Posts Tagged ‘v’
Wednesday, August 19th, 2009
by Amy Nutt
A car accident can be a harrowing and traumatic event. One will be shaken and often not thinking clearly. If you are involved in a car accident, you have to think about your condition as well as the events that took place because you will most likely have to file a auto insurance claim.
In order to prepare for the results of a car accident, the following steps should be followed in order to make a proper claim:
1. After an accident, your heart will be racing and you may be disorientated. You need to gather your thoughts and think about how to proceed. If you are hurt, and the car is not a danger such as on fire, retrieve your cell phone and call 911. If there is no emergency such as a serious injury, call the police. Check to see if anyone else is hurt. Ask for people who witnessed the accident to stay and talk to the police.
2. Swap contact information, including phone numbers, license plate numbers, and car insurance details with the other drivers involved in the accident. When the police arrive share all the details you remember about the accident so that they can write an official report that can be given to the insurance companies. Make sure you tell the police officers that you want a report. If the officers won’t do it because the accident took place on the property of an establishment like a store parking lot, then ask the store owner or a security guard to write something up. If you have a camera, take pictures of the accident scene that includes any vehicle damage.
3. Contact your insurance company, even if you are not at-fault. Also, compensation is based on the extent of fault so you need evidence to support your claim. Most insurance providers have a toll free claim number. Make sure you have your policy number available. If the other person is at-fault, you must make a claim. You are entitled to have the insurance company process your claim and resolve any disputes. Your insurance company will advise the other driver’s insurance provider that you are making a claim and seeking compensation. You will have to make a list of all items damaged. If the other driver does not have car insurance, you will have to negotiate directly or go to court. Some experts suggest that if the other party is at fault, you should file claims with both insurance providers.
4. Once you have submitted all of the paper work to the insurance companies, they will sort out the claim. You may have to speak to the other driver’s provider about your recollection of the accident. Your insurance provider will tell you what statement is required. Before you give your statement, write down what you remember about the accident.
5. A claims adjuster will inspect your damaged car in order to assess the costs of the loss. They will also assess if the damage can be repaired or if you require financial compensation. If you are financially compensated, the insurance company will write you a check minus the deductible. A car accident can be a very emotional time in one’s life. It is important to remember that you need to keep yourself together so that you can make the right decisions regarding your physical well-being as well as filing a car insurance claim.
Tags: a, auto, automobile;truck, business, c, car, car insurance, e, f, family, finance, h, home, i, insurance, l, legal, life, life insurance, n, o, p, params, personal, r, roadside assistance, s, society, v, variables
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Monday, August 17th, 2009
by Graham McKenzie
Normally when purchasing auto insurance you probably will only be asked for basic information about your vehicle. You are typically asked to provide the year, make, model and to provide the accurate mileage from the odometer. You will also need to provide some idea as to the condition of your vehicle and project your driving needs. Car owners who travel long distances for work are charged higher premiums than those who drive less frequently. Armed with this basic data and your car or truck Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), the insurance company is able to generate a quote after a quick check of collision history of your vehicle.
Using the VIN number the agent would get all the information required about the vehicle, and may even like to arrange an inspection of that particular vehicle so that your actual rates is reduced to a much lower price. Car accessories such a custom made rims, wheels or expensive stereos which you would like to claim along with the vehicle, needs to be inspected before the insurance company provides you with the coverage. This is because there is a possibility of people having an ordinary cassette player, giving false information about it and claiming it to be an expensive one in order to get it covered, which might actually reduce the asset of the Insurance company.
Often the Insurance Company may insist on Inspection, just to know the overall condition of the vehicle alone and if they find the actual condition of the vehicle is poorer than what it is claimed, it may affect the actual insurance coverage. Mechanical faults, improper maintenance such as rust or faded paint, poor condition of seats all make your vehicle go down its ladder for maximum coverage. Moreover it will also let you down when it comes to the blue book, as it mainly depends on the perfect condition of the car which may inadvertently make you to lose a fair amount of money, slashing your pocket with few thousands of dollars. In case of accidents, where the actual damage done to the car is summed up and in the event of blue book claim, the total value is paid to you only after the insurance company analysis the perfect numbers to be paid.
