Auto Insurance Primer
What is auto insurance? Auto insurance (or car insurance, motor insurance) is insurance consumers can purchase for cars, trucks, and other vehicles. Its primary use is to provide protection against losses incurred. By buying auto insurance, depending on the type of coverage purchased, the consumer may be protected against: * The cost of repairing the vehicle following an accident * The cost of purchasing a new vehicle if it is stolen or damaged beyond economic repair * Legal liability claims against the driver or owner of the vehicle following the vehicle causing damage or injury to a third party. Liability insurance covers only the last point, while comprehensive insurance covers all three. Even comprehensive insurance, however, doesn't fully cover the risk associated with buying a new car. Due to the sharp decline in value immediately following purchase, there is generally a period in which the remaining car payments exceed the compensation the insurer will pay for a "totaled" (destroyed, or written-off) vehicle. So-called GAP insurance was established in the early 1980's to provide protection to consumers based upon buying and market trends. The escalating price of cars, extended term auto loans, and the increasing popularity of leasing gave birth to GAP protection. GAP waivers provide protection for consumers when a "gap" exists between the actual value of their vehicle and the amount of money owed to the bank or leasing company. In some countries including New Zealand and Australia market structures mean that people are more likely to buy a nearly new car than a new car so this is less of a problem. In the United States, liability insurance covers claims against the policy holder and generally, any other operator of the insured's vehicle, provided they do not live at the same address as the policy holder and are not specifically excluded on the policy. In the case of those living at the same address, they must specifically be covered on the policy. Thus it is necessary for example, when a family member comes of driving age they must be added on to the policy. Liability insurance generally does not protect the policy holder if they operate any vehicles other than their own. When you drive a vehicle owned by another party, you are covered under that party's policy. Non-owners policies may be offered that would cover an insured on any vehicle they drive. This coverage is available only to those who do not own their own vehicle. Generally, liability coverage does extend when you rent a car. However, in most cases only liability applies. Any additional coverage, such as comprehensive policies, i.e. "full coverage" may not apply. Full coverage premiums are based on, among other factors, the value of the insured's vehicle. This coverage may not apply to rental cars because the insurance company does not want to assume responsibility for a claim greater than the value of the insured's vehicle, assuming that a rental car may be worth more than the insured's vehicle. Some states, such as Minnesota, may require that it extend to rental cars. Most rental car companies offer insurance to cover damage to the rental vehicle. In some regions, the costs associated with not having access to the vehicle ("Loss of Use") is also covered. More auto insurance information at auto insurance.
Related News
|
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Consumer Driven Health Plans [ CDHP ]
Do you know that skyrocketing health care costs have been draining the federal government and employer's exchequers over the last couple of years? The health care costs account for 15.5 percent of U.S GDP and is the most expensive benefit paid by employers, seriously affecting their competitiveness in the global market. Health care spending is projected to top $1.9 trillion in 2005, about twice the amount being spent on education. According to the Employment Policy Foundation, employers have spent $331 billion last year for health insurance, a 50 percent increase since 1998. All of these never-improving alarming statistics did result in designing the Consumer Driven Health Plan (CDHP), making the insured person an active member in controlling the costs, rather than being passive and relying on the managed benefit program. The idea was pioneered by Definity Health in Minnesota in the year 2000 and has seen a rapid adoption by the employers/employees over the years due to its inherent cure-for-all strategy.
The Many Benefits of Travel Protection Plans
Many people purchase insurance thinking I want full coverage and once I get it I will be covered for every event that may befall my vehicle. But then they begin to question if every type of incident is covered with full coverage. Some events that people question if they are covered for are: if my car breaks down what about towing costs or if I need a rental car does the insurance company pay? Towing service and rental service is not an automatic service that you are covered for but it can be easily added to a new policy purchase or during the renewal process.
If You Rent A Home, Protect It By Buying Renters Insurance
Renters insurance is often overlooked by people who are renting their house or apartment. Many people don't realize that their landlord's insurance only covers the building that you live, there in no coverage for your personal belongs. Renters insurance usually offers full coverage to protect your belongs from fire, flooding, theft, and many other types of perils.
Life Insurance: Who Needs It And How Much Do You Need?
Your friendly, neighborhood life insurance agent is most likely to answer this question with the word "everybody."
CarInsurance.com Is Available At All Dealerships With Internet Access!
You are ready to buy your first car. Researching the right vehicle can be a daunting task. You search for the right type of vehicle you need, the color you want, the type of interior. You have spent countless hours narrowing down the right vehicle for you. You find out what the MSRP (Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price) is by using the following services:
Your Personal Injury Insurance Claim: Several Crucial Insights Into Medical Reimbursements
The best judge of Total Disability and/or Partial Disability is "Ole" Doc Comfort your attending physician. The Medical Report he executes for the insurance company you're battling with, Rock Solid Insurance Corporation, should always contain his comments regarding the nature of your disability. His diagnosis will be crucial to I. M. Smart, the adjuster assigned to handle your claim, because it will detail the duration of your "Pain and Suffering". In addition it will also prove the time you lost from work as being legitimate.
