How Much Does an Average Funeral Cost?

By Michael Testa

This article provides average funeral cost data for American funerals.

The average cost for an American funeral, like other goods and services, has been steadily increasing over the last two decades. Anyone that has seen a late-night television commercial for funeral insurance knows the typical American funeral costs more than $6,000 - but is this an accurate estimate? The short answer is "no."

Unfortunately, this $6,000 estimate is several years old and doesn't take into consideration the additional expenses associated with burial in a cemetery and the purchase of a headstone. Once all funeral-related costs are factored in, the typical traditional funeral service will cost the average family closer to $8,000 - $10,000. But before we discuss specific funeral costs, we need to spend a few minutes discussing how the funeral industry works. This will help us understand where our money goes when planning a funeral.

Average Funeral Costs: How the Funeral Industry Works

Most people planning a funeral use the services of a funeral home. The funeral director is either the owner of a funeral home or, more commonly, an employee of a large corporate-owned chain of funeral homes. In most cases the funeral director's compensation is tied to the profits he generates for the funeral home or the sales commissions he earns by selling related goods and services.

While the funeral director will serve as the family's main service provider when arranging a funeral service, other businesses are involved as well. In addition to the funeral home, most families will need to use the services of a cemetery and a headstone dealer. Often times, the funeral director will coordinate the purchase of goods and services between the family and the cemetery and headstone dealer. While this is certainly convenient for the family, you need to remember that you are really buying things from three separate business entities: the funeral home, the cemetery, and the headstone dealer.

The funeral director's main responsibility is generating profits for the funeral home. Unfortunately, this often means the funeral director's main objective is to increase the amount of money you spend at the funeral home, leaving cemetery and headstone costs as a separate expense for the family. This is why the typical funeral service is publicized as costing $6,000 - because the family often pays about $6,000 to the funeral director. However, the family still has to pay the cemetery for the purchase of a grave spot and the dealer for the price of a headstone. It's these additional goods and services that add another $2,000 to $4,000 to the price of a funeral. Unfortunately, many families do not find this out until after they have signed a contract for the funeral services with the funeral director.

Average Funeral Costs: Three Key Components

Because the typical funeral home charges $6,000 for their services, but the average family often spends closer to $10,000 when all is said and done, it makes sense to break funeral costs into their three main components: what's paid to the funeral home, what's paid to the cemetery, and what's paid to purchase a headstone or grave marker.

First, the funeral home

It's no surprise that most families call a funeral home when someone they love dies. The funeral home dispatches a funeral director to pick up the body and bring it back to the funeral home. The funeral director then schedules a meeting with surviving family members to help them arrange the funeral service.

The family spends approximately $6,000 on goods and services purchased from the funeral home. Here is a price breakdown of some of those typical costs:

* casket - $2,300 * funeral director's basic services fee - $1,500 * embalming and body preparation - $600 * funeral ceremony and viewing - $1,000 * miscellaneous (hearse, death certificates, obituary, etc.) - $600

Next comes the cemetery

The average traditional funeral service is followed by body burial in a cemetery. While most cemeteries used to be owned by non-profit organizations, nowadays many are owned by the same for-profit corporations that own the funeral homes. The average family will spend approximately $2,000 for goods and services at the cemetery. Here is a price breakdown of the typical costs: * grave space - $1,000 * cost to dig the grave ( sometimes called the open/close fee) - $1,000 Many families are surprised to learn that the price they pay for the grave site does not include the cost to dig the hole for burial, but this is how it works. Don't forget about the headstone or grave marker While thetypical family has spent close to $8,000 by now, there are still more costs involved in completing the funeral transaction. If the body is buried in a cemetery you will also need to purchase a headstone or grave marker. The type of stone you are required to buy depends on the section of the cemetery in which the body is buried. A headstone is typically a two-piece granite rock that sits on top of the grave site. It's typically two feet high. A grave marker is typically a flat granite or bronze plaque that lies flat on the ground on top of grave site. Here is a rough approximation as to what you can expect to spend on a headstone:

* Headstone - $2,000 * Grave Marker - $1,000

Again, the funeral home may coordinate the purchase of the cemetery space and headstone on behalf of the family - it just depends on the funeral home. While this can be a great convenience to the family, the price can be higher because the cemetery or headstone dealer will have to pay an additional sales commission to the funeral home.

Average Funeral Costs: Can they be lowered? - YES!

It is fair to say that many families are truly surprised when they add up all the costs associated with a funeral. Fortunately, proper funeral planning can yield considerable savings. I have spent nearly ten years helping families plan more affordable funeral arrangements, and I have found that with a little planning and knowledge, the typical family can realistically reduce their out-of-pocket funeral expenses by $3,000 to $5,000. If you would like to save money the next time you need to make funeral arrangements, you can review a money saving funeral guide.

Michael Testa, CPA, CFP Funeral Expense Expert

http://funeral-tips.com/... the web's most popular site for money-saving funeral tips.

Learn how to reduce and control runaway funeral costs by visiting http://funeral-tips.com/planning-a-funeral-with-the-funeral-savers-kit/.

