Protect Your Belongings

Posted by Stephen Mills; Group1a

Renters Insurance

As college students a large number of us either currently live in an off-campus apartment or will soon after graduation. In either case we must consider whether to get renters insurance or not. Many students on campus live in an apartment and opted not to get insurance. At this time it may be convenient not to insure your apartment, maybe you will be studying abroad in an upcoming semester or just flat out can’t afford it.

Renters insurance is convenient for someone who will be renting an apartment or condo because while the building itself is covered under the landlords insurance plan, your personal items are not as fortunate. This is where renters insurance (also known as tenant’s insurance policy) comes in handy. This type of insurance will provide you with piece of mind knowing that your personal items will be fully insured under a number of different circumstances including: fire, smoke, vandalism, theft along with a number of other common loss types. Some renters insurance policies even covers expenses brought on from legal issues in situations that involve you having to appear in court.

The nice part about this type of insurance is that its not expensive, relative to say car insurance or life insurance. Some policies start as low as $12/month and have reasonable deductibles. Along with low deductibles there are several factors that can help keep your monthly price low such as installing fire detectors, burglar alarms and even by having fire extinguishers readily available.

Overall renters insurance is an easy and relatively inexpensive way to protect your belongings incase of emergencies.

Sources:
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How to file an insurance claim

By Jen Lynch

THINGS TO KNOW AND WHAT TO DO, BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS TO YOU

• Know what your policies cover. Make sure you understand the coverages and exclusions in your insurance policies because they can differ from those of your friends.

• Talk to your insurance company BEFORE you talk to a lawyer. Lawyers come with extra fees and the majority of claims are settled without legal representation. Remember that when you hire a lawyer, you lose your ability to represent yourself with the insurance company.

• Get more than one estimate. If your vehicle or home is damaged, it's smart to get two opinions before you submit the amount to your insurance company.

• Document Everything! Keeping records of all financial expenses, legal documents, police reports and any other information relevant to the accident, is vital for successful reimbursement. *Remember to make copies of everything you send to the insurance company.*

AUTO INSURANCE CLAIM: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW

1. If your policy has a deductible, know the amount you've agreed to pay out of pocket. 
2. If your state has a no-fault policy, and how this affects your insurance coverage. 
3. The amount of liability insurance you have, in case you cause damage to other parties.
   
4. Prepare for the other insurance company to call you. Make sure you get the name of the agent, and that you make record of everything you say.

WHAT TO DO AT THE SCENE

1. Get help for any injured parties, and have someone call 911 immediately. Only move injured people if it is absolutely necessary, and do not administer aid unless you are certified to do so.
2. Be cooperative with the police, and ask how to get a copy of the police report- which may be necessary to support your insurance claim. 
3. Be careful not to directly admit guilt. Remember, anything you say can be used in court.
4. Make sure your vehicle is safe from further damage, call AAA or a tow truck to have your vehicle transported. 
5. Do not order repair work yet, your insurance company may want to inspect your vehicle and appraise the damage. 
   

*TIP*

Make sure to carry a pad and pen to take down necessary information such as drivers involved in the accident, police information, vehicle information, and injuries. If you have a camera or cell phone, take pictures of the scene and the damage.

HOME INSURANCE CLAIM: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW NOW

1. The liability coverage within your homeowner's policy. Ask your insurance agent if you do not know!
2. The amount of medical payment coverage within your homeowner's policy. This is important if someone else gets injured in your home.
3. If your home is insured for at least 80% of it's replacement value, because less than 80% coverage may not cover expenses for partial damage to your home.
4. If your belongings are insured for replacement cost or actual cash value. Replacement Cost would reward you with more compensation, but it usually requires an additional premium. Most insurance policies insure for Actual Cash Value, so check if the premium would be a better option for you.

FILING YOUR HOME INSURANCE CLAIM

1. In the case of burglary or theft, call the police immediately to begin documentation of the crime. Keep a record of the police report in case your insurance company requests it. 
2. Insurance companies place a time limit on claims, so you MUST call your insurance company IMMEDIATELY. 
3. Find out how long it will take for your claim to be processed, if you need to get any estimates for damages, and if your claim amounts to more than your deductible, so you can plan for how much you will have to pay out of pocket.
4. Make a list of all damaged or lost belongings. 
5. Save ALL receipts for temporary repairs to your home and additional living expenses (if you can't stay in your home) and submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.

