Mortgage Insurance Coverage Can Stop Home Repossession

By Simon Lance Burgess

Home repossession is the worst nightmare for any homeowner and it can happen for a variety of reasons. Of course accident or sickness that means you are unable to work and lose your income are main ones, as is unemployment by such as redundancy. Mortgage insurance cover can help you to continue paying your mortgage in these circumstances. You would have an income each month which would be tax free and the sum that you insured against when taking out the policy.

You would not have to worry about struggling to meet the payment each month when it became due and you would not fall into arrears. If you get behind by just one payment the lender will want assurance that you are able to catch up while at the same time maintaining your mortgage. Failure to come to an agreement will see the lender taking you to court and you could be evicted from your home if the judge rules on favour of the mortgage lender. With a policy to fall back on there would be no worry of this happening and you could recover or find work with peace of mind.

Mortgage insurance coverage can be taken cheaper with a standalone payment protection specialist that it can be adding it onto the mortgage when borrowing. High street lenders cover costs much more than the premiums set out by a standalone specialist provider. Independent providers charge premiums which are based on the level of mortgage protection you need, your age and the amount you want to cover. if you take age based cover then this means that even first time buyers who have stretched their budgets to the maximum can now afford to protect huge mortgages.

Policies vary between lenders so it is essential that you check the terms of any policy you consider taking out before signing on the bottom line. Some providers will give protection that would payout an income tax-free after a period of unemployment or incapacity of 30 days. Others might ask that you wait for as much as the 90th day before you are able to put in your claim. You also have to check to see how long the policy would payout for because again this can differ. Some provider might offer 12 monthly payments while others could offer 24 monthly payouts before the cover ceases. You also have to check to see what exclusions there are in the policy as all policies have exclusions in them. Some providers just add in the very basic few while others could add in many.

Mortgage insurance cover can stop you from becoming one of the 45,000 estimated homeowners who will lose their homes to the mortgage lender this year by way of repossession. Up to June this year there has already been over 18,000 homes repossessed as the Council of Mortgage Lenders has pointed out. Perhaps many of these repossessions could have been stopped had the homeowner thought to take out mortgage payment protection. So give some thought to taking out a policy before it becomes too late.

Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance, a specialist provider of mortgage insurance cover.

Income Protection Insurance and Income Payment Protection - The Differences

By Simon Lance Burgess

By taking out income protection insurance you would be guaranteed a tax-free replacement income up to the age of retirement if necessary, providing you had checked the exclusions. Your income would payout in the case of you becoming unable to work after becoming ill or suffering from an accident or illness. However it would not payout if you became a victim of redundancy. If you want to protect for this then you need income payment protection.

Protecting your income makes a great deal of sense when you consider how much you rely on it. One of the main outgoings that all homeowners have to make is their mortgage and if you cannot then you are risking losing your home to the lender. Just one missed payment will see them sending out a letter and if you continue and cannot catch up on the arrears while also paying your regular payments they will take you to court. Of course there are also many other factors where your monthly income would be missed.

If you have loan or credit card repayments to keep up with then where would you get the money if you did not have an income? If you had taken out a secured loan against your home then again your home is at risk. If unsecured arrears occur the lender could take you to court and you could have your belongings taken to pay what you owe the lender. At the very least you would earn a bad credit rating and as all lenders look at this first when deciding whether to approve you for the loan or not, the chances of you getting credit are very slim. Income protection insurance and income payment protection would allow you to pay all of these without worry.

You would also be able to meet all other outgoings such as keeping food on the table and paying for the heating and lighting in your home. You would not have to worry about cutting down and making drastic changes to your lifestyle. Income payment protection would payout from between the 30th/90th day of you becoming unemployed or incapacitated and would then continue for between 12/24months, providing you with a payment each month. After this period of time it would then cease as it is assumed you would have had time to recover of find work again. However income protection insurance would pay far longer after a longer deferment period.

It is essential not to get income protection insurance and income payment protection mixed up as they are two different policies. Income payment protection is the insurance you need if you want to claim over the shorter period and claim against accident, sickness and unemployment. All policies are cheaper when taken out with a specialist offering payment protection as opposed to taking on the policy with the lender on the high street. Premiums for payment protection policies are usually based on the amount of income you want to insure against and age. All providers will set a limit as to how much of your monthly income you are able to insure against and this is found in the terms before taking out the policy.

Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance, a specialist provider of income protection insurance.

Income Insurance Mortgage Payment Protection For Security

By Simon Lance Burgess

Income insurance mortgage payment protection is one way of ensuring that you would have an income if you lost your own. You could lose your income to accident, sickness or unemployment and this would mean that you are left struggling when it came to being able to pay your mortgage. Along with your mortgage you would also have to meet many other outgoings which could include any loan repayments or credit card outgoings. You would also have to meet any other bills that came into the home on a regular basis that would need paying in order to keep the home running smoothly.

Not being able to keep up with the mortgage repayments means that you are risking losing your home to the mortgage lender. If you cannot afford to pay your mortgage while at the same time catching up on the arrears then the lender will have no choice but to take you to court. A single missed payment would be cause for concern with the lender and they would send out a letter reminding you of the missed payment. Another payment and you would have to meet with the lender to make an agreement to catch up. However at the same time you would be expected to continue paying the mortgage payments as usual. If you have income insurance mortgage payment protection to fall back on you would not have to give a thought to falling into arrears. This would allow you to concentrate on making a full recovery without adding stress onto an already stressful situation. If you were unemployed it would allow you the time to search for work without any distractions.

Of course your policy would do much more than this; you would also be able to pay any other outgoings which would include any loan repayments that you had to make each month. Getting behind on loan repayments also has many consequences with the least being that your credit file would be affected. Your credit file is essential when you apply for credit of any kind as it is the first thing that all lenders will take into account. If you have missed payments then you would find it extremely hard to be approved for credit. You would also have the money from your tax-free income to continue meeting such essential outgoings as your food bills, electric and gas bills.

Your income insurance mortgage payment protection policy would begin to payout after a pre-determined amount of time. Usually this is between the 30th and the 90th days of being unemployed or of being unable to work. Some providers would offer to backdate the cover to the first day of becoming unemployed or of being incapacitated so you have to check this in the terms and conditions before taking out the policy. Once the cover has started to provide an income you would a certain amount of time before it would stop. Providers will usually offer a plan of protection that would either pay you an income of 12 monthly payments or 24 monthly payments.

Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance, a specialist provider of income insurance mortgage payment protection.

Get Your Mortgage Insurance Quote With a Specialist Provider

By Simon Lance Burgess

By choosing to get your mortgage insurance quote with a standalone payment protection provider you are able to make huge savings on the cost of a policy. You might think that taking the protection offered by the lender when taking out the protection is the cheapest policy; however you will usually pay way over the odds when taking out cover this way. Mortgage protection is taken out to ensure that if you lose your income due to redundancy or accident and sickness you would still be able to continue meeting the demands of your mortgage.

Mortgage insurance is essential when you take into consideration that there has been over 18,000 homebuyers having already lost their homes this year. In total the Council of Mortgage Lenders believe that this will amount to around 45,000 by the end of the year. If you do not want to become a statistic of repossession then it is essential that you protect the repayments of your mortgage.

Lenders will not repossess your home unless they have too but if you get behind by a single missed payment they will send a letter asking when you are able to catch up on the arrears. Of course at the same time you would also have to be able to pay your payments each month and as you were struggling in the first place and got into arrears this would be impossible.

When looking for a mortgage insurance quote there are many factors that have to be taken into account. For starters you will have to decide on the level of protection you want. You are able to take out cover to safeguard against accident sickness and unemployment together, accident and sickness only or unemployment only. You then have to check to see how much of your mortgage payment the provider would allow you to cover. All providers will state up to a certain amount and this is the sum you receive back as a tax-free income.

Some providers could offer a policy that would run by providing you with a payment each month for 12 months while others could give 24 monthly payments. There is always a period of waiting with a provider and this too can differ. Some providers will payout an income after you have been unemployed or incapacitated for 30 days and with others it can be as much as up to the 90th day. Once the policy has reached its limit it then ends. During the time of the policy you are able to concentrate on recovering or finding work knowing that your mortgage repayments are safe.

By looking for a cheap mortgage insurance quote and taking out a policy you would not have the worry of getting behind on your mortgage payments. It is a more viable method that relying on savings or help from the State. Even if you managed to be eligible to claim from the State you would only receive help for the interest part of the mortgage and then only up to a certain amount each month. You would also have to wait many months before you would see any money.

Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance, a specialist provider of mortgage insurance quote.

