Rising Car Arson And Insurance Fraud Costs Everyone

Due to the recent economic slowdown which is evidenced by every indicator (except the ones George Bush uses) car and SUV owners with payments they cannot afford are turning to arson to break their debts. This isn't new, however as car arson (or torching) and insurance fraud have been going on for decades.

The problem is that it is now seen in direct correlation to the economy. When the economy is positive, the level of insurance fraud tends to taper off. When the economy experiences a slowdown or negative growth (George Bush would probably call this a lull or some other four letter word) people find them selves with debts that they can no longer afford and are trapped in. As times get more desperate, the higher the number of people willing to burn or have their vehicles burned and risk getting caught.

During the last two years there has been a marked increase in car arson and insurance fraud in every state from California to North Carolina. Yes, there are cars that were really stolen, vandalized and then burned, but there is a marked difference. In cases of true theft, the thief is usually trying to remove anything that could link it back or identify themselves. In the case of a intentional burn in insurance fraud, the arsonist will attempt to make the car become rendered totaled (so far gone it cannot possibly be fixed). Usually, arson investigators will find accelerants were used like gas and other flammable liquids.

Due to this increase in car arson and insurance fraud cases, arson task forces have ben set up in many counties. In California they have even linked new and used car dealership personnel as instigators in many arson cases. Someone comes into the dealership overloaded with debt and wants to get out of a high car payment by trading in their car or vehicle. They find out they are "up side down", a term referring to the fact that they owe much more than their car is worth. The salesperson or similar employee, realizing money can be made, refers them to a local arsonist and the car is then burned. There have been numerous published cases like these and they are growing.

The problem here is four fold; people are being sold cars they can't afford, they aren't taking the proper responsibility for their debts, they aren't properly schooled on debt, and the result is an increase in insurance costs for everyone. These can all be fixed. In California numerous consumer protection laws have been passed which obligate the dealer to be more responsible, but more needs to be done like enforcing maximum debt ratios. There should be standard education in secondary schools on debt and money management. If we can offer classes on home economics (cooking), marketing, and UFO's, Madonna, etc... (just look at a Cal Tech class list), then we can offer or make mandatory a class on debt and money. According to many experts like Suze Orman and Anthony Robbins, debt, money, wealth, and happiness can all be learned and taught. A class on debt and money management should also be mandatory for all politicians (Could you imagine how great are economy would be if George Bush envisioned America's economy as his own and tried to cut the national debt instead of tripling it?) Debts are obligations we create and there are legal ways out of debt. Car arson and insurance fraud hurts everyone, not just those who commit it.

Renters Insurance 101 Explained

If you rent a home or apartment instead of owning a house outright you may not think you have a need for insurance or believe that it is even available to you for that matter. The truth of the matter is that regardless of whether you own or rent it is a good idea to have insurance and even if you rent instead of buy you can qualify for insurance; it is known as renters insurance and it can be a safety net you can't afford to miss.

At a minimum renters insurance will cover your personal property such as furniture, clothing and electronics in the event of theft, fire or natural disaster. Renters insurance may also provide protection for you in the event that someone is injured while at your residence.

There are several options available with renters insurance which can give you a lot of flexibility depending on your needs and how much you want to spend on it.

Personal property coverage will cover just your personal property in the event there is damage related to fire, hail, smoke, vandalism, lightening, plumbing, etc. This type of policy will also cover your personal belongings in the event you are the victim of theft. In order to take out this type of policy you will fix a value on your property and the policy will be written for that amount. Make sure you determine an accurate value for your personal property or you may find yourself undercovered in the event of the unexpected.

You can also take out personal liability protection which will protect you in the event that you are sued due to an injury incurred by someone while visiting your residence. This type of policy will cover related damage as well as relevant legal costs. The minimum for such a policy is usually $100,000 and will cover injuries or damage that is occurs while at your residence or that is caused by you, your children or pets.

Another type of policy you may wish to consider is known as additional living expenses. In the event that you can no longer live in your rented residence because of a hazard that is covered under the policy, this type of coverage will pay up to 20% of the contents coverage amount in order for you to pay additional living expenses. This would include hotel costs as well as meals, laundry, etc. until your residence is ready to be re-inhabited.

An improvements coverage allows you to apply up to 10% of your contents coverage in order to either replace or repair items that you redecorated or altered before a covered hazard occurred.

In the event that you're held legally responsible for fire damage to your place of residence, a fire legal liability policy will protect you.

It is important to be aware that you are usually liable for deductibles with renters insurance just as you would be with any other type of insurance coverage. You can adjust the deductibles in order to lower the cost of your premium, which may make the policy more affordable.

Find Life Insurance Online: Preparing to Request a Quote

You are now in the third step of your quest for affordable life insurance. By now you should have decided whether you want a term life insurance policy or a whole life policy or a combination of both.

You should also have determined the amount of coverage that you will need to properly cover your situation. Now you are ready to start getting quotes to find out more specifically what your options are.

