A couple months ago you were toolin’ on down the avenue, minding your own business, when out of nowhere, this fumbling, stumbling man by the name of Freddie Fuddle flew through a Stop Sign and plowed into you with a gigantic, rip-roaring, screeching broadside. You were wearing your seat belt but it was still a thundering crash that wrenched and whipped you around the inside of your motor vehicle something fierce!

Now, after a long recovery period, Fuddles carrier, Granite Mountain Insurance is clamoring to close the case and they’ve assigned Claims Adjuster I. M. Strong, to handle your case. You and Strong are sitting at your kitchen table talking about your settlement dollars. It turns out hes got some hang-ups regarding your lost income. Well, here are some things you need to know:

Lost wages are one of the most important element’s of your damages. Listen to me carefully when I say, You should not think about the days you missed from work as Lost Time and Earnings. It’s not Lost Time and Earnings - - its Lost Earning Capacity

You ask, Whats Lost Earning Capacity all about? I thought I could only collect for my Lost Income? The answer to that is, In many situations you can claim lost income EVEN IF YOU HAVEN’T LOST ONE SINGLE PENNY . For example, this can happen when your salary is paid because you’ve elected to apply for the sick leave thats due you, or because of an Accident and Health Policy available for you to take advantage of, or some other such arrangement.

In most instances - - even if you were paid while out of work - - you should still get that money routinely identified as Lost Wages. Why? Because that’s your Lost Earning Capacity. Your Lost Earning Capacity is whats called a Compensatory Damage. Don’t let Strong swindle you out of that Compensatory Damage. Even if youve received an income, in some other way, you’re still entitled to it. Strong will do everything he can to take advantage of you, especially when it comes to getting paid for your Lost Earning Capacity. During the course of every settlement negotiation he gets involved in, hell try that tactic on for size, and its mind-boggling how often he gets away with it.

The typical statement made at that point, by the unsuspecting claimant is, Hey, I understand Im to be paid for my lost wages.

Strong answers, You collected $200.00 a week from your Accident and Health Policy didnt you?

Yeah, but my average weekly income last year was $275.00 a week.

Okay, I. M. Strong flashes a well practiced, winning smile, that tells you hes a fair insurance claim adjuster, when in his black heart, he knows he isnt, Well pay you that $75.00 a week difference. Lets see, you were laid up and unable to work for 5 weeks. 5 times $75.00 is $375.00. Dont worry my friend, Ill see to it youre paid that $375.00.

Wow! you think, thats terrific !. Youre thrilled to death with this great turn of events.But what you dont know is that the $200.00 a week youve received from your Accident and Health Policy has absolutely nothing to do with your lost income.The bottom line is that Smart has just cheated you out of a thousand dollars! And, worse than that, the $275.00 a week income you lost (for a total of $1,375.00) would have (in a court of law) given your case $4,000.00 to $5,000.00 more value in settlement dollars.

DOCUMENTING LOST INCOME: Ask the company you work for to write a letter on their official stationary declaring your gross salary income and the days you lost from work.

GROSS PAY VS. NET PAY: You should collect the gross wage’s you lost, not the net.

TOTAL DISABILITY and/or PARTIAL DISABILITY: For every week of Total Disability (a fact which must be stated in your doctors Final Medical Report) you should use your gross weekly income - - even if you were paid! (For every week of Partial Disability your doctor states in that Final Medical Report, you have the right to claim a substantial percentage of your income, during that period, even if you didn’t lose any).

Because the following five points give value to your claim be ready to talk with Smart about and, wherever possible, prove:

(1) If your work demands heavy labor and/or lifting. (2) If you lost any vacation time or sick leave. (3) If there was any possible loss of money you could have earned in the future - - either with your company or maybe other income you’ve got bubbling and boiling on the side. (4) If you had to forgo any bonuses. (5) If you lost an opportunity that would have led to a better job.

If any of the above five points are true than your claim is worth more money!

THE CRUCIAL MEDICAL REPORT: The Granite Mountain Insurance Company and Adjuster I. M. Strong know that the longer your recovery period, the greater your pain and suffering, therefore the higher the settlement value of your bodily injury claim. Your Chiropractor or Attending Physician must also note this in his Final Medical Report. Tell him to state exactly how long it will be, before you can get back to routine activities like golf, hunting, fishing and/or rockin’ and rollin’ with your lady friends.