Get an Income Protection Quote With a Standalone Provider

By Simon Lance Burgess

Choosing a standalone provider to take your income protection quote with is one way of ensuring that you would not fall victim to arrears with your mortgage or loan repayments. You would be able to continue paying as you would normally when you had an income coming in. You could lose your income after falling sick or if you were to be involved in an accident. You might also fall victim to redundancy and the policy would cover this too.

When considering taking out an income protection quote you should not confuse it with a similar product. Income protection insurance has a similar name but pays out for lot longer which is up to the age of you retiring if needed but it does not cover unemployment. The shorter term policy income payment protection covers accident sickness and unemployment together but pays for a shorter period of time.

Income payment protection would begin to provide you with your income, tax-free after a period of between the 30th day and as long as the 90th day depending on the provider. Some providers might offer to backdate to the very first day you became unemployed or you were declared unfit for work. When the policy begins to provide you with an income it would only pay for a defined period of time and then it would stop. Providers would usually pay your income each month over 12 monthly payments or 24 monthly payments. During this time you would have the peace of mind that you would not get behind on any of your essential payments.

The Council of Mortgage Lenders has just announced that up to June this year over 18,000 homeowners lost their home to the mortgage lender after being unable to keep up with the mortgage. They also estimate that by the end of 2008 the total amount of those who will lose their homes will reach 45,000. They also noted that the numbers of repossessions are on the increase to the number that occurred the same time last year. With this in mind it is essential to do everything you can to protect your payments each month and income payment protection could be the answer.

Of course the income you insured against which is up to a certain amount set out by the provider would allow you to maintain all your other essential outgoings. These could include any loan/credit card outgoings, your food bill, gas and electric bills to name just a few. A cheap income protection quote that led to a policy would allow you to make a recovery and get back to work without adding more stress onto what would already be a very stressful situation. It would also allow you to go about finding work again and concentrate on attending interviews to find work. Of course you would have to check what exclusions there were in a policy and check them against your circumstances. Some providers might add in many more exclusions than others so always compare these when comparing the cost of the insurance.

Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance, a specialist provider of income protection quote.

Do Not Confuse Income Payment Protection With Income Protection Insurance

By Simon Lance Burgess

When looking to take out insurance to safeguard your income against becoming unemployed or being incapacitated it is essential that you know which policy you need. There are two very similar forms of cover, income payment protection and income protection insurance.

In this case the type of policy you should be looking for is income payment protection. This policy can be taken out for a premium that allows you to insure up to a certain amount of your own income. If you lost your job due to redundancy, if you should become ill or suffer an accident, you would be able to claim on the policy. The cover would allow you the luxury of being able to keep up with all of your essential payments each month. You would not have to struggle to find the money to pay your mortgage, therefore there would be no worry about having your home repossessed by the lender.

Lenders can choose to take you to court and seek repossession if you cannot make an agreement to catch up on what you owe while at the same time continue paying the regular mortgage payment. This would mean that you would be evicted from the property. Of course income payment protection does more than keep the roof over your head. You can also use the income you would receive to pay such as loan or credit card repayments. This would stop you from getting into debt with the lender and have your credit rating affected. If you earn a bad credit rating you will find it very hard to get credit in the future as your credit file is what all lenders take into account. You would also have the money needed to be able to continue to pay your food bill and any other bills that come into the home on a monthly basis. You would not have to struggle or change your current lifestyle as the money would be there for you each month.

Income payment protection would begin paying out from between the 30th and the up to the 90th day with some providers. It would then continue for a period of either 12/24 months and then it would just cease. Some providers would also backdate the payment to the very first day of you becoming unemployed or of being incapacitated. Income protection insurance on the other hand is a very worthwhile policy to take out if you just want to protect against the possibility that you might become sick or suffer an illness that meant you were unable to work. It would not cover becoming unemployed. You would also have to wait a lot longer before you are able to put in a claim; however you would be able to keep claiming an income for right up to the age of retirement if the cover was needed. Policies are cheaper with a standalone specialist provider than taking out protection with the high street lender. You can also get all the information you need to ensure you make the right choice.

Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance, a specialist provider of income payment protection.

Consider Unemployment Insurance to Stop Financial Difficulties Arising

By Simon Lance Burgess

Unemployment insurance can stop a great deal of financial difficulties from arising if you should find yourself a victim of redundancy. If you stop to consider how you would pay your mortgage each month, loan payments or indeed your essential monthly outgoings such as heating, lighting and food bills, taking out insurance makes a lot of sense.

To cover your income you would need to consider unemployment insurance called income payment protection. You insure a set amount of your own income and if you need to claim this is what you get back as a tax-free payment. With this money you are able to continue paying all of your essential outgoings which of course could include your mortgage, loans and any other bills that keep the home running each month.

If you just need to cover your mortgage repayments each month then consider taking out a mortgage payment protection policy as unemployment insurance. This is a very valuable policy as it can mean the difference between losing your home to repossession by the lender and keeping it. Because you are just insuring your mortgage payment a policy might not cost as much as if you were insuring the whole of your income.

Loan payment can be kept abreast of with loan payment protection. You would insure up to a certain amount of the payments of your loans or credit cards if you borrow on these. This means that you do not falter on the loan and so your credit rating remains intact. It also means you are not at risk of the lender taking you to court.

Unemployment protection would provide you with your income once you had reached the timeframe set out in the policies terms and conditions. Providers will generally state a deferment period of between 30/90 days. Some will offer to backdate to day one of you being unemployed or incapacitated so you have to check the terms for this too. You would then receive a payment each month for either 12 monthly payments or 24 monthly payments and then the cover would stop paying out. During this time you would have peace of mind which allows you to concentrate on finding work.

As no one can say that their job is safe considering unemployment insurance is essential. Of course you could think that you would be able to claim benefit from the State to help you get by. While you may be entitled to receive help the help may not be enough. In the case of mortgage payments you would only get help with the interest part of the mortgage payment and then up to a certain amount. You would also have to wait many months before you would see any money. You would have to think twice about relying on savings because it could be many months before you found suitable work and savings might not last that long. If you take out a policy with an independent provider you will get the cheapest premiums and make huge savings when compared with high street lenders.

Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance, a specialist provider of unemployment insurance.

A Mortgage Protection Quote is Cheaper With a Standalone Provider

By Simon Lance Burgess

You can take out mortgage protection when you take on the borrowing. However you are able to get it cheaper if you choose to get your mortgage protection quote with a standalone provider. By doing so you can save a lot of money, and also be assured of getting the protection that is suitable for your needs. You can tailor cover for accident sickness and unemployment together; just take out cover for unemployment or you can choose to cover incapacity only. The premium will be based on this fact and also your age and the amount you want to insure against.

Mortgage protection will cover your monthly mortgage payment and this is what you would be given back if and when you claim on the policy. You do have to stand to a period before you are able to put in your claim but some providers will backdate to day one of your unemployment or incapacity. Usually you would have to stand to between 30 or the 90th day. Mortgage payment protection would provide the policyholder an income for a specific amount of time and then it ends. Providers will usually sell 12 months of protection or 24 and you have to check this before taking out the policy.

Having something to fall back on if you were to become unemployed or suffer an accident or illness that meant you lost your income. Lenders will usually have some compassion for those who have got behind on their mortgage. However without an income you would not be able to make an agreement to repay the arrears and also continue paying the mortgage repayments. There would then be a strong possibility of them taking you to court to seek repossession and this would mean that you could find yourself evicted from your home.

This year so far a startling 18,900 repossession have occurred, this is over 6,000 more than this time last year and many of these could perhaps have been avoided had the home owner taken out mortgage payment protection after obtaining a cheap mortgage protection quote. The Council of Mortgage Lenders have estimated around a total of 45,000 homeowners will have their homes repossessed by their lenders.

A cheap mortgage protection quote is a far better solution than risking being able to claim benefits from the State. State benefits would not payout for many months and it would only provide you with an income for the interest part of the mortgage not the capitol. You would have to be claiming income support and not have a partner living with you who is in full time work. You would also not be eligible to claim if you have managed to accumulate savings over a certain amount. This would mean if you had redundancy money of a sizable sum you would be expected to use this first. Relying on savings could also be futile as you might have to rely on them for several months if not longer and they could deplete before you found work or made a recovery.

Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance, a specialist provider of mortgage protection quote.

Accident Sickness Unemployment Insurance For Peace of Mind Against Income Loss

By Simon Lance Burgess

Income loss through such as accident sickness unemployment brings all kinds of financial problems. In the worst case you could lose your home if you cannot come to an agreement with the lender to catch up on what you owe while continuing to pay your mortgage. If you have loans that you cannot keep up then you could be taken to court and have bailiffs come to the home to take your possessions. In all cases your credit rating would be affected and this means borrowing in the future could be very hard. Accident sickness unemployment insurance can be taken out to safeguard against a loss of income and it makes life a lot easier.

