Mar 13, 2007

Farmer Insurance - Don't Bet the Farm, Shield Yourself

Farming is a massive operation. Having farmer insurance is most necessary when you consider all the risk involved in owning and running a farm. Farm insurance can help protect you from the loss of a bad crop or the unforeseen disaster of the loss of a heard. Tragedy strikes at inconvenient times, but thankfully there is protection available.

Regardless of whether you inherited your farming business through your family, or decided to take the plunge and start a farm, the costs involved are enormous and the loss of a crop due to frost or hail can be devastating. Farmer insurance acts as protection against complete financial ruin if the unforeseen happens. Not only are crops and animals at risk, but the equipment needed for operation is also very costly. The term 'farming' encompasses many types of farm operation; thankfully there is farmer insurance available for each source of revenue.

Farmer insurance covers many potential incidents. Not only does it cover many accidents that may occur on the farm, but it guards against possible litigation. For instance, a consumer could purchase a jar of your jam, get ill and then decide to sue your business. Farmer insurance not only helps cover you in this instance, but will represent you in court if need be. A common policy coverage also involves accidents while operating your farm equipment or performing farming duties. When you stop to think about it, there truly are many ways that a farm is endangered to liability.

Available Farmer Insurance

Before choosing farmer insurance there are factors that must be considered. The most important issue is the type of farm that you operate. Also, how is business commenced? It may be best to write a list and include how many people you employ, the amount and types of equipment that need to be insured and possible liabilities that worry you. The following is a general list of items that need to be insured when operating a farmer.

Crop Insurance: Crop-yield and crop revenue are big concerns to farmers. Since the outcome of the crop determines the livelihood of the entire farm, coverage for the crop is paramount. Farmer insurance generally covers loss due to natural causes. This may include bugs, pests and hazardous weather.

Farm Contents: Most farm equipment is quite costly and can run into the hundreds of thousands. You will want insurance that lists specific equipment individually and provides comprehensive coverage for your equipment. Some policies also cover loss of livestock because of electrocution.

Theft: Theft coverage is not limited to stolen machinery. Often time's theft on a farm involves livestock including cows, sheep, goats and hogs.

Employers Liability Insurance: If a farmer has one employee, he or she will need liability insurance. The employee needs not to be full-time, they can be an occasional work-hand, but accidents happen and this insurance will cover many potential liabilities.

Fatal Injury of Livestock: Many companies offer farmer insurance that covers the loss of an animal either while on the farm or even while in transit. If an animal dies coverage generally is available for a maximum amount per animal and a maximum per accident. Even working dogs, such as herding dogs, may be covered if fatally injured.

Sheep Coverage: This item helps to cover veterinary bills and loss of sheep due to injury or death.

Business Disruption: Farmer insurance will help protect a farmer when business costs either increase dramatically or profits are suddenly down due to unforeseen incidents.

Shipment of Goods: Your strawberries are safely on their way to market and boom, they're gone. A loss of income due to crop damage while in transit is protected with this coverage. Loss of livestock is not covered under this coverage since animals are covered separately.

Personal Accident Coverage: If an accident that leads to injury occurs on a farm, this coverage protects against this. As a farmer you are entitled to a settlement if an injury occurs that effects your ability to run the farm as needed.

Personal House and Contents: The farmer's residence and any additional buildings are covered. If specifically stated, the contents of the home may also be covered.

Summary:

When the protection of farm equipment, livestock and crops are in question, Farmer insurance must be purchased. Farmer insurance will safeguard against financial ruin due to unforeseen occurrences. Common coverage includes loss of income due to theft, crop failure and the death of livestock. A farmer's personal home and contents are often included with this insurance. Farming is an important line of work and there is insurance available to help protect not only the farm, but the owner.

Copyright - baLooT Inc. 2007

Health Insurance 101

Health insurance is a kind of insurance wherein the insurance company pays the medical costs of the insured individual if the individual in question falls ill due to covered causes, or due to accidents. The insurer may be a private organization or a government agency. The major purpose of health insurance is to cover medical expenses and any lost income while the individual is not well and unable to function normally.

There are different types of health insurance policies. The two most common ones are major medical and disability insurance. A major medical health insurance policy provides benefits for sickness or injury, irrespective of whether the care is provided at a doctor's office, clinic or hospital. The types of sickness and injury covered are typically broad, although there are always limitations that you may want to discuss with your agent prior to purchasing the coverage. Major medical policies normally have an annual deductible and a lifetime maximum amount of benefits that will be paid.

Even if you are covered by a group insurance at work, you might consider taking an individual policy if you may change jobs soon, or if certain benefits that are not provided in the group policy.

A deductible is an annual amount that you will have to pay per insured person, before the insurance company begins to pay on your bills. There is an upper limit for the maximum amount of deductibles you will have to pay in a given year.

In a health policy, coinsurance refers to the percentage of the medical bills that the insured individual will have to pay after the deductible is met. Usually the health policy would have a provision called a ‘stop-loss' - this is the maximum amount you will have to pay for covered medical bills.

Copyright - baLooT Inc. 2007

Mar 12, 2007

State Farm Insurance

The Beginnings

State Farm insurance began in 1922, the invention of a man named George J. Mecherle. Mecherle thought that he could come up with a better insurance company than the rest, offering better coverage and great rates. So he did. Something about Mecherle's vision was right - more than eighty years later, State Farm Insurance is still going strong.

"In just over 80 years, State Farm Insurance Companies® has grown from a small farm mutual auto insurer to one of the world's largest financial institutions. But despite State Farm's growth, Mecherle's original philosophy of insurance coverage at a fair price coupled with fair claim settlement has remained."
State Farm web site, May 2006

State Farm, Today

With 25 operations centers in 13 zones, these days State Farm employs 79,200 people, including 16,700 plus agents. State Farm actively services 71.6 million insurance policies in the United States and Canada. Many awards have been received by State Farm for their equal opportunity employing methods, and for the number of jobs the company has created. State Farm strives to give back to the community, participating in many programs to further education and safety, including awarding grants and scholarships.

