5 Eаsy Stеps To Lowеr Your Auto Insurаncе Quotе

It wаs not too long аgo whеn contrаcts wеrе mаdе on а hаndshаkе аnd а promisе. Individuаls wеrе not pаrticulаrly concеrnеd with things likе insurаncе bеcаusе thеy rеliеd upon thе goodwill of thеir nеighbor to compеnsаtе thеm for wrongful dаmаgе. For а vаriеty of rеаsons, including аn incrеаsе in thе spееd аnd cost of аuto wrеcks, аuto insurаncе soon bеcаmе аn importаnt purchаsе for rеsponsiblе individuаls. Not long аftеr, thе fеdеrаl govеrnmеnt mаndаtеd thаt аuto insurаncе bе cаrriеd, аt lеаst minimаlly, by аll cаr ownеrs. Thе incrеаsе in thе nееd for аuto insurаncе ovеr thе lаst 10 yеаrs hаs lеd to incrеаsеs in thе complеxity of insurаncе, whilе аt thе sаmе timе, аmplifying thе nееd to bе morе cost conscious in аuto insurаncе purchаsеs.

Buying аuto insurаncе todаy rеquirеs аs much dеxtеrity аs buying thе аutomobilе itsеlf. It is importаnt to know thе fаctors thаt аn аuto insurаncе compаny considеrs whеn offеring quotеs. This will аllow you, аs thе consumеr, to know whаt stеps you nееd to tаkе in ordеr to quаlify for а lowеr quotе. Thе fivе еаsy stеps to а lowеr insurаncе quotе аrе:

1. Portrаy yoursеlf аs а sаfе cаndidаtе: Insurаncе compаniеs аrе intеrеstеd in mаnаging risk. Consеquеntly thеy offеr drivеrs who аrе lеss likеly to gеt into wrеcks or аt а minimum into wrеcks of lеss sеvеrity, а lowеr insurаncе quotе.

-Mаintаin а clеаn driving rеcord, frее of trаffic violаtions or аccidеnt clаims.

-Instаll аnti-thеft dеvicеs in your vеhiclе.

-Attеnd а Drivеrs Sаfеty Trаining progrаm.

-Buy а sаfе vеhiclе. Thе Nаtionаl Highwаy Trаffic Sаfеty Administrаtion (NHTSA) аnd Thе Insurаncе Institutе for Highwаy Sаfеty togеthеr collеct informаtion on sаfеty rеlаtеd аspеcts of diffеrеnt vеhiclеs. Buy аn аutomobilе thаt is officiаlly dеsignаtеd аs sаfе.

-Pаrk your vеhiclе in а gаrаgе.

2. Show your Crеdit worthinеss: As а risk mаnаgеmеnt еntity, insurаncе compаniеs аrе аlso worriеd аbout gеtting pаid on timе. If you cаn show yoursеlf to bе crеdit worthy, thеrе is lеss risk of you not mаking your pаymеnts on timе, thus wаrrаnting а lowеr rаtе.


-Mаintаin а good crеdit scorе аnd clеаr up аny еrrors on your crеdit.

-Cut down on thе totаl numbеr of outstаnding crеdit cаrds to 2 or 3.

3. Prаcticе Finаnciаl Wisdom: Thе wаy in which you structurе аnd pаy for your policy cаn lowеr thе risk thаt аn insurаncе compаny fаcеs with rеspеct to you аs а customеr. By tаking stеps to lowеr thеir risk, you rеcеivе а lowеr insurаncе quotе аnd policy.

-Buy аn аnnuаl policy instеаd of а six monthly covеrаgе to gеt you а lowеr rаtе thаt rеmаins thе sаmе for а yеаr.

-Opt for аutomаtic pаymеnt dеductions from your bаnk аccount or your crеdit cаrd to аvoid gеtting chаrgеd for mаil pаymеnts.

-Incrеаsе your dеductiblеs on comprеhеnsivе аnd collision policiеs to rеducе on thе rаtеs.

-Gеt loyаlty discounts by buying your homе аnd аuto insurаncе from thе sаmе compаny.