You are able to take out an accident sickness unemployment insurance policy for your needs. You can choose to take mortgage cover, loan and credit cards insurance or insure you income with income payment protection. All policies would work in the same way, you would have to be unable to work or unemployed for a fixed amount of time. Providers usually offer policies that would payout after a period of between the 30th day and up to day 90. Some would backdate the payment to the first day of you being made redundant or of becoming incapacitated. After commencement you would have a period of time in which to find work or recover and get back to work. This is usually either a 12 monthly policy or 24 payments, at one each month.

Of course your biggest worry would be your mortgage. Failing to keep up with the mortgage could mean that the lender would take you to court and you could lose your home to repossession. With mortgage payment protection you would not have this worry as you would be able to pay on time without a problem.

If loan repayments have to be met each month then loan payment protection could be taken. This would allow you to meet them and so not earn a bad credit rating. Your credit rating is essential as all lender look at it when deciding whether to give you a loan or not. A bad rating could mean you pay higher rates of interest, even if you are approved.

Income payment protection would cover all you essential outgoings as you insure up to a certain amount of your own income each month. With the money you received you would be able to pay your mortgage, loan repayments and all other household bills each month.

All forms of accident sickness unemployment insurance are cheaper when taken out with a standalone provider. A standalone provider would charge premiums which are based on the amount you wish to protect each month and your age. In the case of mortgage payment protection the level of cover would also be taken into account. You could take out protection against accident sickness and unemployment together. However you can also just take unemployment cover or just incapacity cover if this is what you need. As the policy would be based on your age when applying the younger you choose to take out insurance, the cheaper the policy would become.

Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance, a specialist provider of accident sickness unemployment insurance.

Accident Sickness Redundancy Insurance Could Be Your Saviour

By Simon Lance Burgess

If you fall sick and find yourself unable to work for any period of time then you would struggle financially if you do not get full sick pay. The same would apply if you are unable to work after being involved in an accident. You might also lose your job at anytime through unemployment caused by such as being made redundant. While you cannot change this fact and what will be, will be, you can at least insurance against these possibilities by taking out accident sickness redundancy insurance.

If you have a policy behind you at least you would not have to worry about where you would get the income to be able to pay your outgoings each month. The policy would begin to supply you with a sum of money which you decide when taking out the policy. This sum is paid to you tax-free and can be used to keep on top of such as the mortgage, loan repayments or your essential outgoings. Usually you would have to wait around 30 to 90 days before you are able to put in a claim and then once the cover has started you would continue to receive an income for either 12 or 24 monthly payments.

You are able to take out accident sickness redundancy insurance as mortgage payment protection, loan payment protection and income payment protection. All policies are cheaper if you choose to take out the protection with a standalone payment protection specialist. Loan and mortgage cover are sometimes sold alongside the borrowing, however sometimes the cost of the whole cover is added onto the borrowing and then interest factored in on top of this. This can add a costly sum onto the borrowing and you can get cover far cheaper.

A standalone specialist will offer premiums which are based on age and the amount you wish to protect each month of your outgoings. All providers will set a limit on the amount you wish to cover and this is what you would receive back as a tax-free income. An age based policy is excellent for the younger generation as they can make huge savings.

Mortgage cover can be taken out as accident sickness redundancy insurance or you can choose to protect accident and sickness only or unemployment only. By tailoring your policy you can get just the cover you need and of course keep the cost of the insurance down. It is essential to keep up with your mortgage and a policy is a far more viable option than relying on being able to claim benefits from the State or relying on savings. You would be assured of not falling behind into arrears with the mortgage and losing your home to the lender.

Loan cover would do the same for your loan repayments and income payment protection would cover all of your outgoings when taken out as accident sickness redundancy insurance. You would have to check the terms of the policy to ensure that you would be eligible to claim as all cover comes with some exclusions. However once you have done this you would have a safety net to fall back onto if you were to lose your income.

Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance, a specialist provider of accident sickness insurance.

Accounting For Insurance Claim Settlements

By Sean Goss

Insurance is a necessity in any business. Businesses cover themselves against losses such as fire, theft and unexpected natural disasters. It is with the bookkeeping or accounting that owners get it wrong.

On successful insurance claims, a payment is normally made to the insured. My experience has led me to believe that small businesses have no clue, as to how, to account for insurance settlements. Most businesses reflect the payment as income.

Not only would this be deceptive but also violates International Accounting Standards. Since the transaction has everything to do with assets and nothing to do with income, it should be adjusted against assets. Erroneous accounting for assets might prejudice the business further in future, if similar insurance claims are made.

Insurance companies settle claims on assets, on its book value and not its costs. (And yet the asset was insured on its cost at date of purchase). Whereas this principle might vary from country to country, book value is widely accepted as the norm. Since most small businesses fail to maintain proper fixed assets registers, insurance companies perform "desk top valuations", or make an "estimate", on the book value, mostly much lower than its "real" book value. Without proper records, the claimant cannot debunk the assessor's final conclusions.

Before I loose you in a sea of confusion, let me elaborate. If an asset is on your books at least, without the asset register, but you have no purchase date, and this asset is lost due to theft, no accurate wear and tear can be furnished. Furthermore, if a claim is settled, and reflects as "income", what happens to the asset that was stolen, but still reflects on your books?

Many reading this article could not care a hoot about the number crunching involved, but please stay with me for a minute. You might not care, but an investor, a bank and yes, the insurance company might pick this up on your financial statements when they demand your reports.

The method used to account for insurance claims is the "disposal method". Any asset subject to an insurance claim should be transferred to a "Disposal Account". Depreciation on the asset for the relevant period is calculated, and credited to the disposal account with the insurance settlement. The cost, less depreciation equals book value. Any settlement amounts over or under book value, will result in a loss or profit on disposal.

An insurance claim, wrongly entered as "income", can be adjusted by transferring the amount to the disposal account. After effecting these entries, the disposal account should balance to zero. Your new records would reveal, the loss or profit on claim (income statement), settlement in bank account, fixed assets less the stolen/lost asset, and a lower depreciation estimate for the year.

I acknowledge that this is your accountant's job, you however have a duty to provide accurate records. But how many businesses continue to pay, the same insurance premiums on the assets, since purchase date, when they, entitled to a lower premium, due to a lower asset value.(prior to any asset losses).

Also, a precarious asset situation in your books, might lead to problems in your tax affairs.

No business can afford a visit from the IRS. Did you know that tax authorities always commence auditing, your assets, before they move on to your income?

Our firm specialises in small business consulting, including cashflow management, business formation and entrepreneurial advice to an international small business community. Sean Goss website: http://www.sgafc.co.za

Accident Compensation Claims Company!

By Sadhana Dhanyal

Accidents have become a common occurrence these days. They can occur anywhere. Despite the best safety measures they do occur. If you have been involved in an accident due to the fault of somebody else, you can always seek a claim for it. You need not suffer due to the fault of somebody else's negligence. Seek a claim for it now.

Now, you no more have to suffer in case you meet with accidents due to somebody else's fault. If you have suffered an injury at workplace and have received grave injuries, you can get suitable claim for it. You need not fear losing your job or being harassed by your employers. You can easily get compensated for the same. However, most of the people fear taking a proper course of action fearing action against them. Most of them don't realize that they can secure compensation conveniently for the injuries suffered. Opt for accident compensation claim to get suitable compensation for the injuries suffered.

Some feel that it involves a lot of running around and a time consuming task securing compensation. They don't realize that they can surely seek compensation fast. Many people have benefited form this service earlier. If the accident causes you to miss an extended period of work, or affects your day to day life in an adverse way, you can seek a claim for the same.

You can also make use of accident claims online to secure compensation fast. It is the fastest means of securing compensation. Besides, it is a hassle free process too. Going in for this type of claim can help you alleviate from any financial shortfall incurred over a period of time. You can also approach a team of injury claim specialist solicitors to seek further guidance on the type of claim that may suit you most.

You must remember that if your personal injury was caused by the fault or negligence of another person or organization, you have a ground for claim. Approaching solicitors or lawyers can help you fasten up the entire process of seeking claim.

You must remember that compensation is awarded based on several factors, including the pain and suffering you experienced as a result of the injury. Get the required details on standard compensation for various types of claims - ranging from whiplash to loss of limb and fatal injuries. This can provide a guideline for what to expect during your case. On the other hand, no win no fee claims can help you get compensation without paying any fees. There is no need to pay any fees for the claim.

