.
In summary, drivers should be vigilant about looking for the best available insurance rates. In order to ensure the lowest premiums, it is essential to keep up with one’s payments, to maintain constant coverage, and to keep one’s driving record as clean as possible.
About the Author:
Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator for
Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica?s leading
Car Insurance portal, which helps people save on their Car Insurance.
Tags: a, auto insurance, automobile;truck, automotive, c, car insurance, cars, e, f, finance, i, insurance, m, money, o, u, v, vechile insurance
Posted in auto insurance | No Comments »
Thursday, August 6th, 2009
by Susan Reynolds
Annual travel insurance policies can be deceivingly luring because you have an entire year to enjoy travel funds without having to repay the loans. Upon closer inspection, many policies reveal incomplete cover of travel needs.
Today people travel for a wide range of reasons and the travel insurance policies accessible to you have evolved to meet the more varied demand for suitable cover. In this guide we will look at which policies are suitable for certain types of travel. If you are plan to take a winter holiday you may want to consider taking out winter sports insurance.
This form of insurance provides cover for activities such as skiing and snowboarding, covering equally injuries and the loss or damage of sports tools. Fewer than 60 countries have a reciprocal healthcare agreement with the UK and without adequate cover a broken leg in Switzerland could cost you around ?25,000.
Backpackers insurance is great when planning to take a backpacking holiday, as it allows up to 18 months of coverage for long term trips. For people like students who are studying or working abroad, traveling insurance can also be useful, as long as you make sure all the countries you are visiting are covered in the policy. Be sure to check if you EHIC card is valid in certain areas, such as third-world countries where coverage may be more difficult to attain.
Business insurance is great for those working abroad, as it covers necessities like business equipment like electronics and documents. It may even cover the traveling expenses of a coworker who takes your place, should you fall ill. These are all things that insurance by your employer may not cover alone.
If your work requires you to travel abroad you should consider taking out business insurance. This type of policy can cover business equipment such as laptops and PDAs and business documents. Some policies also cover the travel expenses if you are taken ill and another member of staff has to fly out and take your place. Something that insurance provided by your employer may not.
Keep in mind that after a certain upper age, usually around 65, insurance can become pricier due to more precautions taken to assure your safety. If this is your case, look for cheaper travel insurance for those over 65. Your age put aside, should you have any pre-existing medical conditions, always keep your insurance company aware of those conditions so to pay the extra fees, if any. Without notifying your insurance company of any conditions insurance may not be able to cover any incidents that involve your condition.
Tags: f, finance, health, health insurance, i, insurance, m, money, o, r, t, travel, travel & leisure, travel health insurance, travel insurance, Travel Tips
Posted in health insurance | No Comments »
Thursday, August 6th, 2009
by Graham McKenzie
People are able to get life insurance policies that extend into the millions of dollars if they can afford it. While many people are unable to afford these plans the few that can will be able to receive the most expensive payouts. Most consumers will settle for life insurance plans that are only in the tens of thousands or low hundreds of thousands of dollars. If someone is seeking a large amount then they will most likely be required to have a large down payment up front as well as high monthly payments.
Most life insurance companies do not have information regarding the size of their insurance policies. One company that has been around for over 100 years easily holds some of the world?s largest insurance policies. The Transamerica Corporation was originally founded by Amadeo Gianinni back in 1906. Since then the company has come a long way and has turned into several investment companies including the well known Transamerica Life Insurance Company. This group of companies is the largest circle of life insurance companies around the globe. The founder also founded the Bank of America as well as the Golden Gate Bridge and the pyramid of San Francisco. Because of its size the company is able to offer the world?s largest life insurance policies that offer some of the largest payouts. They also have cost effective plans for consumers.
So why would anyone want that much life insurance when they know how high the monthly payments are going to be? The main reason that someone would want millions of dollars in life insurance is because they have very large debts. This is most common in business owners and investors where they have a lot of debts that will have to be covered if they pass away. Since they don?t want the problem to land on their families they will get a large insurance plan that will cover their funeral and their debts while still having some money left over.
Many older people use this idea on a smaller level to help avoid their family from having to pay their debts and funeral costs. By getting a larger plan they are ensuring that their family will not have to worry about the debts they leave behind. It does cost a decent amount of money to have such a plan however it will protect your family and may even leave them with an inheritance.
Those who look for some of the world?s largest life insurance policies need to have special policies written up for them. Most of the large life insurance companies will have no problem writing a plan for any amount if the risk is low and the reward is high. This means that the younger you are and the more you?re willing to pay the more likely the insurance company will write you a plan for any amount that you want. Premiums for life insurance are similar to those in health insurance where they take into account your general health and your habits. If a company feels that a person is a high risk due to factors such as smoking and drinking they will refuse to enter an agreement. If the person can make a large payment up front to the company it will bring down the risk factor of the person as well as the monthly payments.
About the Author:
Graham McKenzie is the syndication coordinator a leading South African
Insurance information portal, which amongst others specialises in
Household Insurance .