Insurance companies usually protect their assets from undue claiming and fraudulent claims. This may include an inspection seldom, to analyze the exact condition of your vehicle. The process, indirectly favours both the parties, as paying an enormous amount of premiums for a vehicle that is in fair condition seems absurd when you can actually pay less by stating the true condition of the vehicle. Also, the Insurance Company has the right to withdraw or modify their coverage accordingly, if they find the actual condition of the quoted vehicle is poorer than what is claimed.
Sometimes there is damage to a vehicle that is not noticed by the current owner and has never been reported. Sometimes previous owners do not report minor accidents. They make quick patches and sell the car to unsuspecting buyers. Unfortunately, there are other types of fraud which insurance companies must look for. Filing false claims based on questionable values costs insurance companies millions of dollars each year.
This is why inspections can happen at any time. The insurance company needs to know if you are honest. So it is best to be truthful when looking for a quote because the day after you get your policy, the insurance company might be at your place taking pictures of your car.
Tags: a, auto insurance, automobile;truck, automotive, c, car insurance, cars, e, f, finance, i, insurance, m, money, o, u, v, vechile insurance
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Monday, August 17th, 2009
by Susan Reynolds
If you are looking for 4×4 insurance for the first time you are probably surprised by just how many different kinds there are. Just like motorcycles, trucks, and cars, 4×4 vehicles have insurance that?s all there own, geared toward the risks that are often involved with the type of driving required. You will notice that the biggest difference in 4×4 insurance is the price, which is much higher compared to regular insurance prices. Before you go ahead and sign onto a policy, make sure you find the one that is right for you.
Your insurance for a 4×4 vehicle will vary depending on exactly how you will be using the vehicle. People who use them as normal day to day trucks don?t have to worry about the extra costs of getting off road insurance. 4×4?s are specifically designed to handle off road driving. Although this can be very fun and exciting, it puts you at much higher risk for vehicle damages and injuries. Make sure your policy covers off road driving before you attempt it. If necessary you can get an all terrain insurance policy for a day or two just to have some fun.
4×4 trucks and SUVs have all of the regular types of insurance available for drivers. The minimal type is called liability insurance, and it covers other vehicles and individuals that were involved in an accident, but not your own. Comprehensive and collision insurance can also be obtained like an average vehicle. Unfortunately these will often be more expensive than regular policies. The monthly rate you pay will reflect on how much overall coverage you have. The extra cost will cover the increased likely hood that your 4×4 may be stolen or vandalized.
4×4 vehicles are often more expensive to insure because they cost more to repair. Unlike cars and other mass produced vehicles, the parts for 4×4 trucks and SUVs are harder to find a replace. Your insurance company will therefore have to pay more to fix your vehicle. If you have added anything on to your 4×4 you can expect that it won?t be covered by traditional insurance policies. These add-ons will have to be individually insured or paid to fix by you. Wide screens are very popular features of 4x4s that are not covered by regular insurance. If the truck has this feature be sure that your policy insures its repairs.
Salvage retention rights are offered directly to 4×4 drivers, especially those who participate in off road driving. These rights allow you to use the parts of your 4×4 vehicle. Even if you make changes and add on other parts your 4×4 will still be insured. If your 4×4 happens to get totaled you can retrieve the parts for future repairs while still being compensated for the damages. Salvage retention rights are difficult to come by on other vehicles, buy you will sometimes see them applied to 4×4?s. If you want this as part of your coverage you will have to be sure to request it first.
About the Author:
Susan Reynolds is the webmaster for a leading South African
Insurance Provider who specialises in
Car Insurance.
Tags: a, auto insurance, automobile;truck, automobiles, c, car insurance, cars, e, f, finance, i, insurance, n, p, personal finance, u, v, vehicle insurance
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Sunday, August 16th, 2009
by Jason Hall
Whether or not to take out rental insurance, when you are renting a car, has been a major decision among all renters. It is important, when you rent a car, that you understand these companies want to sell you insurance because it is a way for them to make more money. On top of that, rental companies encourage you to take out their insurance because it protects their car, and that is all that matters to them.
Here are some of the most asked questions about rental insurance, and the answer are most likely going to surprise many of you.
Q: DOESNT MY REGULAR CAR INSURANCE POLICY COVER ME WHEN I AM DRIVING A RENTAL CAR?
A: YES….Many insurance companies will still cover you when you are driving in a rental car. However, it is advisable that you contact your insurance company, prior to picking up your rental vehicle, just to make sure that is so. Otherwise you will not be completely confident that you will be covered and may spend money, on rental insurance from the rental company, you could have otherwise saved.
