Posts Tagged ‘household insurance’

Insurance At Its Roots

Sunday, April 25th, 2010

Ultimately, insurance can be divided into four distinct areas. These areas are health insurance, life insurance, vehicle insurance and property insurance. People often look for these insurances because damage is very costly. Moreover, with regards to health, it is so variable that things can come out of nowhere and one traumatic event can haunt you for the rest of your life. Basically, insurance covers damage, replacement and bills associated with the coverage specifics with the person insured paying little money out of pocket.

Insurance has been around since society began. The earliest form of insurance was the old protection rackets that organized crime families still use even today. Criminals or rulers of a country would ?guarantee? that a business or home would not be damaged or destroyed by criminal activities for a weekly cut of said earnings of the business. This form of blackmail and extortion quickly led to merchants and shopkeepers living in their businesses. So that when the criminals came they would be greeted by sword and spear. These actions, taken by these early businessmen, led to the old saying, ?The greatest protection comes by the sword.?

About 2-3 millennia ago, the first contract was formed that displayed what we know now as property insurance. If any carrier or transporter was attempting to carry goods from one point to another, they would guarantee the property, or cargo. They guaranteed it from the shipper and receivers side. This made transporters more confident in their deliveries and they took more chances which increased the trading and transporting of goods. They often etched these contracts in stone or papyrus after they decided verbal agreements did not hold up well in most cases.

As human society became more modern, many traders would hire retired soldiers, i.e. mercenaries, to help shepherd their goods from place to place. These men could in some ways be called the first security guards of human society. But it was hazardous and difficult work, but for the soldiers of fortune of that time it was some of the best work one could get.

The absolute first known insurance company was started in France in the year 1666. This was started after a great fire that destroyed-,200 homes and left France devastated in many ways. With this, they developed a Fire Office that insured homes that were made of brick and wood.

In 1732, located in Charleston, South Carolina, the first insurance company was born in the United States of America. This company provided fire insurance and was aided along by Benjamin Franklin. They started off not insuring building that was partial to fire damage such as warehouses and wooden houses. They also were the first to teach about fire safety and prevention. They would often refer others to learn about certain fire hazards.

Today, the insurance company is a multi-billion dollar asset to the United States alone. People have incorporated insurance into every aspect of their daily lives and it would be hard to think of it not there.

Graham McKenzie is the syndication coordinator a leading South African Insurance information portal, which amongst others specialises in Household Insurance .

Do You Require Property Insurance?

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

Property insurance plan provides coverage against any sort of theft or damage done to your home or property. The damage can be caused by natural calamities like flood, wind, fire, or earthquake. Property insurance plans in areas that are more likely to be affected by these natural forces are costlier in comparison to other places.

Incase you have a home of your own that you may not get any type of home insurance policy. You are indeed risking your home and property, on the belief that it may not be affected by calamities or robbed. If it is stolen or damaged then you may suffer the loss of your personal assets. If your home catches a fire by chance, then not only your house, but also all your clothes, furniture and other assets will be lost. You may not be left with even a place to live, and you may have to start your life from zero. This can be a great risk for those who are not secure financially, or those who live in areas more prone to such natural calamities.

The only time you may be required to have property insurance is if you have a mortgage or you are paying off a loan on your house. Since the home is technically not quiet yours yet, the insurance companies have a right to insure that the property is protected. If the home is lost in a catastrophe it will often be more of their loss than yours. Do be very careful of the insurance deals that companies offer directly for your convenience. It is much better to find a great deal for yourself that may help you save some money.

Every insurance company doesn?t offer property insurance plan, but a lot of them do. Search well online as well as in the phonebook to get names of some companies in your area. You can also talk to the brokers to get the most suitable deal. Make certain that you get a trustworthy broker, as there are some among them who are only bothered about making commissions. You must clarify about the coverage as well as any sort of discount that you may receive.

Ensure that your credit record is fine before you begin looking for insurance. If you have already purchased a home, then it is possible that you might have gathered information on this. Your credit records have an important role in deciding how the premiums of your plan are decided. You claims records and the house that is being insured are also important factors. You must call the finance companies to settle claims and clear any remaining debts.

There are different ways by which you can save funds on your property insurance. Start from looking for a home in a location that isn?t known as high risk location. Like, Miami, and Los Angeles will have high rates because chances of earthquakes and hurricanes are more there. The state of your home is also taken into account. Sometimes your home does not go in accordance with construction codes then it may be more of a danger for insurance company. Similarly, if you own a big and good-looking home, then insurance company may charge higher rates since it is more open to robbery.

