Medical malpractice insurance can become a huge financial burden for medical professionals. The rise of malpractice insurance rates plus the ever increasing amount of malpractice lawsuits has caused lawmakers and medical professionals to collaborate and come up with ideas to reduce the cost of insurance and make the claims process go much quicker.

Here are four ideas that have come about to decrease the cost of malpractice insurance:

1. Focus on patient safety - Find out what is causing the most claims and work together to establish standards to improve in those areas. Medical professionals should also be required to study medical malpractice prevention as part of their licensing.

2. Focus on doctors with a history of malpractice - Doctors who have a history of malpractice are the ones driving up the cost of insurance, so the focus should be on taking away their licenses until they can prove that their worthy of practicing medicine again.

3. Encourage doctors to communicate with patients - If something happens that was unexpected or a mistake was made, doctors should be open and honest with their patients. This will make the claims process and investigation go much quicker.

4. Create courts of law that specialize in medical malpractice suits - There have been bills introduced to Congress that would allow these types of courts to be set up. Litigation will no longer be passed from judge to judge and there would be greater consistency in decision-making.

If lawmakers and medical professionals work together and stay focused on these goals, it will only be a matter of time that medical malpractice suits will decrease and malpractice insurance rates will become more affordable.

Maria Palma is a freelance writer and internet marketer helping business expand their business online. If you are seeking doctor insurance malpractice, request a free malpractice insurance quote.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maria_Palma

When you're looking to sort out insurance for you and your family it can be tempting to keep everything in the same place, under one roof. Many people's employers offer insurance as part of contracts or promotions. While this can seem an easy option in the short term you might actually find you are poorly covered or paying more than you should be. So why exactly are corporate insurance policies not always the best option?

Since life insurance is one of the most important financial products on the market today, it's not uncommon to pay a small percentage of your wage towards a life cover policy that's part of your contract. Sadly, what many people don't realise is that this policy becomes void should you leave you job, be made redundant or even change departments. Taking out an independent policy outwith your job allows you to retain a sense of freedom and also means that you are fully covered regardless of what happens, making every payment count!

Although employers advertise health insurance as a company benefit, sold to you at a heavily discounted price, this may be far from the case. Company health insurance packages are prone to much greater market fluctuations than free standing polices taken out independently. As the department who organises your insurance work to keep employee policies up to date and competitive, you may also find the small print to your package changes without your knowledge or consent; a scenario that could prove risky if you require treatment that is no longer covered.

Finally, payment protection insurance is steadily becoming one of the country's most popular forms of insurance. Protection your loan, credit card and mortgage repayments should you find yourself out of work or unable to make a living through ill health, PPI is a favourite form of insurance by employers. Recently, however, PPI has come under intense scrutiny as policy holders find their insurance does not cover them, was missold or is extremely costly. Shopping around or contacting a financial advisor is the best course of action when ensuring what you've taken out is right for you.

Be wise, shop around and don't jump at the first policy that comes your way are all good pieces of advice for people looking to take out insurance but are well aware of the pitfalls associated with corporate insurance. Big names like Aviva, BUPA and Patient Choice are all reputable companies to go for if you're looking for a recognisable name as well.

Harvey McEwan writes about insurance. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Harvey_McEwan

As competition intensifies, insurance companies face the growing challenge of attracting and retaining a new generation of customers and agents. Operating in the most efficient and most cost-effective way is a key to success in this highly competitive market.

Insurers are not always known for being on the cutting-edge when it comes to technology due to adequacy of old systems to manage lower cost and basic conservative instincts. However, the business value and convenience generated by the latest technologies is compelling insurers to modify their operational models and adopt low cost but high-payback technology solutions to respond to the emerging challenges of real-time information and cost efficiencies.Of late, the industry is keeping a close eye on innovations which are taking place in similar domains like BFSI and responding by adopting cost-effective and high ROI technology enablers like mobile and wireless technologies.

This has been a fundamental shift resulting in the improved value proposition of mobile solutions for insurers. The shift is aimed at accelerating business velocity and convenience by m-enabling its constituents like producers, consumers, employees and suppliers through informational and transactional capabilities. This is in direct contrast to the early days of e-mail communications alone. Mobile computing has acquired the necessary relevance in the IT landscape of Insurers and they are earmarking dollars to m-enable their stakeholders for SFA and client management.Due to the ubiquitous nature of mobile computing, there has been a growing need to offer more services to agents and consumers through mobile devices and demand seems to intensify as the time passes by. Through mobile phones, insurers will have great tools to equip their agents with real-time information and contacts. Launching mobile applications is becoming popular, especially in the U.S., for insurers that want to generate a new brand image.

