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Archive for September, 2009

The Truth About Mexican Auto Insurance

September 30th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

The truth is; most Mexican auto insurance brokers will NOT tell you that auto insurance, when driving in Mexico is not enough.

The fact of the matter is that if you get into an accident, there is a VERY high likelihood that you will need emergency assistance? particularly in Mexico where the severity of accidents can be much worse than in the United States.

Additionally, most people consider health insurance a MUST ? but your health insurance policy here in the United States usually does not cover an injury or medical evacuation in Mexico.

This means that if you get Mexican auto insurance for your trip, and you end up NEEDING it, your United States health insurance will not cover any injuries.

Of course while it is true that Mexico does have a health system that gives free medical coverage to its citizens, those facilities are not available to foreigners. If you?re from the U.S. you will need to use a more expensive private clinic.

Then, it?s no secret that legal officials in Mexico may attempt to take advantage of visitors from north of their border. If you?re in an accident, you may certainly need legal help, which means you?ll want your auto insurance to cover those matters as well.

The truth of the matter is that most Mexican auto insurance brokers do not sell auto insurance that adequately covers emergency medical assistance or legal assistance. Emergency medical assistance services are so restricted among most auto insurance carriers that the Red Cross and a whole host of other international relief agencies use ONLY ONE company for their travel to Mexico and throughout the entire world.

On top of that, most of these service contracts are written with such low limits and so many exclusions as to render them potentially worthless.

To make matters worse, many brokers sell ?Emergency Medical Evacuation Services? that end up being subcontracted to a third party vendor in Mexico who often uses additional subcontractors. In other words, the services provided are not being performed by the company you?re giving the money to.

You can get an excellent comparison of these plans by going to Assist America Comparison Chart. Once there you will quickly see why the American Medical Association, The American Cancer Society, the Red Cross, and on and on all rely on this one company to ensure emergencies are properly and appropriately handled.

To learn more about Mexican auto insurance, how to get the coverage you want at a price you can afford (without getting ripped off by some fly-by-night scam artist), see ?Is Your Mexican Vacation Covered? http://tinyurl.com/y5hz5q.

It was written by Linden Gray, an international insurance veteran with over 29 years of wholesale, retail, and direct insurance experience. He represents the only company deemed to adequately and inexpensively cover the various international relief agencies for their trips to Mexico (and as such, people that work for those agencies tend to use this company for their vacations to Mexico). Further, as the Director of MexicanInsuranceStore.com he runs the only ?direct to consumer? insurance agency that I?m aware of that represents the company used by those agencies.

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Save Money On Your Car Insurance Price Even If You Live In One Of The Towns Deemed Hotspots

September 30th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

With a study being conducted into which towns in the UK are considered to be ?hotspots? when it comes to having your car stolen or being involved in an accident and the results now being announced it is important to remember that you can still save money on your car insurance price even if you live in or near one of the hotspot areas.

The towns which have hit the top of the list have seen the most incidents which have required an insurance claim to be made and have such have labelled them as car damage hotspots. When it comes to cars being stolen then the worst place to live and try to get cheap insurance is in the North of England says the research from Budget insurance. Hull holds the top spot then Bradford and Leeds.

Of course there are many ways that you yourself can reduce theft with some of the most simpler being the installation of security features such as steering locks, alarms, etched windows, immobilizers and car alarms. These all help to deter the thief and so keep your car safe, you should also make sure that you keep your car in a garage rather than keep it on the side of the road and also remove any items which could lead to someone wanting to break into your car such as laptops, mobile phones, handbags and purses.

There are many practices that people can take in order to make the safer on the roads and so lessen the risk of being involved in an accident and so not have to make a claim on your car insurance, reducing the speed at which you drive is one of the best ways to lessen the chance of suffering from an accident as it gives more time for the car to slow down, speed is one of the leading causes of accidents and claims against insurance.

Hints, tips and advice on saving on your car insurance along with saving money on the car insurance price can all be found with a specialist broker, the broker will be able to search the UK marketplace for the best deal for your car insurance which means that you will be sure of getting the cheapest quotes along with all the information you could possibly want when it comes to getting insured, even if you live in what is considered to be one of the hotspot areas.

Another way of cutting down on the cost of the car insurance price is to take out a third party fire and theft policy, this type of policy is cheaper than the fully comprehensive policy but of course is more limited than taking out fully comprehensive cover. Third party will cover you for damage to the other party?s car if you should be involved in an accident and along with this you will have cover if your car should be stolen or damaged by fire. Fully comprehensive on the other hand will cover you for everything that third party does but will also give you cover to repair your own car, cover for passengers if they should be hurt along with other extras.

