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How to choose an auto insurance broker – Part 3

April 7th, 2010

When choosing an insurance broker for your automobile insurance, you will find it helpful to find an agent that knows you and your family well. Also, you should know the agent well. It should be someone that is trustworthy and has a good business relationship with trusted individuals in your community.

If you are new to a community, ask your work associates who they use and why they use them. Also ask your fellow civic club members, neighbors, and church associates. You will probably find right away that there is one or two agents that the majority of people use. This is especially so if you live in a small town.

Go and meet the agent personally and ask him what he has to offer. Mention the people who recommended him so that you have some common point of reference.

A lot of insurance companies have big boasts about low premiums. But in the long run, a personal agent who knows you and your needs may be able to offer you the same options at an affordable, if not cheaper, rate.

It is good if your insurance agent is in the town where you live so that you can go and sit across the desk from him to review your policy periodically. But, with the technological advantages that we have now, that may not be necessary. However, you should feel free to pick up the phone and call your agent at any time. He or she must be assessable to you. If the agent always seems out of pocket and unable to speak to you directly about the mundane issues, then how can you be sure he will be there when you need him in a crisis?

When you find a good agent, keep him! Don’t jump here and there seeking something better. If you are struggling with your insurance premium, go talk to your agent. He may be able to offer you some advice that could save you some money or give you the additional coverage that you need.

The trust element is vitally important between you and your agent. If you see a policy advertised somewhere that is cheaper, take it to him and ask him if he can match it. He will probably tell you that there is a reason that it is cheaper. You should be able to respect his advice. If not, you could end up switching companies and find that the cheaper insurance doesn’t give the coverage that your previous policy offered. The sad thing is that you will probably not discover that until it is time to make a claim. Then it will be you who loses.

We have all heard the old saying that “you get what you pay for”. Well, automobile insurance is no exception. We would all be wise to have a personal agent who we know and respect to go over our policies with us carefully to make sure we have the coverage we need.

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Auto insurance: Money

January 6th, 2010

Auto insurance: Money-saving strategies

Choosing an auto insurance plan can be quite daunting, especially when you are on a tight budget. Here are some tips to help you save money on your plan.

Shop around:

Be sure to search for competitive quotes on your auto insurance. Start out be searching online on an insurance quote website to give you an idea of what different companies will charge you. You may need to contact some of the insurance agents directly to get an accurate quote (particularly for companies like State Farm that deals with local agents). You can also get some quotes directly from websites like Geico, Esurance, and Progressive. Choose a high-quality, low-cost insurance plan.

Lilliput 669GL

Check for all the possible discounts:

Good record or credit discounts: If you have a clean driving record and a strong credit score, you will be able to get a reduction in your insurance cost. This is extra motivation to always be a safe driver on the road, in order to have a clean record, and to also keep it up-to-date.

Multiple car discounts: Most insurance companies offer special discounts if you insure more than one car. In fact, insuring two cars can sometimes end up being the same cost as insuring only one.

Company or organization discounts: Check with your work to see whether they offer car insurance discounts. In addition, many groups, such as credit card companies, fraternities, trade groups, and professional organizations etc., offer special cost reductions.

Theft devices and safety equipment: Many cars have theft devices, antilock brakes, airbags, automatic seatbelts, and other safety equipment installed. Be sure to check whether your current car or new car has any of these items installed, because this can reduce your insurance cost.

Low-risk occupation discounts: Some insurance agencies offer discounts for certain professions that are considered to be “lower risk.” These occupations can vary from company to company, so be sure to inquire to see if your profession is on the low-risk list at each insurance company you are considering.

Senior citizen discounts: If you are a senior, make sure you receive a discount for this on your insurance.

Reduce your coverage or incease your deductible:

The most obvious way to reduce your insurance costs is to lower your coverage. If you reduce your comprehensive and collision coverage you can dramatically reduce your cost. If you increase your deductible from the common $500 to $1000, you will see a large reduction in your monthly premium, while still be covered for serious accidents.

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How to find the right auto body repair shop

December 20th, 2009

I have been involved in Smash Repairs and Body shops in Australia for over 20 years, I also worked for 10 years with two different Insurance Companies. The facts you need to know:-

Firstly: If you are involved in an accident and your car has to be towed from the road, do not let the towing company tell you where they will tow your vehicle to, it is important that you contact your insurance company prior to the towing company picking up your car and towing it. Towing companies are paid royalties to take vehicle to certain panel shops, and you certainly don’t need your vehicle towed to some backyard panel shop that has to pay towing companies for work.