Some of the big insurers in advanced markets have proactively rolled out mobile apps for their customers for submitting claims, photos, accidental info and field services like calling and locating workshops, hospitals, adjustors etc. The insurers are also expediting the claim process by m-enabling their adjustors in the field-reducing considerably the overall policy claim cycle and operational cost. The days are not far when mobile solutions will allow geo-targeting through personalized and localized interaction and servicing to the existing and prospective customers.

"Insurers across the globe are being confronted with the growing need to offer more services to agents and consumers through mobile devices and demand will intensify during the next five years," says leading analyst firm Gartner Research in a recent report on industry trends. Mobile phones can work as mini-computers and are flexible and familiar for the end user which is in contrast to other devices like desktops, laptops etc where adoption had been not so smooth.

Roopal is an Online Marketing Professional from IT Services Company, writes blog, content, and articles. She writes marketing col-laterals and advice to Visit her web page for your concerns regarding Mobility Insurance and also for Application Assessment Services.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Roopal_Bhatia

What do San Diego County residents have to know about Earthquake Insurance Policies, Risks and Costs?

Quality Claims Management views Earthquake coverage as catastrophic insurance. You will only need it if we have a really big earthquake. However, depending on where you live in San Diego and how much you have invested in your home, you may opt to get coverage. Here is what you need to know.

First, most standard homeowners, mobile home owners, condominium, and renter's insurance policies DO NOT cover earthquake damage. Similar to flood insurance, earthquake insurance usually must be purchased separately.

However, fire insurance is part of most typical homeowners insurance policies. This means your home insurance policy may cover a significant part of the damage if your home burns down or is damaged in a fire that is caused by an earthquake.

Much of the damage that often arises from an earthquake happens after the ground stops shaking. Gas lines that may have ruptured and start leaking can catch on fire and burn your home to the ground. In San Diego County, it is also very possible that your home may be consumed in a wildfire sparked caused by earthquake motion many miles away. A power line may have collapsed. A home may have caught fire because of the quake and flames traveled many miles through brush to your home.

Another major factor is water damage. Quakes often break pipes. Even small quakes can crack a water or sewer pipe that floods your home and can cause extensive damage to your floors, rugs, furniture - even to the structure of your home.

If your homeowner's insurance includes fire and flood damage, you should be covered for this "earthquake" damage - even if you don't have earthquake insurance.

Another danger from earthquakes is landslides. You may or may not be covered for this. You need to check your homeowner insurance policy to make sure of your coverage for both landslide and fires. If your home does burn down, are you fully covered? Will you be able to replace your home and all of your belongings.

Check our other articles about homeowners insurance for details about coverages and what you need to know.

Where do you get Earthquake Insurance?

The law requires insurers that sell residential property insurance within the state of California to offer earthquake coverage to their policyholders. Most of these California earthquake insurance policies are backed and administered by a government organization known as CEA - the California Earthquake Authority.

Even though most earthquake insurance policies are sold by the state-run insurance pool, a few private companies also sell earthquake coverage. In order to provide earthquake coverage, insurance companies can become a CEA participating insurance company and offer the CEA's residential earthquake policies or they can manage the risk themselves. To date, companies that sell over two-thirds of the residential property insurance in the state have opted to become CEA participating companies.

According to the CEA website, the CEA homeowners policy is designed to help get you back into your home after an earthquake. The CEA base-limits policy for homeowners includes:

Dwelling coverage - The coverage limit is the insured value of your home stated on your companion homeowner policy.
* Personal Property coverage - $5,000
* Additional Living Expense/Loss of Use coverage - $1,500
* You may select either a 10% or 15% deductible on your Dwelling coverage, and CEA's increased-limit options allow you to increase Personal Property coverage to as much as $100,000 and Additional Living Expense/Loss of Use coverage to as much as $15,000.
Residential property insurance includes coverage for homeowners, condominium owners, mobile home owners, and renters.

Earthquake insurance is not intended for smaller losses as you must have enough damage to surpass your deductible. Even though deductibles are generally 10-15% of the amount of the Coverage A limits, it can be a little confusing to calculate the actual deductible amount since there are several factors that go into the formula.

How will your home handle an earthquake - Do you need Earthquake Insurance

- where in San Diego County do you live?
- what is under your house (rock, sand, fill, etc?)
- how is your home constructed - is it up to code and why that matters for your coverage

Age and type of construction contribute to how a residential structure reacts during an earthquake. Based on the scientific and engineering research, the CEA premiums reflect the following rating factors:

- In general, houses built on a slab perform better than those built on a raised foundation.
- One-story houses are less vulnerable to earthquake shaking than multi-story houses.
- Unreinforced masonry structures are more susceptible to damage than those of wood-frame construction.
- Houses of a certain age are not as strongly constructed as others.