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Mexican Car Insurance – What To Do If You Get Into An Accident

September 29th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer 1 comment

Auto accidents are considered both civil and criminal offenses in Mexico. Even if the accident is minor, you should be prepared to provide proper documentation to authorities, and you should report any insurance claims immediately. Failure to report a claim before leaving Mexico subjects the claim to denial by any Mexican Insurance Company.

Must Have Documents

A driving accident can become a costly and bureaucratic nightmare if you do not have the proper documentation. You should carry the following documents with you.

1. Mexican Auto Insurance Policy: You must have Mexican Auto Insurance issued by a company recognized by the Mexican government. In addition to the policy, you should have premium payment receipt, accident instructions, and contact information for your provider.

2. Valid Driver’s License: The license should have your photo and match the name on the title or registration of your vehicle.

3. Vehicle Title or Registration Receipt: The title or registration should be up in your name or the insurance policy should identify the owner by name and the principal driver. Unregistered vehicles or vehicles with expired tags will have their vehicles confiscated.

4. Proof of Citizenship: Drivers License, Birth certificate, passport, or notarized proof of citizenship. (Must have passport in 2008)

5. Permission Letter From Bank or Lien Holder: If you do not own the title on the car, and you will be traveling beyond the border zone, (Approx. 70 miles from the border) you must have a letter of permission from the bank or lien holder for financed cars, rental cars, leased cars, or company cars (on company stationary).

6. Credit Card: A credit card, such as Visa, MasterCard, or American Express, in your name.

7. Vehicle Permit: If traveling beyond the border zone, you must obtain a temporary import permit, and display it on your windshield while in Mexico.

8. Affidavit of Vehicle Return to the United States: If traveling beyond the border areas, you must sign an affidavit promising to return your vehicle back to the United States, and pay a refundable deposit.

When An Accident Occurs

In an event of an accident be prepared to do the following:

1. Do not move your vehicle until Mexican police arrive.
2. Contact your medical emergency assistance provider if necessary.
3. Contact your insurance provider.
4. Remain with your vehicle until the Auto Insurance Adjuster arrives.
5. Complete the Accident Report.
6. Complete and sign a parts inventory form before having your car towed.

After The Accident

Following the accident, you will need to obtain the following documents for insurance claims:

1. Police Report: A Copy of the original report filed by the Mexican Authorities.

2. Medical Report: Your insurance company will provide a form that must be signed by a licensed physician who provided the medical services.

3. Medical Invoices: Any invoice issued by the hospital, physicians, and pharmacy.

Finally, allow your insurance company to manage issues related to the accident. Do not reach any verbal agreements or sign any written agreements with the other party. Most importantly, do not assume liability in the accident. Your insurance company will guide you through the claims process, and will inform you of any liabilities, if any, that you have incurred.

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Getting Cheap Auto Insurance for Your Son

September 28th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Picture it… 2006 Your teenage son has just obtained his drivers license and you as a parent are now faced with the task of finding cheap auto insurance to cover him and protect you both.

Insurance premiums can vary dramatically. Keep reading to find how to you can find a good cheap auto insurance policy.

Let’s face it. At this age, your teenager hasn’t had the experience necessary for insurance companies to consider them anything but a high risk. But there are a few things you can do to find good cheap insurance and help keep your premiums down.

Knowledge is power. And it’s our responsibility as parents to pass on this knowledge to our children.

Driver Safety
The first and most important thing you as a parent need to stress to your newly licensed teenager is the importance of safety. Lack of safety is the cause of too many unnecessary deaths in the United States and other countries every year.

If you can’t impart this information to them, send them to a driving school where they can learn from professionals. Most highschools offer their students a drivers education class.

Clean Driving Record
Your teenagers driving record will have a direct impact on the cost of your insurance premiums. With no violations or accidents, the premiums will decrease over time.

Type of Vehicle
If your teenager wants a 2 door red sport about, be prepared to pay a hefty increase in premiums. Cars with 2 doors are considered sports cars and stastics show us that red cars are involved in more accidents than any other color. Cheap auto insurance may not be an option for you with this choices.

Safety Features
Choose a vehicle that is rich in safety features and well built to help reduce your costs.

Deductables
You can also reduce your rates by selecting a higher deductable. Generally the higher the deductable, the lower the monthly premium.

Discounts
When you’re searching for cheap auto insurance and getting quotes from various companies, find out what discounts are available for things like, multiple car policies, drivers education credits, defensive driving coarses completed and clean driving records. The competition in the automobile insurance industry is fierce. Some companies are willing to offer bigger discounts than others.