Auto Insurance Scams

Universal Life Insurance Explained

What Is Indexed Universal Life, and is it good or bad? Bobby Samuelson addresses indexed universal life insurance to give you the tools to determine whether it can work in a bad market environment. Does it work? You decide. An indexed universal life insurance policy issued by an insurance carrier that has a minimum guarantee where crediting of any excess interest is determined by the performance of an external index, such as the Standard and Poor's 500® index. An Indexed Universal Life policy is considered a moderate risk/moderate return insurance product.

Top 6 Cheapest Cars To Insure

Travelers Insurance Dog Commercial (very funny)

We bought the wrong horse! Hilarious insurance commercial...

What is ment by term life insurance?

Chart Of Life Insurance
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_insurance


 

Fundamental Information About Life Insurance - Which is Best? Whole Life or Term Life?

An easy example of which to choose is based on a very hard to answer question. How long do I need the protection? One very basic thing to understand is that life insurance is not an investment, regardless of what an insurance agent tells you. Life insurance is for protection and protection only.

The two primary reasons for the purchase of life insurance is because of love or debt. You either love someone or you owe someone. Whole life is for your whole life. Term insurance is for a "term" period.
Here are some basics of whole life.

Whole life is the right solution if you're looking for permanent life insurance that will produce guaranteed cash value. This product is ideal for an initial life insurance purchase, to cover a child or grandchild or to assist in business situations. The cash value of this policy is accessible when you need it, such as an emergency or an unexpected opportunity.

Whole life provides a guaranteed premium, death benefit and cash value. Your premiums remain the same and are paid until age 90. Many whole life policies also will pay dividends which can be used to reduce premiums or to add to the cash value.

Whole life contracts offer guarantees such as nonforfeiture options.

Nonforfeiture Options

To protect yourself if you are ever unable to pay your policy premiums, you can choose one of our four nonforfeiture options.

o Automatic Premium Loan: Needed money is automatically borrowed from the cash value to pay overdue premiums and interest is charged until the loan is repaid. If this option is not elected, or if the cash value will not cover the premium amount, the nonforfeiture option will default to Extended Term Insurance.

o Extended Term Insurance: This keeps the full death benefit in force by using the cash value of the policy to purchase Extended Term Insurance.

o Paid-Up Insurance: This option will keep some level of protection in force by using the policy's entire cash value to purchase paid-up whole life insurance. The face value of the paid-up insurance will be less than the face amount of the whole life. The paid-up policy remains in force until the insured dies.

o Cash Surrender: The policy can be surrendered for the accumulated cash value. Any outstanding loan balance and accrued loan interest will be deducted from the cash value.

Other contractual benefits available are:

o Waiver of Premium: This provision waives the payment of all premiums that come due during the disability of the insured person. Most policies require a six month waiting period before the benefit begins.

o Indexed Protection Benefit: This benefit allows for an increase in the death benefit, it is generally tied to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

o Additional Purchase Benefit: This benefit guarantees the ability to purchase additional insurance at future dates or events such as marriage or the birth of a child.

Term life insurance can offer benefits as well but they will be limited to a specific period of time. In deciding which policies to purchase consider how long the benefit may be needed to complete the desired need.
Term insurance is for a period of time, whole life insurance is for your whole life.

Bill Broich helps seniors with retirement planning. Visit his website for additional information: Free Annuity Booklet.

A Connecticut DUI Lawyer, Attorney Jay Ruane handles DUI defense cases t...

Term Life Insurance or Whole Life Insurance: Which Should You Opt for and Why?

Term Life Insurance or Whole Life Insurance: Which Should You Opt for and Why?

What is life insurance? What is term life insurance? What is whole life insurance? Which one should I opt for? Which is the better one? These are common questions an amateur investor on the insurance front faces. The key thing to remember is that the purchase of term or whole life insurance not only depends on your individual financial goals but also on the financial wants of your family. In both forms, the policy holder's beneficiaries, i.e. loved ones, get a lump sum payment on the policy holder's death. This payment is called the death benefit. Let us understand each form below:

Term Insurance:

In term insurance, the policy holder's beneficiaries get a substantial payout in the event of the sudden demise of the policyholder, within a stipulated time period. In the event that the policyholder does not die within the given term, then the person does not receive any kind of payment from the insurance company. Hence the premiums for a term insurance are very low while the payouts are quite substantial.

Is Term Insurance for you?

Term life insurance is ideally designed to ensure that people who cannot buy a complete life cover can also avail protection for their loved ones. The low premium ensures that you can afford insurance and hence protect your family in unforeseen circumstances.

If you are in your thirties, have young children and are the sole bread winner, a term plan would be ideal for you to help your family in your absence. You can choose the term to cover the time period till your children start earning and become self-sufficient.

Whole Life Insurance:

Also known as a universal cover, this category is designed to not only pay the policy holder's beneficiaries in the event of his/her death but also to provide a lump sum payment to the policy holder at the maturity of the policy or at the policy holder's retirement. Thus this form of insurance ensures the policyholder with life benefits, peradventure the policyholder does not die till the maturity of the policy.