The type of home you have affects your risk. One-story homes that are "tied together" -- with the roof bolted to the walls, and the walls to the foundation -- tend to survive earthquakes and windstorms better than multistory homes that aren't. As you would expect, houses with big openings, such as plate-glass windows or large garage doors, fare worse than ones without those features.

In addition, your home can be substantially fortified with some special construction measures. For many, this can be a better investment than buying earthquake insurance.

The Institute for Business and Home Safety has a Fortified For Safer Living" program that specifies building techniques that can help homes better withstand disaster.

Other California Earthquake Insurance Factors

No Known Loss Letter Requirement

In areas that have been previously affected by an earthquake or other catastrophic event, an insurer may require a "No Known Loss Letter" with all requests for earthquake insurance or to add earthquake coverage to an existing policy. These kind of letters letter confirms that no known losses or damages have already occurred to the requested coverage location(s).

DIC Policy

DIC (Difference in Conditions) insurance provides coverage designed to close specific gaps in standard insurance policies. It allows coverage to be customized to extend to such exposures as water damage, flood, collapse, earthquake, landslide, etc., according to the insured's needs. DIC coverage may be provided by means of a separate insurance policy or it may be added by endorsement to the basic policy.

Is Earthquake Insurance Right For You? How Much Equity Do You Have In Your Home?

As mentioned earlier, we view Earthquake coverage as catastrophic insurance. You will only need it if we have a really big earthquake. The more equity you have in your home, the more you need insurance.

According to UnitedPolicyHolders, a non-profit organization that fights for the rights of insurance consumers and educates individuals and businesses on how to get fair treatment, "a generally accepted rule of thumb is that you should not risk more than 10 percent of your liquid assets. A large earthquake could mean 10 to 100 percent of your home's structure could be damaged or destroyed, up to 20 percent of your belongings could be damaged, and/or you may need to come up with $3,000 a month for temporary rent and relocation costs."

In San Diego, we get lots of smaller quakes on a regular basis. These are reminders to YOU to review your current coverages to be sure that you are adequately insured. Is your current homeowner's insurance up to date? Will it pay to rebuild your home to current building codes? Do you have additional coverage and riders for all the new stuff yiou may have acquired since you first bought your insurance policy?

Remember, it is far more likely you will have pipes break or fires start from the smaller earthquakes. If either of these happen, you should have coverage under your regular homeowners policy. Check to make sure it is up to date and that you have enough coverage. As a result of the 2003 and 2007 wildfires, we have found that most homeowners in San Diego are underinsured.

By the way, businesses should review their policies to be sure they have EQSL - or Sprinkler Loss coverage. There is a greater chance you will suffer damage from sprinklers leaking than from a building falling down.

by Ronald Reitz, President of Quality Claims Management

Ron Reitz is president of San Diego-based Quality Claims Management Corp., a nationally licensed public insurance adjuster, providing hazard claim recovery services to investors, mortgage servicers, homeowners and businesses. Earlier, he pioneered the national hazard insurance claims business of GMAC-RFC (now GMAC-ResCap). He is the past president of the California Association of Public Insurance Adjusters and currently serves on the board of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters. Contact Quality Claims Management at (866) 45-1183 or http://www.qualityclaims.com.

RESOURCES

The California Earthquake Authority is a publicly managed, largely privately funded organization that provides catastrophic residential earthquake insurance and encourages Californians to reduce their risk of earthquake loss.

Only a CEA participating insurance company or its agent can give you an exact CEA-premium quote, but to get a good estimate of the cost, use their handy premium calculator.

Quality Claims Management online article with maps to find out if your home is in a danger zone - check for landslide, liquefaction and earthquake fault zones. http://www.qualityclaims.com/homeowner.aspx?sect=_quakeinsurance

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Reitz

Insurance quotes are a true blessing in disguise for every insurance customer, no matter how big or small. By taking the time to shop around and get insurance quotes, you can always save a little money. And when you save a little here and there, it can definitely add up to big savings in the long run. I never recommend getting an insurance policy without getting at least three or four quotes first, because you can't trust that you're getting the best deal if you don't compare your options to see what the best deal really is.

Remember a few things when you're looking for insurance quotes, regardless of the type of insurance that you seek:

-Never get insurance from a company that you don't know, trust, or that has a questionable reputation.

-Always take the time to compare the coverage AND the cost, not just the cost of the insurance. After all, cheap insurance is no good if it doesn't provide the cover that you need.

-If you don't have time to compare your own quotes online, find a local insurance agent that can check insurance quotes for you. After all, it IS their job to do that. And besides, they might find you a better policy than you would have found on your own.

-Remember that when it comes to insurance, credit counts. You won't face a big increase if you have bad credit, but the lack of responsibility makes you a higher risk to insurance companies, so they might charge you a little more.