As long as you have problems keep right on going back to see your doctor, again and again, even if it drives the poor bugger nuts! Do this because the fact that your records show a visit to him, four, eight, or twelve weeks after the accident, proves your injury needed constant attention, therefore you were unable to work. Also because, when you visit your doctor and tell him there’s no let-up of your pain, discomfort, stiffness or immobility - - those continuing problems must be written into the Medical Report he’ll provide for you when you’ve finished treatment. That’s the one you’ll hand to Adjuster Smart when the two of you begin to talk turkey. As he reads it youll watch him frown, then blanch as that cocky smile disappears from his face. When you see him do that youll know, ya got him!

DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this claim tip is to help people understand the motor vehicle accident claim process. Neither Dan Baldyga nor Article City make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever; NOR do they purport to engage in rendering any professional or legal service; NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like. Where such professional help is desired it is the INDIVIDUALS RESPONSIBILITY to obtain said services.

Dan Badygas latest book Auto Accident Personal Injury Insurance Claim (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss) can be found at http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com.

Copyright (c) 2003 by Daniel G. Baldyga. All Rights Reserved

About The Author

For 30 years Dan Baldyga was a claims adjuster, supervisor, manager and also a trial assistant.He is now retired and spends his time attempting to assist those involved in motor vehicle accident claims so they will not be taken advantate of. Mail to:

dbpaw@attbi.com

More articles at www.articles-host.com

read comments (0)

There are plenty of cheap auto insurance policies available, but you have to do some work to find them. Chances are the insurance company isn’t going to come knocking on your door, because many of the companies offering the cheapest auto insurance don’t spend much money on advertising. Certainly there are companies that advertise extensively on television saying they’re the cheapest, but make sure you check out whether their claims are true. It’s important to compare policies carefully and make sure you really are getting the cheapest auto insurance.

There are also some specific things you can do to try and get cheap auto insurance. These won’t be available to everyone, but it’s worth reading through the list and seeing if you can use one or two of these ideas to help lower your auto insurance rates.

Firstly, ask the insurance company about discounts - do they offer any? Lots of insurance companies now offer discounts for things like being claim free, or multi driver and multi car policies, or even good driving awards. So make sure you ask, you never know which ones you might qualify for! And even if you don’t qualify right now, but might be close, it could be worth choosing that policy because of the better rates you’ll get once you do qualify.

Most auto insurance policies now have a deductible, but did you know that by having a larger deductible you might be able to get a discount on your auto insurance premium? This can be a great way to get cheap auto insurance, particularly if you have a good driving history. Be aware, though, that if an accident occurs you may actually need to pay the deductible, so you have to feel confident that you would be able to find that amount of money if required.

Also, try shopping around online and getting some quotes. Hundreds of auto insurance companies have sites that offer free quotes, so take advantage of that to find the cheapest auto insurance. It’s quick and easy to compare lots of different policies, but make sure that you’re not putting yourself under any obligation to go through with a policy, and that there’s definitely no fee payable to get the quote.

Take some time to think about the level of coverage you really need. If you’re driving an older car that’s not worth very much, check out the minimum level of auto insurance your state requires you to have and go with that. Remember, though, that if you’re at fault in an accident, you’ll get nothing if your own car is damaged or wrecked. Liability insurance is only for damage you cause to others. Still, if your car isn’t worth much and you have funds available to repair or replace it if required, this might be a way of lowering your insurance costs.

These are just a few ideas to get you started, and once you start looking you’ll find plenty of cheap auto insurance is available. Spend the time working out exactly what your requirements are, and that will make it much easier for you to choose an appropriate policy.

More articles at www.articles-host.com

read comments (0)

Auto insurance companies are essential to get in contact with if you desire to drive. Since it is the law to have car insurance on any vehicle you drive, talk with auto insurance companies to see which ones offer the best rates in your area. There are probably a lot of auto insurance companies in the parameters in which you live. Finding an auto insurance company can be overwhelming if this is the case, but it does not have to be. If you are new to the car insurance game, don’t fret, there are some easy ways to find the best coverage from an auto insurance company near you. One thing to take into consideration when talking with an auto insurance company is the type of coverage you desire. In regards to coverage, we are referring to the type of protection you can get through auto insurance companies. Each month you will be expected to pay a certain amount based on the type of coverage you choose for your vehicle.

