2012 END OF WORLD !!

Staying on top of your bills is complicated these days. Used to be that all bills came via mail and all you had to do was file them and then, depending on your system, pay them at a certain day each month. All payments were done by check and everything worked fairly reliably. Things were simpler in the past, too, because banks, credit card companies and other assorted entities hadn't started assessing the ever-escalating avalanche of fees and penalties and surcharges we're saddled with today. As a result, there really was no need to check up on the phone and utility bills or get frequent home or auto insurance quotes just to see if what they charged you was fair.

Overall, what's been happening is that some costs have gone up a lot whereas others stayed the same or have even gone down. For example, even though I use my phone hardly more than I did 20 years ago, my cell phone bill is hugely higher than my old phone bills were, thanks to the cell phone companies' skills at charging extra for every little thing. Same for my TV bill. Although I probably watch less TV than in the past, somehow the satellite company managed to make it so that I can only get the few channels I really want by subscribing for packages with about 500 channels I never watch. The utility bills also have an ever-increasing number of surcharges and extra fees and additional taxes, but haven't actually gone up all that much, which is surprising given the rising cost of energy.

Insurance is another area where it's hard to figure out what we're actually paying for. Health insurance costs have escalated obscenely and are now a crushing load for many. Where else can you find an industry that routinely increases premiums by 20 or 30% a year even during a recession? Home insurance is also an issue as most homes have declined in value, but premiums seem higher anyway. Then there's auto insurance, another mandatory expense. If you drive you must have insurance, and so most of us have to deal with that as well.

I must say that personally I have always had good luck in that area. Maybe that's because I have been with the same agent for a long time and they've been very good at giving me the best rates, or maybe it's because of my good driving record, or because they consider me a low risk. I am counting my blessings here because most people aren't that lucky, and a lot of my friends are paying through the nose for car insurance. There really isn't such a thing as cheap car insurance anymore, but you can still get good deals that are fair to all involved.

Unless you're okay with throwing money out the window, doing an auto insurance comparison and get auto insurance quotes about once a year is a good thing to do. There's not even a need to call up a broker for that. Just use one of the auto insurance comparison websites to see where you stand. You may find that you can save a bundle by signing up with someone else, or you may find what you currently pay is fair. Either way, it's good to know where you stand.


by: Chris Robertson

Staying on top of your bills is complicated these days. Used to be that all bills came via mail and all you had to do was file them and then, depending on your system, pay them at a certain day each month. All payments were done by check and everything worked fairly reliably. Things were simpler in the past, too, because banks, credit card companies and other assorted entities hadn't started assessing the ever-escalating avalanche of fees and penalties and surcharges we're saddled with today. As a result, there really was no need to check up on the phone and utility bills or get frequent home or auto insurance quotes just to see if what they charged you was fair.

Overall, what's been happening is that some costs have gone up a lot whereas others stayed the same or have even gone down. For example, even though I use my phone hardly more than I did 20 years ago, my cell phone bill is hugely higher than my old phone bills were, thanks to the cell phone companies' skills at charging extra for every little thing. Same for my TV bill. Although I probably watch less TV than in the past, somehow the satellite company managed to make it so that I can only get the few channels I really want by subscribing for packages with about 500 channels I never watch. The utility bills also have an ever-increasing number of surcharges and extra fees and additional taxes, but haven't actually gone up all that much, which is surprising given the rising cost of energy.

Insurance is another area where it's hard to figure out what we're actually paying for. Health insurance costs have escalated obscenely and are now a crushing load for many. Where else can you find an industry that routinely increases premiums by 20 or 30% a year even during a recession? Home insurance is also an issue as most homes have declined in value, but premiums seem higher anyway. Then there's auto insurance, another mandatory expense. If you drive you must have insurance, and so most of us have to deal with that as well.

I must say that personally I have always had good luck in that area. Maybe that's because I have been with the same agent for a long time and they've been very good at giving me the best rates, or maybe it's because of my good driving record, or because they consider me a low risk. I am counting my blessings here because most people aren't that lucky, and a lot of my friends are paying through the nose for car insurance. There really isn't such a thing as cheap car insurance anymore, but you can still get good deals that are fair to all involved.