Playing with the DOF

Secondly: You are not required to obtain more than ONE quotation for repairs if you are insured, however, if you are not insured and you require a third party to pay for repairs to your vehicle, it is recommended that you get 2 or more quotes in case legal action is required. If you are insured Insurance companies may make you feel like you must run around town and get at least 2 or 3 or even more quotations, but you only require ONE, so it is best to get a few recommendations from friends, family etc., before choosing which repairer best suits you.

Thirdly: You may obtain a quotation from any panel shop anywhere of your choice, you are not obliged to use the Insurance companies suggested smash repairer. However, it is recommended for your guarantee of workmanship, otherwise most Insurance Companies will pay you out an agreed amount for repairs if you choose a repairer they do not recommend for warranty reasons. If you are not insured, another way of choosing the right panel shop is to get a list of repairers that the leading insurance companies recommend, and visit those first, often if a panel shop is recommended to a wide range of larger insurance companies, then they are surely recommended as a quality business with the highest standard of workmanship. Insurance companies choose very carefully what panel shops they use for repairs, as they also require the highest quality of workmanship, REMEMBER the Smash Repairs customer is also the Insurance Companies customer.

Fourthly: Have a look around the smash repair shop you have chosen to repair your vehicle, check they have a clean spray booth and paint shop. Ask how much experience there staff have had and if the panel shop itself holds there own guarantee of workmanship as well as your insurance company. If you are not insured you will require

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How to choose an auto insurance broker – Part 2

July 12th, 2009

If choosing an auto insurance broker was as simple as putting your finger blindly into the yellow pages at random, there would be no need for articles of this nature. However, in order to get the best out of what brokers have to offer, you do need to understand a little background about how brokerages work, as this also helps you to choose wisely. This article sets out to dispell myths and help a motorist seeking wise insurance options to know what to look for.

*What brokers do.

*Why a broker rather than an Insurance Company?

*Charges.

*Availability of competition.

*Reputation.

*Professionalism.

carrot curl~

*Locality

*Package deals.

What brokers do.

What a broker does is find you an insurance for your auto, using their database of Insurance Companies to find competitive prices. The more established the companies that a brokerage deals with, the more chance you have of finding that competitive price for your Insurance. Brokers do deals with Insurance companies which offer incentives. They get paid by Insurance companies for the amount of business they generate, and are able to tell you the alternatives available.

Why a broker rather than an Insurance Company?

If you go direct to an Insurance company, they will attempt to sell you their product, and may present this in a biased manner, based on their need to sell Insurance. A broker, on the other hand, works hand in hand with many Insurance companies, and can compare. They do, of course, want to sell insurance, though a good brokerage firm will distinguish which company offers the best deal for your particular circumstances.

Charges.

This is one area where you need to be informed. While some brokers do not ask for a fee for finding you that insurance company, others do. Before even asking for quotations, be clear as to what fee will be involved. It may not preclude that Brokerage from the equation, as even with charges, sometimes these brokers can find insurance quotes which significantly beat the competition.

Others gain their remuneration from the Insurance company themselves, though be aware with small brokers who only deal with a few companies may be biased towards those companies who pay them the best return.

Availability of competition.

Ask a broker how many Insurance companies will be searched in order to supply you with the best price. A smaller firm may only have a few to compare, while a broker with a great reputation will be able to give a more comprehensive service.

Try to choose a broker who

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How to Choose an Auto Body Shop

March 19th, 2009

As a large majority of the general public drives an automobile, it is important to have certain resources on hand which relate to the car. Things such as insurance companies, auto dealers and automotive parts stores are all important businesses to have close by should an individual need their assistance. However, perhaps the most important business contact an individual should have is an auto body shop. As a good auto body shop is important for your car repairs and pocketbook there are a few ways an individual should go about selecting the best auto body shop in their area.

Consider Recommendations

Since many individuals use auto body shops, it is highly likely that one will know someone else who has also used a local auto body shop. As a result, asking for recommendations from friends and family members is a great way to select the perfect auto body shop. There are a few different reasons why considering recommendations is a good step to take prior to settling on a particular body shop. First, friends and family members will be able to state whether they have had a favorable experience with a particular auto body shop or not. Not only will they be able to comment on the overall cost of services but how the staff handled their automobile situation as well. This is a great point of reference when you are trying to find a shop that does good body work while charging a fair price.