-Don't work with any companies that aren't 100% committed to serving you. Whenever it comes to filing claims, the process will be more difficult when you have a company focused on profits and not customer service.

-Insurance is one of the most profitable industries in the global economy. Don't contribute to their bottom line by paying too much for insurance when you don't have to. Be a bargain hunter, and always look out for number one.

These are some things to keep in mind when it comes to getting insurance quotes and policies. You don't have to make it hard, and you certainly shouldn't feel overwhelmed. If it is all too much to take in, just go to an insurance agency near you and let an independent agent do the work for you. It's your call, as long as you don't overpay for insurance when you don't have to.

Asav Patel
'My Journey To Billionaire Club' - Blog Owner
http://www.myjourneytobillionaireclub.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Asav_Patel

Public Liability Insurance protects you against claims for damages caused by accident or injury in relation to your business.

• It covers you against claims for legal fees, loss of earnings, future loss of earnings, and costs of treatments

• It can cover you for your loss of income caused by damage to your business property

• It can also cover you against claims for damages if you accidentally cause breakages on someone else's property or to their equipment in the course of conducting your business

What else can it cover?

• Loss of income due to losing a key member of staff

• Claims against you by a member of staff due to accident or injury

• Claims against you due to accident or injury caused by a product you sell or make

Who needs it?

• It's not usually a legal requirement, but it is often insisted on in order to win contracts, for example, by Local Authorities

• It IS a legal requirement for certain specified businesses that are judged to carry a high level of risk of injury e.g. horse riding schools

• Even when not legally required, it is prudent for all businesses to carry it , as the cost of damages can be extremely high - you may be liable for legal fees, loss of earnings, loss of potential earnings, cost of treatments and damages due to defamation or humiliation.
It has been known for claims to be up to £10 million!

Who can benefit from it?

• Any type of business, including home-based businesses

• Anyone organising events for entertainment or charity, e.g. fetes and sports events.

• Anyone who visits other premises in the course of their business

What cover do I need?

• It depends on the size of your business! The owner of a shopping centre has very different requirement s to the local scout leader running a garden fete

• Use an online Insurance Quote Engine to see how much your Public Liability insurance might cost you

http://www.constructaquote.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marco_Bettarini

Insurance quotes are a true blessing in disguise for every insurance customer, no matter how big or small. By taking the time to shop around and get insurance quotes, you can always save a little money. And when you save a little here and there, it can definitely add up to big savings in the long run. I never recommend getting an insurance policy without getting at least three or four quotes first, because you can't trust that you're getting the best deal if you don't compare your options to see what the best deal really is.

Remember a few things when you're looking for insurance quotes, regardless of the type of insurance that you seek:

-Never get insurance from a company that you don't know, trust, or that has a questionable reputation.

-Always take the time to compare the coverage AND the cost, not just the cost of the insurance. After all, cheap insurance is no good if it doesn't provide the cover that you need.

-If you don't have time to compare your own quotes online, find a local insurance agent that can check insurance quotes for you. After all, it IS their job to do that. And besides, they might find you a better policy than you would have found on your own.

-Remember that when it comes to insurance, credit counts. You won't face a big increase if you have bad credit, but the lack of responsibility makes you a higher risk to insurance companies, so they might charge you a little more.

-Don't work with any companies that aren't 100% committed to serving you. Whenever it comes to filing claims, the process will be more difficult when you have a company focused on profits and not customer service.

-Insurance is one of the most profitable industries in the global economy. Don't contribute to their bottom line by paying too much for insurance when you don't have to. Be a bargain hunter, and always look out for number one.

These are some things to keep in mind when it comes to getting insurance quotes and policies. You don't have to make it hard, and you certainly shouldn't feel overwhelmed. If it is all too much to take in, just go to an insurance agency near you and let an independent agent do the work for you. It's your call, as long as you don't overpay for insurance when you don't have to.

Asav Patel
'My Journey To Billionaire Club' - Blog Owner
http://www.myjourneytobillionaireclub.blogspot.com/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Asav_Patel

When it comes to real estate, we all know by now that things are not as simple as finding the home of your dreams and going on with your life. Real estate comes with some strange procedures, terms, and lingo which can become very overwhelming to consumers. Despite the potential for confusion, there are some questions that they absolutely should be asking, particularly about the subjects of title and title insurance. We have found that obtaining answers to these questions will help alleviate much of the normal home buying anxiety. With this in mind, here are the 3 best title insurance questions consumers should be asking, and the typical answers we would give.

Top Question #1 - What is Title?

Our Answer: The word "title," obviously, can mean a number of things. In real estate, when you hear "title," it is referring to one's right to ownership, or any form of evidence of land ownership. Simply put, you need to know is that having title means you have the rights to that land.

Top Question #2 - What is Title Insurance and Why Do I Need It?