The first thing you should do is get together all of the information you will need to answer all the questions so that you can get an accurate quote. Some of the information you need will be obvious; your name, gender and age are the standard information to start a quote. Most companies will also want contact information; phone number and address.

In most cases they will also request some information that might not seem so obvious if this is your first time requesting a life insurance quote. In many cases they will also request your height and weight. With this information they will calculate your Body Mass Index and if this number is outside of what is considered the norm you may find that you have to pay a higher premium. The reason for this is that it has been medically proven that overweight people have a statistically higher rate of many disorders that increase the risk of an early death.

You will be asked if you smoke, and frequently how often and how much alcohol you drink. The reason for both of these questions should be obvious; it is a well-documented fact that cigarette smoking is a contributing factor in many life-threatening disorders. Excessive alcohol consumption is also well known to lead to some serious health complications.

You may also be questioned about your line of work. This can also affect your rate if you work in what is considered a high-risk industry. The insurance companies consider you to be at a higher risk of accidental death.

They may even enquire about your hobbies and activities. If you regularly participate in what are considered to be high-risk activities you might be looking at a higher premium. Some things that they may consider high-risk activities are: rock climbing, skydiving and hang gliding.

The next area that you can expect to answer a lot of questions about our past health issues. Don't think that just because you have not had any health issues that you are safe, they will also ask about your family health history at least two generations (grand parents) back.

They will want to know if you have suffered from seizures, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, liver dysfunction just to name a few. They will also need to know your family health history for many of the same disorders. You will be asked about any major surgeries, including when they happened and what they were for.

If you personal or family health history could be an issue or if you participate in activities that are considered risky you might be tempted to be less than truthful on your application. Resist the temptation; any failure to honestly disclose your health history and life style could put your pay out at risk when your family needs to collect. You could end up leaving your family completely unprotected if you are not honest on your application.

Get your information together and be sure that you have the answers to all the most common questions and then it is time to start finding a quote.

Insurance For The Self-Employed

If you are self-employed, then you are often at greater risk of having unpredictable income or having periods without any work at all. If this happens, then you might not be able to keep up with your financial commitments. Also, being self-employed means that you need to take into consideration all the types of business insurance that are usually taken care of when you work for someone else. If you are self-employed and are not sure what type of insurance you need, then this article might be useful to you.

Revenue protection

Perhaps one of the most important insurance types that you need if you are self-employed is revenue protection insurance. If you work for yourself then it can be harder to maintain a steady income, and you have no one but yourself to fall back on. If you have revenue protection insurance then you are covered in the event that you have an accident or fall ill and cannot work. This will help to keep you financially stable during tough times.

Business property

If you have a dedicated business property, then it is important that you have adequate insurance to cover the property and its contents. If anything should happen to your property or its contents then you need to have adequate cover to recoup the cost of replacing everything. If you don't have adequate cover you may find yourself with a large repair bill or even the closure of your business.

Business equipment

Even if you have a limited amount of business equipment, it is important to make sure you have adequate cover. If you are a sole trader and work just from a computer, then make sure you have full insurance on your computer and that you can get it repaired or replaced very quickly. If this is your main business tool and you are not covered for it you may find yourself temporarily out of business.

Public liability

If you have premises or are in contact with the public during your business life, then you need to have public liability insurance in place. This covers you against claims in the event that a person or their property is injured because of your work or whilst on your premises. If you don't have public liability insurance then you could be left with an extremely large bill for compensation that you cannot pay. Also, many customers and businesses will not work with you unless you have adequate public liability insurance in place.

Goods in transit

If you are involved in shipping or transporting goods of any kind, then it is important you have insurance that covers their damage or loss. If you don't then you could lose a lot of money should anything go wrong. You should also make sure that you have adequate insurance for yourself if you need to travel on business.

Seek advice

If you are unsure about what level of cover you need and which types of insurance you require, then consult an independent financial advisor who will be able to point you in the right direction.

A Guide To Business Insurance

If you have a business, then it is important to get the right level of insurance to protect your business interests. Without the proper level of insurance your business could be in serious trouble if anything unexpected should happen. Here are some tips about how to get the right business insurance for your needs:

Required by law

There are a number of types of insurance that businesses must have by law. The main type of insurance that is legally required is employer's liability insurance. This type of insurance protects you from any claims that your employees might make for accidents or sickness that they suffer whilst at work or as a result of work. Some businesses are not legally required to have this insurance, but if you have insurance then it makes sense. If anything should happen to any employee you could be hit with a massive compensation bill if you are uninsured.

Another insurance that is often required is motor insurance. If your company has any vehicles then you are required to get at least third party insurance to cover any damage to property or other people. It is usually advisable to get comprehensive insurance for your vehicles in case they are damaged or stolen. Although it costs more, it could save you a lot money in repair bills.

Liability insurance

If you are selling products to the public or have a large number of non-employees using your business premises, then you should consider public liability insurance. This type of insurance will cover you in the event that anyone is injured by your product or hurt at your business premises. The cost of this insurance will vary depending on what products you sell and the size of your premises

Building insurance

If you have dedicated premises for your business, then you need to make sure that the building and its contents are insured. If you rent the building then the landlord should be insured for the property, but you need to make sure that the contents are fully insured. If an accident should occur and you don't have adequate cover then you could lose money.