Log on to Accident claims online For more information: No win no fee Claims

Facts About Insurance

By Richard Heap

Insurance is a trillion dollar business that employs more than 2 million employees. Many insurance companies expect their employees to take continuing education courses to improve their people skills and their knowledge of the industry. The vast majority of policies are provided for individual members of very large classes. Automobile insurance, for example, covered about 175 million automobiles in the United States in 2004 industry.

Agencies and brokerages sell insurance policies for the carriers; the carriers assume the risk associated with annuities and insurance policies and assign premiums to be paid for the policies. Insurance premiums need to cover both the expected cost of losses, plus the cost of issuing and administering the policy, adjusting losses, and supplying the capital needed to reasonably assure that the insurer will be able to pay claims. The insurance rate is a factor used to determine the amount, called the premium, to be charged for a certain amount of insurance coverage. Insurance is an essential part of running any business.

Flood risk to 500,000 homes in the UK could become uninsurable unless flood protection work is stepped up, according to a warning today. The dramatic change in weather patterns all over the world has increased the cost of insurance dramatically leaving some home owners more at risk than ever before.

Insurance companies are paying out less in claims in relation to premiums collected than any time in the last 20 years, but most people would expect them to have paid more out. Gas prices are causing people to drive less, and driving less may lead to lower car insurance rates.

Richard Heap is a writer interested in california medical insurance plan and writes for http://www.california-medical-insurance-plan.info

Consumers Run the Show

By Matt Lockard

It's not just California insurance customers-all insurance consumers are constantly seeking ways to lower their insurance costs. The rub is this: with lower premiums come reduced services, more complicated plans, and higher out-of-pocket deductibles and co-pays. These factors can combine to make life most complex when you need it to be the simplest-in the wake of a traumatic accident or severe illness. Due to these complications, many California insurance consumers opt to stick it out with higher premiums, choosing convenience over financial wisdom.

One of the positive developments of the past decade has been a vehicle designed to assist Americans in their quest for medical self-management and lower insurance prices.Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) are a relatively new development in the California insurance market, allowing consumers to accumulate tax-free savings toward the resolution of future medical problems. These plans link a low-premium, high-deductible insurance plan to a tax-free health savings account, which is directed by the account owner, rather than an insurance bureaucrat in an office miles away. Over three million Americans are already taking advantage of these new insurance plans, happy with a choice that finally offers financial wisdom and convenience.

Each year, holders of HSAs can contribute $2900 for individuals or $5800 for families. These contributions are completely tax-free, as are the earnings they produce. And as long as any withdrawals are used for documented, legitimate medical expenses, they are tax-free as well. That fact remains true even if the withdrawals are used for alternative or preventive measures that most standard health insurance policies don't cover.

And HSAs are employer-independent, following the policyholder from job to job and from the workforce into retirement, completely eliminating the hassle and nervousness of suffering through "probationary periods" every time a career change necessitates a difference insurance policy.

California Health Insurance agency offers health insurance plans for individuals, families, and children. Also available are California Medicare Supplement policies. Go to http://mattsinsurance4ca.com/ to get an instant health insurance quote.

It's Your Insurance Claim - You Should Get Paid For the Whole Thing!

By Mark Decherd

If you're in the midst of filing an insurance claim, you're likely ready to accept a check from your insurance adjuster and move on. After all, filling out forms and living in a state of chaos is no fun. You want the stress to end and the ability to make the necessary repairs.

However, insurance companies don't always pay you in full so it pays to take your time during this process. Remember that insurance companies are businesses, not non-profit organizations. They are in business to make money, not spread goodwill. This means that they have to make wise decisions, charge premiums for their service, and look for ways to minimize their losses.

Now, you have paid for your coverage through your premiums and you deserve to get the service that you paid for. Unfortunately, unless you are vigilant, you may not be fully reimbursed for your insurance losses.

This doesn't mean that your insurance adjuster is out to get you or is dishonest, but it does mean that you have to be proactive. Insurance adjusters are often extremely busy and don't take the time to thoroughly inspect your home for damage. You must insist on it. For example, if your home was battered in a hail storm, insist that the adjuster physically inspect the roof for hail damage or have a roofing company's inspection report in hand detailing the recent hail damage found.

Keep in mind that the insurance adjuster's estimates may be insufficient. The adjuster may authorize carpet cleaning after a pipe bursts in the home when in reality the carpet will need to be replaced. Another concern is when the insurance adjuster is unfamiliar with actual building costs in your area. In addition, adjusters often use software to calculate repairs. If these calculations were based on an incorrect entry, the results will be wrong. For example, if the adjuster meant to enter 100 square feet but accidentally entered just 10, the dollar amount calculated will be way too low.

Because of all of these factors alone, you must scrutinize every detail. Compare your insurance adjuster's settlement offer with actual estimates. You may need to sit down and negotiate with the insurance company, pointing out mistakes, omissions, and estimates that are too low. This is not unreasonable, nor is it unexpected. However, very few homeowners are willing to take these actions. There's no reason to be intimidated. So long as you have documentation and approach these negotiations professionally, you should be able to work with your insurance company and get paid for the whole thing.

Dryout® Inc. 1415 Colonial Blvd. Fort Myers, Fl. 33907 Mr. Mark Decherd http://www.dryout.net 239-437-7100 Water Damage Dryout Inc Emergency water damage restoration, drying, deodorization, decontamination, disinfection, mold removal, water and fire damage repair services by a network of trained specialists, technicians and restoration professionals across the USA and Canada.

Payment Protection Insurance Pays You Cash When Unemployed

By Marilyn Katz

Almost every type of loan can come bundled with some sort of credit unemployment insurance. Mortgage, car loans, and even credit cards usually present an offer to buy a payment protection plan that will pay the bill if the borrower is unemployed and loses their income. However, since the plan only pays the bill, it was designed to protect the lender, and not really protect the borrower who is actually paying extra for the service! In fact, if you do take out credit insurance, it tacks an extra amount on the loan, and it actually makes the loan harder to pay off. Now who benefits from protection like this?

In my opinion, a better type of layoff payment protection was developed in the UK. This product actually insured the benefit member in case of a layoff, and paid cash to that consumer. The cash supplemented government unemployment benefits and provided enough money to keep bills and mortgages current during unemployment. So instead of having a consumer pay for a product that only paid the loan company, this product actually paid cash to the person who was paying the bill!

Why don't we have a product like this in the US? After all, over a million Americans have been laid off in the last 12 months. People over here, on this side of the "pond", are worried about their jobs too. And of course, we can hardly turn on the news without noting the alarming number of home foreclosures. And, according to government statistics, the biggest reason that people lose their homes is because they lose their incomes.

Well, the good news is that a layoff protection plan is here, in t he US, and Americans can find the same type of affordable protection that people in the UK can enjoy. It basically follows the same unemployment rules as state unemployment benefits do, but it usually pays out a lot more money. In fact, the average US state unemployment benefit is less than $400 a week. For many of us, this is not enough to keep our mortgage current, pay off loans, keep bills current, and put food on the table!

A supplemental plan can be purchased to pay out an extra $1,000, $1,500, or $2,000 a month. This cash is paid directly to the buyer of the plan, and it is not handed over to a lender. That way, the plan member can decide the best way to use the money to benefit their family during a period of unemployment. In my opinion, this type of plan is best for the consumer. The plan also contains other benefits like debt relief and legal services, and can be a valuable part of a working person's financial planning.

Get more information on US Layoff Insurance that pays you cash in case you lose your income. Most workers can qualify, payments are affordable, and the plan provides many benefits for workers. http://www.ushomepay.com

Mortgage Unemployment Insurance Explained

By Marilyn Katz

When most consumers think of insurance for their home, they are thinking of 3 traditional types of protection. Homeowners insurance protects the actual building, property, and contents against loss or damage, and may provide some liability protection. A product called private mortgage insurance, or PMI, is usually sold with a home mortgage, and it is used to make mortgage payments to the lender, and so, it protects the lender, and may be required by the loan company. Another product, called mortgage insurance, or mortgage life insurance, is actually a term life policy which is purchased to pay a home off if the borrower should pass away.

However, many consumers want to protect their ability to pay their home mortgage off in case they should lose their job. So when they are looking for mortgage insurance or home insurance they are not looking for the traditional products at all! And some people are wised to be concerned, and to want to protect their homes. After all, US statistics show us that over one third of home foreclosures are caused by a loss of income. Furthermore, the numbers also tell us another thing. Most Americans will be unemployed a couple of times in their working lives. Since the loss of income can cause huge financial products, and since an unemployment period will happen to most of us, it is prudent to protect ourselves.