Graham McKenzie is the syndication coordinator Insurance-south-africa.co.za. South Arica?s leading Insurance information portal.

Cheap Insurance Quotes Are Not Always What They Seem

Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

In business dealings there is a measure of trust between the business and the customer, and this trust needs to be maintained in order for business to take place, because no one wants to do business with someone they do not trust. This implied trust is what makes business work and what also makes it easy for less than honest people to take your money. Be sure you look very carefully at cheap insurance quotes and that you are not taken in by the low payment. Make sure that the policy will give you the coverage you need or you could find that a cheap policy could turn very expensive.

As with most businesses these days, competition in the insurance business is tough and you need to be on the lookout for companies and agents that are using dishonest tactics to get your money. You need to know that the company providing you coverage and the company selling you a policy may not be one and the same. This is not a ‘buy here , pay here’ business, so the people you have to deal with once you sign a policy may be completely different than the agent who sold it to you. It is always a good idea to investigate all the companies who service your potential insurance policy with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for complaints.

Now, don’t get me wrong here. There are a lot of insurance companies and insurance agents who do provide good, honest service and have you, the customer in mind, but there are also people who are driven by greed and will use shady, dishonest and unethical techniques just to take your money. One of the ways these people will draw you in is with a dramatically low insurance quote, which they get by applying every available discount, even the ones you don’t qualify for. When the policy is written, the discounts that you are not eligible for are not applied and your payment is significantly higher than the quote. Your old insurance is canceled, the policy is written and they are counting on you just paying and staying. Usually, they will blame you for not qualifying for the discounts, which many will just accept.

You are taken in by the low quote and the plan is that once your old policy is canceled, your old insurance company will not want to take you back, so in order to keep your coverage you are stuck paying them a whole lot more money than you had originally thought. When the technique is analyzed, it is a completely dishonest way of doing business, but it works or they wouldn’t do it. You have become their customer by default.

Chances are, if it looks too good to be true it probably is. Check any quotes you get very closely for things such as extreme deductibles and discounts for things which you aren’t eligible to get. Examples of these types of discounts might be a multiple policy discount, which you don’t have, or a good driver discount and you know you got a speeding ticket last year. Look for these kind of warning signs when you look at an insurance quote and if you see this kind of unethical practice, then immediately cross this company off your list and get a quote somewhere else.

Susan Reynolds is the webmaster for a leading South African Insurance Provider who specialises in Online Insurance Quotes.

Insurance Policy Advice

Tuesday, March 9th, 2010

No matter what type of insurance you get, there are always things you can do to insure that you get the best deal. Finding the right insurance is difficult, but with enough research your will be able to find a deal that works great for you. If this is your first time getting insurance, be sure to pay close attention so you don?t get caught paying more than you should.

There are many different things you can do to lower your insurance premiums. Before you even apply, make sure that your credit is in good condition. Pay off any outstanding debts and complain about any records that are false. If you are looking into car or home insurance, take a little extra money to invest into safety features like a security system and airbags so your insurance company can give you discounts. If you are trying to get health or life insurance get your body into shape by exercising and eating the right foods. If you are a lower liability to the company they will give you lower rates.

While looking for insurance you need to search through many different companies. Search for quotes online and through your phone book. You can even ask your friends about the agents they have. Gather together as many insurance companies as you can and take out the ones that don?t have the insurance you want.

When you’re looking at agents, companies, and premiums you need to keep in mind that the lowest costing deal is not necessarily the best. Carefully read over the agreement to see if there is anything you don?t understand. Your agent should be able to fully explain the deal and your service to you if you have any questions.

The amount of coverage you need depends a lot on your own personal situation. In general, you don?t want your coverage to exceed the value of what you are trying to insure. If you have a car that only cost you a few hundred dollars, it’s probably better that the car itself isn?t insured at all. Take into consideration your income and what type of monthly payments you can comfortably make.

Make sure you completely understand your insurance before it comes into effect. When it comes to car insurance, know exactly the procedures that you need to take if you get into an accident. If you have health insurance you should know what types of hospital bills are covered, and which doctors and hospitals you can go to. This will help prevent confusion when you are confronted with an emergency situation.

If you wish to save more money, then find out if your employer offers any insurance policy. If your employer doesn?t already pay for any kind of coverage, then they may offer some type of arrangement that makes payments for some parts of the insurance plan. Remember to always check with your insurer, if you leave your job, to ensure that your plan still continues.