Our Answer: Title insurance is a protection mechanism that will protect you against any kind of damage caused by a defect in the title. In California, for example, a standard title insurance policy will protect against things such as forgery, impersonation, and the expenses incurred in defending the title. Title insurance not only verifies ownership, it will also detect any possible "clouds" on your title. Clouds could be in the form of IRS claims, liens, or other uncertainties of ownership.

Speaking in more detail, consumers should know there are two different title insurance policies issued in every real estate sale. The first type is an owner's policy, which will protect the new owner from any ensuing claims to the property. The second type is a lender's policy, which will protect the lender against loss of an unpaid loan balance in the event of a claim.

Title insurance policies are important because they protect against possible non-recorded claims against your property and ensure free and clear ownership. As such, these policies benefit consumers in establishing safety and security in owning real estate.

Top Question #3 - Who Pays for Title Insurance?

Our Answer: Although there is not just one way to pay for title, one method stands out as the most common. As mentioned before, there are two types of policies: a lender's policy and an owner's policy. As far as the lender's policy goes, it is usually paid for by the actual buyer of the real estate. The owner's policy on the other hand is paid for by the seller of the real estate. Of course in real estate, almost everything is negotiable, but this is typically the way the policies are paid.

Consumers Have Questions, Professionals Have Answers

Most modern consumers seek empowerment and the today's information age could be the time that many will find this new power; however, many are noticing that this empowerment is only as strong as the quality of the information received. It is our feeling that an empowered consumer is a more satisfied consumer and the real estate industry should strive to generate the best information possible. Questions like those above about title and title insurance are the types consumers really should be asking. It is our hope that the answers provided here will inspire them to ask all of their other questions about the real estate process.

About the Author: Todd Foust is the chief marketing executive for the FOUST Team at C21 Discovery; one of the top-selling real estate teams in Southern California. He specializes in Orange and Los Angeles Counties and operates one of the area's most informative real estate websites. Visit his website to contact him or learn more about Orange County real estate.

About the Author: Stephanie Albertine is a public relations and marketing manager for the FOUST Team at C21 Discovery. She is responsible for not only reaching out to prospective clients, but also keeping current clients updated and informed about the FOUST Team's services. In an effort to do so, Stephanie has recently put together a complimentary home buying guide available on our Orange County homes for sale page.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Todd_Foust

What events have caused the most commotion in the environmental insurance marketplace?

Most of the changes we have witnessed can be connected to AIG. As one of the largest environmental insurers in the nation, AIG's much-publicized fall from grace has started a chain reaction that has redefined the major players in the market.

Many of AIG's customers are distancing themselves from the embattled firm and a number of competitors are ready to step in and garner their business. And as AIG continues to restructure, more defections are expected.

How will these smaller and lesser-known competitors prove their worth against a giant such as AIG?

They need to prove that while they may be "smaller" than AIG in terms of sheer asset, they make up for it in financial stability and growth.

A.M. Best, the primary insurance-rating and information agency, is the key to validating an insurer's financial strength and ultimately, its success in the industry. Any insurance provider that scores an A- or higher by A.M. Best is considered to be stable.

Companies such as Chubb Group, ACE and Zurich, possesses strong AM Best ratings, some even obtaining higher ratings than AIG. Whether risk managers or buyers are willing to trust these companies' financial stability and longevity largely depends on the A.M. Best ratings.

How will the recent entry of several new insurers, such as Ironshore, impact the market?

To understand the market impact, one needs to look at the "market capacity" the maximum amount of limit an insurer is willing to put on a per risk basis.

For example, a larger company such as ACE is willing to put up a maximum of $50 million in limits on any given risk, representing a very aggressive liability capacity. Smaller companies, such as Arch Insurance Group or Liberty will only provide up to $25 million.

Prior to new environmental insurers, such as Great American, entering the market, all insurers capped at $200 million. The cap has now increased by $50 million, expanding the overall capacity of the marketplace. This increase is very favorable to buyers, as it allows for brokers to market more aggressively and help their clients find the best coverage at the most competitive price.

Can we bank on these new insurers' environmental qualifications? What kind of expertise do they have?

Whether it's a new start-up company or an established company creating or expanding an environmental division, there is a need for specialized environmental underwriters who understand the intricacies of environmental policies. To find these specialists, many firms are turning to AIG.

A number of former executives from AIG Environmental since left to form a new insurance underwriting unit within Ironshore, a newer company with no current financial issues. As the flight of executives from AIG continues, many of these up-starts will look to leverage the opportunity to obtain top talent.

Have insurers been offering any new products in environmental insurance to entice clientele from other companies?

All insurers are offering the same products, the most standard being pollution legal liability. Even the newest environmental product is 10 years old. What has changed is the pricing and coverage, which has become more aggressive in light of increased competition.

