Insuranceoncars

Why This Lawyer Says You Should Buy Car Insurance From An Independent Broker

I don’t sell car insurance, but as a lawyer practicing in the field of personal injury I frequently see people suffer because they have the wrong insurance coverage. Often, this happens because they purchased directly from an insurance company instead of an independent broker.

Many of my clients who have been seriously hurt in a car accident were struck by someone who had no insurance or only the minimum liability insurance coverage, which is 25,000 in New York and much less in many other states. Unfortunately, many of my clients were sold insurance policies with liability limits of 100,000 or 300,000, but were not sold matching uninsured and underinsured coverage.

Just this week, yet another new client had this problem. My client was a pedestrian crossing the street when she was struck by a car which fled the scene. The driver was caught shortly after leaving the accident, but the owner of the car only has the New York State minimum liability insurance of 25,000 and my client has serious injuries consisting of many broken bones including a fractured arm, leg and skull.

My client owns a car with liability insurance limits of 300,000, but she purchased the insurance from GEICO whose salesperson didn’t sell her underinsured coverage. GEICO does not use independent insurance brokers, but sells insurance directly to consumers through in-house sales agents.

For a small fee, my client could have purchased underinsured coverage of 300,000 which would have allowed her to recover 300,000 for her injuries instead of 25,000. Ironically, she did not need the 300,000 liability coverage to protect her assets. However, since you cannot buy underinsured coverage higher than your liability coverage, I would have advised her to purchase 300,000 liability coverage for the sole purpose of being able to purchase 300,000 underinsured coverage.

I have had many clients in this situation who lost their jobs because of serious injuries and incurred substantial debt. If they had matching underinsured coverage, the additional money available to pay their claim would would be a big help to pay their bills and get their life back together.

Underinsured motorist coverage will pay you money from your own automobile insurance policy if you have been hurt in a car accident by someone who was negligent for causing your injury and who had less liability insurance coverage than you did. Uninsured motorist coverage will pay you when the other car did not have any insurance coverage or the identity of the other car is unknown.

Underinsured and uninsured coverage is inexpensive and usually available in limits that match your liability insurance coverage. It is not available in amounts greater than your liability insurance coverage.

Underinsured and uninsured coverage is so important that a couple of states now require coverage limits matching your liability insurance limits, unless you decline the coverage in writing. Several years ago, I suggested to several New York State senators that they enact a similar law in New York.

I have also seen many clients who were not sold the maximum medical payments insurance, which costs me only 2.01 per month on my car insurance policy. This is particularly important for people who do not have a good health insurance policy. It is also beneficial for passengers who do not have health insurance.

Why should you buy car insurance through an independent insurance broker? The courts have defined the reason. There have been several “malpractice” lawsuits against insurance companies for failure to offer underinsured and uninsured motorists coverage limits matching the liability limits. However, when the insurance company sells directly to consumers, these cases have gone in favor of the insurance companies. The courts found that when a consumer buys insurance directly from an insurance company, rather than an insurance broker, the consumer is only buying insurance and is not paying for advice.

When you buy auto insurance from an independent insurance broker who represents several different insurance companies, you get the advantage of an insurance professional who can evaluate your needs and advise you accordingly. Additionally, only an independent insurance broker can provide you with a choice of insurance companies and premiums, so you get the best coverage at the lowest price.

Whether you buy your car insurance directly from an insurance company or through an independent insurance broker, always make sure that you purchase matching uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage and the maximum medical payment benefits.

Tags: Broken Bones, Car Accident, Car Insurance, Geico, House Sales, Independent Broker, Independent Insurance Brokers, Insurance Company, Insurance Limits, Insurance Policies, Liability Coverage, Liability Insurance Coverage, Liability Limits, Minimum Liability, New York State, Pedestrian, Personal Injury, Salesperson, Sell Car, Sole Purpose

Anyone who owns a vintage vehicle or a collection of enduringly stylish classic cars knows that a standard automobile insurance policy cant adequately cover the specific needs of someone who drives a classic vehicle. A classic car owner is more likely than a standard driver to make a claim for repainting after a tiny scratch, for example; whereas a typical driver will be much more likely to get into a highway pile-up than a classic car owner. The habits and requirements of the drivers who spends time behind the wheel of a classic 1950s Ford are obviously quite different from those of a driver who gets around in a used 1997 Taurus; so it makes plenty of sense that insurance companies would create policies specifically for drivers who own vintage cars.