Unless you're okay with throwing money out the window, doing an auto insurance comparison and get auto insurance quotes about once a year is a good thing to do. There's not even a need to call up a broker for that. Just use one of the auto insurance comparison websites to see where you stand. You may find that you can save a bundle by signing up with someone else, or you may find what you currently pay is fair. Either way, it's good to know where you stand.

Auto insurance brokers are the people that can actually write insurance policies. They are the ones that are licensed to operate an insurance agency and they are also the ones that hire and train the auto insurance agents that staff most agencies. They are typically licensed by the state and have more experience than the agents working under them, but can they save you money?

The answer is yes they can save you money, but not as much money as you could save yourself if you were to shop for your car insurance online. Some auto insurance brokers specialize in finding low quotes for their customers and for many years this was the only way to find a great deal on car insurance.

Now consumers have another option; they can shop online for their car insurance and cut out the middle man. Shopping for an auto insurance policy online is the surest way to find the best deal on car insurance.

The reason for this is that when you shop online for vehicle insurance you are able to view quotes from multiple companies. Car insurance is a very competitive industry so the companies will do their best to earn your business. As always competition benefits the consumer.

The car insurance quotes you receive from the competing companies will be estimates based on how you answer certain questions so to get the most accurate quotes it is important to answer the initial questions as completely and accurately as possible.

After you review the quotes and find the one to your liking make sure that it offers you the coverage level that you need before purchasing it. If everything looks good then you will have found the least expensive car insurance for which you are qualified and you should give yourself a pat on the back.


by: David Ackland

It is a pretty ugly landscape out there from an economic perspective. It has reached the point where you barely want to turn on the news. With saving money being all the rage, you definitely should seek out discounts on your car insurance. Fortunately, most insurers offer multiple opportunities to slice and dice your premiums.

Before we talk about discounts, let's make sure we've covered the simplest ways to lower your premiums. The first thing to do is make sure you are only buying the coverage you need. Second, consider raising the amount of your deductible. Both of these moves can make a huge difference in what you pay. Okay, on to the discounts.

Bundling

Most insurance companies write policies in many different areas. The company writing your auto coverage probably also does home insurance and what have you. If you move all your insurance business to one company, they will almost always give you a big discount in the premiums you pay. Make sure to ask for it and be aggressive!

Bundling Cars

Some insurers just stick to auto policies. If your company is one of these, you can still generate a discount by enticing them. How so? Offer to move all your cars over the company. You'd be surprised how often they will consider the situation and cut your rates.

Safe Driving

Make sure to ask for a safe driving discount. If you haven't had any driving accidents, tickets or what have you in the last five years, you should be able to get a discount on your rates. Why? You've proven yourself. Regardless of the statistics the insurance company maintains, you've show that the company isn't risking much giving you a policy.

Security Devices

Car theft has been with us a very long time and it is safe to say that it isn't going away anytime soon. With this in mind, many insurance companies will give you a discount if you go with proactive and reactive security measures. Proactive could be having a security system. Reactive could be having a locater system like Lo Jack that helps police locate your car if it is swiped. Ask your insurer for specific discounts.

Saving money on your car insurance is hugely important. It can make a big difference even if you only save a few bucks. Why? Well, you have to pay for car insurance each and every year. You are going to drive for 40 years or so. If you can cut your insurance by $200 a year, that is $8,000 you'll save over time.

by: Thomas Ajava

Under the Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law, all vehicles that are driven on California roads should have liability insurance that provides financial responsibility for any injury or damage that is brought about by a traffic accident regardless of who is at fault.

This passage of the law is also a means for the California government to remove uninsured vehicles from its highways.

California vehicle owners can choose from four types of financial responsibility options which are:

• Car accident insurance policy with liability coverage

• A cash deposit of $35,000 to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)

• A DMV issued self-insurance certificate

• A surety bond for $35,000 from a company licensed to do business in California.

All vehicles on California roads must obtain and maintain any of the above forms of financial responsibility whether the car is parked or operated.

An evidence of financial responsibility should always be in the vehicle at all times.

Acceptable proofs of financial responsibility are:

• A document or identification card from the car accident insurance company

• A DMV authorization letter, if the motorist is self-insured or a cash depositor

• A California Proof of Insurance Certificate

Most motorists choose to obtain car accident insurance policies to fulfill the financial responsibility requirements.