How does the new growth in the environmental insurance market help brownfield development and awareness building for the industry?

Environmental insurance is a must for any brownfield development project. Before large and established insurers provided environmental coverage, opportunities to develop on environmentally at-risk land parcels were very limited. Now, with a larger capacity and competition fueling a buyer's market, brownfield developers have significantly more options for coverage.

Ed Morales
Senior Vice President, Environmental Risk Management
EnviroFinance Group (EFG)
http://www.envirofinancegroup.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ed_Morales

Your home is important so you need to protect it. You can't drive without automobile insurance so you have to get a owner. But how can you take actions that will bring savings on both? This article will help you with a few tips...

Your credit rating will make you pay more or less. The lower your credit rating, the higher the premiums you will pay. What your credit rating reveals is how you treat your bills & it speaks negatively about you if it's a poor two. This is a pattern that most insurers believe will play out again in the way you pay up your premiums. This makes you a bigger risk & therefore attracts a higher rate.

It'll, therefore, be a lovely step to do something about improving your credit rating. You'll draw cheaper rates if you do.

You'll also get cheaper rates if you pick to pay your rates annually & not every month. A strong reason for this is the cost an insurance company incurs for posting you 12 bills instead of seven annually.

The cost increases if you add the fact that they pay transaction fees for processing each check you give them monthly as payment. 12 checks are 12 transactions which mean 12 separate transaction charges. & as with everything else, it's you the customer or owner holder who bears that cost.

Therefore opt for annual payments instead if you intend to make savings this way. What you will save could be as high as 8.5% of your total monthly payments over the work of seven year.

& don't forget: A higher deductible will bring in lower rates so pick accordingly when buying. If you've already purchased a home insurance owner that you're very happy with, increase your deductible.

Your deductible is the amount you'll be expected to pay if you make a claim before your insurance company would be duty-bound to fulfill the terms of your home insurance owner.

Opting for a high deductible will bring down your home & motor insurance rates - Every time. ensure it's an amount that you can produce easily when you make a claim.

somebody who previously settled for a deductible of $500 on their home insurance owner will save as much as 25% more if they opt for a deductible of $1,000.

it is wise to make it as high as possible as long as you can afford it with relative ease.

Do you still need more savings? Here's more...

& have you being with your home insurance provider for up to one years? Then ask for a loyalty discount. Most insurers will give discounts once you keep your owner with them for 3 years & above. Nevertheless, do NOT stay put with an insurance carrier only for this reason. Make sure you are enjoying a lovely price to value.

You'll save if you buy all your policies from the same insurance company. This qualifies you for a multi-policy discount. For starters, try getting your home & auto insurance policies from the same insurer.

This alone could help you save several hundreds of dollars depending on what you're paying currently.

& finally, get & compare quotes from a wide range of insurers. The quoting process will take you about five minutes per site you visit. If you use the right sites, you'll get 5 or more different quotes from different reputable insurers for each request.

Being insured protects you from major financial losses and is therefore now a very necessary part of all our lives. You should consider having the following types of insurance coverage:

• Health Insurance (may be paid by your employer). This covers most though not all of your doctor and hospital bills. A job wherein you are provided health insurance for yourself and your family is a definite benefit as buying your own medical policy is generally more expensive.

• Disability Insurance (again may be paid by employer). This will cover your expenses at a time when you are sick, injured or not able to work for a fairly long period of time. Again it is a real benefit if your employer is able to offer you this insurance.

• Life Insurance. In the case of your unexpected death, your chosen beneficiary will receive the insured sum.

• Auto Insurance. This will cover almost everything from repairs to damage suffered in an accident.

• Homeowner's Insurance. When you take a mortgage to buy a home, you will be required to go in for a homeowner's insurance. This will not only cover the losses in case of theft, fire or flooding but also provides cover if something happens to the physical structure of the home.

• Renter's Insurance. Somewhat similar to the homeowner's insurance although on a smaller scale, this will only cover the losses due to an apartment fire or flooding or of stolen belongings like a TV or jewelry.

Just as you would do before purchasing any product, compare any insurance policy with at least three other companies to make sure that you are getting adequate protection for the premium you are paying. You may be able to save on the premiums you have to pay if you increase the initial deductible you are willing to pay. Further, before renewing your policy every year, carry out the same check as prices keep changing.

Remember the best time to buy insurance is when everything is absolutely fine. Your health is good, your car is running fine and your home looks great. It is far more expensive, at times even difficult to get insurance once you are sick or your car has suffered an accident.

By the way, do you want to learn how to sell high ticket classes and coaching programs via the internet?