Should you opt for Whole Life Insurance?

If you have the financial bandwidth, then whole life insurance is the best option for you. Here it not only protects you but also ensures that you build a cash portfolio for your retirement which can aid you in your golden years.

Hence while you stand on the brink of buying life insurance, here are some questions you need to ask yourself so as to make a sound decision of choosing the right policy for yourself.

• Your age
• The age of the loved ones you want to cover
• Family expenses today
• Future family expenses
• Your current health
• Your retirement plans

Author is an Insurance agent with a Leading insurance Company in India.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Ishana_Chaudhary/2306945

Insurance Scams Fail Compilation Insurance Fraud Examples

Sh! Your Insurance Company May Be Spying on You!

Inside story about auto, workers comp and other accident insurance claims

So here's the scoop in regard to your auto, workers comp, disability or any policy that includes accident coverage.

Insurance companies, if you do not realize, are not willing to lose money. In fact, the real agenda behind being in business is to make money in the way of profits. Now, because related studies demonstrate the presence of significant insurance fraud - something that amounts to the tune of about $30 million in losses for the industry that is passed on as well as to the customers - insurance providers in general choose to do as much as legally permissible to thwart false claims related to liability.

To that end, the industry invests quite highly in several means that monitor a claimant's activities so as to verify the accuracy and validity of an injury call. Though the vast majority of those bringing a related claim honestly suffer from the injury that is cited, as a preventive course, anyone is subject to suspect.

After you submit a claim, your insurance company may do one or more of the following:

• Search your social media accounts for any reference to your accident
• Scrutinize your medical records to see if there are any inconsistencies
• Interview witnesses of the accident
• Speak to your employer to hear his take on your work activities and how it relates to your injury
• Hire professional investigators to spy on you and gather any evidence that indicates you are lying

Insurance sources will be on the lookout for any contradictory evidence. For instance, if you say your leg has been broken and investigators check in with your tweet about running in your kids' school-sponsored picnic race that features you winning the gold star after crossing first in the finish line, you will definitely find yourself in real hot water!

Of course, for the honest claimant, there should be nothing to be afraid of in regard to ongoing insurance inquiries. Nonetheless, it's important to go by the guidelines listed below:

1. Be as accurate as you can when describing your injuries in the claim, as well as when you describe them to family or friends
2. Don't post claim info online in full view of public's eye
3. Follow doctor's instructions regarding limited physical activity

For more about auto injury and workers comp claims, contact a qualified and experienced independent insurance agent that deals with many of the leading underwriters in the industry.

Providing all forms of nationwide coverage, including NJ cheap auto, low quote commercial umbrella, Houston, TX property, flood,, NY renters, PA homeowners, bonds, NJ workers comp, life insurance and more, PRIME Insurance can be reached by visiting https://www.primeins.com/ or by emailing PRIME@primeins.com or calling 732-400-5242.

Do you think insurance is really a waste of money in the long run?

The Skinny on Insurance

I wanted to discuss some miscellaneous insurance products. You will find that you have some hidden insurance costs that can be eliminated and put more money in your pocket for your debt reduction.

Insurance attached to purchases

There are insurances offered, at time of purchase, to cover service contracts that are supposed to cover repair costs for phones, appliances, automobiles, etc. First, aim to search your purchase and loan papers to find and cancel the unnecessary coverage you have. One life example I have is of my grandmother, who bought a washer from a major store, and paid for the warrantee for 20 years! She got her service calls "free", but paid for the washer 5 times over! Your second aim should be to habitually refuse buying high-priced gimmick insurance no matter the sales pitch.

Insurance attached to loans

There are a lot of names for this insurance: credit life, credit disability, mortgage life and charge guard. These extended warrantees are attractive because if the manufacture's warrantee expires, this extended warrantee covers your needs for repair. There are limitations, conditions and loopholes in the fine print. It is a potential rip-off. Often, service contracts are prepaid, so the dealer gets your money long before you need the service. You may end up paying 40% more on your automobile! The list of what is NOT covered is long. Check the fine print and see for yourself.

Cancel your extended warranty and get a refund. You can do this by placing your request in writing and include vital information such as the loan number and date purchased. Ask for the refund, or request that one or more payments be knocked off of the end of your loan, equal to the amount of the unused portion.

Flight, accidental death, student accident insurances

Do not waste your money on these offered policies. If you need life insurance, buy term life. It will pay regardless of how you die and dollar for dollar is a much better value.

Flight Insurance pays if you die in a plane crash. Over-priced specialty insurances are a waste of money. If you need life insurance, buy term, it will pay regardless of how you die and dollar for dollar is a much better value.

Free accidental death and dismemberment insurance usually will pay $1,000 or so if you die or are maimed in an accident. Sounds like you have nothing to lose, but by taking this coverage, you are subjecting yourself to endless sales pitches, telemarketing and direct mail to try to sell you increased limits of this worthless coverage.