The Future of State Farm

"Our vision for the future is to be the customer's first and best choice in the products and services we provide. We will continue to be the leader in the insurance industry and we will become a leader in the financial services arena. Our customers' needs will determine our path. Our values will guide us."
- State Farm web site, May 2006

What State Farm Offers

State Farm can take care of all your insurance needs. They offer most types of insurance coverage. All the usual suspects of auto, home, life, renter's, and supplemental medical insurance are available through State Farm. Other insurance offerings include condo, long-term care, and Medicare supplement. The State Farm web site is very user-friendly and easy to use. Using the web site, consumers can obtain a quote on any type of policy named above, or find an agent, both within minutes. Answering a few quick questions will lead you to a free online quote, and a search feature makes finding an agent simple work.

You can also reach State Farm agents through online insurance quote web sites. This offers you the ability to compare rates from State Farm and from other independent agents or companies. Inquire with the site in question about the companies that will be providing a quote.

"State Farm's mission is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams."
- State Farm web site, May 2006

Other Services

Not only does State Farm provide you with quality insurance, but the web site is a wealth of tools and information. A helpful learning center exists online for any who would like to learn more about retirement planning, college planning, savings strategies, prevention and safety, or life stages such as having a baby, marriage, or buying a home. There's even a "kid's stuff" section. Consumers can learn about reasons to have car insurance and what insurance policies do for you, and what they can mean in your life.

Trust

State Farm is truly one of the oldest names in insurance, and theirs is a name you can trust. If State Farm did not provide excellent customer service and satisfaction, there's no way there would still be going strong. Often, it's much cheaper to buy all your insurance plans through one carrier than through several different companies. State Farm can provide for all your insurance needs, without making you spend a fortune. Isn't it better to use a company you know you can depend on?

Copyright - baLooT Inc. 2007

Mar 9, 2007

Family Dental Insurance 101

Purchasing a family dental insurance plan provides you and your family two important benefits:

• Better oral health for the entire family as most plans pay 100% of the preventive service fees such as cleaning every six months. This encourages the family to visit the dentist for regular check ups and cleaning treatments. Prevention is half the battle!


• Generate more savings because the dental insurance company pays a certain percentage of dental services for minor and major procedures.

Here are six questions to guide you in the selection of the right dental insurance plan for you and your family.


1. Does the plan allow you to pick your own dentist? Some dental insurance carriers give you bigger discounted rates provided you use their network of dentists. If your favorite dentist is not part of the network, the dental insurance plan may not cover the treatment. You should consider paying extra for a plan, which allows you and your family to go to your preferred dentist.

2. Are there restrictions when it comes to choosing the best treatment options? Some insurance plans put a cap on the number of treatments or limit the amount paid for a condition. If you or your family has a history of poor dental health care, then you should choose a plan that has few restrictions on this aspect.

3. What is does the plan cover? An ideal dental insurance plan allows for one cleaning treatment every six months, with X-ray and fluoride treatments that come at little or no cost for each member. For the major procedures, some dental plans require you to pay 50 percent of the entire bill. If your family has a history of good dental health care, then you may want to negotiate for lesser coverage when it comes to the major procedures.

4. Which family members are covered by the family insurance plan? Most dental insurance carriers cover the spouse and dependent children, from birth through 18. Some exceptions are given for children up to the ages of 22 if the child is a full time student, and dependent on the principal for support.

5. Is there built in flexibility in scheduling dental appointments? Some inexpensive dental insurance plans limit when you can come in for dental treatment. Check to ensure that these scheduled appointments do not inconvenience you or your family.

6. How much savings does this plan generate? Whether you and your spouse decide to purchase a family dental insurance plan, or avail of your employers' sponsored plan - you will still be able to generate savings, for you are not paying for the entire procedure.

- baLooT Inc. 2007

Mar 8, 2007

Auto Insurance 101

Auto insurance, as the term suggests, is insurance that you can purchase for your vehicle (cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, etc.). It provides protection against losses incurred as a result of vehicle accidents. While the product seems simple, there are many different types of auto insurance policies available for purchase. Depending on the policy that you choose, your coverage levels and types will vary. Broadly speaking, these are the types of auto insurance programs on the market today:

Coverage:


‘Comprehensive coverage' (Comp) - This kind of insurance insures your vehicle against the cost of purchasing a new vehicle if it is stolen or destroyed in a fire.

‘Collision coverage' (Coll) - This kind of insurance insures your vehicle against the cost of repairing the vehicle following an accident or the cost of purchasing a new vehicle if it is damaged in an accident beyond economic repair.

Protection:

Personal Injury Protection (PIP) - This insures against the cost of medical expenses and lost wages related to the use, ownership or maintenance of a motor vehicle. This insurance is mandatory in some U.S. states.

Medical Payments (MP) - insures against the cost of medical expenses for bodily injury sustained in an accident beyond any expenses that may be covered by PIP.

Legal liability claims against the driver or owner of the vehicle following the vehicle causing damage or injury to a third party.

While ‘Liability insurance' covers only legal liability, ‘comprehensive insurance' covers PIP, MP, as well as legal liability. In the United States, liability insurance covers claims against the policyholder and any other operator of the insureds vehicle. If, however, any other operators live at the same address, they must specifically be covered on the policy. For rented vehicles, most rental car companies offer insurance to cover damage to the rental vehicle.