Another reason to consider asking for recommendations from friends and family members with regard to choosing an auto body shop is to make sure that the company you are considering dealing with will treat the customer in an honest and fair manner. As any individual who has to put their car in the shop wants it to go as smoothly as possible, asking for recommendations with regard to auto body shops will help because you will be able to find a good shop with reasonable prices.

Have an Auto Body Shop Picked Out Before it is Necessary to Use One

Because an inoperative car, due to an accident or otherwise, is already a stressful situation, one does not want to face any additional stress by having to find an auto body shop to fix their car at the last minute. For this reason, it is a good idea to have an auto body shop picked out before one even needs the assistance of one. This is also beneficial as the individual can check out the shop beforehand and ask questions of the staff, such as do they offer towing to their facility, for example, and receive answers to other important questions.

Warranties

Another factor to consider when wondering how to choose an auto body shop is whether or not the auto body shop offers warranty on any of its parts or services. Since warranties are frequently offered in auto body shops, if one shop doesn’t offer many warranties or any warranties at all, then that prospective customer may very well wish to keep looking for an auto body shop that does offer warranties on its parts and/or services. When a shop offers warranties it makes the customer feel as if the shop is confident in their work and will do a good job.

Payment Accepted

Another factor which may be a determining one when choosing an auto body shop is what types of payment the shop accepts for auto body repair. If the auto body shop only accepts cash and checks in limited instances which must be paid up front, then perhaps considering another auto body shop which accepts many different forms of payment, such as a variety of credit cards, may be the best bet. In addition, auto body shops may sometimes offer installment plans which can work out well for those who are on a strict budget yet need to have their automobile repaired as soon as possible.

Choosing the right auto body shop is a very important decision to make. By considering the previously mentioned tips when choosing an auto body shop, it may just help the individual choose the best possible one.

Saft og vann (raspberry juice drops in water)

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Auto insurance: Money – Part 1

March 17th, 2009

You may not realize it, but the insurance rates you pay for your car can vary dramatically depending on the insurance company, agent or broker you choose, the auto coverage you request and the kind of car you drive. Thanks to some public information from our friends at Pueblo, other public domain sites, as well as my own articles, here are a number of things you can do right now to lower your car insurance costs.

1. Comparison Shop – Rates for the same car insurance can vary by hundreds of dollars, so it pays to shop around. Ask your friends, check the yellow pages or call your state insurance department. You can also check consumer guides, insurance agents or insurance companies.

But do not shop price alone. The insurer you select should offer both fair prices and excellent service. Quality personal service may cost a bit more, but provides added conveniences, so talk to a number of insurers to get a feeling for the quality of their service. Ask them what they would do to lower your costs. Check the financial ratings of the companies too. Then, when you have narrowed the field to three insurers, get price quotes.

Checking the dust on your sensor.

2. Ask for a higher deductible – Car insurance deductibles represent the amount of money you pay before you make a claim. By requesting higher deductibles on collision and comprehensive (fire and theft) coverage, you can lower your costs substantially. For example, increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision cost by 15% to 30%.

3. Drop collision and/or comprehension coverage on older cars – It may not be cost-effective to have collision or comprehensive auto coverage’s on cars worth less than $1000 because any claim you make would not substantially exceed annual cost and deductible amounts. Auto dealers and banks can tell you the worth of cars.

4. Eliminate duplicate medical coverages – If you have adequate health insurance, you may be paying for duplicate medical coverage in your auto policy. In some states, eliminating this coverage could lower your personal injury protection (PIP) cost by up to 40%.

5. Buy a “low profile” car – Before you buy a new or used car, check into insurance costs. Cars that are expensive to repair, or that are favorite targets for thieves, have much higher insurance costs. Write to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, 1005 North Glebe Road, Arlington, VA 22201 and ask for the Highway Loss Data Chart.

6. Consider area insurance cost if you are making a move – Costs tend to be lowest in rural communities and highest in center cities where there is more traffic congestion.

7. Take advantage of low mileage discounts – Some companies offer discounts to motorists who drive fewer than a predetermined number of miles a year.

8. Find out about automatic seat belts or air bag discounts – You may be able to take advantage of discounts on some coverage’s if you have automatic seat belts and/or air bags.