Key man insurance

A business relies on its key employees to make it successful, so you should think about insuring yourself and other top employees against health problems or accidents. Getting health insurance for your main employees will not only make sure that they can get back to work as soon as possible, it will also give them a sense of belonging to the company. If the type of work you are involved in has the potential for accidents to occur, then getting adequate insurance to cover this is important. Obviously working on a building site is going to lead to higher premiums than sitting behind a desk.

Reducing your premiums

Reducing your premiums is a good way to save money for your business. The best way to reduce the risk for the lender and so reduce the price of insurance is to make your business a safe and secure one. Make sure that security systems are up to date, and that health and safety procedures are adhered to.

Using a broker

The easiest way to obtain business insurance is by using an insurance broker who has expertise in your particular business area. They will be able to help you find the right insurer for your needs and get you a good deal.

What Is RV Insurance?

RV Insurance is an insurance policy that you buy covering your recreational vehicle or motor home. The policy can include not only liability insurance, but also full replacement cost in the event of an accident. Other items that can be included are personal effects coverage, emergency travel expense, and towing expense. While this may sound very expensive, RV and motorhome insurance is not as costly as you may think. However, to find the best quote, you must shop around and do your homework, rather than just accept the first quote that you receive. Of course, this type of due diligence can be a little time consuming, but it is almost always worth the effort.

It is recommended that you have collision coverage for any RV that you drive on the open road, as accidents can happen anywhere and without warning. But you need to ask about what kind of collision coverage you are getting. For instance, if the entire RV is destroyed or excessively damaged beyond repair, how much will you receive for it? If you don't have a policy that provides for replacement cost, you may wind up receiving a much smaller settlement that will be inadequate for buying another comparable RV to replace it. Replacement cost coverage typically costs more, but can be invaluable in the tragic event that you need to use it.

Recreational vehicle owners need also to consider personal liability insurance that covers not only a personal injury claim resulting from an on the road accident, but an accident that may arise while you are parked in a campground. Most RV insurance policies have the former, but many lack the latter. Consider what can happen while you are at a park or campground. Suppose someone slipped and fell coming out of your RV while it is parked, or was injured in some other way. Freak accidents do happen. It can be a wise decision to have the added coverage that provides for just such situations.

Also examine what is included in the personal property damage clauses of your RV insurance policy. The standard amount of property damage coverage is often inadequate and wouldn't even begin to cover all of your valuables and possessions in the event of a major accident. If you carry a lot of expensive items with you as you travel, as most RV owners do, you may find that that there is enough of an allowance provided by your insurance coverage to replace them if they were destroyed. Oftentimes increasing this type of coverage is not very expensive; why not ask your insurance agent about it and see what is offered?

Finally, be sure to inquire about any and all discounts that are available to you as a motorhome owner. Many RV insurance companies will offer discounts for good driving, for non-smokers, for anti-theft devices, for buying other types of insurance through the same company and more. It is always wise to ask and see if you can get quality RV insurance coverage for less.

How To Avoid Insurance Scams

Although there are many very honest and excellent insurance companies and agents, there are also some who want to take away as much of your money as possible whilst giving you little or no real cover. It is important that you know about some of the various insurance scams and how to avoid them, as this will save you money and also give you the peace of mind that you are covered should anything happen and you need to claim.

Misleading policies

Perhaps the biggest insurance scam to avoid is being suckered into buying a policy that you do not really want or that does not give you what you have asked for. This sort of scam is often the hardest to avoid, because it is not just a case of people tricking you on purpose. You can also be the victim of insurance sales people who simply do not listen to your needs and do not have the right expertise to help you. If you are offered a policy but it seems confusing or not what you want, then do not sign for it.

Claims denied

One problem that people find when they use a poor insurance company is that when they need to claim back off their insurance their claim is denied. Some insurance companies simply do not have the money to pay out your claim, and hope that you will never need to claim for such large amounts. Before buying any type of insurance make sure that you research the insurer and confirm that they can and will pay out for eligible claims.

Unnecessary clauses

One problem that many people have is that they end up with an insurance policy that gives them cover for things that they have no use for. For example, you might get some travel insurance but end up paying £15 more for it because it includes extreme sports cover. Many insurers use the technique of including everything that you may or may not need and hope that you won't query these items. Make sure that before you sign any agreement you look at what you are covered for, and if there are things you know that you do not need then get them removed. This may help you get a lower price for your insurance.

Too much small print

Another way that insurers can trick you is by putting the important issues of your insurance in the smallest print possible. These insurers hope that you will not read this small print or will overlook something that is making them extra money or leaving you without cover. Again, check all of the clauses in the contract, especially the small print. If there is anything you do not like then get it changed or do not sign.