When you are considering your own business an independent insurance agency is a great business that provides you with many benefits. Many people never think about becoming an insurance agent because they feel that the procedure might be complicated and expensive. The truth is about anyone can start their own agency with little to know formal training. There are many small insurance providers who will sponsor small agencies. You need to make sure that you are licensed properly through the state you reside, make up a business plan and then contact providers that will permit you to sell their policy.

In most states you are required to take a test in order to get your license as an agent before a license will be issued. You can go to the Secretary of State Office and get training manual that will help you before you take your test. It is very easy to get a license as an agent who sells auto owners and home owners insurance but rather difficult to be licensed to sell life insurance. Many of the companies that you plan on using in your agency will provide you with training materials and a book of business.

The book of business is usually from a previous agent or an agent that lives a distance from where you are and since you are closer the client may want to change. Never assume that because you have inherited a book of business that everyone will become your client. You will need to obtain your own clients or book of business as it is referred too. When you do obtain a license to sell insurance you should also consider getting your organizational license making sure that you are licensed as LLC so that you will not be sued personally. This is vital for many agents because the client may decide to sue you or your business as well as the carrier that is providing them the insurance.

Next you will need a surety bond which basically a guarantor that you will be taking care of business to your customers. The surety bond is very inexpensive and a must for any agency. Then you will need an E & O insurance which protects you from any errors and omission that you might have performed that caused a significant loss to your clients. After you have acquired all the necessary agreements and insurance then you are ready to start your agency with the carrier(s) that have approved you to sell their premiums.

Find small business credit cards for your next business and more of Tom's work all at http://www.FINDbizcards.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tom_Tessin

If one of your single-families caught fire last night, are you certain it is insured properly? If a spring storm blew the roof off of your 12-unit apartment building, would you have coverage for your loss-of-rents? Is your subject-to exposure protected? When it comes to insuring your investment properties, it is best to know what protection you have, or don't have, before a claim! It is always nice to save a few dollars to add to your net income, but make sure you are aware, and more importantly, comfortable with your coverage levels and options.

ACV vs. Replacement Cost:

Make sure that you understand the difference between the two options. Also understand what a coinsurance penalty is, and how it may apply to your units. Every property, and property owner, for that matter, is different. Your comfort with how these options affect your coverage is vital for you to make an educated decision on which option to carry per property. ACV may be "cheaper", but could cost you when depreciation is applied to a claim.

Liability Limits:

Always carry as much liability protection as you can afford. As a minimum, you should carry $1,000,000 per occurrence. The larger your portfolio, the more liability protection you should have. Surprisingly, there is a minimal premium charge in most cases to double your protection. An umbrella policy is a method to provide liability coverage beyond the standard $1,000,000 or $2,000,000 limits. An umbrella is usually more cost-effective when you have more than one type of liability exposure.

Other Structures and Personal Property Coverages:

Don't forget to protect against loss of detached structures, such as garages, sheds, and outbuildings. Some policies automatically include limits for these. Also remember to protect items in the units such as refrigerators, stoves, and window air conditioning units. Again, some policies may automatically provide built-in protection for these items.

Ordinance and Law Coverage:

This provides protection for additional costs you may occur in order to bring your damaged property "back to code", as it is repaired from a loss. As time passes and building code changes, most properties are "grand-fathered". However, the repairs that are inspected by the governing municipality are required to be to current code. Hard-wired smoke detectors and handicapped accessibility are two such examples. Without the Ordinance and Law endorsement, such work is typically not covered under your policy. Older properties and multi-unit properties are more at risk for this situation.

Loss-of-rents, or Business Income Coverage:

This provides coverage for your lack of rental income, if your tenants are forced out of your property due to a covered loss. Some policies have built-in coverage to a certain time limit, such as 12 months. Other policies may have an endorsement you must purchase at specific levels of coverage. Either way, this is protection all property owners should have.

Deductibles:

Simply stated, the higher your deductible, the lower your premium. If you are a multi-property owner, and your units are insured under separate policies, your deductible will apply, per location, if you are on what is typically referred to as a "package" or "blanket" policy, your deductible usually applies per occurrence. This could be a big difference, out-of-pocket, in the event of a local catastrophe such as a tornado.

Earthquake, Water Backup and Flood Coverage:

Most policies have exclusions for such losses. You can buy these coverages back through endorsements. Make sure you understand how each coverage may apply, respective of your chosen insurance carrier. This will ensure you can make an educated decision on whether you should have any or all of these coverages.

Insuring the Proper Entity: Make sure you protect YOUR (or your entity's) interests. It is not worth sacrificing the proper protection to avoid the dreaded "due-on-sale" clause. The entity that owns the property should be the first-named insured. The first-named insured is the primary recipient of policy benefits. Additional insured and loss-payee endorsements may suffice in certain situations. However, as a general rule always aim to be the first-named on the insurance contract.