One type of coverage is called liability and that is the least coverage a person can get. Liability comes in handy if you are ever in an accident and you hit another person. If that is the case, an auto insurance company can tell you that the person you hit will be covered under your insurance policy, but you will not. If you are hurt in the accident, you have no coverage and will have to pay for medical expenses out of pocket as well as any damage done to your vehicle. Auto insurance companies will even raise your monthly payments if you are at fault in an accident. If you have more questions concerning liability, be sure to contact auto insurance companies and the rules they have regarding that type of coverage.

Another type of coverage an auto insurance company might offer is known as full coverage. Depending on the year, make, and model of your vehicle, your monthly payments can be high or low. This type of coverage offered by an auto insurance company that would cover both parties involved in case of an accident. You will pay a certain payment each month, depending on your policy. It is in your best interest to talk to auto insurance companies to see what kind of coverage they offer and what would be the best policy to go with. Talk with multiple auto insurance companies and see if they can send you quotes on the policies and type of coverage they offer. An auto insurance company’s rate might vary greatly from another auto insurance company. If you look online, you might be able to find an auto insurance company who will allow you to compare their rates with other auto insurance companies. This is something to take advantage of so you can best determine which auto insurance company would be the right fit for you.

For more information, visit:
http://www.christianet.com/articles/
http://www.christianet.com/

More articles at www.articles-host.com

read comments (0)

Life is so uncertain and so many things can happen — even the things you least expect, such as a sudden death. You could be very strong one minute and suffer from and a heart attack and die the next minute. However, one thing is for sure, the loved ones you leave behind will be devastated and be even more in distraught if they do not have the means to pay for your funeral services. That is why it is important that you secure the future of your family by getting a universal life insurance.

Universal life insurance is one type of life insurance. It is characterized by flexible premiums and adjustable benefits. As your insurance needs change, your policy can also be adjusted; however, this action requires approval. The benefits of securing a universal life insurance policy include flexibility, security, tax-deferred account value growth and tax-free death benefit.

A universal life insurance plan is flexible because you can adjust your premium payments and death benefits according to your needs. Even with your changing insurance needs, you are secure that your loved ones will not go through a financial crisis in the event of your death. Aside from these two benefits, you can also get tax-free and tax-deferred benefits. Yet, the proceeds that your beneficiaries will get are income tax-free, and the account value of your policy earns interest and is federal income tax deferred.

Getting a universal life insurance policy gives you lots of benefits. But, if you are still in doubt of these significant advantages, you should consult an insurance agent to better explain them to you. You might as well ask other important information regarding premiums, savings, reserves and payments to ensure that you get the right life insurance policy for you.

More articles at www.articles-host.com

read comments (0)

In a car insurance policy, you pay a premium to the insurance company and the latter pays for particular car-related financial losses you may incur for the duration of the contract. Without insurance, you risk paying for the full cost of any injury you may cause others and repairing or replacing your damaged or stolen vehicle.

Finding the best deal for car insurance may be tedious. Thanks to car insurance quotes, searching for the best deal is trouble-free. Through different sites online, you can compare prices and find the best policy to suit your needs.

While surfing for car insurance, it is advised to send the right information to be able to get an accurate quotation. Ask for an exact coverage from different sites so the price comparison can be correctly compared. Get quotes from as many companies as possible to get the best deal. Be cautious of some sites that offer really low prices though, for these companies may just be low-balling. It is best to deal with well-established insurance companies. Their prices may be a bit higher but you are ensured they can do the job.

Factors affecting the price of car insurance are what car model you purchase, where you drive, how often you drive, age, sex, marital status, driving record and credit history.