Graham McKenzie is the syndication coordinator Insurance-south-africa.co.za. South Arica?s leading Insurance information portal.

General Insurance Guide

Tuesday, March 2nd, 2010

While selecting an insurance plan, it is very tough for you to be very cautious. You have to keep many factors in mind like negotiating rates with brokers, and get the insurance plan that perfectly suits all your requirements. This may be particularly complicated if you are a first-timer in the insurance industry. There are different types of insurance plans available, some common ones are car, health, home, and life.

Regardless of what type of insurance you are looking into, you have to shop around. It’s almost always better to get your insurance needs from one company, since they will give you discounts on multiple plans, but there may be other plans out there for much lower rates. It’s also important to search for an agent you trust. Sometimes an agent will just be out to gain the commission off of a deal, and won’t care at all about getting you the best plan.

Health insurance is an essential requirement for every family. It helps you in paying for frequent doctors visits and protects you from monetary problems when you have to go for costly treatments. There are so many different forms of plans to cover so many different types of treatments. It may be possible that you get suitable heath insurance for you but it also possible that it limited to seeing some fixed doctors only or for some particular hospitals only.

You must get a car insurance plan too for the security of your family. All of US states require you to have at least liability insurance, though you may want to have some extra insurance if need be. You must take into account the value of your vehicle before getting the plan so that you don?t get more than needed.

Home insurance is essential plan, which provides security to your house and assets. It can defend your house from water, fire, and natural damages. Home insurance also helps you to restore your belongings, if there is a robbery. In case you think that one of these calamities may damage your home, it would be sensible to get home insurance.

Life insurance keeps your family members financially secure even after your death. The money received can be utilized to pay the funeral expenses and other payments that your family has to bear. It is recommended to go for a term life insurance if you have kids. This can keep you covered while your kids are small, so that they are financially secure after your death.

There are many factors that play into the premiums of your insurance. Much of it has to do with your credit score and claims history. If you have a lot of previous claims under your belt, an insurance company may be a little weary of insuring you. Your age also plays a large factor. When it comes to life and health insurance, agents would rather you apply younger, when you are healthier. With car insurance you will have no choice but to pay higher premiums until you are about 25, unless you choose not to own are car until then. By searching around and asking questions, finding the right insurance plans for you is very easy, and saves you money in the end.

Graham McKenzie is the syndication coordinator Insurance-south-africa.co.za. South Arica?s leading Insurance information portal.

How to save on your Household Insurance

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Your home is your most important asset. It provides shelter for you and your family. It is filled with memories and objects that you have gathered over the years. That’s why it is important to make sure your home is properly insured. You want to protect your most important asset in case of fire, accidents, storms, theft or property damage. A good insurance policy will provide this protection.

One reason it may not have adequate coverage is the recent economic crisis, which is understandable. But what does not make sense is what will happen if a disaster does destroy your home. Then what financial shape will your family be in?

There are ways you can save on your home insurance costs. First of all, you can raise your insurance deductible. Just raising the deductible to the next highest level can save you hundreds of dollars a year on your insurance premiums. You are still covered, yet you are spending less for insurance. Just make sure you can meet the deductible in case something happens and you need to file an insurance claim.

Second, make sure your home is equipped with protective devices, such as smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, burglar alarms or sprinklers. Not only will these devices protect you and your family, they will also get you a discount on your home insurance premiums.

Purchasing additional policies like car or life insurance from the same company will also reduce costs greatly. “Bundling” your policies, as it is commonly referred to as, reduces costs substantially.

Always insure your home for 100% of the cost to replace the home in the event of a disaster or damage of the property. “Insured to value” as it is defined, will save you money on your premium and provide you will adequate coverage.

Although all the above procedures are ideal ways to cut cost, the primary way your insurance premium will drop is through a high credit score. Insurance providers analyze your credit score to assess your “risk.” Individuals with poor credit scores are considered irresponsible and “high risk.” Obtain a free credit score and study it for errors or causes for concern.

While it is important to cut back on expenses during a tight economy, it is never smart to completely eliminate home insurance all together. There are several ways you can cut down on your premium without changing a single bit of the coverage. Give these ideas a shot!

Tom Martens is the syndication coordinator Insurance-south-africa.co.za. South Arica’s leading Insurance information portal.

An Auto Insurance Quote- Why It’s Required

Sunday, February 14th, 2010

In one way it is a must to have auto insurance for a person who drives and, in another way it is a Right. It is not a trivial thing to get an auto insurance in the market. Most of the insurance companies have a set of forms to be filled in their website. The quote seekers need to give all the particulars about them and about their vehicle to get a quote.