The minimum liability insurance coverage for private passenger vehicles in California is:

• $15,000 for injury or death to one person

• $30,000 for injury or death to more than one person

• $5,000 for property damage

An optional choice is the uninsured motorist coverage, where the policy holder can be compensated by their own insurance company if the liable party has no car accident insurance.

If the motorist chooses to avail of uninsured motorist coverage, he/she is required to purchase an amount equal to at least the minimum liability coverage for bodily injuries.

In addition, if a motorist avails of uninsured motorist coverage, he/she is required to purchase underinsured motorist coverage as well and it should also be at least equal to the minimum liability coverage for bodily injuries.

Driving without car accident insurance or any other forms of financial responsibility can be penalized by the DMV.

Vehicle registrations could be suspended if:

• The DMV is not notified that a car accident insurance policy has been cancelled and a replacement policy has not been submitted after 45 days.

• The car accident insurance information has not been submitted to the DMV within the issuance of a registration card.

• The DMV discovered that the vehicle registration was obtained by giving a false evidence of insurance.

Aside from suspension of registration, a motorist failing to provide proof of financial responsibility may cause a motorist to be punished through:

• Citation with fines that could reach $1,000 or more

• Impounding of vehicle plus fines

• Personal liability for damages if the motorist caused the accident which could lead to a seizure of some personal assets

Uninsured motorists are considered hazards on the road and that is why the government is working hard on cracking down on these irresponsible drivers.

If you were injured in a road accident where the liable party has insufficient or no insurance, consult immediately with a car accident attorney to help with your options.

by: Mark Dacanay

Car insurance rates are calculated accounting in various factors that determine the “risk” of the driver.

A “high-risk” driver will have a higher car insurance rate while a “low-risk” driver will pay a lesser premium.

The factors that are considered for calculating your car insurance rates are:

• Age - According to studies, teen and elderly drivers are more likely to be involved in a car accident than other age groups.

• Car model – Insurance companies also consider the possibility of your car being stolen. A more expensive car is much more likely to be stolen than a simple car.

• Accident History – Involvement in previous accidents automatically makes you a high-risk driver. If you are liable for multiple accidents, some insurance companies may even label you as “uninsurable.”

• Location – If you are living in a highly populated area, your insurance rate will be higher as there is more possibility of being involved in an accident than in areas with a small population.

• Gender – According to statistics, males are more involved in an accident than females, giving them a higher car insurance rate. However, recent studies show that female related accident rates are catching up to men.

These calculations may seem unfair to some, but it is the way it is and insurance companies are not likely to change its methods anytime soon.

The least you can do is to try and decrease your car insurance rates. The key to that is showing that you are a low-risk driver.

Here are some tips you can follow to decrease your car insurance rates:

Take a Driver’s Education Course

Although it is not required before getting a license, a driver’s education course could slash about 10% from your car insurance rate.

It will show that you are serious about being a responsible driver, and who knows, you might actually learn how to be a defensive driver after.

Buy a Safe Car

An expensive sports car is more likely to be stolen and an SUV is prone to rollovers. Buy a simple car like a sedan.

It will greatly lower your car insurance rates.

In addition, some insurance companies also give discounts for cars that are environment friendly.

Use One Insurance Company

If you insure your home and other properties together with your car with one insurance provider, you should receive discounts.

This also applies to multiple cars. Insuring all cars under one insurance company will lower your car insurance rate.

Add Safety Features to your Car

Safety features such as automatic seatbelts and side airbags will prevent or lessen injuries during an accident.

Less injuries means less claims for insurance companies, so it should lower your car insurance rate.

Add Anti-Theft Devices

Adding anti-theft devices and parking your car in a garage reduces the risk of your car being stolen.

The reduced risk of theft would reduce your car insurance rate. Discounts can reach up to 25 percent.

Those are just some of the ways to keep your car insurance rates low. The best way to keep them low, though, is to avoid accidents.

That is why it is important that you consult a car accident attorney if you are involved in one. They will help make sure that if the accident is not your fault, then the claim will be made from the liable party’s insurance company and not your own. by: Mark Dacanay