Insurance you do not know about

One of the most frequently used ploys is to sell you insurance that you do not even know you are paying for. This is usually done by lending institutions that include payment protection insurance in your loan payments without your explicit knowledge, meaning that you pay for insurance that you might not want or even need. If you get a loan make sure you are not paying extra for insurance that you do not need. If you read through things carefully and seek good independent advice then you won't be caught out by these insurance scams.

Finding Your Own Health Insurance Coverage

If you've ever taken the huge leap of leaving that secure 9 to 5 job for the self employed route, you probably know how it feels to have to go looking for your own health insurance plan.

To be sure, most of us at one time or another have worked for a company simply because we wanted the security that their benefit packages provide. Health insurance would be one of the most vital parts of all of this.

Yet with corporate downsizing and layoffs, staying with a company simply for the insurance isn't as secure any more. So if your in position to have to find insurance for yourself here's a few bits of advice that might be of help.

First off, don't be stupid and go without. Some years ago I found myself between jobs and between coverage. I got hurt simply playing a pick-up game of basketball and needed surgery. Unfortunately I had no other option. I couldn't work if I didn't get the damage repaired and I didn't have insurance to cover the cost so I ended up putting it all on a credit card. It took me years to pay the debt off. In particular, if you have a family, you can't afford to go without some form of insurance.

Often right after leaving a company you can still have access to insurance through a company's COBRA option. The company is lawfully required to give you access to the plan. You'll have to pay the monthly premiums of course with no additional assistance from the company, but you may find it more affordable than an individual plan. COBRA plans should be looked at as a short term solution to your insurance situation.

If your self employed, you may want to look at group insurance plans from organizations like the NASE. The National Association of the Self Employed can provide you with more information and you may find some of their rates to be very competitive.

A number of trade organizations and associations may also have benefit plans that could provide you with coverage. If you belong to a trade organization don't hesitate to contact them to see what might be available.

It's also important to compare individual or family plans from a number of companies. Be sure that things such as the stated deductible and coverage guidelines are comparable when looking at the cost. Eventually we found a good plan for my wife and I that is fairly affordable for what we have in coverage.

At one point, I was denied coverage by an insurance company and my wife was leaving her company position to work in her own business. One thing I learned at this time was that many states will provide some type of insurance coverage for you if you have been turned down at some point. The rates are a bit higher than you might have to pay with a standard policy but at least you have coverage. So don't rule out a state funded program if your having trouble getting insurance.

Regardless of what company you go with, remember that's it's very important to maintain health insurance coverage for yourself or your family. You'll never know when you may need it in a time of crisis.

Dallas Health Insurance

Buying health insurance is one of the most important investments a person can make. There are numerous companies offering health insurance and there is no shortage of competitively priced health insurance plans in the market. If you are looking for health insurance but have no idea what criteria you should base your selection on, here are a few tips to help you make an informed decision.
To begin with, keep in mind that health insurance firms usually have tie-ups with specific hospitals. Before you buy health insurance, make sure you read the list of hospitals that are covered. It is important to select health insurance that allows you to visit a hospital close to your home; this will ensure you get immediate medical attention in case of an emergency. For example, if you are living in Texas, look for Texas health insurance quotes online, this will ensure that the search engine returns a list of health insurance companies located in Texas. Also, if you have already been admitted to a hospital in the past, make sure your health insurance has a tie-up with the hospital you were admitted to.
Chances are there will be more than one health insurance provider that meets the above mentioned criteria. The next step is to understand the various costs the health insurance will cover, and which costs the health insurance will not cover. Typical health insurance does not cover cost of tests and other atypical expenses. It is vital to know which expenses are covered by the health insurance and which ones are not. If you are not happy with the quality of cover being offered, you should select a new provider or speak to the provider you have short listed and ask for a more comprehensive cover. In fact, apart from hospital expenses there are other expenses like dental and vision related expenses that are usually not covered by health insurance. If required, request a custom quote for the expenses you want covered under the health insurance.
Once you are happy with the quality of the cover being provided, the next step is finding a payment plan that meets your requirements. Although most health insurance companies have flexible payment options, it is important to discuss payment options before you start paying for the health insurance. Remember, more than one missed payment can result in cancellation of the health insurance. Another thing to keep in mind is the degree of customization that is being offered, you might want to upgrade your insurance plan at a later time, speak to the health insurance provider to know if this is possible.
Choosing a health insurance plan is not a difficult task. The internet has made it possible for people to type in specific keywords that can help them find health insurance that suits their needs. For example, if you want to look for health insurance in Texas, just type in "Texas health insurance quotes" to bring up a list of all health insurance providers in Texas.
Resource Box
For online Texas health insurance quotes visit www.texashealthandlife.com

7 Things To Do Before Buying Travel Insurance

Going back to Roman times, risks have been shared during times of tragedy and unforeseen circumstances, such as earthquakes, floods and the like. The first formal and recorded insurance company, Lloyds of London, was formed in 1769 and their founding principal remains intact today - to gather the premiums of clients as a pool of resources in order to return to clients who experience unexpected and unforeseen but covered events. So, that is the secret really, plan for the unexpected and unforeseen and make sure you are covered, especially when you are travelling. Whether your trip is a quick one or a round the world cruise, there are many good reasons for travel insurance. Here are just 7 things you should do before you buy your travel insurance:

Whatever you do, please explore the market and educate yourself with all the terms and terminologies of the travel insurance cover that will help you to avail the best travel insurance.

