Daily Archives: December 17, 2009

Protect your family with the right Life Insurance

If you have a family to protect, life insurance is an essential purchase. If you were to die unexpectedly, your family would be left scrambling as they try to pay the bills and rebuild their lives. If you have sufficient life insurance coverage in place, you will be able to provide for your family even when you are no longer around.

How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?

When trying to determine the best life insurance, first determine how much coverage you will need. Ideally, you want to have a death benefit that can provide an income stream equal to what you make on the job. This will allow your surviving family members to draw on the money they receive to pay the mortgage, deal with monthly bills and live the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed. In order to be reasonably sure that the money will last, financial experts recommend a withdrawal rate of no more than 4%. This means that, in order to generate $40,000 in annual income, you would need to have $1 million in life insurance coverage. While this amount may seem daunting, term life insurance can be surprisingly affordable — especially if you are young and in good health.

Term Life Insurance

Unlike whole life, term life insurance is designed to provide a death benefit — and only a death benefit. Whole life incorporates an investment element, but term life provides a simple death benefit in the event of your death. When buying a term life policy, you will be able to choose the length of the term — common terms are 10, 20 and 30 years. At the expiration of that term, you will have the option to purchase a new term life policy. For many individuals, the simplicity of the term life policy makes it the very best option available.

Mortgage Life Insurance

People buy life insurance for many different reasons, but one of the most common reasons is to make sure the surviving family members are able to keep the family home. Buying a term life policy equal to the outstanding balance on your mortgage is a great way to protect your home and your family, and the costs of this type of term life insurance can be surprisingly low.

Buying the right life insurance can be a real challenge, but by becoming an educated consumer you can increase your odds of getting the best policy for the lowest possible premium. By learning about life insurance you will be able to provide your family with the protection they need and deserve.  If you have any questions or would like a quote call 941-921-6630 or visit our website at www.dakkakinsurance.com

Intro to Health Insurance

A hot topic today in the medical, business, and political world is health insurance. Why? Because most people need health insurance at some point in their lives, but choosing the right health insurance company is not always easy. There are many companies and plans to choose from, but you might be wondering which plan will fit your budget as well as take care of your medical needs for today and in the future.  A couple of questions that might come to mind are, “Why do I need health insurance?” or “What type of plan is right for me and my family?”  Let’s explore these questions and more below.

Why You Need Health Insurance

When it comes to health problems, it’s not a matter of “if” they will happen, but “when” with most individuals. Whether it’s a minor outpatient surgery or a major surgery with a prolonged hospital stay, the medical bills can mount up in a hurry to thousands of dollars. When medical needs do arise, that’s when health insurance counts the most.

If you feel you don’t need health insurance right now, think about the future. Health costs are steadily increasing, and you can never predict what your healthcare expenses will be from year to year.  With any major medical event or serious injury, the healthcare costs can be anywhere from $20,000 to $1,000,000!  The average household wouldn’t be able to afford a high amount such as this, even if payments were made for 30 to 40 years. With health insurance, however, you pay in now for future protection in case a serious illness or injury does arise. Health insurance can make the difference between paying $4,000 instead of $20,000, or even much higher amounts.

Another reason healthcare is so important is because it gives you the means for routine physicals and preventive care. You’re more likely to visit the doctor for regular checkups if you have insurance. This enables you to catch disease and illness in the early stages, which often means the difference between life and death. When you consider the savings and peace of mind knowing your family is protected, health insurance is definitely a worthy investment.

Types of Health Insurance

There are several types of health insurance.  Most insured people obtain health insurance through their employer or an organization such as a club or union. This type of insurance is called group insurance. With group insurance, the employer usually pays part or all of the premiums, which allows employees to obtain very affordable insurance. When getting insurance through a club or organization, there is usually a discount for each individual, but the organization does not actually pay part of the premiums.

Individual insurance is a type of insurance available to those who cannot obtain insurance through a group plan. Those who are self-employed or who work for a company that does not provide medical benefits can purchase an individual plan. There are also national, state, and local medical insurance offerings for those who qualify, including Medicare, Medicaid, disability, military, and veteran programs.

Where to Get Health Insurance

Health insurance companies usually work on a local, state-wide, or national scale. It’s easy to compare premiums, benefits, and deductibles online using comparison websites.  You can also call various health insurance agents in your local area to compare plans. Keep in mind that individual insurance requires you to pay the entire premium, so it’s a good idea to shop around.

Some things to compare when shopping for health insurance include premiums, coverage and benefits, access to hospitals, doctors, and other providers, emergency care benefits, out-of-pocket costs (or co-pay and coinsurance options), and limitations and exclusions. Also consider what types of services, equipment, and medications are covered (or not covered) in the plan. Some insurance policies require supplemental plans to cover certain expenses.

Make sure you understand how the policy works before making a commitment. Read the entire policy and ask questions. An insurance agent can help you understand how the claims process works, how long it takes to receive benefits, and other policy details.

If you are self-employed, you will be able to deduct your health insurance premiums from your taxable income for federal taxes. This can mean savings on taxes in addition to the many benefits of health insurance.

Keep in mind that no two insurance companies are alike. Choose a plan that fits your needs and budget, but one that will also be dependable for many years to come.

www.dakkakinsurance.com/health.html

Basics of Long-term Care Insurance

If you currently have health and/or life insurance, you might also consider getting long-term care insurance.  Long-term care is defined as convalescent or in-home care for an indefinite period of time including custodial care, supervision, or even long-term medical care for the elderly or disabled. Long-term care insurance provides the means to get the care you need for an extended period of time, whether the care is provided in your home or a nursing home.