Q: IF I RENT A CAR WITH MY CREDIT CARD, WILL THAT COVER ME FOR DAMAGES THAT MAY OCCUR?
A: YES and NO….Most of the major credit card companies, such as Visa, MasterCard or Discover, offer you additional insurance protection when you use the card to rent a vehicle. Because this may not apply for all credit cards companies you should check with your credit company prior to renting your car. This will give you a piece of mind when turning down the rental insurance for the rental car company.
Q: IF I FIND OUT THAT I AM COVERED UNDER MY OWN CAR INSURANCE AND MY CREDIT CARD COMPANY SHOULD I STILL TAKE OUT THE CAR RENTAL INSURANCE?
A: Absolutely not. Many companies will tell you that your insurance wont cover everything or that you are leaving yourself open to liability if you don’t take their coverage, however most car rental coverage doesn’t even cover you as well as your own. Many times the companies and their representatives will lead you to believe that this coverage is necessary, but in reality it will provide you with no benefit at all if you are already covered, and therefore this will just be unnecessary money that you will be handing over to the car rental agent.
So before yo arrive at the rental car company to pick up your vehicle check with your insurance and credit car companies to see what you are covered for. This will make you more confident when you refuse the rental companies insurance and you will be saving a lot of money.
About the Author:
Jason Hall is an expert in the rental car industry and can provide you with all the advice that you need for a
car rental Coolangatta. Before your next Australian take a look at his articles to ensure you are getting a
car hire Coolangatta that is reliable.
Tags: a, australia, auto insurance, automobile, c, car hire, car insurance, car rental, car rental queensland, e, h, holiday, i, insurance, n, r, rental, rental car, rental insurance, t, travel, travel & leisure, Travel Tips, u, v, vacation
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Friday, August 14th, 2009
by Graham McKenzie
Car insurance is very important. When a vehicle is stolen or broken into, insurance plays a large role in reimbursement for lost property. Insurance also allows the victim to make a claim to their insurer and the insurer handles the costs of repairs and/or replacement of the damage to the vehicle; of course, there is generally a modest deductible depending upon the insurance plan one has.
When you speak to the insurance agent about the claim they will start an initial examination checklist to ensure that the claim is valid and what part of the claim if any is to be paid by the insurance company according to your policy. There are many questions the insurance company might ask of you and any other information gathered will be from your policy and coverage information.
Your policy needs to be active. The insurance agent will verify that the police is before anything else transpires. The agent will also ensure that your payments have been paid and that you are not behind. If it is determined you lapsed in payment, you will not be eligible for coverage.
The Claims are usually Validated after reviewing the policy rules and if there are items damaged or stolen which are not covered by the policy contract, the coverage amount cannot be claimed. You will also not be able to claim if you just have a liability insurance or a third party cover in instances of car burglary.
You cannot claim the coverage amount if the exclusion criteria of the policy such as fire or flood is a part of the claim but you can claim coverage during a break in burglary or vandalism, in case if your expensive car accessories such as stereo or golf clubs are stolen, if it is covered or listed in the actual policy contract.
While the insurance company is liable for valid claims, it is dependent upon the policy holder to uphold the policy requirements. If the holder failed to take the proper actions on their end, the insurance company will deny the claim. This will leave the victim of the crime responsible for the damages that occurred.
Other than looking out for policy reasons, the trained insurance agent might even carry a checklist to rule out suspicion in case of fraudulent claims. For example Expensive trunk load of goods carried in an old car, if reported as stolen and has been filed for a claim, the agent might raise a suspicion that it might be a fraudulent claim by the policy owner. Misleading facts and false information might lead to the coverage being denied. Once the checklist is complete along with the Initial examination, the agent forwards the case to its assessor along with his reports of examination, to assess and approve claim, if it is genuine.
Tags: a, auto insurance, automobile;truck, automotive, c, car insurance, cars, e, f, finance, i, insurance, m, money, o, u, v, vechile insurance
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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
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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
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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
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Wednesday, August 5th, 2009
by Charles Keith
With only a handful of car insurance strategies, you could be on your way to saving money on your premiums. Many individuals complain about the price of their car insurance, but the fact of the matter is, many of these insured drivers aren’t receiving the whole benefits of their policies. If you know what your insurance company offers, you can reap the maximum benefits.
