3 Warnings Before Switching Auto Insurance Companies

We've all been bombarded with ads, emails, commercials, and billboards saying how much we can save on our auto insurance by switching to another company. It's a competitive industry. Just because another company is offering a better rate doesn't mean you should rush to call and cancel your insurance and switch. There are a few things you need to make sure of before you do.


Here are a few things to watch out for before you switch your auto insurance to another company.


If you've been with one company for many years and they offer a credit that waives the first accident you have, you may want to stay or see if the other company can match it. Sometimes this is referred to as good driver discount or a longevity discount or accident forgiveness. The company rewards you for your loyalty by waiving the first accident you have.


This discount can be pretty significant. Since most accidents can raise your rate by 40% for 3 years the potential savings could be several hundreds of dollars over that 3 year period. But when you switch companies, you lose this credit you've built up. If you have an accident with that new company how much are you going to regret not having that accident forgiveness by seeing your rates jacked up by 40%?


Another thing to be mindful of is to make sure the company you are switching to is not offering you just a teaser rate for the first 6 months to get your business and then bump you up 6 months later once they've got you on their books. Since auto insurance is a profitable industry, companies may offer you a low ball rate to get you to switch and then once they've got you increase your rates at the renewal. If the rate the new company quotes seems too goo to be true do more research. Check out insurance forums or search Google for "XYZ insurance + Reviews."


Watch out for hidden fees. This is one that can surprise you. Some companies charge you for making monthly payments - usually $3-$5 a month. Over the course of a year that comes out to $36-$60. That one fee can take a big bite out of your potential savings so make sure you factor that into the rates you are comparing. Make sure you are really saving money when you switch.


Two other things to keep in mind when shopping around for auto insurance are the new company's website and hours of operation. Make sure their hours work with your hours. If they are only open from 8-5 and you work 8-5, when are you going to be able to call them if you have a question or need to make a claim? If you do all your business online you want to make sure the company you are looking at has a capable website that can help you 24 hours a day.


You can save money by shopping your auto insurance around. Just be sure to keep in mind the things I've mentioned to make sure the deal you're looking at is really a great deal.

3 Warnings Before Switching Auto Insurance Companies

Posted by maghestra No comments

We've all been bombarded with ads, emails, commercials, and billboards saying how much we can save on our auto insurance by switching to another company. It's a competitive industry. Just because another company is offering a better rate doesn't mean you should rush to call and cancel your insurance and switch. There are a few things you need to make sure of before you do.


Here are a few things to watch out for before you switch your auto insurance to another company.


If you've been with one company for many years and they offer a credit that waives the first accident you have, you may want to stay or see if the other company can match it. Sometimes this is referred to as good driver discount or a longevity discount or accident forgiveness. The company rewards you for your loyalty by waiving the first accident you have.


This discount can be pretty significant. Since most accidents can raise your rate by 40% for 3 years the potential savings could be several hundreds of dollars over that 3 year period. But when you switch companies, you lose this credit you've built up. If you have an accident with that new company how much are you going to regret not having that accident forgiveness by seeing your rates jacked up by 40%?


Another thing to be mindful of is to make sure the company you are switching to is not offering you just a teaser rate for the first 6 months to get your business and then bump you up 6 months later once they've got you on their books. Since auto insurance is a profitable industry, companies may offer you a low ball rate to get you to switch and then once they've got you increase your rates at the renewal. If the rate the new company quotes seems too goo to be true do more research. Check out insurance forums or search Google for "XYZ insurance + Reviews."


Watch out for hidden fees. This is one that can surprise you. Some companies charge you for making monthly payments - usually $3-$5 a month. Over the course of a year that comes out to $36-$60. That one fee can take a big bite out of your potential savings so make sure you factor that into the rates you are comparing. Make sure you are really saving money when you switch.


Two other things to keep in mind when shopping around for auto insurance are the new company's website and hours of operation. Make sure their hours work with your hours. If they are only open from 8-5 and you work 8-5, when are you going to be able to call them if you have a question or need to make a claim? If you do all your business online you want to make sure the company you are looking at has a capable website that can help you 24 hours a day.