Student accident policies offered through your child's elementary or secondary school usually runs $30 a year for school hour's coverage and around $150 for coverage around the clock. Specialty coverage like this only pays for certain accidents and is usually a secondary coverage, paying only what your regular health insurance does not. You cannot collect twice for the same malady, so what you are essentially insuring is part of your deductible, a big financial no-no.

Hospital indemnity

Hospital indemnity pays you a set amount per day-usually around $100 if you have to stay in the hospital. Premiums run a few hundred dollars a year. Adequate medical insurance should cover hospital expenses, so you won't need to pay for this as an extra expense.

I hope you will take the strategies for insurance that I have been sharing with you and use them together to create one comprehensive, low-cost insurance plan. A typical family of four can easily pay as much as $6,700 on the myriad of apparently logical insurance options available. By applying the strategies I have shared with you, my typical clients cut their insurance costs to $2,030, giving a savings o If you're like my average client, you could potentially save $4,610 which you could then redirect to your accelerator focus fund.

I strongly challenge you to now apply all of the insurance strategies I have shared with you. Obtain at least 10 quotes from 10 different insurance providers. Move your insurance coverage to whichever "A rated" company offers you the lowest premium. Although this can be a very time consuming process, the savings will be well worth the invested time.

Immediately apply the savings to your accelerator focus fund and power your way to debt and financial freedom!

[http://www.bradgillies.com]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Brad_Gillies/1503883

Insurance For Classic Cars Insurance For Classic Cars Daily Driver

Classic Car Insurance Tips and Tricks from Heacock Insurance Episode 150



Insurance For Classic Cars

Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that explains why it’s important for drivers to compare car insurance prices . For more info, please visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/why-it-is-important-to-compare-auto-insurance-rates/ Car insurance companies use various factors when they calculate the premiums paid by drivers.

 Whether it’s the high price of the new technologies that are incorporated in the new vehicles or the fact that the policyholders moved to a new place, these factors can have an impact on the insurance rates paid by drivers Policyholders are recommended to regularly compare insurance prices and check if their own policy is still competitive Comparing car insurance prices is important for various reasons: It is really fast and easy to compare online car insurance Quote: s Policyholders only need an internet connection and a device like a smartphone, tablet, pc, notebook in order to compare online car insurance prices,

After they fill in some online forms with correct info, drivers will get their Quote: s and they can start comparing them. Before buying coverage or changing the insurance company, drivers should compare auto insurance Quote: s Different insurance providers use different algorithms when they calculate insurance prices.

 Although some insurance companies can offer high premiums for a policy, other providers might offer better deals for the exact same policy Online Quote: s will help drivers who need special coverage, it’s important to compare Quote: s.

 High-risk drivers, vintage and classic cars collectors, or military personnel can find car insurance at specialized non-standard carriers When dealing with this type of insurance providers, it’s vital to compare Quote s

The difference in insurance prices between two specialized carriers can be high Get multiple price estimates on a single search results webpage.

With the help of brokerage websites, drivers can get multiple offers by filling in an online questionnaire only once Policyholders will save time, by avoiding to do a repetitive task of filling in online forms at multiple insurance companies For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance Quote: s, visit https://compare-autoinsuranceorg/

Type Of Classic Car Insurance

When looking for classic car insurance the first thing you should do is research all applicable discounts. The majority of insurance companies offer some type of discount so find out what each agency offers and if you qualify for any of their discounted rates.

Combining two or more insurance policies can net you a significant discount, such as multiple cars or vehicle and homeowners insurance. Customers who give an insurance company more business tend to get additional discounts on their policies.

Be aware that teenage drivers are grouped into the "new driver" category, which is the most expensive in terms of car insurance premiums. Because teenagers have limited driving experience and no safe-driving record, insurance companies will set expensive premiums in order to cover the higher probability of an automobile accident.

According to driving statistics, automobile drivers who are 16 years old are involved in 10 times more accidents in comparison to those who are 30-59 years old.

Regardless, lower car insurance rates can be obtained while attending school. Many drivers with excellent report cards are eligible for student-driver discounts. The majority of insurance agencies consider students with a "B" average to be the lowest-risk student drivers. If your school offers driver's education courses, complete one of the courses and send the results to your insurance company.

Of course, the make of your automobile will also determine the cost of your car insurance. Expensive, flashy cars are more likely to be vandalized or stolen; therefore, insurance for these cars costs more.

The type of automobile as well as the driving profile of the vehicle's owner are also determining factors of the insurance amount. For instance, a Volvo is more likely to be handled and driven responsibly as opposed to a Mustang because of the Volvo's safety status. So if you will soon be purchasing a new car, take a minute to consider the cost to insure it because low-profile automobiles generally have lower-cost insurance premiums.

Do not be afraid to put your teenage driver on your existing car insurance policy. It simply does not make financial sense to buy a totally separate insurance policy to cover your teenage driver if you can put them on your own policy. Doing so will save money and you will probably be able to obtain a multi-policy insurance discount.

Contact your insurance agent for more details.

Always get more than one quote. In order to get the cheapest car insurance policy possible, compare several quotes and inquire about each company's various policy options. Do not forget to take notes.