The kinds of car insurance coverage are Bodily Injury and Liability Insurance (to pay for the body damage you may have caused someone in a crash), Collision Insurance (to pay for the damage of your vehicle when it is your fault that you hit another car, building, tree, etc.), Comprehensive Coverage Insurance (damage of loss of car by theft, fire, flood, vandalism, etc.), Car Rental (to pay for another car while yours is being repaired in the shop), Full Glass (damage to windshield and other windows), Medical Coverage (to pay for medical expenses from your crash injuries no matter who was at fault), No-Fault Personal Injury Protection (to pay for medical bills, rehabilitation, funerals, etc.), Liability Coverage (when it is your fault that you hit someones property, car, house, fence, etc. and they are demanding for repair), Towing (free roadside assistance when your car breaks down) and Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage (to pay for your injuries or property repair incurred by uninsured or underinsured individuals).

Discounts on car insurance are given when the car has air bags and automatic seat belts, anti-theft alarm system and anti-lock brakes. Discounts can also be given to those who passed driving school, to those who have a clean driving record, to cars statistically proven safe and to multi-car or home and car policy holders.

More articles at www.articles-host.com

read comments (0)

Not everyone needs life insurance. If you dont have any debts or maybe only minimal ones which would be covered by your disposable assets should you die, then youre fine. Not everyone has dependants and as long as there would be enough funds to settle your affairs and pay for your funeral, then you wouldnt be leaving your next of kin any headaches.

Not too many people are in this position though. Most have people who depend on them. If youre the main breadwinner of the family, have you considered what would become of them if you were no longer there to provide their needs? There would be the mortgage to pay, plus any other loans and commitments. Then theres the upkeep on the home, expenses such as running a car, holidays and maybe school fees and support through college to fund. Even if your other half earns a salary, its a lot to take on. Some thought and provision now could save a lot of heartache later on.

The definition of life insurance is a policy which will pay out an amount of money on your death.

A term insurance policy is just that. It covers you for period, or term, of your life. It may be the term of your mortgage, or maybe the term which you expect your children to need financial support. In the event of your death within that term, there would be a lump sum, or maybe a series of smaller sums, for your dependants to draw on for their support and to maintain their standard of living. There is no actual cash value to these insurance policies; they simply expire at the end of the term.

A whole of life policy is one which, once purchased, will continue until your death. It is necessary to keep up the premiums or the policy may lapse, but the policy does have some cash value, should you decide that the cover is no longer necessary.

Many people take out this simple cover when theyre older and feel that theyd like to leave enough money for their family to be able to cover funeral costs.

Another use for this insurance is for people who realise that their estate is going to attract inheritance tax. By doing some careful calculations, it may be possible to work out the approximate amount of tax which would be due on their death and taking out a whole of life policy to cover this amount. This could save their next of kin from having to sell any property left to them simply to pay the inheritance tax. If the policy is written in trust, then the payout should be excluded from inheritance tax. The benefit should be easily available, enabling the family to attend to the tax side of the estate efficiently. If you were going down this route, it would be advisable to take some financial advice. Inheritance tax planning needs some thought, but whole of life insurance is a tool often used.

Back to term insurance. Level term insurance might be taken out to cover the term of a mortgage. It is often used in conjunction with an interest only mortgage, where your capital amount remains constant. Both the premium and the sum insured stay the same throughout the term. This type of insurance would also be suitable for family protection.

A decreasing term policy is useful if you have a repayment mortgage, where the capital amount owing on your property reduces over time. The actual cover reduces in line with the mortgage balance and because the insurer would actually pay out far less should your death occur towards the end of the term, these policies are cheaper to purchase.

There are other term policies out there pension term and increasing term being just two of them.

If youre looking for more information, the internets the place to look. Dont search for an individual insurer though. A broker will have the facility to search out some quotes for you from a range of suppliers. They also have a wealth of experience and will be able to offer some sound advice.

Dont delay though. Its really very easy to arrange some simple, uncomplicated cover and its well worth thinking about.

More articles at www.articles-host.com

read comments (0)

If you want to save money when you purchase your car insurance here are a few ways that can help you as you search for auto insurance.

First thing you can do is comparison shop. It cannot hurt to call around to see what other prices are out there. If the price is higher you know you are where you need to be and if you find a lower rate you always have the option to change. You can use information from Florida Department of Financial Services, or a similar department within your state, to help you decide. This Florida department can show you what types of coverage are out there and give you sample rates. You can do this for other states by using the National Association of Insurance commissioners web site. Armed with this information you can get quotes from a number of companies and find the best one for you.