One of the most useful facets of many classic car insurance policies has to do with the idea of flexible usage. This unique idea allows drivers to attain full coverage at a variable rate depending on how often they drive their car and in what situations. Most drivers with antique automobiles drive their vehicles over less than one thousand miles each year, but some collectors drive up to five thousand miles a year in their prized cars. Some drivers are extremely careful about distance because of its potential wear and tear on the vehicle, but just as many classic car enthusiasts are more concerned about what kind of situation they are driving in than how far they are driving.

Many vintage car owners only take their precious vehicles out for special events like auto shows or parades, but there are some drivers who enjoy taking the occasional drive outside of the umbrella that these events provide. With an insurance policy that supports flexible usage, a driver can pay only for the coverage that he or she needs to cover his or her classic car driving habits. This means that a driver who enjoys a leisurely weekend afternoon of driving through town in his or her car will be able to do so without risking the investment that the car represents, but also that a driver who only starts the engine during a special event will not have to pay extra money for open road privileges that he or she wont use.

In addition to what is and is not covered, there are many conveniences that a classic car owner can enjoy by having classic car insurance instead of a standard auto policy. For one thing, having the agent who is responsible for the policy be knowledgeable about and sensitive to the needs of classic car owners can save quite a bit of hassle and phone time. Vintage car collectors are understandably very selective about where they get their cars repaired, and often will be unwilling to let anyone but their personally trusted mechanic look at their car. The reasons for this fact will be obvious to an agent who understands the needs and desires of people who own classic cars, but for an agent who is not experienced with these kinds of customers it can be a difficult fact to swallow.

Tags: Antique Automobiles, Auto Shows, Automobile Insurance Policy, Car Insurance Policies, Classic Car Enthusiasts, Classic Car Insurance, Classic Car Owner, Classic Cars, Classic Vehicle, Flexible Usage, Insurance Companies, Leisurely Weekend, One Thousand Miles, Parades, Variable Rate, Vintage Car Owners, Vintage Cars, Vintage Vehicle, Wear And Tear, Weekend Afternoon

If you are an owner of a static caravan holiday homes you should consider insurance to cover the caravan as well as the contents. There are two levels of insurance for your static caravan; the static caravan itself and the contents within the caravan.

Insuring the static caravan will cover against loss or damage to the static caravan itself. The insurance can extend to a new for old policies were the caravan can be replaced with a new model should it be damage to an extent which is beyond financial repair. If this is the case some insurance companies will replace the static caravan if it is under 20 years old. The age under which new for old applies will vary from policy to policy. Some companies will only offer new for old for caravans which are less than 10 years old. It is worth checking with the insurance company to determine their exact terms of policy.

The content can be insured under a general policy where by a value is given to the entire content. If you have individual items which are valuable the insurance can also be taken out against such items to given suitable cover.

Below are examples of cover:
Replace new for old
Alternative accommodation costs
Debris removal and resiting costs
Fixtures and fittings
Public Liability
Fatal Accident

Consideration should also be given to the excess which applies to the policy as this will vary from company to company. Also check the policy details to determine the new for old cover and additional cover offered.

When obtaining quotes ensure you receive at least three, the more quotes you obtain the more likely you are to achieve good value for money. Getting quotes online can be a quick and simple method to obtain multiple quotes.

Tags: 10 Years, Accommodation Costs, Caravan Holiday, Caravans, Debris Removal, Extent, Holiday Homes, Insurance, Insurance Companies, Insurance Company, Insurance Cover, Money, New Model, Policy Details, Public Liability, Quotes, Static Caravan Insurance

What if I could save you 10-20% of your yearly automobile insurance which can literally be hundreds of pounds? Very few people shop car insurance companies, yet we price shop in grocery and department stores every day.

It is not that difficult. Do a little research (5 10 minutes) on the type coverage you have and I will help take you forward. I have no real secret here for some of you; BUT, make yourself do the following:

1.Get online and on the phone and get at least 7-10 estimates on car insurance. The more estimates the better. You will be amazed at the discrepancies in pricing. That alone will probably result in major savings for you. Make sure that each company is providing quotes on the same coverage.

2.Make sure the automobile insurance companies know you are getting estimates from others. It may help you get an even better rate.

3.Use the highest automobile insurance deductible YOU can afford. In other words, if something happens to your car, how much would you be able to pay out of pocket BEFORE your insurance money kicks in?

4.Eliminating full coverage on an older, paid off car may or may not be the best plan for you. If the car is not worth much, it is generally better to reduce your coverage. Analyze the cost of full coverage and determine if you want to eliminate that portion of the insurance. How do you analyze? Ask your current agent and one or two of the ones you are getting quotes from. That is it! It is just that quick and easy!

START RIGHT NOW!!!

Look for automobile insurance companies via Google and use your local yellow pages. Do it. Don’t delay. And start enjoy the savings right now!