Most people who search online for information regarding Classic Car Insurance also get cheap car insurance quotes online.

Michiel Van Kets writes articles about unconventional motor insurance such as Classic Car Insurance, which is a marked difference than normal motor insurance. As classic cars are not used as often, mileage is a lot lower and hence the premium. If you own a caravan there is also Caravan Insurance [http://www.caravan-insurance-experts.co.uk/] available, but premiums are different based on the type of caravan you have. This information can be found easily online set up by the best SEO Company UK has to offer.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Michiel_Van_Kets/98977

                                                                           Insurance For Classic Cars                                                        

How Does Pet Insurance Work?

Pet Insurance - How It Works and If It's Worth It

In the modern day, pet owners are infamous for lavishing every comfort and luxury onto their animals. Cats have veritable palaces made of scratching posts, and dogs often have toy boxes overflowing in ways that would make a child jealous. It's no wonder pets occupy so much time and space in their owner's lives; they're basically family the moment they come home with you. You fondly remember your childhood dog or cat and fondly look forward to the next decade or two that your furry friend has with you. So, consider the same protections you'd get for anyone else in your family, and spend a little on pet insurance.

If you, like most people, are unfamiliar with pet insurance, it's simpler to describe it as pet health insurance. Most pet insurance policies are primarily for your pet's veterinary visit costs and other medical necessities, like prescription medications. Usually pet insurance is a monthly payment, much like a health or car insurance policy, and comes with a per-year or per-instance deductible. Your pet's visits to the vets may come with co-pays and exchanges of policy information much like any of your own visits to your doctor. This may also lighten the cost of your pet's regular vaccinations.

Now that you know what it is, the question is if it's worth it. While there's numerous types of pet insurance plans for every lifestyle, you should evaluate your own habits with your pet before choosing whether to commit. Keep in mind that even pet medical bills are very expensive.

Treatments for life-threatening conditions like cancer can cost several thousand dollars. Chronic conditions can be just as costly, when your pet requires constant and repeated treatment that racks up in price. Those with more money are more likely to be able to cover medical costs of their pets without assistance, but those with less are much more likely to have to make tough economic decisions about their pet's health and wellbeing.

The purpose of insurance is paying in preparation for the worst you hope never comes. The actual cost-benefit varies according to what sort of policy you invest in, but in general, they're designed to offset the heavy costs of accident and illness.

Take it to account your lifestyle and the type of activities you and your pet partake in. If you have an outdoor cat, remember that the large swaths of time it spends wandering about have their own dangers. Dogs, whether you're an urban dog walker or trail hiker, are exposed to just as many dangers. While this isn't supposed to invoke paranoia, dogs and cats are notoriously good at getting into things they shouldn't, and leaving you to clean up the mess-including their forays into tasting chocolate or other toxic food. Emergency medical treatment from this has a higher price tag than the average veterinarian visit and can easily clear out savings to save your dog or cat's life.

Before you buy anything, read your prospective policy very carefully and multiple times. Get someone to go over the exact wording of clauses, stipulations, and other terms of the policy. You need to be incredibly familiar with what is claimable for your pet's health under the policy, and make sure to compare heavily between companies. Don't assume that certain qualities are universal between two policies.

When the unfortunate time comes to make a claim for your pet's wellbeing, you need to be sure that you can get the coverage your pet deserves. Ask for specifics on what constitutes things like preexisting conditions, congenital conditions, or developmental conditions. These are often used as reasons for denial of coverage. Note specifically how much you pay in your monthly fee, and how your premium will progress.

An alternative to contractual pet insurance is self-insuring. Set up a specific savings account with the sole purpose of pooling money for eventual pet healthcare. This way you can keep an eye on the exact amount of money you have available for emergencies, and something to pull from for regular check-ups and vaccinations on your pet. This does require discipline and time, so it's not particularly helpful if your pet immediately needs extensive healthcare after you've just brought them home. It helps to start your savings with a larger deposit at first, and do smaller weekly or monthly incremental deposits to build up to it.

Pet insurance is a potential tool to help keep your furry friend healthy, happy, and in your life for years to come. It's a solution for when your pet is ailing and you aren't equipped monetarily to help them, but also provides a soundness of mind. If you do decide to invest in pet insurance, it's better to do it sooner rather than later. Choose the plan-or not-that best fits your pet's needs and your own budget.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jayson_Goetz/2452122

Umbrella Insurance Policies

Umbrella Insurance Policies and Why You Need Them
By Lance Winslow

If you are like me then you have lots of various insurance policies. Some are required by banks or lending institutions, others provide peace of mind from your worst fears. Unfortunately, even with all the coverage for all these various things, sometimes it is just not enough. This is why you need to discuss and umbrella insurance policy with your insurance agent, broker or independent insurance agent.

If you own a small business then you really need to consider an umbrella insurance policy and it might even save you money on your over all insurance costs. Indeed, it could even be a life saver in the event of some catastrophic event resulting in a huge lawsuit which might threaten to bankrupt your company and your family. These types of things can be prevented with proper insurance, no sense in becoming a statistic or a reason for someone else to get the type of insurance you should have gotten.