Insurance Information Institute Tips
MSN Tips Article

About.com Tips

Eckert Insurance Tips

Car Insurance Help

Posted by: Allison Franklin

Car insurance is required by most every state as it is so important and can protect so many in the event of an accident. Today, there are so many companies and so many different plans that it is easy to get confused. It is important to know the basics, which is why I am going to discuss some common mistakes that people make when it comes to buying car insurance. First of all, many people believe that insuring the car is enough. However, this is not the case as all passengers need to be insured as well. If an insured driver and an uninsured passenger get in an accident, the driver will be insured and the passenger will not. It is important to list the people you usually drive with on your insurance policy. Secondly, it is important to watch the deductibles that go along with the insurance policy. Some insurance policies will have very low deductibles, but high premiums. Some policies will have high deductibles, and low premiums. Neither case is bad; it just depends on the individual’s financial situation and overall driving risk. If the person is a careful driver and is at a low risk for an accident, than the low premiums and high deductible might be their best option. It is also important to shop around and look at all of the different insurance carriers around. It is important that people are always looking around and not just at the times when their policy expires as policies are always changing and being updated. Seeing new policies can help people save money as they can find a new policy that is better suited for them.

Sources:

1) http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-ap-insurance-mistakes-glance,0,3417596.story

2)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Car_insurance

3) http://www.iii.org/individuals/auto/

Home Warranty

Posted by: Stephen Mills; Group1a

Most homeowners have never used a home warranty. In fact, some have never even heard of these policies, which are designed to cover the kinds of mechanical breakdowns that regular home insurance doesn't: clogged pipes, furnace failures, appliances that go on the blink.

The popularity of these policies, though, seems to be on the rise, especially as home sales slow and buyers need additional inducements to make an offer.

These home warranties, which are designed to cover existing or "pre-owned" homes, are different from the builder's warranties that typically come with a new house. In California, the policies are ubiquitous: Nine out of 10 existing homes in the Golden State are sold with a one-year warranty, according to the Home Warranty Association of California, compared with estimates of less than one in five nationally. Warranties in California are typically purchased by home sellers or their real estate agents to avoid lawsuits if something breaks in the first year. The policies also can give peace of mind to buyers who otherwise

Written By Liz Pulliam Weston

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A Valentine Link From Gagay

Got this tag from Gagay of Walkingnewspaper. You can copy and paste this tag to spread love all over the world.



= Start Copy Here =

VALENTINE LINKY LOVE
SPREADING LOVE ALL OVER THE WORLD

‘For God so loVed the world,
That He gAve
His onLy
BegottEn
SoN
That whosoever
Believeth In Him
Should Not perish,
But have Everlasting life.’John 3:16

Master List: 1. Pinay Mommy Online 2. Small and Simple Things 3. Heartnet02 4. Aha Mama! 5. A Simple Life 6. walkingnewspaper 7.K.I.S.S.- Keep It Short and Simple 8. Your Name

Rules:
1. Post this tag in your blog if you believe in the message. Please don’t forget to copy from = Start Copy Here = to = End Copy Here =. If you want, please include your own thoughts about LOVE.
2. Tag as many friends as you want to help spread the message to the world.
3. Comment with the link of your post here so that you will be included in the master list.
4. Don’t forget to come back to the master post once in awhile to check and update your own blog’s master list.
5. Please don’t delete this tag or out no follow tags. Let’s spread love and so as linky loves. Thanks!

= End Copy Here =

I am tagging Ester (Tey), Bingkee, Pia, Chubskulit, Joops, Shawie, Guardian Angel, Amrita, Terry, Ria Stevenson, Caca and Wendy

Tags: Valentine, Link, Tag, Friends, World

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla

Cell phone laws can lower your car insurance

Posted by: Jen Lynch

By News Channel 5

Everyone knows that traffic tickets can lead to higher auto insurance rates. But did you know that driving while talking on a cell phone is now a ticketable offense in many states? Taking the time to understand new cell phone laws can help you save money on your car insurance in 2009.

If you're ticketed for cell phone use while driving, chances are your car insurance rates will increase. If you're tagged for another violation along with it, like speeding, your driving record could catch a double whammy. Too many tickets on your driving record will increase your car insurance rates and may result in your auto insurance company non-renewing your policy.

Click here to read more

Standard Homeowners Insurance

posted by Jenny Sutton



A standard homeowners insurance policy includes four essential types of coverage. They include:
1.) Coverage for the structure of your home.
2.) Coverage for your personal belongings.
3.) Liability protection.
4.) Additional living expenses in the event you are temporarily unable to live in your home because of a fire or other insured disaster.