Tags: a, b, business;finance, c, car insurance, d, Disability Insurance, f, finance, h, Household Insurance, i, insurance, l, life insurance, money, n, o, personal finance
Posted in life insurance | No Comments »
Thursday, August 6th, 2009
by Susan Reynolds
4×4 owners may wonder why their insurance rates are higher than they are with cars. The fact is that 4×4 vehicles are much different than normal cars and vehicles. They have extra capabilities and features that the insurance company sees as more hazardous. You should know what to expect before you buy a 4×4 vehicle.
The type of policy you have will affect what type of coverage you?re getting. All types of policies will cover other drivers and their vehicles in an accident. You can also get policies that cover your vehicle and your passengers along with theft and weather damage. 4×4 insurance has similar properties as regular car insurance however there are some slight differences. The main problem is that you?re going to do more damage to another vehicle if you hit them than you would in a car. Since the estimated repair costs will be higher they increase the insurance premium you have to pay.
4×4?s will also be subject to higher rates because of their popularity. If you live near the city rates will be higher than normal for vandalism, theft, and other damages. Drivers of 4×4?s in rural areas often do not need this type of coverage, but it will be less expensive if they do get it.
Costs to fix 4×4 trucks and SUVs are much higher than the cost to fix regular vehicles. This is because parts are harder to find and repair. Insurance companies will look at this as an extra cost to insure your vehicle and will charge you more. If you have extra features added to your 4×4 that didn?t come with the stock you will have to get extra insurance to have these repaired in case of an accident. Insurance companies won?t voluntarily pay for these extra add-ons unless your policy specifically covers them.
Finally the biggest difference between 4×4 vehicles and cars is it?s off road capabilities. Your standard car insurance won?t cover your vehicle if you go off road. This means that you will have to either pay for the repair costs yourself or have to see if your car insurance company offers off road protection. If they do then you will have to pay a higher rate. Also if you?re an enthusiast that likes to race or enter other various competitions you may have to get those covered separately. In some instances it?s better to be covered for a single day then pay high interest rates every month.
It?s important to know that as with sports cars 4×4 vehicles will be more expensive naturally when it comes to insurance. The best thing you can do is to compare quotes from various companies and find the lowest rate. You can also greatly reduce the rate of your vehicle by having it just for a recreational vehicle. You will also want to read through the policies that each company offers. This is because some companies will cover some situations while others won?t. If you plan on doing something besides driving your 4×4 vehicle you should ask your insurance agent what they can cover.
Tags: a, auto insurance, automobile;truck, automobiles, c, car insurance, cars, e, f, finance, i, insurance, n, p, personal finance, u, v, vehicle insurance
Posted in auto insurance | No Comments »
Thursday, August 6th, 2009
by Susan Reynolds
In a democratic nation that is run on a capitalistic economy we must all have health insurance to pay for the exceedingly high costs of health care. Some of the simplest procedures can empty your wallet, not to mention what a serious health issue could do to your bank account, and even your available credit. With medical insurance you have the option of paying for a coverage that can pay for almost all medical costs (for the very wealthy) to coverage that is very weak, and does not cover most medical expenses (for the poor, or the cheap).
Health insurance will enable you to get correct & sufficient medical treatment. Your health insurance will look after the expenses of your regular check ups, visits to doctors, specialists if needed, hospitalization expenses & emergency calls. In case of tests like X- ray, MRI or any therapy, the health insurance will reimburse these expenses at prescribed rates. In a few cases you may get cent per cent reimbursement, but in most of the cases you have to shell out a small fraction of amount & the rest of it is covered by insurance.
Health insurance policies mostly stipulate certain limits per person or per family, up to which the expenses are to borne by you & when such limit is crossed, you have to pay only a small percentage of expenses as stipulated in the policy. Some health insurance policies expect you to get the treatment from the hospitals on their list only while some insurers allow you to get the treatment from any hospital of your choice. Some policies stipulate that you can avail specialist?s treatment only if you are referred to a specialist by general practitioner.
You have to be careful to see whether your policy covers the follow up treatment/therapy after surgery. You have to get confirmation from the representative of insurance company or you have to read the policy terms thoroughly beforehand. Otherwise you will have to bear those expenses fully which are not covered under the policy.
Transplants and donations are rarely covered in your medical insurance, so be aware of this. Plastic surgery will almost always never be covered because it is a luxury, not a necessity, unless of course it is part of a reconstruction from a medical surgery.
All surgeries will have coverage for any rehab fees that are needed, as previously stated, in accordance to the Doctor?s advice. If the Doctor has not approved of a type of rehab method, or medication, then you will be responsible for the fees that come along with them. Make sure a doctor does not talk you into staying in a hospital longer than necessary.
You, as the insured, must also make your doctor aware of what is and isn?t covered in your insurance. They will believe that they have free reign on your body, and fixing any issue you are having, with no regard to any limitation your insurance may have, because they will be unaware. The doctor has no time to read each of their patients insurance policies, so you are the responsible party. Overall you will be covered for most medical procedures, but you must also be aware that you are still responsible, financially and personally, for any costs or coverage that are part of that insurance policy.
Tags: e, f, finance, h, health, health cover, health insurance, i, insurance, medical aid, medical cover
Posted in health insurance | No Comments »