To help you examine all your various types of insurance policies you need to get an expert to look them over and audit what you currently have. Perhaps you might even end up making changes. Umbrella insurance policies can fill in any gaps and protect your assets and/or your small business. Sometimes an extra 1 million dollar umbrella policy is a lot cheaper than you think. It was for me and my business. Ask an expert insurance person about this, I did.

I certainly hope this article is of interest and that is has propelled thought. The goal is simple; to help you in your quest to be the best in 2007. I thank you for reading my many articles on diverse subjects, which interest you.

"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is a guest writer for Our Spokane Magazine in Spokane, Washington

Car Insurance

How To Save Money On Your Car Insurance.
by T. O' Donnell

Tip 1: Give the car insurance company all details that they require. Details regarding your annual mileage, your car's safety features and installed equipment, zip code, marital status and your driving record would be needed to ascertain all the discounts you may qualify for. This will help the company give you the best quote possible. In the absence of these details, the insurance company will quote their highest price. This is just to cover themselves, so you can't wave it in their face later, if it turns out you're not an optimum risk.


Tip 2: To cover your car according to your needs, you may get insurance quotes that could vary up to 300%, meaning if one company quotes £1000, another may quote £3000 for the same car and the same coverage. Just by comparing quotes from various companies, you could end up saving hundreds of bucks annually. Even your old car insurance company may be offering lower rates to new customers. You can negotiate the same deal for yourself.

Tip 3: If there's anyway to reduce your annual mileage, do it. Most companies have discounts for cars that do less than 40 miles a day on an average. Travelling by train or flying for vacations can also help reduce miles on your car. This will cut a lot of precious dollars off your insurance quote.

Tip 4: Switching drivers could be a good option. A few more quid could be shaved off the insurance quote, if a female driver drives a truck or a male driver drives a minivan. Teenage drivers need to be insured on a family car or a sedan instead of a sports car. Ultimately the insurance company looks at the risk of covering your car. The lesser the risk, the lesser is the car insurance quote.

Tip 5: Bump up your 'excess'. In the UK you are at liberty to increase the amount you'll pay in the event of a claim, before the insurance company stumps up. If the minimum they ask for is £100, but you volunteer £500, your premiums can be lower.

Tip 6: Get 'third party fire and theft' on older cars. Old Bessy is not worth getting 'fully comp' on. Three years of fully comprehensive may be worth more than the car itself!

Tip 7: Buy a mediocre car. A smart car is a thief magnet, and is usually more powerful. Drivers are likely to drive more recklessly in a sports car. Some are expensive to repair. These factors cause the premium to be higher.



Do your research before you buy. Before you buy a new or used car, check into insurance costs. Premiums are based in part on the car's price, repair costs, its overall safety record, and the likelihood of it being stolen. T. O' Donnell http://www.ttinsurance.co.uk/ is a licenced credit broker based in London, UK.



Car Insurance

DJ Insurance

DJ Insurance

Insurance For DJs
By Ray Mardo

Insurance is a very important consideration for the mobile DJ entertainer. There are many companies that provide DJ insurance and they should be compared carefully before the DJ chooses an insuance provider.

DJing has become much more of a respected job in the last few years, and since mobile DJs have to transport their equipment by vehicle, most car insurance providers have now started providing DJs with liability insurance.

Cost of the premium for the DJ insurance should not serve as the chief purchasing decision. Rather, the effectiveness of the policy should outweigh all other factors in the decision making process. You get what you pay for.

The saying with insurance is, "It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it." How true.

You do not want to be stuck without DJ insurance. As a DJ, you are a subcontractor, and though you will be setting up equipment on outside grounds, you will not be covered under the insurance policy of the catering halls or restaurants you provide services in. You have to protect your neck.

You will need your own DJ insurance policy, and now is the time to start pricing one. It is a simple matter of visiting the websites of several insurance carriers and filling out many of their quotes online. You are not commited to purchasing, and you will find the best plans and rates. You should go to the websites of many of the car insurance providers and fill out their DJ insurance forms online. If they're not readily available, email your request.

Let the DJ insurance companies fight for your business. By filling out the forms online, you will not even have to leave your house, and you will be protecting your future. The last thing you want is a lawsuit because some drunk party guest tripped near your speaker. Without insurance, you can be help personally responsible.

Whether you plan on starting your career as a mobile DJ tomorrow or a year from now, the time to find the right DJ insurance policy is now. It's more important than any of the DJ equipment you will use.

Do not proceed any further in your DJ career until you've filled out at least three insurance quotes. It will be the wisest move you make in your DJ career. I guarantee it.

Fill those quotes out now.

Ray Mardo serves as a consultant and training director for the top DJ entertainment companies on the East Coast. He is the author of the best selling DJ training course "Making Money As A Mobile Entertainer." Ray is semiretired from DJing and is enjoying a career online and as a filmmaker/writer. More info on DJ insurance can be accessed at http://www.raymardo.com/dj-insurance.html

DJ Insurance

Auto Insurance

Auto Insurance

The Best Way To Get Auto Insurance - Online Of Course!