1. The Structure of your House:
This part of your policy pays to repair or rebuild your home if it is damaged or destroyed by fire, hurricane, hail, lightning or other disaster listed in your policy. It will not pay for damage caused by a flood, earthquake or routine wear and tear. When purchasing coverage for the structure of your home, it is important to buy enough to rebuild your home.

2. Your Personal Belongings:
Your furniture, clothes, sports equipment and other personal items are covered if they are stolen or destroyed by fire, hurricane or other insured disaster. Most companies provide coverage for 50% to 70% of the amount of insurance you have on the structure of your home. So if you have $100,000 worth of insurance on the structure of your home, you would have between $50,000 to $70,000 worth of coverage for your belongings. The best way to determine if this is enough coverage is to conduct a home inventory.

3. Liability protection:
Liability covers you against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that you or family members cause to other people. It also pays for damage caused by your pets. So, if your son, daughter or dog accidentally ruins your neighbor’s expensive rug, you are covered. However, if they destroy your rug, you are not covered.

4. Additional living expenses:
This pays the additional costs of living away from home if you can't live there due to damage from a fire, storm or other insured disaster. It covers hotel bills, restaurant meals and other living expenses incurred while your home is being rebuilt. Coverage for additional living expenses differs from company to company. Many policies provide coverage for about 20% of the insurance on your house. You can increase this coverage, however, for an additional premium. Some companies sell a policy that provides an unlimited amount of loss-of-use coverage, but for a limited amount of time.

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The worst kind of wake-up call

Posted by Pin-Yu Liao

You don't need to be in the path of a Category 5 hurricane to put yourself on alert. Do a homeowners insurance audit annually -- actually, how about right now?
Grab your policy from the back of that drawer. Now's the time to find any coverage gaps -- not after disaster unfolds.

Home grown?
Have you made improvements to your home -- added a deck lately or sunk a living room? If you've kept mum to save on premiums, that dream master bath won't be covered. Check your policy's limits on any new stuff (electronics, appliances, furniture, jewelry), and ask about riders if you're over the caps.
Also, make sure your policy pays the full replacement cost, not actual cash value (ACV). If something is damaged or stolen, ACV covers only the depreciated value -- what it was worth when it was lost.

Click to read.

Children's Health Insurance

By Pin-Yu Liao

President Obama signed the bill that the expenditure of 32.8 billion will sponsor the children’s health insurance programs to assist uninsured 4 million kids starting next week. President Obama asserted regarding the health insurance plan, "a down payment on my commitment to ensure that every American has access to quality, affordable health care." Lawmakers generated their bill expenditure by increasing the federal tobacco tax. However, some argue that the rising cost of federal tax will make life harder for the poor. The program targets the families who can’t afford to buy private insurance and the rich people who encounter difficulties to apply for Medicaid. All the Democratic lawmakers on the Senate Finance Committee voted for the bill
The progress has been made that there are more than 7 million children who are covered with this program in the year 2008. There are many Republicans who did not support the plan, while the Democrats were advocates. Republican Senator Charles Grassley of Iowa disapproved the idea of covering the children of legal immigrants who only stay in the U.S less than 5 years through Medicaid and SCHIP. The contract that the legal immigrants can’t benefit from the national welfare for the first five years in the country has been made.

Sources:
http://www.foxnews.com/wires/2009Jan30/0,4670,ChildrenapossHealth,00.html
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2009-02-04-house-children-health_N.htm
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2009/01/16/childrens_health_insurance_bill_advances/

5 Musts When Buying Term Insurance

By Shu Zheng
(Newsday)Here is what you need to know when shopping for term life insurance online:

1. Types of comparison sites. Comparison sites break down into two broad categories: those that will give you an instant quote online and those that take your information and pass it along to brokers who then contact you. Most are lead-generation sites for brokers.

When you begin entering information on a site, however, you often cannot readily tell which type of site it is until you get to the end. That's when you either get a price quote or get a message that a broker will contact you.

Examples of instant quote sites include AccuQuote.com, Insure.com, SelectQuote.com, EFinancial.com and IntelliQuote.com. "A lot of people are shopping on price nowadays," said Amy Danise, editor of Insure.com.

Click to read more

8 Things You Should Know About Auto Insurance

Posted by: Yi Xin Jin (Lily)

How Knowing More Can Help You
Trying to understand auto insurance can be as tricky and confusing as trying to untie the Gordian knot. (We hear the knotty Gordian problem can be solved with a sword.) However, some "insider" knowledge can help you understand your options and what you can do to save money and get the most out of your auto insurance.