9. Inquire about other discounts – Some insurers offer discounts for more than one car, no accidents in three years, drivers over 50 years of age, driver training courses, anti-theft devices, anti-lock brakes and good grades for students.

SPECIAL NOTE: For more information and tips on auto insurance and all other types of insurance, call the National Insurance Consumer Helpline (NICH) at 1-800-942-4242

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How to choose an auto insurance broker – Part 1

January 19th, 2009

Before you try to choose an auto insurance broker; you need to decide if an insurance broker is the right choice for you. Some people think that all insurance agents are insurance brokers. That is not true. All insurance brokers are insurance agents; but not all insurance agents are insurance brokers. Huh?

Before you become an insurance broker you must be a licensed insurance agent. But, not all insurance agents decide to become insurance brokers.

Many insurance agents decide to become a “captive agent”. This means that they work for and represent one insurance company and it’s subsidiaries and affiliates exclusively. The goal of these agents is to get as much of your insurance business as possible and keep it with their company. Their loyalty is to their company. Many of your big name insurance companies only use exclusive agents: State Farm, Farmers Insurance, Nationwide, etc. So, if you want an auto quote or auto insurance through a major company; do not even consider an auto insurance broker because they can’t help you.

Boarded window

Auto insurance brokers represent many different companies. Their loyalty is not to any one company; their loyalty is to their customers. They want to find the best deal for their customers even if it means placing them with several different companies. There are a few major companies that do use brokers (Allstate, Progressive, etc); but, most of the companies that brokers are smaller companies and specialty companies. Sometimes this will get you better deals and sometimes you will miss out on deals that you might have gotten through a company that uses captive agents. You can tell an insurance broker from a captive agent just by checking out their ad in the yellow pages. The insurance broker will have several insurance company logos and/or names listed in their ad.

So, if you have decided an auto insurance broker is the best choice for you; how do you pick one.

1) Location – are they conveniently located to you.

2) Hours of operation – are they open when you need them for day to day business.

3) Web site – if you prefer to do business on-line do they have a web site and is it easy to navigate.

4) Customer service – when you walk in the door how are you treated? Are they courteous or do they ignore you? Do you have to wait very long; and, if you have to wait how are you treated – refreshments, magazines, music, etc?

5) Do they charge you fees for services that you get for free from a captive agent? Brokers are paid a commission

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How to choose an auto body repair shop – Part 4

January 3rd, 2009

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With all the horror stories surrounding auto body repair shops, finding a good one can seem difficult. You find yourself worrying about a mechanic who will not do the job properly, the mechanic who overcharges you, or the mechanic who uses bad parts. While there are some less than spectacular body shops out there, it isn’t that difficult to find a good one.

Start by asking your auto insurance company for their suggestions. In most cases, if you need an auto body shop, the insurance company will already be involved. It is illegal for your insurance company to demand that you choose a specific shop, but they often have a list of shops that they have worked with before. You may also want to ask your friends or relatives for their recommendations. If you get a recommendation from someone you know, ask them questions about the shop, how it works and how they treat their customers.

Once you have a short list of options, you’ll need to do a little research on the companies, and the Better Business Bureau is a good place to start. They can provide information on how long the body shop has been in business, how many complaints have been filed against the shop, and how the complaints were resolved. You should always do this when using a new body shop because it will reveal information the body shop will never tell you.

The next step is to ensure that the auto body shop is licensed with the state, and its workers as well if that’s required. Some insurance companies will not pay for the repairs or damages if the shop uses unlicensed workers, and you cannot use your not knowing as an excuse. Check beforehand, and save yourself time and money later. You should also look for a shop that’s workers are part of a professionally sanctioning body, usually America’s Collision Repair Association.

After doing your research, try a visit to the auto body shop and get a feel for the business and its customers. You can see the types of vehicles they work on, and often see examples of their completed work. Ask if they have any workers who have done similar repairs, or if any of their workers have experience with your model of car. In some cases they may have performed the exact same job on the same car, and can show you proof of their work.

The best thing to do is to trust your instincts. If the auto body shop, or any of its workers make you uncomfortable or hesitant, keep looking. There’s a good auto body shop out there just waiting.

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Auto insurance: Why cars are declared a total loss

September 30th, 2008

After you’ve been in an accident and your car has been declared “totaled” getting the right answers is essential when it comes to making decisions; especially if you plan on keeping the “total” loss from becoming a complete loss.