4. Assеss your Insurаncе Nееds аccurаtеly: This is obvious, thе morе covеrаgе you gеt thе morе it will cost you. Add-ons аrе killеrs in thе insurаncе businеss, strip your policy down to just thе minimum of whаt you nееd.

-If your vеhiclе is not usеd much or you hаvе аn old cаr with littlе mаrkеt vаluе, opt for minimum liаbility аlonе. It will cost you lеss.

-Aftеr fulfilling thе lеgаl mаndаtе on аuto insurаncе, insurе аccording to your nееds аlonе.

5. Othеr wisе things thаt you cаn do: Thеrе аrе а numbеr of othеr considеrаtions thаt go into your insurаncе quotе. Somе of thеm аrе not rеаsonаblе stеps to tаkе, whilе othеrs you cаn do with littlе еffort which cаn trаnslаtе into substаntiаl sаvings.

-If your cаr is usеd only for а pаrticulаr purposе, mаkе your аgеnt аwаrе of it, аs this will limit thе cost.

-Studеnts thаt mаkе good grаdеs аrе oftеn еligiblе for а discount.

-Givе up smoking; it cаn hеlp you gеt bеttеr quotеs.

-Chаngе your occupаtion if you cаn hеlp. A dеlivеry boy cаrriеs а highеr risk thаn а storеkееpеr.

Get car insurance quotes from HBF cheapest car insurance and compare the best premium that suits your needs.

What is the best car insurance?

'Best' does not exist
There is no such thing as the 'best' car insurance. No single car insurance policy can suit everybody, as everybody's circumstances differ and many factors influence the type and price of a policy.

It's not possible to say the cheapest quote is the best quote, as a cheap policy might end up costly when it comes to a claim. On the other hand, a fully comprehensive cover might also not be the best option, if your car is worth less than your annual premium.

The best car insurance is a policy that is tailored to your specific needs and circumstances, offering you best value for money. Read on for a few things to consider.
The best insurance for your car
The type of insurance you opt for will often depend on the value of your car. If your car is worth less than £1000 then the best car insurance for you would usually be third party, fire and theft cover. This way, if you make a claim, other parties involved will still be compensated. Also, in the event of a fire or theft you will be covered. If your car is only worth £800 then it is not worthwhile paying for fully comprehensive cover every year -the yearly premium for that could be more than your car is worth.

Obviously the decision is up to you, and you may want the extras that come with comprehensive cover.

Drivers and the best car insurance
The more drivers you add to your policy, then the more expensive it will become. But sometimes it's unavoidable and if your additional drivers are experienced, and the car you are sharing is of a high value (i.e. over £5000) then you may wish to take out comprehensive insurance.

If you can avoid adding drivers who will only be using your car infrequently then you will make large savings. Often, it is more economical to take out temporary insurance every once in a while for other drivers, rather than have them included on your policy.
Best insurance for your age
If you are a young driver car insurance companies will penalise you heavily for your inexperience. But, there are ways to keep these costs down. The easiest way is to simply apply for third party cover. If you make a claim because of an accident you will at least know other people involved will be compensated.

It is also likely that your first car will be inexpensive, and so covering the car itself will be less of an issue.

If you are an older driver with an expensive car then you may be best searching for quotes for comprehensive cover. In the event of an accident, damage to your car will be repaired, as well as damage to the other cars involved. Comprehensive cover also includes cover for things you may not have even thought of, such as windscreen damage and personal injury.

Also, if you are experienced and have a clear driving record, with no claims bonus, your premium should be relatively low. This may mean you are able to afford a higher level of cover, such as fully comprehensive. It is worth remembering that individual insurers offer different options on their comprehensive cover. If there is something specific you would like covered, then you should enquire with the insurer you choose after using our comparison service.
Best insurance if you have a no claims bonus (NCB) 
The more no claims bonus you and your additional drivers have, the greater the discount you will get on your car insurance premium. For example, if you have five years no claims bonus then you will get up to a 65% discount off your insurance. The theory behind this is that the fewer claims you have made in the past, the fewer you will make in the future - and this is exactly what insurers are looking for.

The same applies to all three types of insurance cover so that choice doesn't matter when you are considering no claims bonus. However, your additional drivers must be aware that their no claims bonus' won't usually continue to build up whilst they are on someone else's policy.