Finding Cheap Auto Insurance Online
The easiest way to zero in on a company who offers cheap auto insurance is to get quotes from more than one company and compare their offers. Esurance.com and Insurance.com are two great places to do this.

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Car Insurance Rates Factors Determining The Car Insurance Rates

September 27th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Everyone must have Car insurance as the law states, and it?s necessary in case you ever have an . Car insurance can prevent the need to pay loads of money to get your car fixed should you ever have an . Nobody wants to get into an , but it?s best to be prepared in case the unthinkable happens. However, just because you need car insurance doesn?t mean that you must pay a lot of money for it. That?s why you should research as much as possible to ensure you get the best deal. It may take a long time, as there are many car insurance companies to choose from, but there is always that one company that wants to offer you low rates car insurance, you just have to find it.

Car Insurance Rates Depends on Various Factors:

Car Insurance Rates can appear to be very puzzling but once you recognize what different rates there are it should not be too hard. In addition to the primary rates, there are other types you can add on to your policy, such as liability, medical coverage, bodily injury, collision coverage, property or rental coverage, just to name a few. However, for the most part there are main types of car insurance rates that a person really needs. In fact, it is a law to have car insurance rates throughout most of the United States.

Depending on the kind of vehicle you have and the amount of investment you have made into it will determine which kind of car insurance rates is right for you. Once you?ve determined the right main rates for you, you?ll have an opportunity to look at the different add on options your particular carrier may offer their customers.

Car Insurance Rates: Connected With Several Pricing Factors

One additional thing to be considered in car insurance rates for your need is the price of the policy. Some insurance companies require a higher monthly premium for their policies than other companies. In some cases, this higher premium cost is offset by a lower deductible or more services added to the coverage, but in other cases the higher price is just because the company chooses to have a higher price.

Many consumers are loath to look for for the best car insurance company rates and will go with the first policy they find that fits their budget and covers their car. By reviewing the information for several different companies before making your choice, you have a greater chance of choosing the best car insurance rates for your needs.

The underinsured motorist?s coverage pays for anything the other driver’s car insurance may not cover because of having minimum insurance coverage. Once you understand the basics of the car insurance policy, it is easier to find the right auto insurance coverage that will protect you from any potential financial problems because of insufficient coverage. Always have enough coverage even if the minimum required insurance for your state is lower. This will protect you from any loss due to a lawsuit for injury or from an .

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The Ins And Outs Of Auto Insurance

September 26th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Bodily Injury Liability, Collision, Comprehensive, Property Injury Liability. Do you know what these terms mean? If you are currently paying for any type of auto insurance, then these are some terms you should know to maximize the benefits of your plan(s).

Bodily Injury Liability. If you were at fault in an accident and others involved needed to go to the hospital and/or lost wages from missing work, those costs would come out of your pocket if you are not insured with Bodily Injury Liability. Anyone will soon realize how quickly those amounts can add up to. Many states require you to carry Bodily Injury Liability. This type of coverage can also help you in the event the other party takes legal action against you.

Collision Coverage. In the event you need repairs or replacements if your vehicle collides with another vehicle or property, you?ll need this. The higher the deductible you elect, the lower your premiums will cost you. If you?re at fault for something, well of course it would still be an accident, as I doubt you?d plan to run into that guard rail, but how much would you be able to afford to pay out of pocket for repairs? Don?t forget to check if this coverage is available in your plan!

Comprehensive Coverage. This is the coverage that pays for damage caused from falling objects, fire, certain natural disasters, theft and vandalism.

Property Injury Liability. Can you imagine how much it might cost should you accidentally drive into someone?s house? You wouldn?t want to be caught without property damage insurance should you need to pay for repairs to another vehicle, building or anything else you might hit. As they say, you can never be too sure what you may run into while driving!

With these different types of liability coverage, you?ll quickly discover that unfortunate accidents soon become less dreadful then they seem. For example, imagine if you crashed into the rear-end of another driver. Your liability coverage will kick in and pay for the damages that you caused with your insured vehicle. Imagine having to pay those damage costs yourself out of pocket!

It?s important that you understand the basics of what you are paying for and why it is necessary. By knowing these technical terms, you can make sure your auto insurance coverage is as complete and reliable as possible.

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Car Insurance – How can you lower your premiums

September 26th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Many factors influence the premium for your Motor insurance policy. Your insurer will have asked you many questions whilst producing your quote – some of which will affect your premium and some will not. Below we discuss the key variables that are within the policyholder’s control.

Consolidating policies

By insuring a number of vehicles with the same insurer, or by trying to take out home and life insurance through your car insurer, you may be able to secure a ?bulk buy? discount.