While comprehensive insurance covers most aspects of damage which can affect the car itself or the driver, there is one risk associated with buying a new car is not covered even by comprehensive insurance - once the car is bought, there is a sharp decline in its value. During this period (immediately after a car is bought), in which the remaining car payments exceed the value of the vehicle and thus the compensation the insurer will pay for a ‘totaled' (destroyed, or written-off) vehicle, customers may consider purchasing ‘GAP insurance'. GAP insurance was established in the early 1980's to provide protection to consumers based on buying and market trends.

- baLooT Inc. 2007

Travel Insurance With A Difference!

"Checking the small print in your travel insurance policy to see that you are covered to do what you intend to do whilst on holiday is essential before you go." - This article will help you to make sure you pick the correct travel insurance policy for you.


Checking the small print in your travel insurance policy to see that you are covered to do what you intend to do whilst on holiday is essential before you go. If you intend to arrive at your resort bungee jumping from a helicopter, as the latest contestants in 'I'm a celebrity, get me out of here!' were required to do, then perhaps it would be wise to check that your travel insurance policy covers you before you go.

Most, if not all, travel insurance policies, will exclude certain activities, known in the trade as ‘Hazardous Activities.

’ It is very important to choose a travel insurance provider who try and give as much information to their customers on what activities are or are not covered and what may be done if the right procedures are in place and the correct safety precautions taken. So some firm advice is to check your "comprehensive travel insurance policy" before you go away, once on holiday, and just before you rush to dive with sharks! If you are interested in purchasing a single or annual travel insurance policy why not take a look at travelandinsure.com and see what is and what is not covered. You can see for yourself how easy and simply customers can buy a policy online to suit their needs.

So returning to the exam question, can you Zorb or indeed bungee jump? Well, actually you can, provided they are properly supervised activitiesArticle Search, (though whether we would recommend you did the latter from a helicopter is a moot point) and your travel insurance provider has supplied you with a comprehensive travel insurance policy. Why you would want to jump from a perfectly serviceable aircraft is beyond most peoples understanding!

Source:ArticlesFactory

Copyright - baLooT Inc. 2007

Bad Credit Loans - How to Get Credit Online

24Hourfinance.co.uk is a leading financial portal enabling UK consumers to find and compare loans, credit cards, mortgages, bank accounts and obtain cheap insurance quotes. Consumers can apply for finance 24-Hours a day with popular lenders such as Halifax, Lloyds TSB, Dial4aloan and unfamiliar lenders you won’t find on the High Street.

The prospects of obtaining a loan, credit card or bank account with adverse credit history are NOT impossible, especially if you’re a homeowner. Tenants can also apply for loans from unsecured loan brokers - otherwise referred to as “Loan Sharks.” It is estimated that, in 2005, over £32 billion of unsecured lending and £8.8 billion of secured loans will be used for debt consolidation. According to research from Datamonitor, more than one in ten consumers has problems meeting their credit card debt repayments. At the end of February 2005 the total UK personal debt was £1,073bn.


The competition between lenders is often fierce, with each one competing to give you great incentives such as a FREE DVD Player or Cash. But how do you know which lender to choose and will your loan application be approved?

Read our 5 Quick Tips on How to Get Credit Online

TWO’S COMPANY

1. Joint loan applications are often more successful. If your partner is working full/Part-time consider asking him or her to apply with you, if they can afford the monthly loan repayments? Lenders will consider both your financial incomes and credit history, which could prove favourable.

CAN YOU AFFORD IT?

2. Don’t borrow more money than you can afford to repay, always use a loan calculator where possible to work out your monthly repayments. Or ask for a written quotation.

TO BE SECURED OR NOT TO BE

3. Secured loans range from £1000 to £250,000 and they’re a great way of releasing equity on your property. Repayments range from 3-25 years depending on your circumstances and rates can fluctuate. Ccj’s, Mortgage Arrears, Defaults and no proof of income are accepted by specialist lenders. APR (Annual Percentage Rates) may be considerably higher if you have adverse credit.

READ THE LABEL

4. It’s not unusual for loan companies to charge adverse credit customers a fee upon completion of a loan. Fees vary depending upon the lender and the clients circumstances. Always read the small print before you sign the dotted line.

YOU SHALL GO TO THE BALL

5. Compare lenders before you apply, you may have been declined in the past but this doesn’t mean other lenders won’t accept you. If in doubt seek independent financial adviceArticle Submission, the FSA (Financial Services Authority) has useful links to financial advisors.

There are currently several specialist loan companies listed on http://www.24Hourfinance.co.uk who welcome loan applications from UK Homeowners and Council Tenants regardless of credit problems.

Source:ArticlesFactory

- baLooT Inc. 2007

Taking Advantage of Bad Credit Credit Cards

If you have bad credit, you may probably think that there are no decent bad credit credit cards. As a matter of fact, bad credit credit cards do exist, but they are not always advertised as such. You just need to recognize how certain cards work and how your bad credit might affect your chances of getting these credit cards.


A prepaid credit card is one of the best bad credit credit cards that you can take advantage of. It works just like a credit card, but a prepaid credit card requires that you open a savings account that acts as the account balance. It works very much like a bank issued debit card with a credit card logo. You cannot overspend, and you will not be subject to fees or interest charges with prepaid credit cards.

You can also benefit from a gasoline card. These cards work only when you purchase fuel and other merchandise at gas stations, much like a retail credit card. These cards are also easy to get and report to the major credit bureaus. This means that these cards can build your credit so you may be able to qualify for a credit card from one of the major credit card companies.

A retail store card could also be considered as a type of bad credit credit cards. Its easy to get these cards and are useful if you want to establish credit history. However, these cards usually carry a low credit line balance, and you can only use them at the specific retail store that issued them. Companies who offer these cards are more willing to give a you a chance than larger credit card companies.