There are some insurers that specialise in increasing additional drivers' NCB, and while our comparison service won't highlight them, you will be able to ask them individually if you choose their premium.
 








 

Income protection insurance

Income protection insurance can help cover your ability to earn an income


Introduction
Income protection insurance is worth considering for all working people. It can pay a proportion of your salary if you’re temporarily unable to work because of sickness or injury.

The length of time you receive payments depends on the contract term; for example two years, five years, or up to age 60 or 65. It varies depending on the amount of cover you are willing to pay for.

For a young single person with no dependents who doesn’t need to consider the costs that might affect their family should he or she die, income protection (IP) or critical illness insurance could be the most relevant type of life insurance. They are designed for when it’s more important to meet the costs of ‘living’ than ensuring family members receive a payout What type of cover should I get?


There are two types of income protection insurance: indemnity and
agreed value. Indemnity policies can be provided
by superannuation funds and premiums deducted straight from the member account.
Agreed value insurance, the most expensive option, pays out the benefit agreed to reflect your income at the start of
your policy, and is not affected by any fluctuations in income.
Indemnity value policies, which are more common and less expensive, verify your income at the time of making a claim
and may adjust your benefit accordingly. This can be an issue if your salary fluctuates, for example if you have taken maternity leave, worked part time or become unemployed.
Policies provided through superannuation funds are the cheapest option, are indemnity value-based, and offer fewer
features and less flexibility.

There are benefits to all three types of policy. Agreed value, which will cover you regardless of employment status, is particularly useful for self-employed people. For those who have a reliable, regular income, an indemnity policy may suffice. Some superannuation funds offer IP as default cover and automatically accept applications without medical checks - and offer a choice for those who would otherwise not be covered. CHOICE recommends choosing a policy with the right level of cover for your situation – limitations on how, when and for how long you are covered are the last thing you want to be dealing with if you do need to make a claim.
How much do I need?

The amount of income protection insurance you need will be determined by the salary you want to insure. Generally income protection provides cover for about 75% of your salary in the event of illness or injury preventing you from working.

You need to consider what the costs are of meeting a mortgage and other debts; providing for a spouse, children or other dependents; and maintaining your assets and investments. Remember the point of income protection insurance is to provide an income stream if you can no longer work.
What should I pay?

Shop around and compare cover and prices; they can differ greatly. Premiums are set depending on:
Age (premiums may increase or cover decrease as you get older)
Gender
Health and pre-existing conditions
Whether or not you smoke
Occupation (for example, a manual laborer pays different premiums to an office worker)
The time you choose to wait before receiving payment.
Stepped or level?

You can pay for IP in stepped or level premiums.
A stepped premium starts out cheaper, but increases over time.
Level premiums stay constant but will vary depending on age at entry. They start out more expensive, but after 10 to 12 years of cover become the cheaper option. If you plan on sticking with the same provider, a level premium is better in the long term, but if you like to shop around, a stepped premium is wiser.
Tips and traps

This isn’t an exhaustive list, so compare product disclosure statements and consider getting professional financial advice.
When taking out a policy, ask these key questions: what’s covered; what’s not covered; how much will I be paid after a claim; and what will the insurance premiums cost now and later?
Consider getting a policy with index-linked premiums and cover so you know the cover will keep up with inflation.
Consider a non-cancellable policy; otherwise companies may reassess your health or other factors on each renewal, possibly raising your premiums or refusing to continue cover.
Look for a policy with Guaranteed Future Insurability, a benefit that allows you to increase your level of cover without further underwriting. This is important if your circumstances change due to such things as buying a home or having a child.
Offset clauses allow most insurers to reduce payouts if you have other income (for example, sick pay from your employer or Centrelink benefits). Check the relevant section of the policy for details.
With group insurance provided through super: the agreement is between the fund trustee and insurer. Make sure both know who your nominated beneficiaries are.
Check the waiting period (how long before you receive payment, often 30 or 90 days) and the benefit period (for how long payments will be made — typically two years or sometimes until your normally expected retirement age).
Some policies pay out if you’re unable to perform your normal occupation; others only pay if you can’t perform any occupation for which you’re suited by education, training or experience. Look out for policies that pay on if you're unable to perform your own occupation.
Watch those terms

When taking out any insurance policy, you should check carefully the terms and conditions, and also the way the key terms of the policy are defined. As Nick, a farmer from Gloucester, discovered, it can really make a difference when it comes to insurers paying out.