1) Some of the most helpful coverages are the cheapest.Auto insurance may be expensive, but if you're already spending a lot, shouldn't you get a lot? Optional coverages such as gap coverage, roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage, and comprehensive coverage can provide a lot of protection for a little price increase. Comprehensive coverage is usually the most expensive of these coverages, but is still usually about half the price of collision coverage and a third the price of liability coverage.

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Small Car Safety Improves

by Peter Valdes-Dapena
posted by: Thomas Gillick

In the latest round of Insurance Institute crash tests, none of the small cars they tested earned top marks, but some still did well.

In its latest round of small-car crash-tests, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety ran eight models through a battery of trials.

They were plowed into a barrier and smashed from the side by a 3,300 pound sled, and a front seat from each model was separately hit to see how well it would protect occupants in the event of a rear-end hit in city driving.

Click to read more

Disruptive Innovation, Applied to Health Care

Posted by Lauren Cappelli

By JANET RAE-DUPREE
Published: January 31, 2009

THE health care system in America is on life support. It costs too much and saps economic vitality, achieves far too little return on investment and isn’t distributed equitably. As the Obama administration tries to diagnose and treat what ails the system, however, reformers shouldn’t be worried only about how to pay for it.

Instead, the country needs to innovate its way toward a new health care business model — one that reduces costs yet improves both quality and accessibility.

Two main causes of the system’s ills are century-old business models, for the general hospital and the physician’s practice, both of which are based on treating illness, not promoting wellness. Hospitals and doctors are paid by insurers and the government for the health care equivalent of piecework: hospitals profit from full beds and doctors profit from repeat visits. There is no financial incentive to keep patients healthy.

“The business models were all created decades ago, and acute disease drove those costs at the time,” says Steve Wunker, a senior partner at the consulting firm Innosight. “Most businesses in this industry are looking at their business model as entirely immutable. They’re looking for innovative offerings that fit this frozen model.”

Advances in technology and medical research are making it possible to envision an entirely new health care system that provides more individualized care without necessarily increasing costs, some health care experts say.

For full article click here

Life Insurance and the Elderly

Posted by: Allison Franklin

Who's cashing in on life insurance policies aimed at elderly?
Minnesota considers a ban on 'stranger- originated' policies sold to the elderly.
By MIKE KASZUBA, Star Tribune
Last update: February 9, 2009 - 12:03 AM

In a State Capitol hearing room crowded with lawyers and lobbyists, the focus at one point turned to -- of all people -- CNN icon Larry King.
The debate: Does a lack of state regulation leave Minnesotans prey to the kind of elaborate life insurance scheme that King says he fell for several years ago?
Some of the state's largest insurance companies are pushing to have so-called stranger-originated life insurance, or STOLI, outlawed in Minnesota. A ban on the arrangements, which a leading state senator called nothing short of "perverse," won approval last week from a Senate committee.
In typical STOLI transactions, speculators persuade the elderly -- especially those with limited life expectancies -- to take out life insurance policies, commonly offering large cash payouts in exchange for having the speculators named as the policy's beneficiary, usually after two years.

To read the full article click here

Six Car Insurance Mistakes to Avoid

- By Kevin Yu

If increasing numbers of drivers on the road are uninsured as the industry expects, those of us with insurance should take a good look at our coverage to be sure we're adequately protected in case of an accident.

Here are six common car insurance mistakes to avoid:
1. Driving without uninsured motorist coverage.
2. Carrying too much/too little uninsured motorist insurance.
3. Failing to consider insurance costs when car shopping.
4. Insuring your home and car separately.
5. Buying insurance with the lowest deductibles.
6. Never evaluating coverage.

Click Here to Read More

Expanded Children's Health Insurance Program Saves Money

Posted by Kaitlin Lanier

Before the dust had settled over reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, some Republicans in Congress were grousing about messiness in its passage. But surely providing healthcare coverage to millions more uninsured children constitutes progress worth making.

The measure that President Barack Obama signed into law Wednesday had more in it than a version that President Bush had vetoed twice despite the bipartisan compromise that produced it. But the additions certainly weren’t enough to turn good legislation into bad law.

In fact, the law includes some key provisions that Republicans had insisted on.

More important, it’s a good-government investment that will improve kids’ health and save taxpayers money in the long run by encouraging timely and preventive medical care and less reliance on expensive emergency services.

Click here to read more.

If You Were A Flower, What Flower Would You Be?

If you were a flower, what flower would you be? Please explain the significance of your choice.