You should find someone who will cosign to help you get bad credit credit cards. Just like with a loan, a co-signer should have good credit. The credit card company considers them as security. If you cannot pay on your account the cosigner agrees to pay the balance due. This may be difficult for a person with bad credit, but once you prove yourself to be trustworthy; you should be able to get the cosigner off your account.

Even if you have bad credit, you can turn things around once you find bad credit credit cards. Of course, you have to try to make payments on time, pay off balances and become an ideal credit card holder. This will make it easier for you to prove your credit worthiness in the future.

Source:ArticlesFactory

Copyright - baLooT Inc. 2007

4 Steps To Creating Good Credit

As a consumer you’ve learned the importance of establishing a good credit rating with your lenders. Whether you are shopping for a new home or auto, or searching for the best deals on insurance, your credit worthiness will be judged by your credit rating or credit score.

A bad credit history or bad credit habits will place “black marks” on your credit profile. These include things such as late payments, having an account assigned to a collection agency, and of course bankruptcy.


Establishing good credit habits and therefore a good credit rating will improve your credit worthiness. This will be reflected in potential lenders offering you substantially lower interest rates and better deals on credit offers.

Here are 4 tips to help you create a shining credit profile:

1) Pay Your Bills On Time

Lenders only have your past payment history on which to decide the type of credit risk you present to them. How you pay off your debts now indicates to them how you will pay off future debts.

2) Don’t Use Too Many or Too Few Credit Cards

How much is too much ? How little is too little ? Many credit experts and financial planners suggest two to four credit cards is just the right mix.

3) Pay At Least The Minimum Due

Always pay at least the minimum due payment, but never less. And remember, just paying the minimum payment means it will take you years and years to pay off that credit card.

Example: Paying off a $2,000 credit payment at 18% APR with a minimum monthly payment of 2% ($40 dollars or less) will take you 30 years to pay off the amount plus interest.

4) Review Your Credit Report Regularly

Monitor your credit report from all three major credit bureaus - Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax - on a regular basis. Check your credit profile at least annually. Review it carefully and make sure that any past mistakes or disputes have been corrected.

Also, if you notice an account listed that you know that you have not personally opened, contact that creditor and the credit bureaus immediately. This could be a sign that you’ve had your identity stolen. Request to have a fraud alert placed on your profile and account to protect yourself and your credit. Identity theft is the fastest growing consumer crime in AmericaHealth Fitness Articles, with an estimated 1 million people victimized each year.

Establish good credit habits early in life and reap the benefits that your good credit rating will provide you for the rest of your financial future.

Source:ArticlesFactory

- baLooT Inc. 2007

The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) Protects You

Your credit report gets viewed by other people besides credit grantors. Potential employers and insurance companies can deny you employment, auto and home owner's insurance based on your credit report. Understand your rights protected by The Fair Credit Reporting Act.


No matter what many credit counseling scam artists may try to tell you, no one can legally remove any information that is up-to-date and accurate from your credit report. They can't do it, and you can't do it yourself. However, you CAN request an investigation of anything you find in your credit file that you believe to be either incomplete or inaccurate. That is perfectly legal, and can be done at NO cost to you. In fact, anything that a credit repair company offers to do for you can be done yourself, generally free or for a nominal fee.

In fact, there's a law that guarantees it. It's called the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). Under provisions of the FCRA, you are entitled to receive a free credit report if a company denies your application for credit, employment, or insurance. You must ask for the report within sixty days of the refusal, and the company must tell you which credit reporting company they used, and provide you with their address and phone number. (The three nationwide companies most often used are Experian, TransUnion, and Equifax.)

The FCRA has made it mandatory for consumer credit reporting companies to correct information that's incorrect or inaccurate. To correct inaccuracies, you must first contact the reporting company, in writing, telling them which information is incorrect or incomplete. In your correspondence, include copies of documents that will verify your claim. (Don't send originals!) Clearly detail why each piece of disputed information is incorrect, and then ask that the inaccurate information be either corrected or removed from your file completely.

It's generally worthwhile to include a copy of the credit report itself, with each disputed item circled. Once you've put your package together, send it to the company in question by certified mail, indicating "return receipt requested." That will allow you to be certain that the company received your package. Also keep copies of everything for yourself, of course!The FCRA makes it mandatory that the reporting company investigate each item you have disputed, often within thirty days, unless they consider your dispute to be unworthy of researching further. By law, they must also forward everything you have provided them on to whatever company or organization initially provided the disputed information in the first place. That provider must then review and investigate the situation and report back to the reporting company. If the provider has mistakenly provided inaccurate information, they must correct it with all three major reporting companies.

Once the investigation has been completed, the FCRA mandates that the reporting company must provide you with the results, in writing, and a free copy of the report if the investigation resulted in a change in your credit report information. You may also request that a copy of the amended credit report be sent to anyone who may have received the disputed report during the previous six months. If the report was given to potential employersArticle Search, you have a right to request that a corrected report be sent to any employer who may have received the inaccurate report during the past two years.

Source:ArticlesFactory

Copyright - baLooT Inc. 2007

Understanding How Your Credit History May Affect Your Car Insurance Coverage

Many personal auto insurance companies consider your credit information when determining how much premium to charge for your insurance. So if you are calling around for new insurance, keep in mind that many insurers are looking at your credit history. I hope that we will be able to let you know why and how they do this.


The reason that some insurance companies use credit information is because they feel there is a direct correlation between consumer's credit history behaviors and expected claims that may occur. Therefore, they feel that people with better credit behavior are less likely to severe insurance losses.

Many insurance companies still use your age, driving history, type of vehicle, where you live in determining how much you should pay for your insurance. Therefore, if you have not established a credit history yet, the companies that use credit history may not be best for you. They may not allow you to be eligible for certain discounts, which could result in higher premiums.