Is Your Auto Insurance Company Rated?
Several national rating institutions rate insurance companies. Do coverages, rates, and service vary from company to company? Why can you pay less with one company than another can for the same coverages? Choosing the best insurance company for you is a crucial financial decision. Does your insurance company have the financial strength to safeguard you and your family? If the company cannot pay future claims or benefits, other issues become far less relevant. Financial strength ratings are an analysis of a wide variety of risks that could affect an insurance company's long-term viability. Insurance companies have failed or ceased to operate due to inadequate financial strength, competitive forces, or changing dynamics in the marketplace.
Online Insurance Quotes California Auto
Finding insurance quotes for California auto is now pretty easy. There was a time where finding auto insurance at a price we were willing to pay took a lot of driving and calling around. You'd select different agents that represented different companies, call them and repeat the process 4 or 5 times. Then you'd have to wait for a return call for the information. Insurance quotes for California was cumbersome to say the least.
High Risk Auto Insurance - How to Lower Rates
How is your driving record lately? Do you have a large amount of speeding tickets or maybe a few car accidents on your driving record? High risk auto insurance generally means one thing for sure, higher car insurance rates. Even though high risk auto insurance rates are typically higher, there are a few things that you can do to reduce your costs now.
Health Insurance Quotes Online - Tips On Finding a Good Provider
Since 2001, major health insurance providers have been allowing consumers to buy policies online. Through the convenience of the internet, consumers are able to compare prices and coverage to find the best insurance policy for them. Before you sign up with a health insurance provider, you should consider price, company history, and coverage to make sure you find a good plan for your situation.
What is Life Insurance?
Life Insurance is an insurance policy that provides an agreed amount of cover over an agreed term, so that should you die during the policy term, a lump sum is paid out. Life insurance is considered as the cornerstone of financial planning. It is a cost effective way to provide for your family after you are gone.
Insurance Claim Handling Online - TPA Adjuster System
Claims management and administration software systems enable insurance claims adjusters, supervisors, and managers to process incidents and administer claims more efficiently and at a lower cost than traditional paper file and transport methods. Some areas that are made more efficient, thus lowering costs, are otherwise insufficient tracking and handling of medical provider billing (especially with medical bill repricing) and proper compensation scheduling. For larger claim adjuster organizations, tying claims data across multiple locations is a must. A complete claims management system will address these issues and more.
What Does Buildings Insurance Cover?
You will find that your lender will insist that you have this cover when you take out a mortgage. The lender, remember, owns your home until you have paid off the mortgage. However, because they don't live in it, you are responsible for it, thus you need to insure the building. Should the property fall down, the lender wants it to be covered for the catastrophe.
Do You Pay Too Much For Your Car Insurance?
Do the premiums just seem to get higher and higher every year?
Inexpensive Life Insurance To Protect What You?ve Earned
Adequate life insurance to cover your income producing ability is a product that is really needed today to give peace of mind. Life insurance was originally conceived to protect a man's family when his death left them without income. Over time is has developed into a variety of policy plans. In a "whole life" policy, fixed premiums are paid throughout the insured's lifetime; this accumulated amount, augmented by compound interest, is paid to a beneficiary in a lump sum upon the insured's death; the benefit is paid even if the insured had terminated the policy. Under "universal life," the insured can vary the amount and timing of the premiums; the funds compound to create the death benefit.
What is Consumer-Driven Healthcare?
Consumer-driven healthcare is a label that we've put on a movement in America to change the way decisions are made in our healthcare system. Instead of insurance companies making all the decisions about how people will receive their healthcare, consumers are taking back the power over their own lives.
Finding Fast Life Insurance
Since the widespread growth of internet usage and database building it's never been easier or quicker to find fast life insurance. There was a time not long ago that the project could drag out forever. The process began with phone colds and lots of dialog between you and agents about various policies, options and underwriting requirements. Today fast life insurance is possible.
Car and Home Insurance Northern Ireland
Don't skimp on insurance. This probably doesn't sound like a way to save money. But keep in mind the purpose of insurance is to transfer to an insurance company the financial risk you can't afford to carry yourself. Without formal insurance, you are de facto self-insuring - meaning you'll pay out of your own pocket in the event of a financial disaster such as loss of a home or a serious illness.
Ever Wondered What An Auto Insurance Claim Adjuster Does?
An auto insurance claim adjuster works for the insurance company with whom you purchase a policy. Some insurance companies use independent adjusters so that they get an unbiased report. When you have an accident and make a claim on your insurance, the company will send out an adjuster to access the damages and come up with an amount of money that will be needed to complete the repairs. The auto insurance claim adjuster has to contact the garages to get an estimate of what the parts and labor will cost.
The Ups and Downs of Temporary Health Insurance
If you're a recent college graduate, or in between jobs, temporary health insurance may be just what you are looking for. As the name suggests, this short term health plan covers from one month up to a full year. And with a very inexpensive price tag, most consumers are thrilled to have finally found a viable health care option. While there are benefits with temporary health insurance, there are a few negative aspects as well.
|