Increasing deductibles is another way to lower your premium. A deductible is the portion of money you pay before the insurance company pays for damages or injuries. The higher your deductible is the less exposure the insurance company has, thus your premium will be lower. If you choose the highest deductible you can afford you may save hundreds of dollars over the term of your policy.

Dropping comprehensive and collision coverage on older cars is another way you can to save money on your insurance policy. This type of coverage protects your car if it is damaged or stolen. Usually it is the cash value of the vehicle at the time of a loss minus the deducible. On older vehicles the value is lowered already by depreciation. You need to take into consideration the premium you pay, the value of the vehicle and the deductible you have. You may be paying more for the coverage then the vehicle is worth. If there is a loan on the car, you may have to keep this coverage on the car until you pay off the loan. After the car loan is paid off it is your choice if to keep these types of coverage and at what levels.

Buying a more economical car may help reduce your insurance. Yes, driving that corvette is fun but if you want to save money maybe you can be driving something that is a little less expensive. Vehicles that are costly to fix or that have a higher chance to be stolen are generally higher priced as far as your insurance premium. There are reports that you can check to find out which cars are stolen more often. One of these types of reports is by The Highway Loss Data Institute. Parts and repair times also tend to me more costly on higher end vehicles. A vehicle that is easier to repair will save with labor costs thus help lower your premiums.

Some companies give discounts if you do not drive your car as much. If you live close to your job you may get discounts for this lower mileage usage. Some companies may also list the car as an occasional use vehicle based on the mileage, which can reduce your premiums.

Asking about which discounts are available is a great way of reducing your premium. Discounts are given for safety features such as airbags and anti-lock breaks. Anti theft systems can reduce costs as well. Owning a house, being married, driver training courses and having no tickets or accidents are all ways that may make it possible for you to be eligible for discounts. Getting a list of discounts from your company is a great way to reduce your costs.

Maintaining a good driving record is also a major determining factor on how much the premium will be. If you can maintain a safe driving record, one without violations and/or accidents, your rates will be lower then someone who is more reckless. Many companies give discounts if there are no violations on your driving record. This is due to the company potentially having less exposure insuring a driver with a clear driving record than the driver with multiple tickets and/or accidents.

One final way to save on insurance is to keep your policy enforced. By making payments on time and keeping your policy intact you avoid extra late fees and you avoid costly tickets for not carrying the proper type of coverage that your state requires. You avoid possible a suspension of your driver’s license and you also may be eligible for discounts for renewing your policy all by just keeping up with your premiums. Most companies will give renewal discounts as an incentive to stay with them and keep your policy valid and in good standing.

These are just some ways that you as a consumer may use to lower your insurance costs. Now get out there and start saving some money!

Visit http://www.carinsurance.com for Auto Insurance Rates.

James Diaz is a representative of CarInsurance.com. You can visit CarInsurance.com at http://www.carinsurance.com or contact them at 1-877-327-8728.

CarInsurance.com’s online insurance marketplace gives an opportunity to consumers and to insurance companies. We offer the ability to shop for car insurance online.

Consumers can receive quotes from many insurance companies, in some states you are able to purchase your insurance instantly, online. You don’t have to drive your car to buy car insurance. Buy online… anytime!

More articles at www.articles-host.com

read comments (0)

Did you know that all factors being equal, a female between the ages of 18 and 25 will pay less for car insurance than her male counterpart?

Insurance companies, probably for fear of upsetting would-be clients do not like to talk about this, but judging from the quotes they mostly give to women, women are considered less of a risk and will therefore generally tend to end up paying less for their auto insurance than men.

Usually car insurance companies scrutinize lots of figures and consider a wide range of different factors before they issue a car insurance quote to a prospect. The statistics that they usually look at very closely are related to their own claims experience.

It would seem from these figures and ultimately based on what they do end up charging, that women are a safer bet than men drivers. Of course it is a well know fact that women are bound to take less risks on the road and even in their driving most of the time. It would seem that based on this and other well known good driving habits that women tend to have, they seem to cause less accidents and therefore tend to make fewer claims on their auto insurance. This hardly comes as a surprise.