Many employees do qualify for state unemployment benefits, but the average amount of US state unemployment benefits is less than $400 a week. This is not enough money to keep most families current on their bills, mortgage, and other obligations, like putting groceries on the table.

Some workers plan to save so they can cover themselves during a period of job loss. And of course, we all should have a few months worth of income in the bank so temporary job losses do not ruin us financially. However, months of savings can get wiped out with one car repair or medical bill, and depleted savings do not always get replaced as quickly as they should. On the other hand, having a bill to pay ever month, for the security of knowing that cash will come in during a the time between jobs, works out better for many working people.

A supplemental or private layoff protection plan can provide peace of mind for a few dollars a month. It pays cash to the plan owner, so that person an use the money to pay the most urgent bills and obligations. The plan benefits the consumer, and not just the loan company. Many of the older credit protection plans are designed to only protect the lender by making payments on a loan or bill.

Some plans pay benefits of up to $2,000 a month, so this benefit can actually cover a mortgage, keep the electricity paid, and buy food for many people. If a person has a private layoff protection plan, they can choose to defer bills that are less urgent, and to pay those bills that need to be current every month. It is a consumer driven credit protection plan that pays cash to the plan member.

Visit us for Mortgage Unemployment Protection which protects you, and not just the loan company. The plan pays cash, so you can use it to pay any bills. You do not need to own a home to benefit from Layoff Insurance.

Group Fitness Instructor Liability Insurance

By Ian Pennington

Many people rarely consider the need for professional group fitness instructor liability insurance. It makes sense, however, that in our litigious society precautions should be taken to ensure that those who choose to earn their living as a fitness instructor are protected against legal damages, whether the charges are warranted or not. Most insurance companies will cover actual fitness facilities as well as their employees up to a certain limit and under certain conditions; however it may be only the lowest coverage possible with certain exclusions and conditions. If you are an independent fitness instructor, or even working full time for a fitness facility, it is vital that you consider protecting yourself with a group fitness instructor liability insurance policy.

What is Group Fitness Instructor Liability Insurance?

Group fitness instructor liability insurance protects physical fitness instructors against damages incurred or legal actions brought about by claimants as a result of the instructor's training duties.

Common reasons for litigation against instructors include:

• Muscle injuries

• Joint injuries

• Back injuries

• Broken bones

• Bruised bones

Most group fitness instructor liability insurance policies will cover the common causes or hazards that can occur during training and result in the losses mentioned above. Common claims include:

• Injury as a result of poor supervision

• Injury as a result of poor training technique and education

• Injury as a result of overtraining

• Injury as a result of lack of adequate stretching or cool down periods

People can also claim mental damages, stress, or humiliation. For this reason it is extremely important that your group fitness instructor liability insurance policy gives you the most specific and comprehensive coverage possible. Although certain endorsements (additional coverage) may add to the total premium that you pay each year, in the end it will be well worth it. Too many frivolous lawsuits are settled in favor of the plaintiff to warrant gambling with your coverage amounts and limits.

Limits of Coverage

As for the limits of coverage, most insurance companies will offer a basic policy with an aggregate limit of $500,000, $1,000,000 or $2,000,000. They may also have a per occurrence limit that is significantly less than the total policy limit. It is important to understand this distinction because if your policy limit is $1,000,000 but your per occurrence limit is only $100,000, this means you are responsible for paying any monies owed to the other party that exceed the $100,000 limit. For example, if the judgment against you is $150,000 and the per occurrence limit is $100,000, you will be responsible for paying the remaining $50,000 out of pocket. If you do not have the $50,000 in cash or savings immediately available for payment, wage garnishment and even asset liquidation can occur.

Conclusion

When considering a group fitness instructor liability insurance policy, remember that it is always best to be over insured and not need it than to be underinsured and end up with a large debt that you will have to end paying for the rest of your life.

Ian Pennington is an accomplished niche website developer and author. To learn more about fitness liability insurance, please visit Group Fitness Today for current articles and discussions.

What is Family Protection Insurance?

By Gemma Stanbury

Following the credit crunch, you and your family may perhaps already be struggling with the rising costs of living. It has brought home to many people, what dire straits the family could be in if either a husband or his spouse should die and the source of income was suddenly removed. Family protection insurance offers a measure of financial security if the worst should happen.

Family protection insurance takes the form of term life insurance to cover the untimely death of one or both of the family breadwinners or sources of family support. As term life insurance, it can be arranged for the number of years considered most appropriate by the policy holder (the date when the children might have left the nest, for example, or a retirement date if the protection is sought for a surviving spouse).

The level of cover required will, of course, depend on the particular needs and circumstances of the family in question. This is usually arrived at by striking a balance between the monthly premiums that can afforded and the lump sum payout needed to allow the surviving family members to continue to enjoy the standard of living to which they have grown accustomed.

Indeed, because most term life insurance provides for the payment of a lump sum benefit in the event of the policy holder's death, and because this sum would then need to be invested to provide a regular replacement income, some term life insurance policies are available that pay out a regular monthly income. These are known as family income benefit policies, which, in the event of the policy holder's death, make monthly, tax-free payments of benefit from the date of the claim until the end of the insured's term life insurance that had been agreed.

From the insurer's point of view a decreasing level of benefits becomes payable with each succeeding year of the insurance term. For this reason, the premiums for family income benefit insurance can prove cheaper than standard level term life insurance (which pays out the same fixed lump sum at whatever stage during the insurance term the policy holder should die). From the beneficiaries' point of view, of course, there is the advantage of a regular income, without the worry of making potentially complicated decisions about the best investments to make.

Family protection insurance should not be confused with the similar sounding income payment protection insurance. The latter also provides for the payment of a regular, monthly replacement income, but in the case, in the event that the policy holder is incapacitated from working because of an accident or ill-health or because he or she has become involuntarily unemployed. Although this type of insurance can play an important role in protecting the income available to a family for a temporary period, it is important to bear in mind that the vast majority of such policies have a maximum payout period of no longer than 24 months.

Financial security and peace of mind for your family, therefore, more properly come through family protection insurance in the form of family income benefit.

Confused.com is one of the UK's biggest and most popular price comparison services. Confused.com helps consumers save money on everything from protection insurance to mortgages.

Ethical Insurance

By Firoj Khan

Islamic finance places strong emphasis on the economical, ethical, moral, social, and religious dimensions, to enhance equality and fairness for the good of society as a whole, whereas the conventional financial system focuses primarily on the economic and financial aspects of transactions. As a result Islamic insurance might also be seen as an ethical insurance.

Islamic insurance is provided under a principle called Takaful. The term "Takaful" is derived from the Arabic word "Kafaala" meaning guaranteeing. Takaful means "guaranteeing each other" and refers to the concept of permissible Islamic insurance or "Halal" insurance.

Islamic insurance or Takaful is based on the principles of "Ta'awun" (mutual cooperation) and "Tabaru'a" (Donation) whereby a group of people (Takaful participants or policyholders) agree between themselves to share the risk of a potential loss to any of them by making a donation, of all or part of their contribution, which is used to compensate the loss suffered by any participant of the Takaful scheme. Unlike conventional insurance in which risk is shifted from the policyholder to the insurance company, Takaful is a structure in which risk is shared between all the policyholders.

Additionally Islamic insurance can also be seen as an ethical insurance product because of the additional levels of governance required to ensure it is Halal.

Islamic finance principles have been derived from the Holy "Qur'an" (the Holy book of the Muslims), "Hadith" (the sayings of the Holy Prophet Muhammad PBUH), "Sunnah" (the way the Holy Prophet Muhammad led His life) and centuries of scholarly interpretations of these three sources. These rules define clearly what is "Halal" (permissible) and what is "Haram" (prohibited) in a financial transaction. The salient points of these rules are:

Shariah prohibits the following:

• 'Riba' - interest/usury


• 'Maysir' or 'Qimar' - gambling/speculation


• 'Gharar' - uncertainty


• Exploitation


• Unfairness


• Undertaking Haram activities (alcohol, pork, pornography etc)


• Shariah requires:


• Risk sharing


• Reward sharing


• Fairness


• Transparency


• Sanctity of contracts

Strict adherence to these principles means that Islamic insurance products can also be a viable alternative for the growing number of ethically-motivated consumers who wish to buy an ethical insurance product.

Salaam Insurance is the UK's first dedicated Islamic Insurance Company that provides Islamic insurance based on the Shariah principle of Takaful.