By Tim Gorman

Looking online for auto insurance has become a notable method of pinpointing the best automobile insurance to suit anyone’s needs. Every year, multiple thousands of drivers consult the web to determine what their coverage will cost them. The next time your auto insurance bill makes its appearance, reflect on whether or not you are receiving the most reasonable interest rates available. You may be shocked to discover that you are not. To be informed about this, just consult with the online community to have your questions answered. So what’s the advantage of going online to procure your auto insurance? The primary reasons for taking this action are to save time as well as save money.

Often, numerous insurers will offer to provide a free, online quote of how they can specifically fill your insurance needs. You can designate and select your own coverage requirements. Try this exercise: diminish then increase the deductible, and see what the insurance will cost. Raise then lower the amounts of coverage they are offering and decide if this might be one of the better ways to go. Furthermore, consider the online quotes that you obtain from such insurance companies and weigh them against the quotes that are available from other auto insurers. Such a practice is the most desirable way to discover exactly what you will have to pay for auto insurance as well as to figure out which of the auto insurance carriers will specifically provide you with the very bottommost of rates.

Automobile insurance is an expense that you cannot avoid. In most locations, it is mandatory by law to obtain auto insurance coverage. Therefore, for many people, discerning the most budget-wise affordability is the best path to pursue. This is why using online services is the most practical method of putting to rest your auto insurance quandary. Such online insurance companies provide reliability and protection equal to that offered by any others and they provide it for considerably less cost. Furthermore, an additional benefit of online insurance companies rests in the fact that the insurance they offer can also be managed directly on the web. Collectively, every one of these points converge to assure the consumer that dealing with online insurance is a much more desirable practice.

For a free money saving auto insurance quote try visiting Free-Money-Saving-Insurance-Quotes.info a website that specializes in providing tips, advice and insurance resources along with free insurance quotes that will save you money on your car insurance, house insurance, life insurance and health insurance.

Auto Insurance

Insurance Rates

Insurance Rates

Are Your Insurance Rates Higher Because of Your Credit Scores?

By Stephen Snyder

You've probably heard that insurance companies use credit scores to determine whether to even accept you, and if they do accept you, to determine what you'll pay for your premium.

Well, that's almost right.

Insurance companies don't use FICO credit scores. Insurance companies often use credit-based, "insurance scores," to determine if you are eligible for auto or homeowner's insurance, and how much you'll pay.

The scores that insurance companies use are a little different than the scores the lenders use. However, they are similar in that they look at a lot of the same information as the credit scores used to qualify you for a mortgage or credit card.

Just like a credit score, information from your credit reports is summarized into what's called an insurance credit score. Insurance companies use the insurance credit score to draw their own conclusions about you. Regardless of these small differences, your credit score is generally going to be a good indicator of your insurance score.

Each state has its own unique take on insurance scoring. Some states allow insurance companies to use insurance scores to make a decision to grant insurance coverage or not. Other states prohibit it. Still, most states allow some version of a credit score to determine your insurance premium.

To a lot of people, allowing insurance companies to use credit information seems unfair.

For example, a bankrupt person with a stellar driving record could see their insurance rates go up drastically just because the bankruptcy appears on their credit reports and lowers their credit scores and insurance credit scores.

So what's the difference between the scores lenders use and the scores insurance companies use?

Insurance companies do not depend on scores to predict whether or not you'll make your insurance payments on time (like a lender does). They are more interested in whether or not you will be a profitable insurance customer.

And what makes you a profitable insurance customer? You're profitable by paying your premiums and not filing any claims.

You can also be a profitable insurance customer by paying your premiums and not filing any large dollar claims. And that's exactly what they use insurance credit scores to predict.

Lender credit scores are designed to predict whether or not a late payment incident will occur. Insurance credit scores are designed to predict whether or not you will be a profitable customer.

Clear as mud, right?

The bottom line is that the insurance companies say they have been able to prove, time and time again, that there is a strong statistical relationship between your credit management and your likelihood of filing insurance claims.

In addition, insurance companies claim to be able to show that consumers who have lower insurance credit scores cost them more in claims than consumers who have higher insurance credit scores.

What they haven't been able to prove is why there is a connection between credit scores and increased incidences of claims. This is where much of the controversy stems from.

Regardless, insurance companies have a right to use credit information to evaluate your application for insurance. It's called a permissible purpose and it's clearly spelled out in Section 604 of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. It's the law.

Stephen Snyder is the founder of the After Bankruptcy Foundation a non-profit organization that provides free bankruptcy information and recovery steps. Stephen also writes a free weekly newsletter on bankruptcy recovery.

Insurance Rates

life insurance

life insurance

The importance of life insurance

by SAM LOWE


Life insurance may sound like something you only have to think about when you get older, but there are a variety of benefits to buying life insurance early on in your working career.

Even if you don't have a family that is dependent on you, or if you feel that your employer's life insurance policy is adequate for your needs, there are many reasons why you should consider taking out your own life insurance policy.