The companies that do use credit scoring will still use other factors in determining your premium. They will also use your age, driving history, type of vehicle, where you live in determining how much you should pay for your insurance.

Is it fair for an insurance company even look at my credit information without my permission? The answer is yes. The Federal Fair credit-reporting act says "Reasonable procedures. It is the purpose of this title to require that consumer reporting agencies adopt reasonable procedures for meeting the needs of commerce for consumer credit, personnel, insurance, and other information in a manner which is fair and equitable to the consumer, with regard to the confidentiality, accuracy, relevancy, and proper utilization of such information in accordance with the requirements of this title." This can be found at
http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/fcra.htm

If you feel that your credit history is better then the insurer can find, make sure the insurer has your correct name, address, social security number, and date of birth.

Some insurance companies will look directly at your actual credit reports when determining your rate, however most will use what is called an "insurance credit score." An insurance credit score is developed by using statistical techniques and methods to predict the likelihood a consumer will have a higher than anticipated losses. These are similar to what lenders use to predict the reliability of an applicant repaying a loan.

Insurance companies use many factors in determining your credit score. Here are some examples of those factors:

  • Public records: bankruptcy, collections, foreclosures, liens, charge-offs, etc.
  • Past payment history: the number and frequency of late payments and the days between the due date and late payment date.
  • Length of credit history: the amount of time you have been in the credit system.
  • Inquiries for credit: the number of times you have recently applied for new credit, including mortgage loans, utility accounts, and credit card accounts.
  • Number of open lines of credit: the number of credit cards, whether you use them or not.
  • Type of credit in use: major credit cards, store credit cards, finance company loans, etc.
  • Unused credit: how much you owe compared to how much credit is available to you.

Your insurance credit score may differ from company to company, as they will use different factors in determining your premium. Notice that we call it an insurance credit score. This means that it encompasses many factors including credit.

Since each insurance company uses different techniques to determine your credit score it is hard to tell you what a good credit score is. Usually a good credit score will result in lower premiums.

Your agent or company is not obligated to tell you your credit score. In fact, they might not even know what it is. All they usually know is that your credit score qualifies you for a specific rate or policy. Some companies also offer better rates under each qualifying tier.

If you feel that there is incorrect information on your credit report, you should tell the credit bureau. If you report and error, the credit bureau must investigate the error and get back to you within 30 days. You can ask the credit bureau to send a notice of the correction to any creditor or insurer that has checked your file in the past six months. Once the errors are corrected, it is a good idea to get a new copy of your credit report several months later to make sure the wrong information has not been reported again.

The three national credit bureaus are:

Tell your insurance company. Do not wait until the credit bureau investigates the errors to contact your insurer. Tell your insurance company right away and ask if the errors will make a difference in your insurance. If the errors are big, tell your insurer that you are disputing the information and ask if they will wait to use your credit information until the errors are corrected. Small errors may not have much affect on your insurance credit score. If the errors are big, it can make a significant difference in your premium. Some companies are unable to adjust the premiums until the score is corrected, but it does not hurt to ask.

If you have taken the steps to improve your creditArticle Search, score you should ask your insurance company to re-evaluate your credit score at renewal.

Visit http://www.carinsurance.com For The Lowest Rates Available

Source:ArticlesFactory

Copyright - baLooT Inc. 2007

What is Credit Insurance?


Are you wondering what is credit insurance? Very simply, credit insurance is an insurance policy that protects a loan on the chance that you are unable to make the repayments. The next time you have occasion to apply for a loan or mortgage, you will be asked if you want to buy credit insurance, or it might already be included in your loan proposal. If so, it will increase your loan amount and you'll pay additional interest.

Credit insurance usually is optional, which means you don't have to purchase it from the lender. Before deciding to buy credit insurance from a lender, think about your needs, your options, and the rates you're going to pay. You may decide you don't need credit insurance.

If you decide to get credit insurance be aware that it can be an expensive form of insurance. For example, it may be less expensive and more practical for you to get life insurance than credit insurance.

Before deciding to buy credit insurance, ask the lender the following questions:

How much is the credit insurance premium?

Will the credit insurance premium be financed as part of the loan?

Can you pay monthly instead of financing the entire premium as part of your loan?

How much lower would your monthly loan payment be without the credit insurance?

Will the insurance cover the full length of your loan and the full loan amount?

Can you cancel the insurance? If so, what kind of refund is available?

Prior to signing any loan papers, ask the lender whether the loan includes any charges for voluntary credit insurance. If you don't want credit insurance, tell the lender. If the lender still insists that you take out credit insuranceArticle Search, find another lender.

Source:ArticlesFactory

- baLooT Inc. 2007 -

Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Insurance Review

Are you safeguarding your future through insurance policies? If you are, then you probably made sure youve covered all the possible aspects of your life. There are different kinds of insurance policies like dental and car insurance. The most important type which you cant do without is health insurance. With the myriad of possible accidents that are waiting to happen, its best to make sure youre well covered. Investing in health insurance, like blue cross blue shield insurance, is a sure way of preparing you and your family for any eventuality.


Hop online anytime to check out the plans offered through blue cross blue shield health insurance. A lot of companies nowadays will do anything they can to avoid paying for the health insurance of their employees. They often give ridiculous excuses like telling you that health insurance like blue cross blue shield health insurance is a privilege that applies only to higher levels of employment. If the company you're working for does not bother with insuring their workers, its time to take matters in your own hand.

Blue cross blue shield insurance can provide you the protection you need. The company is completely trust worthy and have served countless hard working individual like you through the years. Even if you are self-employed and singleArticle Submission, blue cross blue shield insurance can give you a suitable personal insurance. If you're still young and healthy you can be sure that you can get an affordable monthly rate. Take no chances with your future. It just takes one accident to put you out of commission.