Tags: Flowers, Roses, Carnation, Tulips, Jasmine, Hyacinth, Gardenia, Lilies, Primrose, Pansies, Lavender, Heather, Gladioli, Bellflower, Chrysanthenum, Aster, Anthuriums, Lilac, Pussy Willow, Sunflower, Violet, Azaleas, Birds of Paradise, Cherry Blossom, Calla Lily, Cosmos, Camellias, Dahlia, Orchids, Daffodils, Dewberries, Geranium, Gerberas, Marigolds, Magnolia, Peach Blossoms, Petunia, Daisy, Tiger lily, Zinnia

Posted by: Mel Avila Alarilla
Philippines
Opinions/Viewpoints

Buying Car Insurance

by Shu Zheng

If you are a person with a bad driving skill, it may be the right thing for you to have – auto insurance. When it comes to buying car insurance, there are some factors influencing your rate. Such factors include your age, gender, record of prior claims, year of vehicle, and coverage type. The following will help you determine how much car insurance you need to carry and how to save money on the coverage.

Step 1: Keep in mind the amount of money you want to save for insurance.

Step 2: Figure out how much coverage do you need. General recommendation for liability limits are $50,000 bodily injury liability for one person injured in an accident, $100,000 for all people injured, and $25,000 property damaged liability. However, you available assets and driving habits may also need to be taken for consideration.

Step 3: Review your driving record and current insurance policy.

Step 4: Go to some online insurance quote sites, input your information and get a list of comparative quote.

Step 5: Research insurance companies, record and compare quotes.

Step 6: Phone contact those companies that you couldn’t search online for quote, and confirm price.

Step 7: Look for discount. Some of the discounts you might qualify for include low-risk occupation, professional organizations, combined coverage, discount for safety features, more risk assumed by driver, and discounts for senior citizens. Make sure you get all the discounts you qualify for.

Step 8: Choose the right company. You can visit your state’s department of insurance or get in touch with local body shops, and make sure to check out the financial strength ratings for an insurance company.

Step 9: Verify if the policy contains the coverage you want. Two clauses you should pay attention are retain your right to sue and avoid aftermarket parts requirement.

Step 10: Cancel coverage with your existing insurance company.

Sources:
http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-10-Factors-Affecting-Your-Auto-Insurance-Premiums&id=363878
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/insurance/articles/44858/article.html
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/insurance/articles/89618/article.html

Economy forcing more to drive uninsured

By Jen Lynch

The economic downturn has left most wallets feeling lighter. People are cutting back on expenses they feel aren't 'necessary', and many are beginning to let their car insurance lapse because the premiums are simply too high. But motor vehicle accidents happen every day, and many times it's not even your fault. The percentage of uninsured motorists is expected to rise from 13.8 in 2007 to 16.1 in 2010, based on current unemployment rates. Choosing to go uninsured on the highway is a very dangerous gamble, especially if you're having financial problems.

According to the Insurance Research Council, one in six drivers in the U.S. do not have auto insurance. In 2007, the five states with the highest uninsured driver estimates were New Mexico (29 percent), Mississippi (28 percent), Alabama (26 percent), Oklahoma (24 percent), and Florida (23 percent). The higher the percentage means that if you get into an accident, there is a stronger chance that it will be with an uninsured driver. This means that you would receive no coverage for injuries except for what your own insurance covers.

Ten states have a 'no pay, no play legislation', where uninsured drivers can only collect for property damage and medical expenses, but courts will not allow them to collect non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, which usually increases the claim considerably. Although some states do not require uninsured motorist coverage, it seems like a good time to look into getting it in your policy, especially with more and more people driving uninsured.

How do you protect yourself from the increase in uninsured drivers?

- Include uninsured motorist (UM) coverage in your policy. 

- Look into your home state's accident and insurance policies and legislation. Find out if you're covered when it's not your fault!

- Your UM coverage should take care of medical expenses if you or your passengers are injured in an accident with an uninsured driver.

- To avoid becoming an uninsured driver, call your insurance company and find out if there are any available discounts, or look into increasing your deductible.

Full Articles

The Number of Uninsured Drivers Rises During Tough Economy

Uninsured Drivers Expected To Increase In Bad Economy
Uninsured drivers increase in downturn

Injury Board Article

Bad credit? Insurers will make you pay

Copied and posted by Pin-Yu Liao

By now you know that you need to keep tabs on your credit history to make a good impression on lenders, landlords and employers. But did you know that your home and auto insurers are also looking?
In most states they're allowed to use your credit information to formulate premiums - and in June the U.S. Supreme Court decided that your carrier doesn't need to tell you if your credit has caused you to pay more.

In concurrent cases against Geico and Safeco, the Justices unanimously agreed that the companies were not wrong in charging certain poor-credit customers more without notifying them.

Click here to read.