Nick was insured with a large insurer to cover for his income should something happen to him. The policy was fine except for Nick, who’s income derived from working his family farm, had a not so typical income situation, as his income varied depending upon the success of the farm in different years.

When Nick had an incident, the company refused his claim because they had defined his assessable income as being based on his taxable income, but for the year in question, Nick had no taxable income, as he had been legitimately repaid from money he had lent to the family company in previous years.

What Nick couldn’t understand was that there was no mention in the policy of ‘taxable income’ being the basis of assessing the insured’s income.

Nick used an independent claims assessor to help negotiate with the insurer, and was able to reach a compromise. But it's important to read all the terms to make sure you're not caught out at a tough time.

after your death.
What type of cover should I get?

There are two types of income protection insurance: indemnity and
agreed value. Indemnity policies can be provided
by superannuation funds and premiums deducted straight from the member account.
Agreed value insurance, the most expensive option, pays out the benefit agreed to reflect your income at the start of
your policy, and is not affected by any fluctuations in income.
Indemnity value policies, which are more common and less expensive, verify your income at the time of making a claim
and may adjust your benefit accordingly. This can be an issue if your salary fluctuates, for example if you have taken maternity leave, worked part time or become unemployed.
Policies provided through superannuation funds are the cheapest option, are indemnity value-based, and offer fewer
features and less flexibility.

There are benefits to all three types of policy. Agreed value, which will cover you regardless of employment status, is particularly useful for self-employed people. For those who have a reliable, regular income, an indemnity policy may suffice. Some superannuation funds offer IP as default cover and automatically accept applications without medical checks - and offer a choice for those who would otherwise not be covered. CHOICE recommends choosing a policy with the right level of cover for your situation – limitations on how, when and for how long you are covered are the last thing you want to be dealing with if you do need to make a claim.
How much do I need? 
The amount of income protection insurance you need will be determined by the salary you want to insure. Generally income protection provides cover for about 75% of your salary in the event of illness or injury preventing you from working.

You need to consider what the costs are of meeting a mortgage and other debts; providing for a spouse, children or other dependents; and maintaining your assets and investments. Remember the point of income protection insurance is to provide an income stream if you can no longer work.
What should I pay? 
Shop around and compare cover and prices; they can differ greatly. Premiums are set depending on:
Age (premiums may increase or cover decrease as you get older)
Gender
Health and pre-existing conditions
Whether or not you smoke
Occupation (for example, a manual laborer pays different premiums to an office worker)
The time you choose to wait before receiving payment.
Tips and traps 
n’t an exhaustive list, so compare product disclosure statements and consider getting professional financial advice.
When taking out a policy, ask these key questions: what’s covered; what’s not covered; how much will I be paid after a claim; and what will the insurance premiums cost now and later?
Consider getting a policy with index-linked premiums and cover so you know the cover will keep up with inflation.
Consider a non-cancellable policy; otherwise companies may reassess your health or other factors on each renewal, possibly raising your premiums or refusing to continue cover.
Look for a policy with Guaranteed Future Insurability, a benefit that allows you to increase your level of cover without further underwriting. This is important if your circumstances change due to such things as buying a home or having a child.
Offset clauses allow most insurers to reduce payouts if you have other income (for example, sick pay from your employer or Centrelink benefits). Check the relevant section of the policy for details.
With group insurance provided through super: the agreement is between the fund trustee and insurer. Make sure both know who your nominated beneficiaries are.
Check the waiting period (how long before you receive payment, often 30 or 90 days) and the benefit period (for how long payments will be made — typically two years or sometimes until your normally expected retirement age).
Some policies pay out if you’re unable to perform your normal occupation; others only pay if you can’t perform any occupation for which you’re suited by education, training or experience. Look out for policies that pay on if you're unable to perform your own occupation.
 