Let me know via comments how much you saved. Good luck.

Tags: Automobile Companies, Automobile Insurance, Big Money, Car Companies, Car Estimates, Car Insurance Companies, Current, Department Stores, Discrepancies, Full Coverage, Good Luck, Google, Insurance, Insurance Estimates, Insurance Money, Pocket Money, Quotes, Shop Car, Shop Insurance, Yellow Pages

Purchasing Car Insurance Online – Some Things To Know About Online Insurance

The Internet has been a blessing to both the Insurance Industry and consumers who want access to a wide range of providers quickly. The benefits of purchasing your car insurance online are many, here’s a few of them.

For starters, you have an unprecedented ability to compare and contrast between policies online, simply flicking between windows, or in some cases taking advantage of specialty brokers who will send you a comparative cost quote in very short order.

If the sheer convenience weren’t enough, Insurance companies usually offer discounts if you buy your insurance online and save them the hassle of having to deal with you directly. It’s not as if talking to insurance sales people ever made anyone’s day, so you won’t miss the experience, and you’ll save some money.

Insurance companies still offer very good customer service online if you’re stumped, and making a quick call whilst surfing is much easier than waiting several days for them to send you a bunch of paper work that you may or may not understand.

Do make sure however, that your details are processed over a secure server, and that full customer service is available once you have purchased your insurance. Don’t be afraid to ask plenty of questions, and hold out for a provider that offers you a good deal and makes you feel satisfied at the level of assistance you receive.

The Internet is also a good place to check out your intended companies reputation. Others may have had problems, or good things to say about the company. Consumer websites can also offer constructive recommendations to help you on your way, and advise you on ways to keep your premiums down, such as thinking about what sort of car you’re going to buy to stay in a lower bracket, or keeping your record clean.

Buying your car insurance online is a great way to save time and money. As always though, take your time and read those terms and conditions carefully.

Tags: Car Insurance, Constructive Recommendations, Consumer Websites, Consumers, Full Customer Service, Good Customer Service, Hassle, Insurance Companies, Insurance Industry, Insurance Online, Insurance Sales, Money Insurance, Online Insurance, Premiums, Reputation, Secure Server, Sheer Convenience, Starters, Time And Money, Unprecedented Ability

Car Insurance Quotes

Buying car insurance can be a real hassle, taking up most of a day while you call different companies to get quotes and wait to hear back. Everyone advertises that they are the best and they give the best deals but the same cant be true for all of them. And you know that you want to get the most for your money. If youre a serious bargain shopper, it might take you a long time before you can narrow the field when it comes to car insurance. However, real bargain shoppers know that the Internet is their best bet for a great deal on virtually anything. When you get your quotes online, the whole process is much quicker and easier. And the best part of all is, no automated voices telling you to press 1or 2or 3

Ah, the Ease of Online Buying

Because its so much easier, a lot of people feel more comfortable buying car insurance online, in a click-and-point process that doesnt involve sitting through ten minutes of automated questions and answers. The options and companies are endless even in a strictly online environment. The casual consumer might search through web sites and read quotes for hours, and still be no closer to finding what they really want. Yes, even comparing quotes online can be tedious. Its possible to compare quotes from many different companies very quickly and with no stress or a lot of web site-hopping.

How to Find Online Car Insurance Quotes

There are many sites dedicated to giving you car insurance quotes online. These sites will help you compare rates and plans side-by-side from many different companies at once. One of the most time-consuming factors of searching for affordable car insurance is the variety of companies offering this service. You could drive yourself crazy accessing each web site and gathering different quotes, one at a time, from each companys web site. Why not get many quotes all at the same time? The beauty of the Internet is that you can, and this will save you a whole lot of time and aggravation.

Where Do You Find These Sites?

A simple Internet search will lead you in the right direction if youre looking for companies that will give you online car insurance quotes. These web sites are very easy to use and to navigate, and in most cases you have only to fill out a very simple online form. All the standard questions are part of this form what kind of car you drive, your age, etc. You will be under no obligation to purchase any of the plans you take a closer look at, and can compare and bargain shop to your hearts content.

Online Car Insurance

Some plans can only be purchased through an online means with some companies. More and more in today’s world, everything is going online, so it only makes sense that car insurance move online, too. Online car insurance is becoming more and more popular, and every virtually every company that is in search of new customers has a web site now. Why go through the stress of talking to twenty different people on the telephone if you can avoid it? Online car insurance is definitely your best bet if you’re thinking about changing you car insurance plan…or even if you aren’t. Use this as a resource to be sure your current company is offering the best coverage and price. If you find otherwise, bring your findings to your current insurance agent and see if there is anything better that they can do.