You can save money by shopping your auto insurance around. Just be sure to keep in mind the things I've mentioned to make sure the deal you're looking at is really a great deal.

4 Reasons To Get An On Line Auto Insurance Quote

Whether you are looking for a new auto insurance plan, or just want to see what is out there, getting an on line auto insurance quote is a great idea. There are a variety of great places you can go online that will offer you free auto insurance quotes with no hassle whatsoever. If you have not got your instant auto insurance quote, the following are four great reasons you need to give it a go.


Reason #1 - It’s So Easy! - One of the best reasons that you should get an on line auto insurance quote is because it is so easy. No need to flip through your phone book looking for places to call or to spend your day on the phone trying to get a quote from a company. You can get your quote online without a bunch of hassle and it is so much easier than trying to call someone up. Online you can just simply enter your information and then get a great quote back on auto insurance.


Reason #2 - It Can Save You Big Money - Getting an instant auto insurance quote online can also save you a great deal of money. Often you will find that the quotes you get online are much cheaper than you could get anywhere offline. Many companies actually offer special online rates if you go online to get one of their auto insurance quotes.


Reason #3 - It’s Totally Free - Another reason you should get your on line auto insurance quote is because it is totally free. There are a variety of places that you can find free auto insurance quotes, and you will have no obligation whatsoever when you get a free quote online. Since it is totally free, there is no reason not to find out how much money you could be saving on your auto insurance.

Reason #4 - It’s Fast - Getting your auto insurance quote online is also very fast. You can get an instant auto insurance quote that will allow you to know how much you could save in just minutes. Why spend time waiting forever on hold with a company on the phone, when you can get an instant quote online.

If you need an insurance quote, and on line auto insurance quote is definitely the best way to go. They are easy, free, fast, and can save you hundreds of dollars on your car insurance. What are you waiting for? Your quote on car insurance is just a few seconds away.

Get a free instant auto insurance quote at http://www.auto-insurance-companies-free-quote.com.

4 Reasons To Get An On Line Auto Insurance Quote

Posted by maghestra No comments

Whether you are looking for a new auto insurance plan, or just want to see what is out there, getting an on line auto insurance quote is a great idea. There are a variety of great places you can go online that will offer you free auto insurance quotes with no hassle whatsoever. If you have not got your instant auto insurance quote, the following are four great reasons you need to give it a go.


Reason #1 - It’s So Easy! - One of the best reasons that you should get an on line auto insurance quote is because it is so easy. No need to flip through your phone book looking for places to call or to spend your day on the phone trying to get a quote from a company. You can get your quote online without a bunch of hassle and it is so much easier than trying to call someone up. Online you can just simply enter your information and then get a great quote back on auto insurance.


Reason #2 - It Can Save You Big Money - Getting an instant auto insurance quote online can also save you a great deal of money. Often you will find that the quotes you get online are much cheaper than you could get anywhere offline. Many companies actually offer special online rates if you go online to get one of their auto insurance quotes.


Reason #3 - It’s Totally Free - Another reason you should get your on line auto insurance quote is because it is totally free. There are a variety of places that you can find free auto insurance quotes, and you will have no obligation whatsoever when you get a free quote online. Since it is totally free, there is no reason not to find out how much money you could be saving on your auto insurance.

Reason #4 - It’s Fast - Getting your auto insurance quote online is also very fast. You can get an instant auto insurance quote that will allow you to know how much you could save in just minutes. Why spend time waiting forever on hold with a company on the phone, when you can get an instant quote online.

If you need an insurance quote, and on line auto insurance quote is definitely the best way to go. They are easy, free, fast, and can save you hundreds of dollars on your car insurance. What are you waiting for? Your quote on car insurance is just a few seconds away.

Get a free instant auto insurance quote at http://www.auto-insurance-companies-free-quote.com.

5 Basic Facts About Health Insurance Policies In A Bad Economy

1. DOES YOUR PLAN COVER YOU ON AND OFF THE JOB?

Many health insurance plans have specific exclusions that eliminate your benefits for anything that could have been covered under Workers Compensation or similar laws. Now read that last sentence again.

COULD HAVE BEEN COVERED!?