Always work with an Agent you can trust, regardless if they are "captive", or "independent". An Agent that is familiar with our business and willing to take the time and explain your protection needs for your situation, even if they can't offer the policy themselves. We all like to save money, but you purchase insurance for protection. Make sure you understand how it works, before you need it!

Tim Norris
National Real Estate Insurance Group, LLC
2008
888-741-8454
tim@nreinsurance.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Norris

It is a commonly misunderstood challenge: clarifying the timeless issue of how to properly insure a "subject to" property. The obvious dilemma is the "Due on Sale" (DOS) clause being invoked and the mortgage company calling the note. Though seemingly complex, some common sense rules-of-thumb usually apply. If you (or your entity) own, or have a financial "stake" in the property, be the "first named insured". The first named insured is the primary recipient of any potential claim benefit or liability protection. An "additional insured" will garner liability protection only. A "loss payee" will have its interests protected in the event the property itself is damaged. (A mortgagee is inherently BOTH). If you decide to keep the "homeowner's" policy in place and be named as the additional insured, be advised. If it is discovered that the ex-owner, the first-named insured in this case, no longer owns the property, expect the insurer to deny based upon the fact the policyholder no longer owns the property. Even if you manage the claim to be paid, you are not the entity to receive the proceeds, as you are not the first-named insured. If you did attempt to be added as a loss payee as well, chances are the insurer will question the necessity for you being named as such. When the insurer discovers you now own the property, they will need to write a new policy.

The proper way to insure the property, once you (or your entity) own it, is to have a non-owner occupied "landlord" policy, with you as the new first named insured. The bank/mortgage company is named, as normal, as mortgagee. The prior owner should be named as the additional insured ONLY. Naming the prior owner as additional insured will usually keep the mortgage company happy. But, you may ask, why not keep the ex-owners policy in place? One concern of carrying 2 policies on the same property is that most policies have "excess" clauses. In other words, the policy will pay only excess amounts, if any other policy exists. If each of the 2 policies have such a clause it will create havoc in getting a loss paid...

To further clarify the scenario here is a hypothetical example: Property has a "homeowner" and a "landlord" policy (both) on it. Fire occurs. Owner files a claim under the landlord policy. So far, so good. However, "tenant" (prior owner, or new occupant), has personal property damage. He must also file claim, but against his "homeowners" or tenants policy. The respective insurance company on each claim is bound to find out of the other policy's existence and could (more than likely would) attempt to invoke the "excess" clause of it's own contract, potentially leaving the owner waiting for courts/arbitration to settle... I wouldn't take the chance with 2 policies. If an insurer has an opportunity to mitigate, or deny, a loss if there are contractual issues, be sure they'll try!

(As an added note, if the prior owner moves out, the "homeowners" policy is no longer valid as the property is now "non-owner-occupied"). Bottom line: if you own it, you insure it. If the fact that a DOS clause is/would be invoked if the insurance policy changes, I would walk away before potentially diminishing or even sacrificing coverage by trying to "skirt" the correct way to insure the property. In 12 years, we have yet to have a loan called (knock wood) by insuring the new owner on a "landlord" policy and naming the bank (and the old owner) as mortgagee and additional insured respectively.

Hope this helps your understanding. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Tim Norris
National Real Estate Insurance Group, LLC
2008
888-741-8454
tim@nreinsurance.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tim_Norris

In order to get a life insurance rate quote, you must first determine what kind of life insurance policy you want to purchase. There are two basic kinds of life insurance policies – term life insurance policies, and whole life insurance policies.

Term life insurance policies offer life insurance coverage for a “term.” This means, your life insurance coverage will last for a certain period of time. Most term life insurance policies offer coverage anywhere from five to thirty years. How long your term life insurance policy lasts is up to you. Term life insurance policies appeal to people because of the lower life insurance rate quote. Term life insurance policies are usually less expensive than whole life insurance policies, because term life insurance policies don’t offer, or require, the components that whole life insurance policies do. When you purchase a term life insurance policy, you’re purchasing pure life insurance.

In contrast to term life insurance policies, whole life insurance policies offer life insurance coverage for the rest of your life. They also provide a required savings component along with the whole life insurance policy. Some people are attracted to this savings component because it allows the whole life insurance policy to accumulate a cash value. The policyholders can use that cash value in certain times, such as times of financial stress, or times when they want to put the accumulated cash toward their policy premiums.

When you begin your search for a life insurance rate quote, take note that your life insurance rate quote will most likely reflect the type of life insurance policy you decide to purchase. You’ll usually pay less for a term life insurance policy, and get simply the life insurance coverage you want. You’ll usually pay more for a whole life insurance policy, but get extras you might need. Consider the life insurance rate quote based on the coverage, and extras, you want with your policy.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Elizabeth_Newberry