Online Motor Insurance Search

By David H Thomson

It can be a thoroughly baffling business conducting your own motor insurance search for the best buy. Although it is a very competitive market, and this means that there is a clamour of providers all claiming to offer the best deals in motor insurance, the sheer number of insurers and the proliferation of different insurance packages makes choosing a potentially hit-and-miss affair. This is when an experienced, professional insurance broker can come to the rescue and help you make an informed and reasoned choice - ensuring you get not only the insurance cover you need, but also the best value for money into the bargain.

The first thing an insurance broker will need to establish is the best type of car insurance that best suits your needs. If the vehicle is old, worth very little and you simply cannot afford any better insurance, then the discussion with the broker can be kept very short as you opt for the cheapest possible, most basic, third party cover. This will ensure that you meet the minimum legal requirement for insurance - your liabilities for any injuries you cause others (including passengers in your own car) and damage to third party property will be adequately covered.

The search can be similarly short and straight forward if you need the slightly wider protection offered by cover against the risks of third party, fire and theft claims - which means that you would at least be compensated up to the value of your vehicle if it is lost or damaged through fire or theft.

The insurance broker will truly come into his own, however, if your search is for fully comprehensive motor insurance. Since there are more than a hundred companies offering comprehensive motor insurance, each with a number of different packages and each package offering various optional extras. A successful search, in this case, relies on your deciding just what elements you are likely to need.

The principal feature of comprehensive insurance, of course, is that it offers protection for a considerably wide range of risks, even when the loss or damage has been caused by the policy holder's own fault. Therefore, this will cover accidental damage to your own car, including the loss of or damage to any personal possessions left in the vehicle; personal accident benefit for serious injuries you might sustain in an accident; and cover for any medical expenses you incur.

Although these are the core benefits generally included in all forms of comprehensive cover, it is important to remember that insurers differ with respect to the maximum levels of benefit payable and to the additional features available under the policy. Some of these might be optional extras, for which an additional premium will be payable, and could include: no claims discount protection; the provision of a courtesy car if your own needs to be taken to a garage for repairs or following a theft; breakdown or roadside assistance; legal expenses cover or even an extension of the insurance cover while driving abroad.

With a selection from so many variables, therefore, a motor insurance search for the comprehensive cover that suits you, your car and your particular needs could well benefit from the advice of an experienced insurance broker.

David Thomson is Chief Executive of BestDealInsurance an independent specialist broker dedicated to giving consumers the best insurance deal. They offer great value home, life and car insurance.

Tips to Save You Money When Buying Term Life Insurance

By Vincent Funfatt Yeong

Term life insurance has cheaper premiums to pay than many other types of permanent life insurance, but many people do not realize that this policy can be even cheaper. There are tips you can save more money in buying term life insurance.

Negotiation on term life insurance quotes

Like buying cars and mobile phones, you can negotiate on insurance quote too. You may not be able to get the quote that you are looking for but you are able to negotiate a quote to a lower price.

Separate policies

There are many insurance companies that specialize on general insurances; you can look for the agents to provide you some quotes to compare. Some insurance companies selling policies such as accident or hospital benefits, and they offer a lower premium because they are specialized on these types of policy.

If you are buying life insurance you should consult agents that specialize on life insurance, but if you want to buy accident or medical health policies, some honest agents can recommend you those companies that sell these types of insurance at a lower premium.

Any how, do not commit blindly, choose an insurance company that is reliable, there are some companies take time to approve the claims, the buyer may take months to obtain his compensation. The credibility and competence of the agent also important, he should be prompt to assist the customer if he (the customer) needs to make a claim.

Health status

If you have good health, you will definitely save more on premium, because a person who doesn't drink and smoke will pay a lower premium than those who drink and smoke. But if you are a smoker you need to confess when you fill in the form, because insurance companies reserved the rights to reject any application that is falsely stated or you may not receive any payout in future. So when filling the application form all statement declared must be true and genuine.

There are many insurance companies provide free life insurance quote online, you can just simply fill in the form and get the free quote of any policy you are interested, so don't be hesitate to try it today.

Some people say if we want to save or be thrifty, it doesn't matter how much you earn, it depends on how much money we spend. If we spend more than what we earn we can never save. To save on life insurance premium, we can seek more advice from insurance companies or the agents. You can find out more on tips on affordable life insurance so please visit us at http://www.affordable-life-insurance-tips.com today.

Insurance Management

By Salome Eric John

An Insurance Management Company is an independent, family -owned business specializing in providing innovative risk management and insurance solution for industrial, Institutional and commercial clients.

The general purpose of any insurance policy is to provide protection to the economic value of assets in case of any uncertain event. Whether it is life insurance or auto insurance the basic principle on which it works remains more or less the same. For instance, if you have taken a car insurance policy then it will safeguard you in the form of any damages that you can claim if your car were to meet with an unfortunate accident. Similarly a medical insurance policy can come in really handy helping the policy holder to meet out expensive medical treatment at some point in time, in case of any unfortunate illness. Since insurance protects you against financial ruins you should always choose your insurer and plan with utmost care. This is of vital importance since you never know when something like a health insurance policy will come to your rescue.

This being the case you should carefully consider several aspects before you decide on an insurance policy. The purpose of your taking an insurance policy will of course dictate your choice to a lot of extent. For instance the needs of someone going in for a home insurance will be different from that of someone who wants life insurance coverage and so on and so forth. Similarly a person who often travels abroad may be in need of travel insurance while a businessperson may need to avail business insurance. Whatever may be the case whether it is a house insurance policy or even dental insurance that you are looking at; you need to carefully analyze every aspect of the policy before you sign on dotted lines.

While shopping around for insurance companies try and get in touch with as many of them as possible. Talking to several insurance companies helps in making the right choice. You should talk to their individual company representatives and tell them what exactly your insurance needs are. These professionals will then give you expert advice on aspects such as the kind of charge that the company may want you to pay in order to cover you. While talking to these company representatives you should also remember that there are sales people who are making their living selling insurance polices. It is you who has to make a prudent decision after hearing the sales pitch of several insurance companies.

Doing a little bit of research always helps in choosing the right insurance policy. You should go through the history records of the particular insurance company that you intend to choose. You can find important information such as whether a particular insurance company has a record of refusing to pay claims or if a certain company charges any type of special loadings on premium. All this information will come in really handy and help you in choosing the right type of insurance coverage, whether it is life insurance or any other type of insurance such as auto insurance.

For any question and details about Insurance policies, please visit: http://www.step-onlineinsurance.blogshot.com

Sport Bike Insurance

By Ryan Jefferson

Many people are familiar with car insurance, and basically what affect the insurance premium of a car. However, many people forget that chasing sport bike insurance can involve the same basic rules in some ways!

So before purchasing your sports bike and searching for cheap sports bike insurance, here are a few tips:

- A more expensive sports bike will attract a higher premium, not only because they will cost more to replace, but also because they are generally of higher power and considered more dangerous.

- From this, we can safely say that the higher the 'cc' output your sport bike engine, the more it will cost to insure because it will be seen as posing a greater risk of an accident. Therefore if you are just a casual bike rider, you may want to consider a bike with a slightly lower power output.

- You may know that for car insurers, some customers get a discount purely because they have successfully completed a driver safety course with the insurer. This is often also the case with sport bike insurance! Find out whether the insurer has a similar 'safe rider' course available, teaching you to drive in a defensive manner.

- With this also comes the style of motorbike you will be riding. For example, a cheaper sports bike may still cost more to insure than a more expensive road bike, purely because it is classed as a 'sports bike'! Therefore read up and ask insurers about average premiums for different bike categories, and the best way to find the best rates is to visit the right sites where they compare insurers, and allow you to fill out dummy quotes online to get an estimate.

I hope this information helps you find the cheapest motorbike insurance possible.

Jeff --> Find the Best Sport Bike Insurers and Merchandise here!

Cheap Bike Insurance Tips

By Ryan Jefferson

There are always the 'direct' impacts on the price of motorbike insurance. These include analyzing the:

- Age of the driver

- Sex of the driver

- Experience of driver

- Style of motorbike. For example, Road bike, sports bike etc.

- Engine output 'cc'

- Replacement price of the motorbike

However there are also some 'indirect' aspects that will help you save on motorbike insurance, which you may have just forgotten about. These are just a few:

- Completing a motorbike safety course. Some insurers offer this at their discretion, giving the opportunity to riders to improve their skills. If you successfully pass the course, demonstrating you are a safe rider, you will then be rewarded through a lower insurance premium. However, all insurers differ, and you must enquire each insurer whether they offer this.

- Depending on where your motorbike is stored overnight, may impact on your insurance premium. That is, if it is stored inside a locked garage, the premium should be lower!

- Do not forget, that just like any other insurance (home, contents, car etc.) you can bundle your motorbike insurance together with the same company, allowing you a further discount on the premium.