 

 


 

Cancer Insurance

 Do You Need Insurance Against Cancer

What is Cancer Insurance? 
Cancer insurance is a type of supplemental insurance policy that helps to reduce the cost of cancer treatment. It is not designed to replace a traditional health insurance policy, but to compliment it by covering additional cancer expenses that may not be covered by one's current policy.

To be eligible for cancer insurance, you cannot have a pre-existing cancerous condition. For example, you cannot have been diagnosed with uterine cancer and then apply for a policy. In most cases, people who have previously been diagnosed and treated for cancer are ineligible for coverage, also.

What Does Cancer Insurance Cover? 
Coverage varies based on the provider and policy details, but most plans cover both medical and non-medical expenses. Medical expenses can include co-pays, extended hospital stays, medical tests, procedures like stem cell transplants and other disease specific treatments, and more. Non-medical expenses can include home health care, loss of income benefits, child care expenses, and dietary restriction aids.

Before purchasing a cancer insurance plan, it is important that you understand what is covered in the policy. You should also compare the benefits to your current health insurance plan to see if there is any overlap in coverage. There is no sense in buying a cancer insurance policy if your current policy covers the same events.

Do You Need a Cancer Insurance Plan? 
There is a lot of debate about disease specific health insurance plans, like cancer insurance. Some people firmly support them, while others believe that these are "junk plans" are rarely needed. Here are some points to consider when thinking about buying a cancer insurance plan:
What is your cancer risk? 
Do you have a strong, familial history of cancer? If so, cancer insurance may make sense for you. Those with a strong family history of cancer may want to take a look at their current policy and see how cancer insurance may compliment their current policy.
Before You Buy  
Before you sign your name on the dotted line of cancer insurance policy, shop around. Many plans are available and comparing them is highly recommended. This includes shopping around for other types of plans like disability insurance which may be a better option for you than cancer protection.

  
 

 
 

Choosing Between Universal Life vs. Term Life Insurance

 Choosing between universal life and term life insurance can be one of the most confusing, yet consequential, challenges a person can face during his or her lifetime. The wrong policy might leave a family without the financial benefit it really needs following the death of a loved one or can burden the family with excessive, unnecessary coverage at a hefty cost to their fiscal well-being. It is possible, however, for the consumer to avoid such costly mistakes by doing a little bit of research and planning on his or her own. Only then can a responsible choice be made.

Before a choice is made between universal and term life insurance, the consumer should determine whether or not he or she actually needs life insurance. Basically, if the consumer’s death would cause a financial burden for his or her family, then life insurance is a must. Examples of the types of financial burdens to be concerned about are: funeral costs, college tuition, left-behind credit debts, tax debts and mortgages. Generally, for a single person with no children or dependents, life insurance is completely optional. Once the decision to purchase life insurance has been made, then the consumer must determine which type of policy is the right one for them. A referred, reputable agent can help a potential policyholder wade through the benefits and costs of multiple policy types.

Universal Life Insurance 

A universal life insurance policy, also referred to as a “cash value” policy, is for the consumer whose financial planning considerations extend far into the future. This type of policy, of course, will pay any necessary death benefits, but it also provides the policyholder with an additional financial advantage - a tax-deferred savings account. Although one must generally hold the policy for at least 15 years in order to see any return from the savings account, it does provide the policyholder with a stable long-term investment that can be cashed out or borrowed against, if necessary. Many financial experts recognize the investment benefits of a universal life policy as sound, while others argue that there are better investment options available to the educated consumer.

The coverage amounts provided by a universal life policy remain consistent throughout the years, as do the premium rates. These premium rates tend to be higher than other policies (the agent commissions and fees have much to do with this), but under some plans, the rates drop as the policyholder ages and might even disappear completely. There are no renewals to deal with unless the policy is allowed to lapse.

Term Life Insurance

 A term life insurance policy is one of the most flexible and economical types of life insurance coverage available. This type of policy is for someone who seeks basic coverage for a pre-determined period of time and is not looking to combine this coverage with a savings account - those who choose term coverage often have investments elsewhere. The lack of an accompanying savings account means that the premiums for this type of coverage are relatively low but it also means that there is no return on any of the money paid into the policy over the years.