According to figures compiled by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) more men than women die each year in motor vehicle accidents. The figures also show that men mostly drive more miles than women. That would increase the chances of having an accident for men and would therefore imply that these figures do not conclusively prove that women are safer drivers.

However the same statistics also highlight the fact that men are much more likely to engage in risky driving practices than women, including speeding and not using a safety belt.

Still, it is also significant to note that not all car insurance companies consider the gender of the prospect when issuing car insurance quotes. Yet another reason why it is a good idea to shop around widely for quotations before making up your mind on which insurance package to go for.

More articles at www.articles-host.com

read comments (0)

California auto insurance is compulsory for all drivers in the state. California is a tort state, which makes you financially responsible for injuries and damages in auto accidents. Maintain a good driving record with higher deductibles to arrive at affordable California auto insurance with sufficient coverage. Of course, other factors like number of miles driven each year, driving experience, etc. play prominent roles in deciding your insurance rates.

What decides my financial responsibility?

You can prove your financial responsibility in any one of the following ways:

• Have an automobile liability insurance policy
• Surety bond for $35,000 from insurance company to do business in California
• Self-insurance certificate of DMV, if you own more than twenty-five vehicles
• Cash deposit with DMV for $35,000

What is the minimum coverage available?

California auto insurance offers minimum liability insurance of $15,000 for physical injury or death per person per accident, $30,000 for all persons affected in an accident, and $5,000 for damages to property per accident. Your insurance coverage should have this minimum coverage; otherwise, you should provide alternative methods of paying for damages due to any accident. California law does not make other coverage like collision, comprehensive, medical payments, uninsured motorist, etc. compulsory.

How you can acquire auto insurance?

There are many insurance companies in California offering different insurance rates for their policies. Different companies calculate their rates according to their experiences, expenses, losses, etc. You need to scout around for various insurance companies, agents, brokers, etc. to get a fair idea of different rates in same geographical region. You can take help of the Internet or call up different insurance companies to gather information. Thereafter, you can choose the most suitable insurance company, which offers necessary coverage at rates affordable by you.

What if no company is willing to insure my vehicle?

It is possible that no California auto insurance company is willing to provide you coverage. You can then receive liability coverage through California Automobile Assigned Risk Plan (CAARP). You need to approach such agents or CAARP directly. They then assign your application to any licensed insurance company. All such insurance companies have to accept CAARP applicants and there can be no brokers fees or charges. You can take up a regular insurance from standard companies after three years of clean driving record.

Helping our California drivers get better rates on California Auto Insurance stop by our site and get a no obligation quote for the Cheapest Car Insurance available in your area. http://www.freecarcity.com

More articles at www.articles-host.com

read comments (0)

The area in which you live does impact the cost of you automotive insurance. It may seem a bit unfair, but its true. Locations that have higher crime rates tend to also have higher automotive insurance rates.

Of course, there probably arent too many people out there who are willing to shop for a new home in a completely new area, put their houses up for sale, and leave town just to save money on automotive insurance, and thats completely understandable. Thats why were going to offer some tips on how you can possibly lower the cost of your automotive insurance and keep your home.

First, take a look at your vehicle. Was it expensive? Is it flashy? Is it a vehicle that many people would love to drive but cant afford? If so, your vehicle is at risk for being stolen or burglarized. Vehicles that arent at risk for being stolen or burglarized tend to get lower automotive insurance rates. Consider trading your flashy car in for a more subtle ride.

Then, and this is especially important for those of you who arent willing to trade your cars in, take a look at your safety components. Do you have any kind of anti-theft system for your vehicle? Having one of these will not only protect your car from being stolen, but it will also protect your valuables inside, i.e., some crook wont come along and break the window to get your CD collection. This means your automotive insurance rates could be lower since your insurance company wont have to worry too much about replacing windows.

Finally, take a look at where you park your vehicle. On the side of the street? In a back alley? Consider parking your vehicle in a safe, well-lit, and guarded parking garage. Your insurance company will appreciate your effort to protect your car, and they might just reward you with lower automotive insurance rates.

More articles at www.articles-host.com

read comments (0)