- Remember to not only compare different insurers, but also, use one company's quote as a bargaining tool when you talk to another insurer! See if they further reduce the premium to beat their competitor's offer..

Hope this brings an idea or two to your mind, and above all, ride safely..

Ryan --> Find Cheap Bike Insurers here!

Insurance Claims - Start a Document File When You Have an Insurance Claim

By Russell Longcore

Making an insurance claim? IT'S TIME TO GET ORGANIZED!! How about a loss that wasn't your fault, like a car wreck? IT'S STILL TIME GET ORGANIZED!!

Start A File

You must create a file immediately after your loss. Go to an office supply store and buy one of those cardboard accordion-like expandable folders that can hold lots of paperwork. Even a cardboard box with a lid on it is acceptable for keeping everything inside it. You don't have to be fancy, just keep everything in one place. Your file also must be portable, so that rules out using a filing cabinet at home.

During the recovery process, place the following in your file:

A. Current copy of your policy. If you don't have a copy handy, call your agent and have him get you a copy immediately.

B. Copies of all written correspondences (don't forget emails) between you and ANYONE regarding your claim.

C. Phone, fax and email address record for everyone involved in the claim.

D. Photos you have taken of the damages...and the repairs. This includes videotapes or still photos of the damages that you took immediately after the loss.

E. A cassette tape of your own recorded statement about how the loss occurred. (See Chapter Twenty Five, Recorded Statements.)

F. A cassette tape recorder, batteries and spare tapes for recording EVERY conversation that you have with the adjuster, claims examiner, appraiser, engineer, attorney, contractor...ANYONE with whom you discuss this claim.

G. Receipt envelope. ALL receipts pertaining to this loss should be in that envelope. NEVER give the insurance company your original receipts. They should get copies.

H. Expense log: emergency services, living expenses, mileage, even extra child care, or boarding your pets...ANYTHING that you have to pay for that relates to this loss.

I. City, County, and State Building Code requirements in writing.

J. Copy of your state Department of Insurance statutes on Bad Faith Claims, or Unfair Claims Practices. (See the Appendix for a list of all 50 states' insurance departments, and their phone numbers. You can also find this free information at my website.

K. Waiver of Lien forms (See Chapter Thirty, Settling Your Claim). These forms are also downloadable at the website.

L. Worker's list. A list of everyone who works on your home, who they work for, and what work they're doing. Taking their photo would be a great idea, also. Why? You could have lots of strangers working on your home. Would you normally allow strangers to walk around inside your house without knowing who they are?

M. Professional reports, such as an Engineer report, Cause and Origin report, Fire or Police report, etc.

N. Copy of all estimates.

O. Copy of all repair contracts. NO WORK WITHOUT SIGNED CONTRACTS. Also, contractors occasionally find hidden damages that will require supplemental repair costs. YOU are responsible for these costs, even though the insurance company agrees to pay. The insurance company doesn't own your house...you do. GET IT IN WRITING.

P. Copies of any advance payment checks you receive from the insurance company.

Q. If you have a contractor, or ANYONE who works on your damaged property, get a copy of their insurance certificates that show their liability insurance is in effect. No insurance, no work. Period. You CANNOT afford to have a worker get hurt on your premises and file a claim against you for liability or medical expenses.

Keep a Journal

Buy a journal book, or just simply use a standard sized legal pad as your claims journal. This means that you should write down EVERYTHING that happens in your claim. Write down every phone conversation: Date, time, phone number, who you talked to, what was said. Write down every meeting: Date, time, length of meeting, people in attendance, what was discussed.

Write it down WHEN IT HAPPENS. Don't rely on your memory a few days later. You'll be sorry if you try that.

Once again, there's no downside for you if you handle your claim like a professional. Think about this...do you just blithely allow your employer to send you a payroll check each week for whatever amount he chooses? If your paycheck was wrong, you'd challenge it, wouldn't you? If the waiter at your favorite restaurant brought you the check, and it was $20.00 too much, you'd argue about it, wouldn't you? Well, those numbers are chicken feed in comparison to the THOUSANDS of dollars in an insurance claim.

Don't just accept the insurance company's settlement without MAKING SURE it's correct! Collect ALL the money you're entitled to collect in your insurance claim!

Copyright 2008 Russell Longcore

And now, I'd like to invite you to get more information about insurance claims at my website at: http://www.insurance-claim-secrets.com NUMBER ONE at Amazon.com in its category! My blog is at: http://insurance-claim-secrets.blogspot.com Nominated for Georgia Author of the Year Award 2008

Insurance Claims - Recorded Statements!

By Russell Longcore

Insurance claim recorded statements. They usually go just fine, but sometimes the insurance adjuster uses tricks and gimmicks to get you to say things you shouldn't say.

So keep a claims diary. This protects you, the policyholder or claimant, if and when you have problems with your claim.

Get a notebook or legal pad and write down EVERYTHING that happens EVERY DAY during your claim process. NEVER trust your memory.

When you speak to anyone about your claim, write it down.

Let's talk about recorded statements and your claims diary.

Recorded statements are a normal part of the claims process. Claims adjusters usually like to get a recorded statement from all the parties in the loss early in the claims process. That way, the details of the claim are still fresh in everyone's minds, and can be documented more accurately. Don't be nervous about being recorded.

If the claims adjuster calls and requests a recorded statement over the telephone, politely tell him that you prefer to meet with him in person. The best scenario for you would be to meet the adjuster at your attorney's office, and give the recorded statement in the presence of the attorney. Even uncooperative or moody adjusters seem to be on their best behavior in the presence of an attorney.

If the insurance adjuster or examiner only does recorded statements by phone, simply have the adjuster do a three-way conference call with you and your attorney.

On an in-person interview, the adjuster will have his portable tape recorder with which he will record the interview. You should also bring a portable tape recorder and tape the interview for your own protection. You can buy a hand-sized cassette recorder at any electronics store or discount department store...even major drug store chains for less than $40.00. They use standard cassette tapes and batteries. The microcassette recorders work great, too, and cost about the same. Make sure that you have plenty of fresh batteries and a few cassette tapes with you at the interview.

When the adjuster is recording your statement, don't OFFER any information. Answer the question that he asked, and no more.

Remember that some questions do not deserve an answer.

Have you ever been in an interview, or some social situation, and someone asked you a question that made you uncomfortable? And you ANSWERED the question so they didn't think you were impolite? Then later you hated yourself for being a doormat?

People feel a need to be nice. Adjusters take advantage of people's need to be nice. Adjusters know that most people will answer whatever questions seem reasonable, even if the question is not relevant to the claim. Personal questions that do not have relevance to your claim should not be answered. Questions about your income, or asking for your Social Security number, may not be relevant to the claim. Questions about your income, for example, are not appropriate unless you are making a claim for lost wages.

One of the reasons that adjusters ask for your Social Security number is so they can look you up on a database called Insurance Service Office (ISO) Claimsearch. If you want to see what the Claimsearch homepage looks like, go to: claimsearch.iso.com/index.asp

Claimsearch is a searchable database that shows if you've ever had an insurance claim before. With your Social Security number, adjusters and claims examiners can call up all the data about you...WITHOUT YOUR PERMISSION.

If there's a question that the adjuster asks that you don't feel comfortable answering, politely reply "I'd rather not answer that question." Sometimes adjusters ask inappropriate questions. Make sure that the adjuster sticks to the details of the accident or loss. If you're in an attorney's office at the time of the recorded statement, he'll help the adjuster stay on track.

My belief is that you, the policyholder or claimant, should record every telephone conversation and face-to-face conversation that you have with anyone about your claim.

The same electronics stores that sell the cassette recorders will stock a "pick-up" microphone that plugs into your cassette recorder and has a suction cup that sticks to your telephone handset. The quality of the sound is usually quite good.

I'm not suggesting for a moment that you should do something illegal or unethical. You need to check your state's statutes and laws about recording conversations. Some states do not allow it unless both parties give consent. Some states allow it if only one of the parties is aware that the conversation is being recorded.

Know the law, and know your rights.

Don't be surprised if some adjusters refuse to have their conversations recorded. That doesn't mean that you should cave in to their lack of cooperation. You should insist on the recording, or politely refuse to speak with that person. But, it should tell you something about that person if he or she refuses to be recorded.

Be in control of when and where you accept phone calls about your claim. I've seen some adjusters that try to keep the insured off balance by making calls at unusual times, like early morning or late night. If you're not ready to record the call when the phone rings, tell the person that it's not convenient to speak right then and make an appointment to call him back. Always keep your appointments.