That is correct. Most self employed people and even some small business owners do not carry Workers Comp on themselves.

There are designed insurance plans that will cover you on and off the job — 24-hours a day, if you are not required by law to have Workers Compensation coverage.

2. ARE YOU WRITING IT OFF?

Independent contractors (1099's), home based business owners, professionals and other self employed people generally are not taking advantages of the tax laws available to them.

Many people who are paying 100% of their own costs are eligible to deduct their monthly insurance payments. Just that alone can reduce your net out-of-pocket costs of a proper plan by as much as 40%. Ask your accounting professional if you are eligible and/or check out the IRS website for more information.

3. INTERNAL LIMITS

All true insurance plans use some form of internal controls to determine how much they will pay out for a particular procedure or service. There are two basic methods.

-Scheduled Benefits

Many plans, some of which are specifically marketed to self employed and independent people, have a clear schedule of what they will pay per doctor office visit, hospital stay, or even limits on what they will pay for testing per 24-hr. period. This structure is usually associated with "Indemnity Plans". If you are presented with one of these plans, be sure to see the schedule of benefits, in writing. It is important that you understand these type of limits up front because once you reach them the company will not pay anything over that amount.

-Usual and Customary

"Usual and Customary" refers to the rate of pay out for a doctor office visit, procedure or hospital stay that is based on what the majority of physicians and facilities charge for that particular service in that particular geographical or comparable area. "Usual and Customary" charges represent the highest level of coverage on most major medical plans.

4.YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO SHOP!

If you are reading this you, are probably shopping for a health plan. Every day people shop, for everything from groceries to a new home. During the shopping process, generally, the value, price, personal needs and general marketplace gets evaluated by the buyer. With this in mind, it is very disconcerting that most people never ask what a test, procedure or even doctor visit will cost. In this ever-changing health insurance market, it will become increasingly important for these questions to be asked of our medical professionals. Asking price will help you get the most out of your plan and reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

5. NETWORKS AND DISCOUNTS

Almost all insurance plans and benefit programs work with medical networks to access discounted rates. In broad strokes, networks consist of medical professionals and facilities who agree, by contract, to charge discounted rates for services rendered. In many cases the network is one of the defining attributes of your program. Discounts can vary from 10% to 60% or more. Medical network discounts vary, but to ensure you minimize your out-of-pocket expenses, it is imperative that you preview the network's list of physicians and facilities before committing. This is not only to ensure that your local doctors and hospitals are in the network, but also to see what your options would be if you were to need a specialist.

Ask your agent what network you are in, ask if it is local or national and then determine if it meets your own individual needs.

5 Basic Facts About Health Insurance Policies In A Bad Economy

Posted by maghestra No comments

1. DOES YOUR PLAN COVER YOU ON AND OFF THE JOB?

Many health insurance plans have specific exclusions that eliminate your benefits for anything that could have been covered under Workers Compensation or similar laws. Now read that last sentence again.

COULD HAVE BEEN COVERED!?

That is correct. Most self employed people and even some small business owners do not carry Workers Comp on themselves.

There are designed insurance plans that will cover you on and off the job — 24-hours a day, if you are not required by law to have Workers Compensation coverage.

2. ARE YOU WRITING IT OFF?

Independent contractors (1099's), home based business owners, professionals and other self employed people generally are not taking advantages of the tax laws available to them.

Many people who are paying 100% of their own costs are eligible to deduct their monthly insurance payments. Just that alone can reduce your net out-of-pocket costs of a proper plan by as much as 40%. Ask your accounting professional if you are eligible and/or check out the IRS website for more information.

3. INTERNAL LIMITS

All true insurance plans use some form of internal controls to determine how much they will pay out for a particular procedure or service. There are two basic methods.

-Scheduled Benefits

Many plans, some of which are specifically marketed to self employed and independent people, have a clear schedule of what they will pay per doctor office visit, hospital stay, or even limits on what they will pay for testing per 24-hr. period. This structure is usually associated with "Indemnity Plans". If you are presented with one of these plans, be sure to see the schedule of benefits, in writing. It is important that you understand these type of limits up front because once you reach them the company will not pay anything over that amount.