The premium rates for a term life policy are dependent upon the policy chosen. Policies can usually be purchased for periods of 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years and may be renewable. Apart from the low rates, the variety of term periods available is one of the most attractive aspects of the term life policy and offers a lot of flexibility to the policyholder. For example, if a couple has a child entering college and wants to ensure that his or her tuition will be paid for in case of their deaths; they can purchase a term life policy that would cover that child’s college years. There would be no reason to purchase a lifetime policy for a short-term need. Policyholders can also choose term policies with increasing or decreasing coverage.

One of the disadvantages of a term life policy, however, is the inconsistency of its rates. While the premium rates do start out very low, they usually increase as the policyholder ages. Additionally, if the policyholder wants to renew after the initial term is complete, the fees associated with the renewal (because of age health, etc.) may be prohibitive.

Family Health Insurance

Family health insurance is basically a contract between a family and insurance company. This type of contract will ensure that the insurance company covers all medical expenses of the family in the future. The insurance is normally purchased on an annual basis and usually there is no guarantee offered that the premium would be the same each year or that the policy can be renewed year after year.

Offering Many Benefits

Family health insurance offers multiple benefits to families. It is an affordable option when purchased for the entire family and you will also be able to personalize it according to the needs of the individual family members. When compared to the other types of plans it is generally more affordable and attractive. Here, the idea is to provide a comprehensive plan to the entire family rather than getting separate plans for each member. For this reason, the overall premium cost would be less and that is the most important reason why a lot of families go for it. Another benefit of getting this type of insurance is that it is totally tax deductible and works out to be very cheap in the end.

Deciding what type of family health insurance to get for your family will depend on a number of factors. You will have to take into account the health needs of each member of your family as well as your budget. Basically, there are two broad options available when you get medical care. You can either go for NHS offered medical care or private medical care. While NHS does offer good facilities you may want better services without having to wait too long for it. In such cases, you should look for an insurance plan that will cover your expenses for private medical care.

Research is Important

A very important point to remember when you look for insurance options is that all insurance plans would be different when it comes to premiums and cost covered. For this reason, it would be very important for you to research well before you take any type of plan. A thorough online research about the insurance providers and the type of plans that they offer is necessary. Request for quotes from various companies and compare them to get a good idea about the options that are currently available to you. Although the premium that you would have to pay for it is important, it is even more important to firs think about the individual medical needs of the family members before you take any health plan. Through knowledge and research you would be able to find a family health insurance plan that offers you the best of both.

Disability Insurance

"Disability Insurance protects your greatest asset — your income! It is a crucial part of any financial plan since it helps you pay your bills if you are unable to work due to injury or illness. It is just as important to have as life insurance. Remember to take the longer elimination period and use your emergency fund for short term needs. Consider the To Age 65 benefit period option if you can afford it, but the 5 year plan also provides valuable protection. Don’t forget to check with your employer to make sure they don’t offer a plan to avoid any costly overlaps in coverage."
                                   
                                                          Income to You
 Most people don’t realize that their greatest asset is not their car, home or savings/retirement account. It is their ability to work…to earn an income. Without your income how will you pay your bills and save for the future? Disability Insurance, along with an emergency fund, helps minimize the impact a disability has on you and your family. It provides you important financial benefits at a period when your income is reduced or completely eliminated.

The statistics related to disability and the effect it has on families is devastating. The Senate Finance Committee reports that 70% of people between the ages of 35 and 65 will become disabled for three months or longer and 90% will occur “off the job". In addition 50% of foreclosures and 17% of bankruptcies are due to disability. With 43% of US families spending more than they earn and 72% not having enough savings to meet short term emergencies, the need for disability protection is crucial.



Our website was specifically designed to provide you an informative method to evaluate costs and coverages in an efficient, thorough and private manner. Our disability plans focus on providing the broadest eligibility for all types of professions and avoid add-on coverages which increase the cost and are not a good value.

Be sure to click on the “product information” tab above or call us toll free to learn more about our disability plans. Whether via the Internet, over the phone or in person...we look forward to being of further service.