I can imagine that some of you reading this article think that this author is some sort of paranoid kook. Please let me assure you that I am. But I've seen countless situations in which an adjuster took a recorded statement, and then wrote a statement summary that wasn't anything like the information on the tape. I've seen police officers fill out an accident report, and describe the accident completely wrongly. I've seen court testimony where the adjuster and the insured are questioned about an incident, and their stories are completely different.

Recordings of conversations put all of that to rest.

After you have a problem with a person who lies to you, or about you, it's too late to record them then.

The old adage is, "better safe than sorry." Sorry can cost you thousands of dollars. Keep a claims diary.

Copyright 2008 by Russell D. Longcore And now, I'd like to invite you to get more insurance claims information at my website at: http://www.insurance-claim-secrets.com I wrote a book that you need! IT'S NUMBER ONE at Amazon.com in its category! My blog is at: http://insurance-claim-secrets.blogspot.com Nominated for Georgia Author of the Year Award 2008

Insurance Claims - Open a Claim Checking Account

By Russell Longcore

One of the many things that policyholders don't think about when they have a claim is the IRS tax treatment of the settlement money. I'm not a tax accountant, or any kind of accountant, so I'm not about to practice accounting or tax law here in this article. But, the one thing I know that will help protect you from the wrath of the IRS is to open a special checking account which will only be used for your insurance claim replacements and repairs.

Once the insurance company issues you the first check, go to your bank and open a separate account just for handling claims issues. When you receive the payments for the claim, deposit them in this account. ONLY use this account for the expenses of the claim. When the claim is completed, close the account.

Normally, when the insurance company issues advance payments against the ALE or Contents losses. the checks will be made payable just to you, because there's no mortgage on your contents. So, those checks can be deposited directly into your claim account.

DO NOT DEPOSIT THE SETTLEMENT CHECKS IN YOUR NORMAL CHECKING OR SAVINGS ACCOUNT. Keeping a separate account for insurance claim related expenditures makes it so much easier to keep good records.

When you ask for an advance against your Dwelling coverage, the insurance company will need to know the name and address of your mortgage company. They will issue the check jointly in your name and the name of the lender. They may send the check to you. If they do, the lender will likely require you to endorse the check and give the check to them. Then, they will set up a system of payments. To find out more about that system of payments, contact the Escrow Department of your Mortgage Company. Every lender is different. Find out what your lender plans to do by contacting them and asking them.

The same procedure will likely apply when the insurance company issues checks for repairs to the dwelling (or even a settlement for a car wreck). Anything you own that also has a lienholder or mortgage holder will be issued jointly in the name of the owner and the name of the lienholder. If you own your dwelling or vehicle free and clear, the insurance company will issue your settlement check only in the name of the owner.

ONLY USE THIS MONEY FOR THE CLAIM. Don't take a weekend vacation to Las Vegas with the money, or buy yourself that new motorcycle you've always wanted. However, there are circumstances in which you can use the money for whatever you like. You just won't collect all you should. Read Chapter 17, "Deduct This!"

There. I've said it in a number of different ways. Don't comingle your personal funds and your insurance settlement funds. Keep them entirely separate and you'll have a much more pleasant insurance claims experience.

And now, let me invite you to check out my website for more information about claims. Check out: http://www.insurance-claim-secrets.com Copyright 2008 by Russell D. Longcore NUMBER ONE at Amazon.com in its category! My blog is at: http://insurance-claim-secrets.blogspot.com Nominated for Georgia Author of the Year Award 2008

Insurance Claims - Notify the Insurance Company!

By Russell Longcore

Seems sort of obvious, doesn't it? But, there are different ways to notify the company that you've had a loss. And when you notify the insurance company can make a big difference in how your claim is handled.

The first place to look for information is on your policy. Many policies will have a telephone number listed for reporting a claim. However, I've seen policies that require the policyholder to notify the company in writing. So, make sure that the method of reporting your claim is acceptable to the insurance company. Likely, your agent has his name and telephone number on the policy. If so, call him and report the loss also.

Sometimes, an agent will have settlement authority to handle small losses, such as homeowner's losses under $2,000.00. In that kind of instance, the agent could handle the claim for you. I've found this situation to be rare, though. Occasionally, captive agents (agents that work for only one company, like Allstate, Nationwide or Liberty Mutual) will have a small amount of settlement authority.

The first thing you should remember is that the agent is licensed by the Department of Insurance in his state to be an agent. There is a separate license for claims adjusters. It's actually a violation of insurance regulations for an agent to do claims adjusting. It's not his job to handle your claim, but to assist you in buying the coverage that's right for you. Agents can be very helpful by making calls on your behalf if you're having problems in your claim. They can be helpful in finding out key names and phone numbers for insurance company personnel that are handling your claim. If the agent has a large number of policyholders with that company, and his clientele represents a large amount of premium to that insurance company, it can be very helpful to have the agent call on your behalf when you're having problems.

After all, it's all about customer service, and keeping the promises made in the insurance policy.

Sometimes, the agent or an office secretary/customer service representative will fill out a claim form (called an ACORD form), and submit the claim form to the insurance company on your behalf. In this age of the Internet, frequently the claim form is electronic, and the agent will submit the electronic form by computer.

If the agent notifies the company on your behalf, and uses some type of form, ask the agent to send you a copy of the completed form. Then, you'll be certain that the claim was submitted, and the date the claim was submitted.

Many times, however, the agent will have to refer you to the claims department of the insurance company. Your policy may have a telephone number for the claims department listed on the policy, and instructions how to make a claim.

Your policy requires you to notify the insurance company "in a timely manner" after you've had a claim. What is timely? It varies policy to policy. But each state has statutes of limitation that limit the amount of time after a claim occurrence that a claim can be made. Check with your state's Department of Insurance to determine the statute of limitation where you live...or where the loss occurred. You'll find a list of all of the Insurance Departments of all 50 U.S. states and their phone numbers in the Appendix, and at the website address shown below.

For example: you live in Minnesota, and own a retirement home in Florida. The Florida house gets hit by a hurricane. The statutes for Florida would apply.

WARNING: If you wait more than a month after your loss to notify the insurance company, they will be instantly suspicious. In those cases, you should expect to receive one of two forms from the insurance company before they begin their investigation of the loss:

Non-Waiver Agreement. This basically states that the insurance company is going to do a thorough investigation of the claim, but that their investigation does not commit them to pay the claim. It states that they do not waive any of their rights under the policy, and that the insured does not waive any of his rights by cooperating with the investigation. The insurance company wants the insured to sign this form. However, if the Insured refuses to sign the form, the insurance company will send him a....

Reservation of Rights letter. This states basically the same thing as a Non-Waiver Agreement, but the Insured does not have to sign it.

Don't forget to write in your claim journal the date, time, who you spoke with, the phone number you called, and what was said when you reported your claim. That information could be very valuable later if you have problems with your claim.

Most likely, you'll receive a claim number from the company when you report the loss. Write the claim number in your journal!!! Don't expect the insurance company to quickly send you a form that has the claim number on it. Sometimes, it may be many days before the claims department sends you any correspondence, and you will likely need to speak with them before then.

WARNING: What about a situation in which someone else is at fault, and you're making a claim against the other person's insurance company? This could happen in an auto accident, or if someone causes damage to your house, or your contents. EVEN IN THIS SITUATION, you must notify your own insurance company that you're involved in a claim.

The reason is that third party claims don't always turn out well for you, the claimant. Sometimes, the other person's insurance company denies liability or denies coverage. Sometimes, the other person's insurance company drags the process out. Sometimes, the other person's insurance company makes a settlement offer far below the fair value of the claim. Months may pass, and you have suffered a financial loss that is not getting paid.

What if you, or someone in your family, is injured in the claim...and the other guy's insurance company won't accept liability?

Those things might occur weeks or months after a loss. In many cases, you can short-cut that process and make a claim against your own insurance policy to repair the damages. Then your insurance company will do something called "Subrogation." That is, they will pay your claim, and then contact the other person's insurance company and demand reimbursement, including your deductible.

So, if you don't report your claim right away, the policy might allow that insurance company to deny your claim based upon late reporting.

Besides, your policy REQUIRES you to notify the insurance company "promptly" after you have a loss of covered property. That requirement is there no matter who is at fault for the damages.

Don't get caught in this technicality! Don't lose your right to collect what you deserve when you notify the insurance company.

Copyright 2008 by Russell D. Longcore And now, I'd like to invite you to find out more information about insurance claims at my website at: http://www.insurance-claim-secrets.com NUMBER ONE at Amazon.com in its category! My blog is at: http://insurance-claim-secrets.blogspot.com Nominated for Georgia Author of the Year Award 2008