-Usual and Customary

"Usual and Customary" refers to the rate of pay out for a doctor office visit, procedure or hospital stay that is based on what the majority of physicians and facilities charge for that particular service in that particular geographical or comparable area. "Usual and Customary" charges represent the highest level of coverage on most major medical plans.

4.YOU HAVE THE ABILITY TO SHOP!

If you are reading this you, are probably shopping for a health plan. Every day people shop, for everything from groceries to a new home. During the shopping process, generally, the value, price, personal needs and general marketplace gets evaluated by the buyer. With this in mind, it is very disconcerting that most people never ask what a test, procedure or even doctor visit will cost. In this ever-changing health insurance market, it will become increasingly important for these questions to be asked of our medical professionals. Asking price will help you get the most out of your plan and reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.

5. NETWORKS AND DISCOUNTS

Almost all insurance plans and benefit programs work with medical networks to access discounted rates. In broad strokes, networks consist of medical professionals and facilities who agree, by contract, to charge discounted rates for services rendered. In many cases the network is one of the defining attributes of your program. Discounts can vary from 10% to 60% or more. Medical network discounts vary, but to ensure you minimize your out-of-pocket expenses, it is imperative that you preview the network's list of physicians and facilities before committing. This is not only to ensure that your local doctors and hospitals are in the network, but also to see what your options would be if you were to need a specialist.

Ask your agent what network you are in, ask if it is local or national and then determine if it meets your own individual needs.

Hertz Hurts - How NOT to do Customer Service

According to its Mission Statement, Hertz strives to be the "most customer focused rental company in every market [they] serve." Recently, FoIB Bill M had the opportunity to put this to the test.
Hertz failed. Miserably:

"On March 3, my daughter rented a car from Hertz in Lafayette, IN.  Upon renting she asked about adding me (her father) as a driver.  She was told (in this technology age) that she and I would have to be there at the same time (inconvenient as I live in Ohio).  When she was informed of this, the Hertz rep assured my daughter that we could stop at any Hertz together and they could take care of it.

I then called two different Hertz locations in Dayton and they told me the same thing.  However, when we stopped at the Wayne Ave location in Dayton the rep said she could not access our information.  She was helpful in contacting the Lafayette Hertz and asking them to fax down a form which we signed and she faxed back for us.  They also finally mentioned that there would be an additional $ 13.00 charge per day for me to be able to drive the car (this was the first time we were informed of this).  I attempted to call Hertz customer service to discuss this and bailed on the call after 25 minutes on my cell with no live person yet.

On the 4th day of our trip the Service Engine light came on.  After a 20 minute phone call, we finally spoke to a gentleman at Hertz who told us to stop at any Hertz location (apparently a favorite lie told to customers) and we could trade it in for another model to continue our trip.  Being wiser from the first try we called several locations, and were told that this was not true (surprise!), and that we needed to go to the Airport Location (out of our way and extremely inconvenient).  After a 2 hour good faith attempt to help Hertz, we gave up and decided to drive it back to Lafayette IN (hoping that the vehicle didn't blow up in the meantime).

Needless to say Hertz will not be on our radar to rent from in the future: horrible customer experience. Next time, we'll take our busuiness to a company that actually cares about doing the right thing."
Thanks, Bill, for sharing that - hopefully it will save our readers from a similar fate.

View the original article here

Hertz Hurts - How NOT to do Customer Service

Posted by maghestra No comments

According to its Mission Statement, Hertz strives to be the "most customer focused rental company in every market [they] serve." Recently, FoIB Bill M had the opportunity to put this to the test.
Hertz failed. Miserably:

"On March 3, my daughter rented a car from Hertz in Lafayette, IN.  Upon renting she asked about adding me (her father) as a driver.  She was told (in this technology age) that she and I would have to be there at the same time (inconvenient as I live in Ohio).  When she was informed of this, the Hertz rep assured my daughter that we could stop at any Hertz together and they could take care of it.