If your employer provides you with a life insurance policy, you shouldn’t necessarily rely on it. While many companies may offer life insurance as one of the key benefits of a job, the figure often doesn't cover enough to be of adequate benefit to your family - especially in the event of your death.

For instance, many firms may offer life insurance that is one or two times the amount of your annual salary; but most financial planners will recommend replacing that with life insurance that covers up to 10 times your annual salary.

Furthermore, it is always important for consumers to be aware of types of life insurance they can choose from: essentially, there are two types of life insurance: term insurance or investment type insurance.

Term insurance will provide benefits to your family or your dependents if you die during the proposed period covered by your policy. Investment-type life insurance, also known as, "permanent insurance", will include endowment policies and "whole of life" policies.

This type of life insurance remains in effect for as long as you continue to pay your premium. Essentially, part of this premium will go to an investment account; so, as well as paying out in the event of your death, it will build up in investment value - which you can actually cash in before you die.

This is a great reason to invest in life insurance when you're younger - the earlier you buy, the higher the investment value that will accumulate during your lifetime, and the more you may be able to reclaim when you're older.

Perhaps the most crucial piece of information to keep in mind during your search for life insurance, however, is the importance of shopping around.

It is vital to ensure that the insurance you eventually invest in is the most suitable for your particular needs; so, as well as thinking about how much you can afford to pay, it is essential to think about what you actually need from life insurance cover.

There are many consumer life insurance comparison sites that exist on the web which provide this valuable service.

By utilising such services, as well as vital sources of information like the FSA Check Firm Service and the Citizens Advice Bureau, you will be armed with a hefty arsenal of consumer information so you can reach the right decision when it comes to buying life insurance.

life insurance

Emergency Assistance Industry

by BRONWEN ELISABETH ROBERTS

If you’ve ever needed roadside assistance in South Africa, chances are you’ve come away from the experience disappointed.
It’s not like the towing services aren’t out there - just look around and you’ll see them all over the place: Sitting under a tree, parked at a busy intersection, just waiting for you to have an accident.

Sadly however, when your car breaks down and you urgently need help, they all seem to have disappeared. Call any of the assistance services that seem to come free with everything these days (and of course are not free at all), and you will find that delays of an hour plus are quite common. Would you believe that even the occasional 24-hour delay is not unheard of.

Picture the scene: You’re standing next to the road worried about your car, or your family’s safety, or your next appointment, and the operator’s saying “Don’t worry sir, our service provider will be there tomorrow!”

In fact if your car broke down it would probably be better if you drove into a ditch just before you came to a standstill – as ridiculous as that may sound you would have several tow truck operators all over you like a rash before you could reach for your phone!

Over 40 million people in South Africa have to deal with emergencies on a daily basis, whether it is medical, home-related, motor-related, mental trauma or pertaining to various legal issues. Most of them do not always know where to turn to for help, or how to handle basic health issues and personal trauma. There is no doubt that the assistance industry deserves to change.

The motoring public are still not exactly spoilt for choice; apart from the AA and a few lesser known groups such as McCarthy Club there is not much else. Apart from the AA, other reputable assistance companies like Europ Assistance concentrate on corporate assistance. However, the level of crime on the roads keeps increasing so we need better roadside assistance, more reliable response times and most of all accountability.

Roadside Assistance: Where it all began

According to the AA the first motoring organisation was the Automobile Club of SA, formed in Cape Town in 1901. This body began to lobby for improved roads and amenities for cars. The effect was a mere ripple in the pond for the motoring numbers grew slowly. The Anglo Boer War ended in 1902, the first car in Johannesburg was registered in 1904, the first American imports arrived in 1906, and the first motor show was held in 1908. The local motor assembly commenced in 1923. In January of 1930 the Federation of Clubs was liquidated and reconstituted as the Automobile Association of SA.

Roadside Assistance: The situation at present

There are many examples of corporate assistance schemes, including those offered on a compulsory basis by several motor manufacturers and insurance companies. If your vehicle is covered by an assistance product from the manufacturer (while under warranty) and/or your insurance company, an AA membership is sometimes considered necessary.

But, it is an accepted fact that owners of (especially new) vehicles may now be covered many times over by various different assistance schemes, with the result that an AA member could also be a member of BMW-on-Call, or Delta Assist, or Santam Assist.

While this holds true, it is also a fact that the average age of the over 6 million vehicles in South Africa today is approximately 13 years (as reported by the RMI). Most of these are no longer under warranty and many of them are not even insured, so does that imply that they do not need access to a reliable assistance service? Obviously not – in fact the most vulnerable of individuals may own vehicles that fall into this category, including students and the aged.

While price is a factor, clearly service levels are even more important. Moreover, what makes the assistance industry so different that guarantees of some kind are not in order! Surely, services that are promised should be backed up – at least to the extent that there is an offer on the table to repay the member should the service not be satisfactory.

40/FLAT™ Assistance sets new standards in Roadside Assistance, utilising its extensive Service Provider network to respond to emergencies within 40 minutes FLAT (80 minutes in outlying areas). In addition it facilitates access to other emergency services, such as emergency medical and legal assistance.

Emergency Assistance Industry