Certainly check what is included in your travel insurance policy but most importantly, check what is EXCLUDED from your travel insurance policy.

Research the area you are going to. What is the weather likely to be like? Is there any danger of hurricanes or tropical storms? Floods? How about Mosquito borne disease? What is the crime rate like? Whatever the perceived dangers your research uncovers then make sure that your travel insurance covers you for that eventuality. It is no good after the event to find out that you are not covered for rabid dog attacks (because there are so many in that particular area).

Discuss Your Existing Medical Conditions and Requirements - You need to carefully assess your likely medical requirements and make sure that these are declared to the travel insurance company.

If you intend to drive make sure that you are adequately covered. Many hire companies charge astronomic excesses in case of an accident. Make sure that you insured for that excess (and it will be a lot cheaper than paying the hire company's rates for that same cover).

Make sure you have the necessary documentation for travel in that country. Take Spain for example which is part of the European community and will offer free health care say to a UK citizen on holiday or living there. There are certain conditions, one of which is that you must have a UK E111 form, if you don't have that, you will not be treated. You must also go to a national health hospital, which are not in abundance in certain areas of Spain.

If travelling in Europe, it may pay to get a EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) as this will remove a lot of worry should you need any emergency treatment.

Okay, so there you have it. 7 things to do before buying travel insurance for the next trip you make. The other alternative of course is to not take out travel insurance, or to stay at home. Now, there's an idea. But seriously, as always when taking out insurance, especially travel insurance, read the fine print first. Importantly, find out before you go what is excluded, not just included. So, always read the fine print. For example, accidental coverage is not provided in case of drunken driving, driving under the influence of narcotic substances etc. Exclusions are also provided for accidents during risky sports like bungee jumping, car racing, (insert for your favourite potentially dangerous sport here), scuba diving, white water rafting, flying (except as passenger in regular airliners), gliding, skiing, bike racing, diving, mountaineering, windsurfing etc. The list goes on. That means in case of accidents in these situations the insurance company is not liable to pay any amount to the insured.

Why It's Important To Keep In Touch With Your Car Insurance Agent

Just because the check is signed to close the deal on a car insurance policy, doesn't mean the relationship with the company or its agents should end. On the contrary, keeping in touch with the insurance company either through an agent or directly if the policy has been purchased that way, is very important under a whole host of circumstances.

There are, in fact, many instances where it's vital to know who to call at the company and when. Little changes in life can impact a policy and even its validity, so keep that agent's number handy or know how to make changes with the insurance company directly.

The following circumstances should prompt a call to your insurance company:
* Change of vehicles. This should be a no-brainer, but sometimes in the rush of buying a new car, the call is forgotten. Don't let this be the case. You might find yourself with a brand new car and no insurance to call its own.
* Change of address. This is very important not only to make sure your policy remains valid, but also to possibly take advantage of lower rates a new ZIP code might come with. This, of course, can work out in the other direction, but that's not always the case.
* Addition/subtraction of drivers. If a new driver moves into your home, or a family member reaches driving age, it's important to call the company and let them know. This is something that can create big problems down the road if you're not upfront and honest with the agency.
* An accident. This is the one time you absolutely don't want to forget to call. Even if you're not at fault, it's important to contact your agent or company to make sure you get the coverage you deserve. If the authorities are involved in any way, the company will find out eventually, so save yourself the hassle and just make the call.
* Occasional feeler call for policy rate reductions. If your personal status has changed, you've gone back to school or you've joined an organization that provides discounts, you'll find these little call can save big money on the insurance bottom line.

Just because the ink's dried on the check doesn't mean your dealings with the insurance agency are over. It's important to remember to call your agent or company when a lot of life's little changes crop up. Don't hesitate to call them when something changes.

Why You Should Consider Umbrella Insurance

/James-Cochran/3002>James Cochran

Why do you carry an umbrella? The easy answer is so that you protect yourself from the rain, right? Well, not exactly. You also carry an umbrella in case it rains, at least forward-looking people do. And business owners and professionals looking for the right insurance always have to be forward-looking, don't they?

In other words, an umbrella is an "insurance policy" in the event that weather disaster strikes you. You may have a waterproof coat on. You may be wearing rain boots. You might have even picked a route to walk on which provides you the maximum shelter from rainfall. But you'll still carry that umbrella around with you because you want to make sure you don't get soaked once the unwanted event occurs, don't you?

Well, it's not all that different when it comes to formal insurance polices. It's why they've come up with something actually called umbrella insurance. Those creative geniuses in the insurance industry have an answer and a name for everything, don't they?