When my wife had a minor accident in the car she had inherited from her mother after her death, she was devastated. The car meant the world to her. The damage was minor and purely cosmetic. The car still ran fine. It was 10 years old, but for us, its value was more sentimental than monetary. We wanted to keep it and we were willing to cover whatever costs we had to beyond what the insurance company was willing to pay. Keeping the car was our main concern. The car was still registered and worked fine. We would take the insurance money and add what we needed in order to make the repairs.

Or so we thought. There was one small problem. We didn’t own our car anymore.

Day 33/365

As it turned out, because it was declared totaled, if we accepted the settlement, the insurance company would take the car. The registration would be canceled and the car would be turned over to a salvage company for disposal. By accepting the settlement we would be relinquishing our rights of ownership. We had to choose… the car or the money. It didn’t seem right or fair and we questioned the decision.

After numerous phone calls and countless questions it became clear that the rules were so vague that nobody knew for sure. In the end, the truth lay somewhere in the middle of all the stories.The reality is that the rules regarding what happens after your car has been declared “totaled” vary widely depending on the insurance company and the state where the accident happened. And therein lies the problem most people face in such a situation. Asking the right questions can make dealing with the problem a lot easier.

Ordinarily we rely on the professionals, insurance companies, repair shops and motor vehicle registries to guide us through process of recovering from the loss. Not always a great idea! In the event that your auto is declared “totaled” but you think otherwise, ask as many questions as you can and don’t accept the first answer you get. In our case, ask and verify was the moral of the story.

In the event your car is declared a total and you have doubts here are some rules you should follow:

1. Know your policy terms. Have a copy of handy when you talk to your insurane company and be sure they explain your rights and responsibilities… and thiers

2. Use a mechanic you know and trust. Inflated damage and repair estimates can result in estimates that can lead to the wrong decision

3. The the insurance company of the driver at fault has the final say. Your insurance company may not be aware of the other companys policy terms. NEVER assume the first call will get you in the right answer.

4. The car or the money… often you have a choice. The decision to declare a car “totaled” is a financial one, not a mechanical one. Your car might look bad, but if the damage is cosmetic, you can avoid having it declared a total loss by accepting a settlement that won’t cover the cost of repairs. But remember… if you can keep it… an ugly car can still be a useful one.

5. The final desion will be yours…make it wisely

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How to choose an auto insurance broker

August 15th, 2008

Choosing an auto insurance broker is not that easy. In order to choose the best, you must know about the auto insurance broker, their duty, their services and other qualities. let’s start with the definition.

What is an auto insurance broker?

If you ask any one about the definition of auto insurance broker, most people find it difficult to answer this simple question. The auto insurance broker is a person specially trained by the insurance companies to work as the adviser for various auto insurances.

Selecting auto insurance broker

1. Brokerage fee of auto insurance broker varies. There are many brokers who get commission from you as well as from the insurance company. Inquire about how much brokerage you have to pay. Don’t go for the auto insurance broker that charges you some percentage of your insurance amount. It is always cheap and convenience to select an auto insurance broker charging you flat rate. This flat rate is usually one time fee and you don’t have to pay any other brokerage commissions.

All American Auto

2. There are some auto insurance brokers who does not charge you anything. They are satisfied with the commission they get it from the insurance companies. If you are in a tight budget then you may select this type of auto insurance broker. But there is a small problem with this type of brokers. Since they are solely depends upon the commissions of insurance companies, they consciously or unconsciously try to sell you the policy of that insurance company which gives them the highest commission.

3. It is very important to check the reputation of particular auto insurance broker. You can do this online by inquiring about the particular auto insurance broker in to your local auto insurance forums. You may find some interesting facts about various auto insurance brokers in your surrounding area. You can select your broker that has highest reputation according to forum’s members.

4. It is always beneficial to select the auto insurance broker who resides in your surrounding area or in case of emergency; he/she should be available 24/7.

5. Selection process becomes easy if you interview auto insurance broker. Ask him lots of question. She/he must be very knowledgeable and should represent more than 3 reputable insurance companies. Let the broker demonstrate you about how they save your money. Give him your actual requirements and she/he should be able to give you advice on the spot.

6. Ask your friends, relatives and your colleagues about the experiences of their auto insurance broker if they have any. This is the best method by which you will get good and reputable auto insurance broker.

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