Location

A big influence on the cost of your car insurance is where you live. The chance of your car being broken into or stolen is a key concern for the insurer. More urban areas traditionally facing greater risk of theft and therefore tend to be more expensive than countryside locations.

Excess

By agreeing to pay a greater excess on each claim you can reduce your car insurance premiums. This is because you are reducing the liability of the insurer and therefore in return they are able to offer you a lower premium.

Your Vehicle

The cheaper and slower your vehicle the lower your premiums are likely to be. If you are looking to buy a new vehicle make sure you fully consider the cost of insurance ? you may be able to buy the car but can you afford to run it?

Mileage

You can control your insurance premiums by restricting your annual mileage. However, be aware that if you exceed the restricted number of miles you’ll then become uninsured!

Parking

Where you park your vehicle overnight is also very important to the insurers. If it is kept in a locked garage, you should be offered a lower premium than if you leave it unattended in the street.

Security

Security devices that prevent or hinder theft may also reduce your premium. Common examples include alarms and immobilisers, however, be aware that as we improve the quality of our security devices the thieves just become better at bypassing them.

No Claims Discount

Save up your no claims discount by avoiding making small claims upon your policy. After a set number of years, 4 or 5 typically, you’ll often be offered the option to pay an additional small premium to protect your no claims bonus. This can prove very helpful if you subsequently end up having an accident.

Advanced driving skills

By taking an advanced driving course you may also be able to reduce your premiums. The Institute for Advanced Motorists and the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents each offer membership which provides you with discounts for both the cost of driving courses and your car insurance premiums. Two key variables NOT within the policyholder’s control.

Your Sex.

Women are statistically less likely to have an accident and, if they do, it’s less likely to be serious. Because of these statistics women benefit from lower premiums. It is also worth noting that if you represent one half of a couple you should consider having the female as the primary driver with the male as the second driver.

Your Age

The older you are, the less likely you are to make a claim. As a result insurance companies charge lower premiums for more mature drivers.

One final piece of advice.

A large percentage of car insurance is now sold on the Internet. That’s because it’s convenient and cheap. Many insurers now give a further 10%PRCTG%-15%PRCTG% discount if you buy online.

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Car Insurance Essential Information About Excess Payments

September 25th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

An excess payment is the fixed contribution you must pay each time your car is repaired through your car insurance policy. Normally the payment is made directly to the accident repair garage when you collect the car. If your car is declared to be a write off, your insurance company will deduct the excess agreed on the policy from the settlement payment it makes to you.

If the accident was the other drivers fault, and this is accepted by the third party’s insurer, you’ll be able to reclaim your excess payment from the other person’s insurance company. But what if the other driver is uninsured?

All motorists know that it’s a legal requirement (under Section 143 of the 1988 Road Traffic Act) to have insurance for any damage they cause to third parties. But still many drive without insurance. An estimate of the incidence of uninsured driving in the UK is hard to come by and, for the obvious reasons, those drivers involved in breaking the law have every reason to keep quiet about it.

Calculations from the Department of Transport suggest that in the UK around 5%PRCTG% of vehicles are being driven without valid insurance. This group of people not only impose costs on honest motorists in the form of higher premiums, but their presence on our roads also represents a serious risk to other road users. Consequently, uninsured driving is increasingly being regarded as a major social problem.

But driving without insurance is not a victimless crime. If you have an accident with an uninsured driver and the accident wasn’t your fault, the repair costs will be paid for by the Motor Insurers’ Bureau that’s funded in its entirety by the industry, or by your insurer. Therefore, if you’re involved in an accident caused by an uninsured driver you’ll eventually get you car repaired but you’ll still have to pay the excess and there’ll be no one to reclaim your excess from.

What is a Compulsory Excess?

A compulsory excess is the minimum excess payment your insurer will accept on your insurance policy. Minimum excesses do vary according to your personal details and driving record and by insurance company. Today the average excess is around ?100, but younger drivers could be faced with excesses of up to ?500 – whilst more mature, experienced drivers with a good driving record, could be offered an excess of just ?50.

So what is a Voluntary Excess?
In order to reduce your insurance premium, you may offer to pay a higher excess than the compulsory excess demanded by your insurance company. Your voluntary excess is the extra amount over and above the compulsory excess that you agree to pay in the event of a claim on the policy. As a bigger excess reduces the financial risk carried by your insurer, your insurer I able to offer you a significantly lower premium.

The garage has repaired my car but it won’t release the car too me until I pay the policy excess to them. Is this right?