To put it in the simplest terms, umbrella insurance is extra coverage you get just in case you your basic coverage runs out. So, if you have, say, professional liability coverage of up to $1 million, and a claim is made against you for $1.5 million, the umbrella portion of your coverage can kick in and prevent you from paying the full amount. Just as a real umbrella can save you from the disaster of your hair getting wet, despite the most waterproof hat on the market, good umbrella coverage will provide you with protection in case your basic coverage gets soaked, too.

There are essentially two advantages to obtaining umbrella insurance. One is that it can leave significant assets covered for a relatively small price. The other advantage is that it can simply provide you with more comprehensive coverage - above and beyond individual policies such as professional liability.

Individuals or professionals who have considerable assets that could be at risk under the threat of a lawsuit might want to consider an umbrella policy. Professional liability alone may not be enough, since the limit of that policy could only cover a certain amount of your assets. By investing in an umbrella policy that would increase the amount of your assets covered, the potential savings in the end could far outweigh the additional costs. Liability insurance is meant to protect you from the nightmare lawsuit. Umbrella insurance does just that if you have considerable assets that could be at risk.

The other thing to take into consideration is that, not only does an umbrella policy provide you with added insurance, just like a real umbrella, but it also provides you with coverage that brings together various different aspects of your specific insurance policies. In other words, this kind of policy puts under one umbrella components that would otherwise be included in separate coverage. There go those insurance experts with their clever titles again. So, a good umbrella insurance package can not only end up costing you a bit less to cover more assets, it can save you the time and effort to seek out individual policies to cover various different components of your business.

For example, instead of, say, getting one policy for professional liability, another policy for property coverage, and yet another for worker's compensation, a cleverly constructed umbrella policy can create for you elements of all of them, save you money, and leave you more widely and deeply covered than you otherwise would be. Like all good insurance policies, it leaves you prepared for when that rainy day hits. You'll have that umbrella over your head to meet that day when it comes.

Now, before coming to the conclusion that, despite all the warnings and all the concerns, you probably don't need umbrella coverage, think about some of the consequences of not getting it. For a relatively small extra investment, is it really wise to simply write off the concern and pretend that you don't have to worry about it?

Here' some food for thought. No matter how careful or good you are, and no matter how prepared you think you are to avoid mistakes and causing harm to others, there are two things you have to worry about with respect to umbrella insurance and professional liability.

The first is that you're human. You're not superman - or superwoman. As a business owner or professional, you are going to make mistakes. You don't know when or how, but being human means that they mistake can occur one way or another. And they can certainly happen in the normal conduct of your business. In fact, all that has to happen is for there to be a perception of a mistake made by someone you do business with, that causes damages, that you can still end up paying for in terms of legal fees and awarded damages.

The second thing to worry about if you don't have umbrella insurance or professional liability coverage is human nature, especially in today's environment of the frivolous lawsuit. You almost can't imagine the ways in which your business might touch others, and the ways in which someone out there may claim that the harm they suffered was as a result of something you did. You cannot possibly protect yourself from such a scenario without things like professional liability which may include added umbrella insurance. With these under your belt, you help protect yourself from the nightmare lawsuit you never dreamed of ever having to fight.

Permanent Life Insurance

You will be covered by a permanent life insurance if you subscribe to one whole life insurance, a universal life insurance or a contract with capital variable. All these formulas cover your life during, in condition that the police is maintained into force.

Principal characteristics of permanent insurance policies

Leveled premiums: Majority of permanent insurance policy envisage payment of premiums who remain the same ones for all the length of the contract time, even if risk grows with the age. This is why, the first years, the premiums are higher than the risk you represent. Then the mathematics provisions form, invested, allow, last years, to face the higher risk that you represent because of your age.

Surrender value: Of these provisions the surrender value results, that you can use if you wish to borrow on your police or to box if you want to repurchase your contract. (In general, the repurchase value is not added to the capital poured with your death.)

Options of not-forfeiture contract: They are various possibilities which are offered to a police holder which ceases pouring its premiums. They make it possible to maintain the insurance police in force or to touch the surrender value with cash.

Life Insurance with participation: The holder of this kind of police take part in the financial results of the insurer. "Participations" (in benefit) are versed annually to the holders. The premiums are calculated according to a careful expenses estimate and future payments, as well as interests and other placement incomes. When the results are better than the forecasts, it create a surplus, which allows company to pour participations to the concerned holders. The participations is based on an estimate of the future results, like the costs and the incomes and they are not guaranteed. The participations can be boxed, left in deposit, used to reduce the premiums or affected to subscription of an additional protection.

Life Insurance without participation: Holders of this kind of police do not take part for the benefits of insurance company and do not receive any participations.

Various types of permanent insurance: Although all insurance policies, permanent life aim to provide coverage your life during, the guarantees of which they are matched can vary and influences premiums.

Whole life: It is the traditional police who fully guarantees the premiums to be paid, the death capital and the repurchase value.