So what happens if there is an accident? There are injuries, and hospital bills to grapple with. The vehicle may be a write off. We might still owe half the purchase price under an automobile finance product to the auto finance company. There may be loss of income due to hospitalization. To top it call, the other party in the accident may think it is our fault, and therefore seek reimbursement for all such problems from us. Such reimbursement sought may include their lawyer?s fees! There can be a many unforeseen expenses.

It would feel good to have somebody bail us out financially, while we continue to recoup from the physical and emotional trauma. Auto insurance plans do exactly that. They cover such probable expenses, and let the accident victim be free from financial worries. Auto insurances are required to be taken under law. The extent of such mandated insurance coverage, however, differs from place to place. The person looking to buy any auto insurance may choose to buy more coverage than this minimum mandatory coverage, if he/she/it feels such insurance is inadequate.

But cost should not be the only factor in choosing an auto insurance company. Without adequate coverage, you are not truly covered. The money you saved from buying the cheapest plan would not mean much if it did not meet all your needs. It would be like buying a purse that’s too small to carry the essentials. When it comes to car insurance, the specifics of the quoted plans should be scrutinized and compared. The claims process should not be too complicated. If you require something, it should be part of the plan, even if it will cost extra. If the lowest quote does not have what you need, but the next lowest quote does, then the second-to-lowest quote is more likely going to be the best choice.

Once you receive a number of quotes make out a comparison chart putting in all the details against each company quote. This gives you a clean picture and enables to spot out the best quote. Any other method of locating a best quote will be somewhat complicated. There are many people who buy insurance plans without referring various quotes. They pour money in to the pockets of insurance companies without ever knowing what they are doing. Once they come to know of the fact that they have spent a few hundred dollars unnecessarily they are getting dejected.

The importance of the auto insurance quote is indisputable, especially when it comes to saving money. Insurance is not impossibly expensive. Plenty of people pay the lowest price possible for car insurance and have great coverage. They either lucked out when the first insurance company they looked at happened to be the best or shopped around and found the right plan.

If you shop smart, you will end up spending less. Don’t throw your money into one particular company, only to find out years later that you have given them tens of thousands of dollars when it could have been just thousands. Even small savings add up over time, so make sure you find the best deal available to you. Having more money in your pocket is a better feeling than nursing regret over what you could have saved.

Graham McKenzie is the syndication coordinator for a leading South African Insurance comparison portal, which includes the top insures like AIG South Africa.

Protective Insurance For Your Home

Saturday, February 13th, 2010

Our homes are our most expensive, most necessary physical possessions. Without them, we have no place for our belongings, no place to make memories, no “home-sweet-home”. Beyond the happiness our home brings, it is important to realize that homes are very expensive to replace. For most people, replacing a home is a financial impossibility. From home invasions to fires, the cost to replace a home is astronomical. For this reason, insurance is vital for all home-owners; and while insuring the structure and the possessions within is expensive, if the following tips are followed, an individual can find premier insurance for reduced premiums.

1. When shopping for insurance, make an effort to find companies that offer discounts for multiple policies. Meaning, if you enroll in multiple aspects of coverage, you may receive a discount in your monthly costs.

2. Most insurers offer discounts for customers that have smoke detectors and theft protection devices. When looking for insurance, be sure to put smoke detectors in your home and alarm systems that meet the company’s minimum standard for reduced rates.

3. The insurance industry is as competitive as any other. Accordingly, companies are always trying to undercut each other by offering lower rates while maintaining the same coverage. Even if you are happy with your coverage, check around for lower rates, but be sure to ask questions about the policies to avoid frustrations later.

4. If your home is in an area that is of low-risk, meaning that the crime rates are low and weather-related disasters are minimal, consider finding a policy that has a lower monthly rate and a higher rate in the event of an insurance claim. Do this with caution though, make sure you can afford the higher rate.

You’ll probably want to grab the new-for-old replacing insurance coverage. Many costs only get higher with time, and if you get insurance that only takes care of what you paid for at the start, you could end up out paying a lot more in the long run. Don’t wave a hand and neglect the true cost of the items in your house, either. If you’re not sure, it’s better to cover too much than not enough.

Many people are not so careful enough to read the fine print of any contract that you are entering. Reading this print might come out very handy and it is very important. Be sure to ask any doubt to your insurer if you can’t understand the meaning. It must be made clear that you get the proper full coverage for your home and contents. Never linger with them if they can’t give you a satisfactory answer. There are many more companies on the market and they are very competitive.