I then called two different Hertz locations in Dayton and they told me the same thing.  However, when we stopped at the Wayne Ave location in Dayton the rep said she could not access our information.  She was helpful in contacting the Lafayette Hertz and asking them to fax down a form which we signed and she faxed back for us.  They also finally mentioned that there would be an additional $ 13.00 charge per day for me to be able to drive the car (this was the first time we were informed of this).  I attempted to call Hertz customer service to discuss this and bailed on the call after 25 minutes on my cell with no live person yet.

On the 4th day of our trip the Service Engine light came on.  After a 20 minute phone call, we finally spoke to a gentleman at Hertz who told us to stop at any Hertz location (apparently a favorite lie told to customers) and we could trade it in for another model to continue our trip.  Being wiser from the first try we called several locations, and were told that this was not true (surprise!), and that we needed to go to the Airport Location (out of our way and extremely inconvenient).  After a 2 hour good faith attempt to help Hertz, we gave up and decided to drive it back to Lafayette IN (hoping that the vehicle didn't blow up in the meantime).

Needless to say Hertz will not be on our radar to rent from in the future: horrible customer experience. Next time, we'll take our busuiness to a company that actually cares about doing the right thing."
Thanks, Bill, for sharing that - hopefully it will save our readers from a similar fate.

View the original article here

Isolated incident? Meaningless anecdote? I wonder.

Yeah, an anecdote is not data, it's just . . . an anecdote.  But anecdotes can make one wonder.
Like this anecdote from New Zealand:
"But at the start of May the couple were told they must leave as Albert’s health was no longer acceptable . . . [Immigration New Zealand's] medical assessors have to consider to what extent there might be indications of future high-cost and high-need demand for health services."
This anecdote suggests New Zealand is deporting people it considers health risks, as a tactic to manage costs within its socialized medical program.   Who knows if INZ uses this tactic a lot? Or for that matter if other countries do the same?
Well, we do know other countries (e.g., U.K., Canada) ration medical services either thru explicit rules, or global budgets, or by queue.  We do know Germany has been using a different creative tactic of its own: "one way Germany has contained its health care delivery costs has been forced labor at under-market rates."   And we do know that European Union countries under the Schengen Convention have “rejected the notion that their citizens areobligated to pay for medical expenses of foreign visitors.”
Even a collection of anecdotes may not be “data” but at some point is there enough to make you wonder?
I think our media have generally done a poor job reporting information - such as the anecdotes above - which illuminates the actual experience in other countries, pro and con, with governmental control of medical delivery and finance.  As a result, the American public was not well-informed during the health care debate and therefore susceptible to smoke-blowers.   So now, sadly, the only practical way for most Americans to anticipate how Obamacare is likely to work is to accept it, so that we can find out what is in it.
Sound familiar?

View the original article here

Isolated incident? Meaningless anecdote? I wonder.

Posted by maghestra No comments

Yeah, an anecdote is not data, it's just . . . an anecdote.  But anecdotes can make one wonder.
Like this anecdote from New Zealand:
"But at the start of May the couple were told they must leave as Albert’s health was no longer acceptable . . . [Immigration New Zealand's] medical assessors have to consider to what extent there might be indications of future high-cost and high-need demand for health services."
This anecdote suggests New Zealand is deporting people it considers health risks, as a tactic to manage costs within its socialized medical program.   Who knows if INZ uses this tactic a lot? Or for that matter if other countries do the same?
Well, we do know other countries (e.g., U.K., Canada) ration medical services either thru explicit rules, or global budgets, or by queue.  We do know Germany has been using a different creative tactic of its own: "one way Germany has contained its health care delivery costs has been forced labor at under-market rates."   And we do know that European Union countries under the Schengen Convention have “rejected the notion that their citizens areobligated to pay for medical expenses of foreign visitors.”
Even a collection of anecdotes may not be “data” but at some point is there enough to make you wonder?
I think our media have generally done a poor job reporting information - such as the anecdotes above - which illuminates the actual experience in other countries, pro and con, with governmental control of medical delivery and finance.  As a result, the American public was not well-informed during the health care debate and therefore susceptible to smoke-blowers.   So now, sadly, the only practical way for most Americans to anticipate how Obamacare is likely to work is to accept it, so that we can find out what is in it.
Sound familiar?

View the original article here