Yes, that is normal practice. But make sure you inspect the car when you collect it. Satisfy yourself that the repair is perfect. Then make sure you keep their receipt for your excess payment as you will need this if you’re reclaiming against a third party’s insurance. And just in case there’s a dispute, it’s a good idea to make sure the repair garage gives you a repair schedule. This will list all the repairs that were made to you car.

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What You Need To Know About A Car Insurance Adjuster

September 24th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

If you?re in need of a car insurance adjuster then there are a few facts you should know before you meet with him/her. The first rule of thumb is that if your car insurance adjuster is over friendly remember, he is there to save money for the company he works with, not especially for you.

Don?t ever sign anything without reading every detail and never underestimate the good will of the car insurance adjuster. If the adjuster wants to discuss anything on the phone, request that you would rather meet with him/her in person until after your insurance claim is settled.

You can be pleasant with the insurance adjuster but stay firm. No matter what happened at the scene of the accident, it is not the car insurance adjuster?s fault if the person that hit you was an idiot. Don?t underestimate the importance of an adjuster?s impressions because they all go into your file. The way you act toward him/her could have an influence on your insurance claim later.

Even if, for example, your car hit a deer, insurance adjusters will even be called for this too, to estimate the amount of damage to the car. Again let the adjuster do his/her job and be friendly. When you hit a deer it can cause the same amount of damage in some cases as hitting a car, or even worse. Let the car insurance adjuster look at the damage and make up his/her own mind regarding the extent of damage. Again don?t sign any thing until your car insurance claim is settled.

An independent car insurance adjuster is also expected to settle insurance claims quickly. This person may not owe a particular allegiance to a specific insurance company, but they want to collect the fee from the company. An insurance adjuster?s authority to settle a claim is restricted, but the adjuster will do everything possible to make sure you get treated fairly

The bottom line is don?t let a car insurance adjuster suck you into thinking he?s your best friend in the world, only to be let down later. This is the nature of job and no matter how friendly the adjuster is, he/she is there to do a job. You have little to do with that except provide them with information needed to assess the damages to your car.

Just be a little careful when dealing with a car insurance adjuster.

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10 Ways to Save Big on Auto Insurance

September 24th, 2009 Car Insurance Buyer No comments

Auto insurance can make a big hole in your pocket. Insurance premiums vary hugely between companies, agencies or agents, brokers, and of course the make of the car you own and your credit rating. To pay lower insurance you must:

1. Always maintain a good driving record.

2. Never accept the first estimate you receive. Be wise and check comparisons of different insurance providers at your state insurance department website or phone them. Their addresses and contact numbers can be accessed from http://www.consumeraction.gov/insurance.shtml the consumer action website. Be sure to get competitive quotes from different insurance providers. Contact providers that are strongly recommended by people you know well. Keep your peace of mind by checking the financial stability of the companies with rating companies like A.M. Best (http://www.ambest.com/) as well as in forums and blogs.

3. Complete a market survey well before you select a car make and make a comparative table of insurance and other hidden costs. Find out which features increase insurance premiums and which ones reduce premiums. For example if parts of a certain make are hard to find or expensive such cars will have huge insurance premiums, similarly installation of anti-theft devices or an extra brake system lowers insurance premiums. Many questions are answered by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at http://www.iihs.org/.

4. Choose to have higher deductibles this will reduce the burden by at least 15-25%PRCTG%. But look at your finances first and determine whether you can set aside US% 200-US%1000 periodically to create an emergency vehicle fund.

5. Consider availing the insurance from the same company that has you covered for home, accident, or life. Many companies offer concessions to clients who have more than one kind of policy. Known as a multi-policy discount this could benefit you.

6. Most policies are based on your personal credit record. Having an unshakeable credit history can lower costs. Pay bills on time, don?t avail too many loans, and be sure that credit balances are as low as possible.

7. Avoid duplicating medical coverage. Find out whether eliminating medical cover in auto insurance will reduce your premiums or the personal injury protection costs. In some places the reduction is as much as 40%PRCTG%. So, if you have adequate health insurance you could weigh the pros and cons of eliminating this in auto insurance.

8. Find out if insurance premiums are dependant on where you stay. Sometimes staying in a rural community or suburbs as against the city center could save you a bundle.

9. Take advantages of discounts like low risk career, low mileage, taking public transport to work, car pooling, no violations or accidents, taking defensive driving courses, following safety rules and regulations, or having a child who studies far away.

10. Use the reductions offered for insuring more than one car belonging to the family. Many companies have special offers for corporate organizations, club members, professional groups, alumni groups, or clubs.

Make time to make a big saving. Check through all the parameters and mark areas where a saving can be made. The market is competitive and you can be the beneficiary.

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