Wal-Mart have recently been on the news because the company neglected to provide health insurance plans for their employees. Companies are always looking for ways to maximize profit without considering they well being of their workers. Thats the reason why much of our taxes are going to pay for the health insurance of minimum wage workers. No one should disregard the need for health insurance. Fortunately for us blue cross blue shield health insurance provide us with an easy way to ensure our future.

Source:ArticlesFactory

Copyright - baLooT Inc. 2007

Pet Life Insurance - Important Issues When Purchasing One

While you are preparing to go for a pet care pet insurance do not forget to consider the following issues or questions.

1. What are the matters that your insurance should cover?

2. What are the different levels of pet insurance?

3. Whether the insurance is limited based on per condition? If yes then what is the limit?


4. What kind of excess is there for per claim?

5. Whether your plan covers any hereditary condition or not.

6. How can you pay the premiums?

7. Will they provide third party liability?

8. Will they pay you in case your pet dies?

9. Suppose your pet needs a surgery in a moment before you are scheduled to go on a holiday, in that case will your pet insurance policy help you meet the cancellation cost of your holiday?

10. Does your policy cover the kennel or cattery fees?

11. In case you pet gets missing or is stolen, then can you depend on your pet insurance to bear the cost of advertising and rewards?

If properly selected pet health insurance really will help you get the very best medical and health treatment for your pet, which otherwise could have been difficult for you to afford in the time of need. It not only gives you a peace of mind but also keeps you ready for unexpected emergencies.

Pets are like children they need special care and treatments. That is why you should select the best insurance for your pet and while doing that you must always keep the above laid points in your mind. So go and get your pet the best possible insurance that will keep both you and your pet happy even at times if emergencies.

- baLooT Inc. 2007

How To Get Affordable Individual Dental Insurance Plans

Insurance is a method by which an individual tries to reduce the financial risk of unexpected events. Individual dental insurance is a type of insurance wherein an individual buys an individual dental insurance plan from an insurance company...


... by paying a monthly or annual premium. If during the insurance coverage period, the individual incurs costs on dental treatment, then the insurance company reimburses that costs to the individual.

There are a variety of dental insurance plans available in the market. A search on the internet will give hundreds of results. It is easy to get confused with so many options. However there are basic principles of insurance which when applied can reduce the overall costs to the individual. Some of them are explained below.

Deductibles. When you take dental treatment while under the coverage of a dental insurance plan, you can claim the bill from the insurance company. The company will deduct the deductible and pay the rest to you. Deductible is predefined, so choose a dental insurance plan giving due thought to deductible. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium.

Co-insurance. Co-insurance is the percentage of the dental costs that you will pay and the rest is paid by the insurance company. The higher the co-insurance the lower is the premium.

Individual dental insurance plans are available to individuals only and not through employers, hence they tend to be expensive. If you are a frequent visitor to the dentist, then keep co-insurance and deductibles low, but if you are an occasional visitor, select a plan which has co-insurance and deductibles on the higher side and premium on the lower side.

Individual dental insurance plans are available to lawyers, artists, writers, software freelance programmers, small businessmenFeature Articles, self-employed etc.

Copyright - baLooT Inc. 2007

Why Assurant Health is your best choice for Health Insurance?

With all the health insurance options that are available today you might be wondering which company is right for me. Most of us purchase health insurance based on impulse. We look at the next TV ad or some mailer that we got. The reason I can say that is because I’ve been in health insurance industry as insurance broker for over a decade. I will share with you things you should look for when shopping for health insurance. Also I will share with you a company which offers best options you can possibly get in health insurance coverage.


The reality is most of us are educated by insurance companies on what to look for in health insurance coverage. We are misled in looking for featured in coverage that insurance companies tell us we should look for. We go to insurance company’s websites to educate our self about insurance, which is completely absurd. I can reassure you that insurance companies are not going to tell you on what you truly should be looking for. I bet if I was going to ask you what to look for in health insurance coverage you might tell me things like; Deductible, co-pays, low monthly premiums. Well…. Maybe. Let ask our self’s on why do we have health insurance coverage in the first place? To protect our self from large unexpected medical bills. That would be a true statement that is what insurance is intended to do.

There is more to health insurance plans and companies than you ever thought. Let me ask you this question… If god forbid critical emergency did happen to you and you required a specialist, would you would to have access to the best specialist in the world or some local doctor? There are literally millions of people die every year because they did not have access to the specialist. Most presidents of the United States if ever required a specialist were taken to Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic is a world class hospital known around the world as the best medical facility for major illnesses and accidents. Do you think your insurance company will let you get treatment at Mayo Clinic? The answer is absolutely not, not a chance. What if you were in a car accident and there decision had to be made where your leg had to be cut of because the place that you were treated at did not have the right specialist to reconstruct the leg and your health insurance company was not willing to pay for reconstruction surgery at a facility like Moyo Clinic. Well at least you know you saved couple of buck on your health insurance that you called from one-eight hundred number that you saw on that TV commercial. The coverage that I wanted to share with you is offered by not yet very known insurance company. The company itself has been around longer than any other health insurance company in the world. They have been in business since 1892 and the name is Fortis. Fortis in early 2006 was the 26th largest company in the world. The health insurance is marketed under name of Assurant Health. Assurant Health is know a quality company that provides health insurance to families, self-employed, individuals, small businesses and large businesses. Assurant Health has a slogan that goes like this “Our Health Plan is Based on Yours”. Why Assurant Health is so much better that anything that is available on health insurance market today.

