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