The quickest way to reduce your payment is to make sure you are getting every discount you can qualify for. After all, why pay full price for a product when you don’t have to? Car insurance works the same way.
There are different types of obtainable discounts. A good student who can show a promising report card can get a discount. A police officer or nurse or other professionals can avail of discounts because of their alliances. Further, a person who insures his house and car in the same policy may qualify for a discount.
Next, you may deliberate on ending your coverage. Now before you toss these car insurance guidelines out the window, think about it this way. A vehicle more than fifteen years old with a collision insurance on it may cost you much money you’ll later regret.
When your car crashes into something, it will be considered a complete loss. Rather than securing a collision insurance for a retiring car, simply terminate this specific plan since you don’t have any use for it. Evaluate and weigh all your vehicles’ coverage to be certain you aren’t over insuring them.
Another wonderful means to decrease your premium is to pay off your entire bill when you get it, rather than pay it monthly. It may seem practical and light to pay your bill monthly, but you will surely spend more this way. If you pay a bigger sum of money immediately, you’ll reduce your bill and end up paying less in the long run.
Now you know, all you have to do to save money on your insurance is invest a little bit of your time to make sure you are taking advantage of all the discounts possible. Only pay what you need to on coverage and pay your complete bill when you get it to avoid extra fees. The money you will save yourself using these car insurance tips will really amount to a lot as the year goes on.
About the Author:
For more
car insurance tips and suggestions regarding car insurance head to the how car insurance works website. Finding
car insurance tips is the easy part, you also need to find the best car insurance company that suits your needs.
Tags: a, auto insurance, b, business, business;finance, c, car insurance, car insurance tips, d, e, education, f, finance, h, how car insurance works, how to, i, insurance, o, p, personal finance, u, v, vehicle insurance
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Monday, August 3rd, 2009
by Graham McKenzie
Consumers in the automobile insurance market often come across “incidence rates”. This phrase, while confusing to some people, is actually a simple method for determining the level of risk for a specific vehicle.
Certain types and models of vehicles are more attractive to thieves. Also, certain models have been shown to be more likely to be involved in accidents or violations such as speeding or reckless driving. The insurance quote not only takes into account your personal driving history, but is also determined by the type of vehicle that is being insured.
Any insurance company will have data that shows the likelihood of cars being stolen, how often they’ll be in accidents, etcetera. This is what your insurance agency will use to determine how high the risk level of your vehicle will be and the effect this will have on your policy rates, if you have a vehicle that falls in to one or more of the high risk categories for incidents then your rate will be dramatically higher than you would like.
It seems common-sense that sports cars are more likely to be involved in reckless driving incidents or speeding violations. But there are also some incidents that are not so obvious. For instance, statistics show that a white or light-colored vehicle is more likely to be involved in accidents than darker vehicles. Knowing this information can help consumers make better decisions about the types of vehicles that they choose. Incidence rates can be found either by searching the Internet, or by asking a car dealership for the information. By knowing this information and how it affects your insurance premiums, you will be able to see why your quotes differ from other drivers with similar driving records.
Every year thousands of cars are stolen and never recovered, which makes some cars a big risk for insurance companies. If your car is listed as being likely to be stolen and sold for parts it could hurt your rates. You can counteract this by installing security features to deter thieves or help you locate your car.
If your car is a color that’s more likely to be hit by another car, such as white, you can add uninsured or underinsured motorist protection to ensure that you are covered in case the other driver isn’t. Most of the time the insurance company will allow a lower rate in this case as they’re protected from extra costs. Remember that even though it’s illegal to drive without insurance it’s still very common to find people who don’t think they need it. You have to think ahead to protect yourself in this situation.
It is important for drivers to know the Incidence Rates for their vehicles. By knowing how much more likely it is for your vehicle to be stolen, involved in accidents, or be severely damaged, are better equipped to make smart buying decisions, both when purchasing a vehicle and when determining what types and what levels of insurance to buy. The savings may have you considering buying that economical minivan rather than that sporty white corvette.
About the Author:
Graham McKenzie is the content syndication coordinator for
Carinsurancesa.co.za. South Arica’s leading
car insurance portal, which provides cover for all car insurance types.
Tags: a, auto insurance, automobile;truck, automotive, c, car insurance, cars, e, f, finance, i, insurance, m, money, o, u, v, vechile insurance
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