Life Insurance Police related to the interest rates: Contrary to the whole life insurance policies, which is based on hypothetical interest rates to very long term, these police hold count current interest rates, which can be readjusted regularly. The holder of police can profit higher coverage for lower premium, but on the other hand agrees to share certain risks with the insurer. Premium could indeed increase following a fall in the interest rates, or being reduced if it opposite occurred. Most popular police related to interest rate, and that offering more flexibility, is the universal life insurance policy. It comprises two elements: the life insurance and placement account. You decide the EC what you want to do of these two elements, and can increase or to write-off your premiums or your death capital, taking into account some limits. Incomes generated by the account of placement are not necessarily without guaranteed; all depends on the nature of the selected placements. Usually, contracts known as evolutionary premium and it guarantee death benefit for one determined period and envisage modification of premium or of the death benefit at the end of this period, according to market trends.

Contract with variable capital: The premium is generally guaranteed, but the surrender value varies according to the output of placement funds or another index. The death capital can be guaranteed, or fluctuate according to the output of melt, subject to a minimal guarantee.

Importance Of Contractor License Bond

Contractor of any state is required to obtain contractor license bond from the state and federal government. Contractor license bond is the kind of surety bond issued to the contractor to ensure his performance guaranteed and fulfills the obligation within the contract time and money. When the person is involved in contract business, then such person is named Contractor for the contract. Contractor license bond is considered has important and essential in every state. Contractor license bond guarantees the performance of the contractor and ensures the assured obligation of the contractor with regards to the contract created.

The contractor of any state is required to obtain contractor license from the state to carry on the business. To obtain Contractor license from the licensing department of the state, the contractor is required to obtain contractor license bond. Contractor license bond compiles with all statutes, rules and regulation of the state and federal government. Contractor license bond plays the dominant role in the market and most of the state makes its important requirement to be obtained. Without the contractor license, the contractor cannot able to perform the contractor business in the state. Contractor license is nothing but a license or permit provided for the contractor for his performance.

The contractor license bond guarantees that the contractor will perform the contract business with regards to the contractor license bond created and also ensures the compliance with reference to statues and license. Different kinds of surety bonds are issued in the state, the customer can choose the required surety bond from the bonding company. Contractor license bond forms part of different kinds of surety bonds issued in the state and it is required by state and federal government. This kind of surety bond ensures that the principal will come up with the rules, regulation of the governing body. Contractor surety bonds will be issued in each bonding company and the applicant can choose the surety bond for the required amount.

The contractor license bond amount for each state will differ and as per the state statutes, the bond amount should be obtained. Contractor license bond guarantees the obligee that the contractor will perform the contract and also ensures the subcontractors regarding the payment and completion of contract within the stipulated time and money. Incase of default of the contractor, the obligee can sue in the contractor in the court of law for the nonperformance of the contract. Not only can the contractor be sued, but also the surety who guarantees the performance of the contractor. The surety is obliged to complete the contract within the stipulated time and money.

health insurance quotes and tips

Why You Should Take Advantage Of Group Health Insurance If You Can

With so many Americans now without health insurance, it's a good thing that many of our employers still offer group health insurance as an affordable option. Unlike buying an individual or family health insurance policy, that can be very expensive going through private insurance companies, group health insurance is purchased through your work, along with several other co-workers. This buying power from the "group" allows the people that work for your employer to save a lot of money on health insurance for themselves and their families.

Lack of affordable health insurance is a huge issue right now in the United States. There are an estimated 40 million Americans (at the time of this writing) that are without any health insurance coverage at all and many of those uninsured are our children. Being able to buy group health insurance through work has made it possible for many families to buy affordable health care. Unfortunately, with the cost of insurance premiums skyrocketing in recent years, many small businesses have had to stop offering group health insurance to their employees. This has forced millions of individuals and families into the private sector to buy insurance and, unfortunately, many of these people will now go without health benefits because they simply can't afford to pay for it.

Group health insurance is an excellent alternative to buying insurance yourself from a private insurance company. If your place of employment offers you health insurance, you should take full advantage of those health care benefits as long as you possibly can.

You Need Insurance Regardless of Your Business

/James-Cochran/3002>James Cochran

While it might be comforting to think that insurance is something that only the big companies need to worry about, insurance is something that all businesses need to worry about. Indeed, the smaller you are as a business, the more vulnerable you are to a wide array of risks that can only ultimately be dealt with by adequate business insurance protection.

When you run your own business, you take on obligations and responsibilities above and beyond that of the average citizen. In fact, it can be seen as somewhat of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, you probably go into business hoping to make a profit doing something you love while providing a benefit to others. On the other hand, all those others are affected by what you do - good or bad. It's the latter that can get business owners into trouble if they don't seriously think about serious business insurance protection.

Let's take small business liability insurance as an example. Without this form of insurance protection, a business owner is putting themselves in unneeded and unnecessary financial risk.

Small business liability insurance is that which essentially protects a business from the threat of a lawsuit. It differs from other kids of protection many individuals might already be familiar with because it covers assets from the risk of being attacked by a claim of misconduct carried out by you or your business. If somebody decides to sue your business, not only could you be on the hook for the damages awarded, but the legal fees involved can often be staggering, even if the lawsuit is frivolous. Things like small business liability insurance, as part of a comprehensive business insurance package, are meant to deal with just such instances.