Assurant Health has easy and flexible portfolio of plans to choose from. Also every plan that Assurant Health offers is customizable. Some plans lets you choose how many doctor visits you want the insurance company to pay for. How much of a co-pay do you want to have. Every option that you ad or delete, accordingly lowers or increases your monthly premium. For example for someone like me who is healthy and has not been to a doctor for over five years and do not have coverage for doctor visits and save myself almost one hundred dollars per month. Considering that average doctor visit is sixty five dollars. That means over five years I saved myself almost six thousand dollars. As we discussed earlier let take a look at what is truly important in health insurance coverage. First I am going to mention options that Assurant Health Plans offer that other companies do not. If you think it is not the case with your coverage just stop reading this because it will be just waist of your time. I’ve been in the industry long enough to tell you how plans work. If you think you know how your plans work than obviously you are the expert and you should stop reading this article. Options that Assurant Plans Include that your plan does not.

Worldwide coverage, 24 hours a day.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re nearby or Far from home-you’re covered.

Initial rate guarantees-up to 36 months available.

You’ll lock in your premium rate for at least the first 12 month. With many deductibles you have a 24-month rate guarantee-and the option to extend it to a full 36 month! Lifetime benefit maximum options up to $8 million You choose the amount of protection you want.

Your choice of doctors and hospitals You’ll have access to some of the largest and best preferred provider (PPO) networks in the nation.

No referrals necessary to see a specialist You don’t have to jump through hoops when you need a specialist’s care-simply make an appointment.

Single deductible for accidents.

In the event there’s an accident involving more than one person in your family you’ll pay only one deductible.

No limit on Intensive Care Unit (ICU) With no daily dollar limit when confined in an ICU, you’ll have the peace of mind you need at a critical time.

Healthy Discount Available in most statesHealth Fitness Articles, Healthy Discount rewards you for maintaining your good health by providing 10% off your renewal rates.

Some of these benefits will not make any sense and I can share story after story how not having even one of those benefits could cause tragic consequences to you or your family. Assurant Health is your number one most reliable and most affordable choice for health insurance. For more information on Assurant Health Plans visit http://www.AssurantHealthCoverage.com

- baLooT Inc. 2007

Life Insurance Explained

Life insurance is a type of insurance wherein the insured pays a premium for a period (often lifetime) and the life insurance company provides insurance coverage against the risk of death.


Life insurance is a type of insurance wherein the insured pays a premium for a period (often lifetime) and the life insurance company provides insurance coverage against the risk of death. There are many types of life insurances or assurance (in the UK) available today.

Basics: There are 4 parties in any life insurance policy. The policyholder is the one who is buying the policy, the insured is the one against whose death the policy is made, the insurer that is the insurance company and finally the beneficiary is the person who will get the proceedings of the life insurance policy. It is mandatory that the policyholder should have a legitimate reason for insuring a person’s life.

Types of Life Insurances:

1. Temporary Life insurance. This policy is also called term life insurance that has coverage for a fixed period of time. The policyholder needs to pay a premium for a fixed period of time for which the insurance company provides insurance coverage. This type of policy does not accumulate cash value.

2. Permanent Life Insurance. This type of policy provides coverage till the policy matures. A policy is said to mature when the person reaches a fixed age or dies. The policyholder needs to pay premium for the entire period. This type of policy accumulates a cash value. The policyholder can withdraw or borrow the money or surrender the policy to receive surrender value. There are 3 types of permanent life insurances.

2.1 Whole life insurance. This has a level premium and corresponding cash value. Upon death of the insured, the beneficiary receives the death benefit only and not the cash value. The policy owner can borrow loans on the cash value.

2.2 Universal life insurance. This has a flexible premium and gives higher internal rate of return. The policy has a cash account depending upon the premium. The surrender value equals the cash account balance.

2.3 Variable Universal life insurance. This is similar to universal life insurance with cash account. However the money is invested by the insurance company in mutual funds for a greater return. Hence there is higher probability of increase of cash account but the risk of reduction in cash account is also present.

Life Insurance Explained



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Family Dental Insurance – User’s Guide

Let us first understand the idea of dental insurance. Dental insurance is a type of insurance in which a person buys a dental insurance plan by paying a monthly or annual premium to a dental insurance company...


In turn the dental insurance company provides dental insurance coverage against dental costs. That is if there are any dental costs borne by the insured during the insurance period, the dental insurance company will reimburse the costs incurred by the insured.

Most of the health insurance provided today has dental insurance provided in it. So usually there is no need to buy a separate dental insurance. If your medical or health insurance does not provide dental insurance, you can obtain dental insurance in your health insurance by increasing your premium by a small amount. There are tax benefits also for going for this type of dental insurance plan. In the united states, the premium you pay for health insurance is straightaway deducted from the taxable income, thereby you end up paying lesser taxes.

Family dental insurance provides dental insurance to the entire family. It is better to go for this type of dental insurance compared to individual dental insurance. Since family dental insurance is much cheaper than individual dental insurance. In insurance as the number of people increase in the plan the premium per head reduces. This is because the risk gets distributed.

If your employer is providing dental insurance, then it is the best bet. You should go for this type of insurance if your employer is providing it as the major part of the premium is paid by the employer and the remaining part is paid by you. Studies have also indicated that people with dental plans, have the tendency to have better dental health as they go for preventive dental checkups. This is good as bad dental health may ruin your looks as well as increase your costs.

- baLooT Inc. 2007

Life Insurance - Helpful Tips For Getting A Cost Effective Policy

Many things factor in with getting a cost effective life insurance quote and policy. It is wise to take some time out and do some important research first. With online access, it is much easier today than it used to be. There are many affordable life insurance offers on the Internet that would greatly benefit the beneficiaries we love. Taking the time out to educate yourself can be well worth your while.