Tags: Affordable Insurance, Aggravation, Bargain Shopper, Bargain Shoppers, Best Bet, Best Deals, Buying Car Insurance, Car Quotes, Different Companies, Hassle, Insurance Car, Insurance Online, Insurance Quotes, Long Time, Online Insurance, Online Quotes, Questions And Answers, Stress, Voices, Whole Lot

Motorcycle riders often get an unjustified reputation as being reckless, risk takers, and that they generally disobey traffic laws. This perception is unfounded and there are many statistics that back up the fact that most motorcycle accidents are not the fault of the motorcycle rider, but that of another driver.

A major study conducted by the University of Southern California (USC) found that approximately three-fourths of motorcycle accidents involved a collision with another vehicle, usually a passenger automobile. It was also found that in the multiple vehicle accidents, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle right-of-way and caused the accident in two-thirds of those accidents. Further the study by USC found that the failure of motorists to detect and recognize motorcycles in traffic is the predominating cause of motorcycle accidents. The driver of the other vehicle involved in collision with the motorcycle did not see the motorcycle before the collision, or did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid the collision.

These findings go to show that the motorcycle rider has unjustly received a bad reputation from the general public as well as from insurance companies that cover motorcycle riders. Motorcycles are inherently prone to accidents caused by other drivers because of their small size. Motorcycles easily fit into the blind spot of typical passenger automobiles. The truth is that most motorcycle riders are very good drivers and keep an eye out for motorists who do not see them. This awareness of other drivers however does not prevent all accidents.

When accidents such as these happen, the insurance company of the driver who is at fault will go to great lengths to keep from giving the motorcycle rider the money he or she deserves. Insurance companies will frequently rush the victim to make a quick settlement as a way to save money. Most people in the general public are not insurance experts and do not know if they are getting a bad deal from the insurance company or not. When a check is stuck in front of them it can be quite tempting to sign.

Taking the insurance companies first offer is usually a mistake. Other times the insurance company of the other driver will try to not pay at all for the accident and resulting injuries. They often try to make it appear that the motorcycle rider was at fault in the accident. It is not hard to convince a jury of this since motorcycle riders have this unjust reputation of being less than careful.

This is why it is critically important to have a qualified and competent lawyer on your side if you find yourself the victim of a motorcycle accident. A qualified lawyer will help make sure that you get the settlement that you deserve; a settlement that will cover your medical bills as well as paying for the damage to your motorcycle. Not having a lawyer to stand up for you will cost you more than just money, it will also cause you a great deal of headaches and heartache. Trying to fight an insurance company on your own, while at the same time dealing with physical injuries can be an overwhelming task.

A qualified lawyer is the only one who will be on your side in case of an accident. A lawyer works for you and only you. The insurance company works for their shareholders and will try very hard to keep from getting you the money that you deserve.

Tags: Bad Reputation, Blind Spot, Great Lengths, Insurance Companies, Insurance Company, Insurance Experts, Motorcycle Accidents, Motorcycle Madness, Motorcycle Rider, Motorcycle Riders, Motorists, Myth, Passenger Automobile, Passenger Automobiles, Risk Takers, Size Motorcycles, Southern California Usc, Traffic Laws, University Of Southern California, Vehicle Accidents

Everyone likes to save money! That fact is not a secret to anyone. When trying to save money on car insurance, a question that should be considered is, What will be the cost to me for saving money? This question is meant to help people realize that there is a difference between price and cost. While Company A may offer slightly lower or even much lower premiums than Company B, Company B may offer some services that you prefer, i.e. a local agent, 24 hour service, online service etc. These services may be worth the extra price to some people, and not for others. Thus, it is shown that services received may out-weigh the price paid.

Another factor to take into consideration is the quality of service you receive from an insurance company. While all auto insurance companies want you to believe that they are as good, or even better than the next company; that is simply not true. There are drastic differences in overall service, claim handling, and personality of individual companies. One company may offer exceptional claims service, but perhaps it is very difficult to actually get in touch with the companys claims department; while another company may have terrible claims service, but their claim department is easy to reach.

One must ask themselves, Is it worth paying lower premiums to receive a lower quality of service, or am I willing to pay a bit more to ensure that my service is exceptional? Dont misunderstand. Just because a company offers lower premiums, does not necessarily mean that companys level of service will be lacking. Great service can come at any price.

The most important item to remember while searching for lower premiums is to do your homework. Talk to your family, friends, and co-workers. Ask them where they are insured, and if they are pleased with their insurance company. Remember, not all insurance companies are created equally, for instance, a company that runs completely over the phone or internet will have different costs than a company that employs fulltime agents. That is because the cost of doing business is different for each of those companies. This brings the question again, What services do I value in my insurance company? Do I want the package Company A offers or that of Company B?