Susan Reynolds is the webmaster for a leading South African Insurance Provider who specialises in Household Insurance Options.

Best Life Insurance

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

The internet has provided new and more convenient options for shopping for life insurance in the UK and throughout Europe. Before online quotes were available, consumers had to waste valuable time in awkward environments (such as work) repeatedly giving out their personal information to one insurance representative after another, and to whoever was in the cubicle beside them, only to find that the option offered did not meet their needs or price range.

The other option was taking time off work and making appointments with insurance agents, and then to spend hours listening to tedious sales pitches. Now consumers can turn to online resources to request life insurance quotes, saving precious time and energy, and increasing their convenience and options.

Tracking down the best quotes for life insurance: Online life insurance quotes are quick, easy, and extremely convenient. Whether you only have a few minutes during a lunch break, or you are on the computer during a 2 a.m. snack, you can find plentiful options for life insurance quotes.

This is great news for the consumers as there are more life insurance companies in the market offering various life insurance products. The more the competition the more will be the chance for the customers to get a better price. When searching for the right life insurance or any type of insurance, it is always a good idea to collect a range of quotes.

Those in search of life insurance should be thrilled about this. More options opens up more competition, which allows for better prices, and more expansive options. The consumer can quickly access a wide range of quotes from a wide range of companies. This is important as premiums can vary as much as 300%. Consumers can compare the pricing, features, and benefits of multiple plans, quickly and privately, in the comfort of their own home, on their own schedule.

Consumers who are looking online for life insurance will find that most companies offer links to forms for requesting quotes. The forms are usually simple and straightforward, able to be completed in only a few minutes. They will ask for basic, personal information, and allow the company to ensure that you receive quotes that are relevant to your needs, price range, and circumstances.

After submitting the form, life insurance shoppers can expect different response times depending on the company. Some companies have instant online quotes available. Other companies will respond within 24-72 hours, either by e-mail or telephone. The insurance company?s site should tell you when to expect a response, and how your quote will be delivered to you. Several insurance companies provide an official quote by mail, in conjunction with their online, email, or telephone options.

Graham McKenzie is the syndication coordinator for a leading South African Insurance comparison portal, which includes the top insures like Dial Direct Insurance.

Content Insurance: An Overview

Saturday, January 30th, 2010

For those of us who have not had a catastrophic loss of all our possessions, this scenario would be hard to imagine. After the initial shock of the event you would be faced with replacing all your worldly goods all at once. If the worst happened, would it be possible? It’s unlikely that anyone can replace everything without some help. The total value of all of our possessions is difficult to assess, each individual item when added up can be more than we had imagined. A good solution can be contents insurance.

Contents insurance doesn’t just cover the original cost of each item you own, it actually covers the replacement costs of your possessions. The cost to replace older household items can be a lot more than you had anticipated, but you can purchase peace of mind at a very reasonable cost. Living without the very basics, like your furnishings, bedding, drapes, refrigerator, etc., life would be very uncomfortable indeed.

Anything can happen at any time. A flood could destroy your household items completely. Floods don’t just mean the one caused by rivers. It can also be one caused by a broken pipeline. The water could render all your electrical appliances useless. It is here where a contents insurance policy comes to your aid

Your coverage would also include accidental damage or destruction of items. Try to imagine the cost of replacing everything in your refrigerator and freezer.

Insurance companies are geared to 24/7 service. You can always contact an individual who is trained and qualified to answer your questions and help in the event of an accident. They can arrange for things like arranging for a locksmith to come to your home immediately following a break-in.

One of the most difficult things to do when buying contents insurance is estimating the value of your possessions. Once you’ve done that and have a working number, you will be prepared to contact an agent or company. It’s smart to add Extra Accidental Damage coverage to your policy. In the event that something happens such as damage occurring from a do-it-yourself project, that type of damage will be covered, too.

There are factors other than the sum to be assured which influence the price of the premium. If you live in an area of high risk and you are unable to move to a low risk area, there are a few things that you could do to reduce the price of your premium. Enrolling in a neighborhood watch scheme and installing a recognized safety system might help. Use good quality locks and identity mark your belongings.

You can shop online for discounts that may be available. Many companies have discount rates if you have one or more policies with them. If you haven’t had any claims in the last three years, that will help, too.

Susan Reynolds is the webmaster for a leading South African Insurance Portal that provides consumers with the best Household Insurance Options.