Finding a life insurance policy is something that we should not rush into. There are some things we should learn about a cost effective life insurance policy, to be able to come up with a decision that would be the most cost effective. Here are some helpful tips in getting a cost effective life insurance policy.

When choosing a cost effective life insurance policy, price should not be your only consideration. The lower the cost of the life insurance, the better for us, of course. But, there are more things about cost effective life insurance programs than just the price.

The life insurance policy you are considering should be offered by a company that has proven credibility and reliability. Nothing beats the assurance of having your life insurance taken care of by a company backed by years of excellent service and proven track record. Be sure to look into the BBB of the life insurance company's you are considering first and be sure there are no unresolved issues.

Looking into the period by which you would pay the life insurance policy should also be considered, and this should be compared with all the life insurance company's you are considering.

The amount that would be due once the life insurance policy has matured, should be of a substantial amount. Some life insurance policies pay up to $250,000 for a 30 year period of a monthly $35 payment you make for the policy. This would be a great offer for a life insurance policy, with the great value of the life insurance policy itself, the realistic time period , and the monthly amount demanded. Be sure to read the fine print, before you sign up with a life insurance policy.

A life insurance policy will not benefit you directly, but a cost effective life insurance policy will benefit your stated beneficiaries upon your demise. You can rest assured that your loved ones will be taken care of financially with the right life insurance policy.

There are many benefits that can be derived from a life insurance policy, if paid out in one large payment. This would be very convenient for the beneficiaries, because of many long term issues that could arise over time.

Most life insurance policies are generally given favorable tax options to you and your loved ones. Be sure to retain an experienced accountant to explain the benefits to you.

When choosing a cost effective life insurance policy, take time out to educate yourself with the important things to consider with life insurance. You will know you have made a well informed decision for yourself and the loved ones in your life.

- baLooT Inc. 2007

Car Insurance - How can you lower your premiums?

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 immobilizer, 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%-15% discount if you buy online.

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Car Insurance - How can you lower your premiums?

How to Get a Cheap Car Insurance – Your 7 Steps to a Good Deal

Are you wondering how you can purchase cheap car insurance? Worry no more! Here you'll get the seven easy steps to getting the cheapest quotes and the best deals available. Use one or use all, each of them is sure to lower your rates.

The cheapest car insurance is not necessarily the best auto insurance. But, as car insurance is mandatory for registering and driving your car, it is necessary to purchase insurance for your car. The next seven tips will help you choose, if not the cheapest, then the best deal:


1) Compare auto insurance quotes online – insurance companies save money on man power with online quotes and purchase, some of that money goes back to the client and makes your insurance cheaper. There are many companies providing instant quotes. Depending on your auto (and make sure you provide honest answers) or the number of cars you want to insure, you'll get a preliminary estimation. Don't take this sum as the final quote and don't choose the cheapest quote without analyzing the coverage offered in the insurance policy.

2) A clean credit history ensures significant discounts. To put it simple: car insurance gets cheaper if the owner (that's you) is a reliable payer. However, most insurance companies will have an option of "bad credit quotes". If you have a bad credit history, don't waste your time (your time is also valuable) on the companies that don't give you this option.

3) To get an advantageous insurance it is recommendable that you put all the cars you own under a single policy. Some insurance companies offer very good discounts for multiple cars insurance policy.

4) There are many under-insured or uninsured drivers. You'll need coverage in case of an accident caused by an uninsured driver. Make sure your insurance covers such mishaps.

5) Choose the insurance that fits your financial possibilities and the condition of the car. Once your financial status improves or the vehicle deteriorates, you should update the status of your policy.

6) If you plan on moving soon, choose a short-term car insurance plan – we recommend a one year car insurance. Insurance plans vary from country to country and even from state to state.

7) Make your vehicle as safe as possible both in terms of driver and passenger safety (seat belts, air cushions etc.) and is terms of theft (a car alarm an immobilizer etc.) – this will lower the premiums, thus providing for a cheap insurance plan.

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How to Get a Cheap Car Insurance – Your 7 Steps to a Good Deal

Get Travel Insurance Quotes Online

Traveling is something that all of us like. In fact most of us save throughout the year to plan that one vacation out of our cities. Isn’t it? But what if that vacation gets spoiled before it starts or probably right at the mid of it? You will be heart broken. After all you had made non refundable payments at the hotel and various other places all of that will go waste now.

So what do you do to save yourself from situations like this? Get yourself travel insurance. And for this you do not need to go to any insurance company. All you need to do is to spend a couple of minutes in front of your laptop. Yes, it’s true. You can get the most competitive travel quotes online.


Getting travel insurance before you start your journey is the call of the day. After all you spend day and night working in front of the computer to save a couple of thousands for your trip. Then why give it to somebody for free? The most sensible thing to do is to log on to www.insureme.ie. It is the best website to call for travel insurance quotes and cover in Ireland. Insure me is a big market, which has the best insurance companies working with it. To make matters easier, these insurance companies are regulated by Financial Regulator. You know who you are dealing with and also that they are well known in the market.

Once you apply for an insurance quote online, you will get a call from Insure on the next working day (to get the necessary details). Then you will get highly competitive quotes from various insurance companies and you can pick and choose the one which suits you the most. You can call for insurance quotes and covers on standard holiday insurance, standard holiday insurance where you have medical health insurance, holiday insurance excluding baggage and money (may be covered on your house insurance), business travel insurance and back paper insurance covering incidental work.

Students can also get quotes and covers on a year out insurance on an organized placement; student insurance on pre arranged studyArticle Submission, training or work experience overseas and travel insurance for 15 - 17 year olds going abroad for 13 months. Getting travel insurance quotes online was never so easy. And it cannot get any easier. Just log on to www.insureme.ie and get the insurance quotes you were long waiting for.

Source:DenisO'Kelly

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