Low rate car insurance is in the eye of the beholder. Simply put, different services are worth different amounts to different people. So find the company with the services you desire and let the games begin.

Tags: Auto Insurance Companies, B Company, Car Insurance, Co Workers, Company B, Family Friends, Friends And Co, Homework, Individual Companies, Insurance, Insurance Company, Personality, Premiums, Quality Of Service, Saving Money

Car Insurance can be simplified once you begin to understand the declarations page. The declarations page is issued every time your car policy renews. The information on your renewal declarations page will give you all you need to know about how your policy is rated. The actual policy is very complicated because it is written in legal language. The declarations page is a synopsis of your protection and is divided into sections.

Section I Liability This section indicates the bodily injury and property damage liability limits. This section of coverage protects you in the event that you are found liable in an automobile accident. Most car insurance policies have split limits. 10030050 is a common split limit. The first two limits are the bodily injury limits. The 100,000 refers to the amount per person bodily injury liability limit and 300,000 is the amount per accident limit. The third limit is the property damage liability limit of 50,000.

Tort Option Some states have a tort option. Full tort gives you an expanded right to sue for pain and suffering. Limited Tort limits that right and also reduces your overall premium.

Section II Physical Damage – This section is all about the physical damage to your automobiles. It is divided into two basic benefits. Collision insurance covers damage to your vehicle in an automobile accident. Comprehensive insurance covers your vehicle for theft, hitting an animal, glass coverage, fire, and several other miscellaneous occurrences.

Section III First Part Benefits This section applies to the first party insured and all resident relatives. This can vary from state to state. Medical expense, income loss, and life insurance are examples of first party benefits.

Cost Savings Your greatest risk for financial loss is when you are liable in a car accident and so it is not wise to carry low limits for liability. Higher deductibles for collision and comprehensive are an excellent way to reduce costs. Make sure that your home policy is with the same company in order to qualify for the multiple policy discounts. The limited tort option can save you up to 20%. The tort discount is only available in some states.

Tags: Automobile Accident, Automobile Insurance, Bodily Injury Liability, Car Accident, Car Insurance Policies, Car Policy, Collision Insurance, Comprehensive Insurance, Declarations Page, Deductibles, Glass Coverage, Legal Language, Liability Limit, Life Insurance, Low Cost Car Insurance, Medical Expense, Occurrences, Property Damage Liability, State Medical, Tort

Are you prepared for retirement and old age? While it may still be a long way off and there are usually a lot more urgent things to take care of, dealing with some of the requirements of old age, either for yourself or for someone you care about, a huge difference can be made by a few simple steps.

While saving for a pension and having good medical insurance are two of the most common steps, there is also the scope for long term care insurance, which may also be of great potential use in certain situations. This type of insurance covers the need for assistance in old age. Old age, as well as mental and physical illness can lead to many people needing assistance with such everyday tasks as eating, bathing and dressing. Simply looking after you can be too much for many people and when they are faced with this situation, assisted living and long term care can be an option.

Long-term care insurance can step in to help pay for the costs of such care. Do you think you may need such care? Will you be able to afford it if you do? Long-term care can last for many years and it is very expensive. Without the proper insurance, many people simply could not afford it. You may be planning to rely on Medicare or your own private health insurance policy. However, Medicare does not pay for custodial treatment of this kind. It is simply too expensive and you will therefore have to seek alternative living arrangements. Even private medical insurance will not foot the bill for long-term care.

If you think you will be very short of money by the time you need long term care you may qualify for Medicaid. Medicaid steps in to pay for medical care for the very poor. The good thing about Medicaid is that it will pay for long-term care. It is difficult to qualify for it though. You must be in the right wealth level and this is difficult to guarantee. The provisions of Medicaid are also liable to change so theres no guarantee that just because long term care is provided for now, that it will be in the future. If you are in serious doubt as to your ability to qualify for Medicaid, then it is unwise to rely on it.

Long term care can make a huge difference to your quality of life and well being in old age so if you think it is something you would like to make use of, the sooner you look into insurance for it, the better.

Tags: Assisted Living, Everyday Tasks, Health Insurance, Health Insurance Policy, Long Term Care, Long Term Care Insurance, Medicaid, Medical Care, Medicare, Physical Illness, Private Health Insurance, Private Insurance, Private Medical Insurance, Proper Insurance, Provisions, Retirement, Scope, Simple Steps, Term Care Insurance, Term Insurance