If you don't think that your business is at risk like this, you might want to reconsider. No business is too small or irrelevant to be untouched by the risk of a lawsuit. In fact, the smaller you are, the less you'll be able to count on your own resources to address the crisis of a legal proceeding, or the damages awarded as a result.

Perhaps for no sector of business is this reality more apparent than with small offices providing services of various sorts. While the amount of resources at your disposal is tight, the extent to which you may have an impact on the public is very considerable. And the extent to which that same public can come back and bite you can be similarly considerable, too. This goes for real estate professionals, management consultants, tax preparers, lawyers, doctors, and so on. No one is immune from the threat covered by business insurance that includes things like small business liability.

No matter how competently you think you run your business, how much emphasis you place on customer satisfaction, how well thought of you are in the business community, or the lengths to which you strive for excellence and achievement in your profession, you can be hit by a lawsuit. And, very often, you won't even have seen it coming. Even some service provided as a sub-contractor for someone else can be seen as having done harm to someone. If that someone decides to sue, there are costs that have to be covered. Good business insurance will cover it. More specifically, good small business liability insurance will cover it.

Let's take the management consultant industry as an example of where business insurance that includes small business liability is necessary.

The duties and responsibilities associated with the job of being a management consultant are considerable. In such a capacity, you use your expertise in the field of management to advise people professionally on a whole range of matters related to the proper running of a business. This can includes things as simple as staffing to something more sophisticated like public relations. Good management consultants provide a professional service noted for the extent to which comprehensive solutions are offered to meet challenging business environments.

This is precisely why management consultants need to be covered by good business insurance that includes small business liability insurance.

The extent to which their advice and solutions impact people can be almost limitless. In fact, if you tried to figure out who might sue you for advice you gave a client, you might never be able to do it. There will always exist people who simply perceive themselves to have been hurt by something you did. And they'll sue you for it.

Alternatively, even the best management consultants make mistakes. Sometimes they could have legal ramifications. Other times, they could have professional ramifications. Indeed, things like errors and omissions insurance or professional liability insurance exist because professionals make mistakes. Not only do they make mistakes, but they make mistakes that violate the professional principles involved in their industry. It happens. It's why even management consultants need good business insurance and liability protection.

Of course, whether you're a management consultant, real estate agent, tax lawyer, or healthcare specialist, the specifics might be different, but the insurance risks are much the same. As small business owners with offices that need to be protected from the threat of financial loss, business insurance and small business liability insurance is simply a smart solution to that end. They literally help protect the small guy and gal from the swamp out there that could digest everything they've worked for. And that swamp could include the unwanted lawsuit.

Vacant property insurance

Vacant property insurance-Print

Vacant property insurance- By: rateempire

It can be a difficult task to obtain the insurance coverage that you require for an vacant property that you currently have in your possession. This is due to the fact that insurance providers have the opinion that there is a greater risk to be taken when insuring an vacant property and that these properties have a greater need from insurers than the typical occupied property.

There is of course the increased risk of vandalism and the similar when dealing with vacant properties. These properties are subject the vandalism as there is no presence on the property to curb the vandals. They do not have the fear associated with getting caught and as such as not hindered in this action. There is also the problem of the throwing of bricks through windows as well as an increased likelihood of fires and general property destruction.

Squatters are another issue on these properties as they can be unoccupied for long periods and the owners can often neglect to keep proper tabs on the property as well. This leads to the squatters having free reign on the property and they may also cause untold damages as well. The damages that occur on unoccupied places are also not quickly detected and as such can lead to the development of the problem into one that is more serious.

Another issue of concern is whether the property is carded to be let in the future. Many insurance providers also run from this situation as it can result in the neglect of the property from the tenants as well. Not everyone is lucky enough to get good tenants that take care of their place as if it was their own.

There are several reasons that vacant property insurance may be required and these include incidents where there has been the death of the previous owner and where the property goes to estate and is on sale. There may also be periods where the property is in the process of a change of ownership, if you are completing repairs and if the property is unsuitable for occupation. You must ensure in these periods that the property is covered specifically by vacant property insurance.

Vacant property insurance providers have to make certain that there is a reduction in the probability of losses occurring on the property that they are thinking of covering. These procedures can include regular inspection of the property, sealing off windows and letterboxes and other types of risk management procedures. In some cases, the coverage provided can be restricted to only some areas. In instances such as this it is essential that the cover is sufficient and handles risks that may be incurred on the property in question otherwise the coverage will not make any sense.

In order to source the right coverage it is possible that you may look on the internet and compare between providers. This will ensure that you attain the best deal possible where you get the best coverage for the lowest premium.

It can be a difficult task to obtain the insurance coverage that you require for an vacant property that you currently have in your possession.

1AmericanInsurance.com, provides health insurance and car insurance marketplace which connects consumers with insurance providers who will help you develop a solid insurance plan for auto, life, home and health insurance. For more information please visit Vacant property insurance

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