Long-Term Care Insurance Coverage

Long-term care insurance policies vary from company to company. This type of insurance might be available through group, individual or even life insurance companies.  The coverage can include home health aides, physical therapy, speech therapy, skilled nursing care, and custodial care such as bathing, dressing, feeding, and assistance with other normal daily activities. The care might be given at a nursing home facility, in the home, in assisted living homes, or in the community.  Most medical and life insurance policies will not cover these types of services, thus, creating the need for long-term care insurance.

Long-Term Care Insurance Benefits

Many long-term care policies pay a fixed dollar amount per day. This can vary from $50 to $200 a day, depending on the type of coverage. The benefit for in-home care is usually around half the amount of a nursing home care benefit.  The rates for long-term care insurance vary by company as well. It’s wise to purchase this type of insurance at a younger age and before a decline in health occurs, as these both will affect your premium and eligibility for coverage.

Who Needs Long-Term Care?

Long-term care is needed by people of all ages, though elderly persons account for the most long-term care given each year. Persons with a disability or chronic illness may require long-term care. Persons with dementia or some other cognitive impairment may need special long-term supervision.  Family members aren’t always able to provide the care needed due to the type of tasks required, or because of their living situation, work situation, etc. Long-term care insurance enables relatives to receive help from outside sources without the tremendous financial burden.

A Misconception about Medicare and Medicaid

A common misconception about Medicare and Medicaid is that these two insurance plans cover every type of medical expense you can fathom. But that’s simply not true. Unfortunately, many types of long-term care are not covered under Medicare. Medicare only pays for home health care or a skilled nursing facility if it’s medically necessary and if you meet certain requirements. Medicare does not cover custodial care.

Medicaid will pay for some health services and nursing home care for elderly people who have limited assets and a low income. Medicaid eligibility and benefits for long-term care vary from state to state, and are usually based on income and personal resources.

As you can see, long-term care can become a reality for anyone at any age. Having long-term care insurance will ease this great financial burden if and when long-term care is needed.

For more information call 941-921-6630 or visit our site at www.dakkakinsurance.com

Good Driver Discount

Good Driver, Good Price? – It’s no secret that the better your driving record, the less you will pay for auto insurance. But did you know that most people qualify as “good drivers” and are eligible for discounted premiums? Some good drivers pay a lot more than others, however.
Many auto insurers are actually a collection of several insurance companies in which each caters to a certain type of driver. The worst drivers go in one company, the best in another, and a lot of people wind up in one of the middle companies.
These middle people pay less than the worst drivers, but more than the best. The thing is, many of these middle people have driving records that are just as good as those who are insured by the companies that offer the lowest rates. Yet these middle people are paying more. Why?
The usual reason is that they don’t know any better. No one told them which insurance company in the group had the best prices. And, probably, no one told them there was even a group of insurance companies. If you have a spotless driving record, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be paying the lowest price a group of insurance companies has to offer.
Tip. Make sure you’re getting the best discount for your driving record. Talk to your agent. And remember, be a safe driver. It will save you money

Protecting your family with Auto Insurance

What you’ll discover in this report:

• Insider secrets about how insurance companies price your insurance
• How not to get ripped off when you do buy protection
• How much to buy…how much not to buy
• Little known facts about the six different kinds of insurance in a standard auto policy
• Who’s really covered…who’s not!
• How do you get the most for your money? 11 ways to save money
• Straight answers to the nagging questions about Rental Car Insurance

There are several ways you can purchase insurance for your car(s). You can buy it over the Internet at literally hundreds of different web sites. You can call an 800 number and buy it over the phone directly from an auto insurance company. You can call an insurance agent. In some cases, you can buy it at your bank or credit union.

It’s not surprising you can buy it so many ways. After all, there are hundreds of insurance companies that sell auto coverage in your area. How do these companies differentiate themselves? Some brag about their superior service when you have a claim. Some tout how easy it is to buy from them. But, often, auto insurance companies try to compete on price. Just as if you were buying a plane ticket, a radio or soda pop.

∗ Tip. Some people believe auto insurance is just a commodity. It’s not.

You’re not buying a soda. You’re protecting your financial well being…and the choices you make could affect you for the rest of your life.

But before explaining how complex auto insurance products are, let’s talk about price. It’s pretty complex, too.

No Insurance Company Has the Lowest Price for Everyone

∗ Note. No auto insurance company – no matter what it says in its ads – offers the lowest price for every driver in every location. There are companies that are often among the lowest. And there are companies that are usually among the highest. But no company is the lowest for everybody.

∗ Tip. Also, be aware that prices fluctuate. Sometimes companies “buy the market” with low prices to gain new consumers…then their prices gradually – or not so gradually – sneak up.

They also have to change prices based on their profitability, losses and other factors.

Every company has a slightly different appetite for the risks it wants to take on. Some insurers want only very good drivers who have no tickets and no accidents. Some companies, believe it or not, actually want bad drivers. In fact, these companies specialize in insuring people with lousy driving records.

Some companies target drivers who live in certain areas. There are insurers that really like to do business in big cities, and there are others that would prefer to stay away from highly populated areas.

∗ Tip. Remember that sometimes “you get what you pay for.” The cheapest option may not provide you or your family with the best protection. The saying goes, “you don’t need insurance until you have a claim.” When you do have a claim – something that goes wrong – that’s a terrible time to discover you don’t have adequate protection!

If you think auto insurance is a commodity, consider this:

A person with a good driving record will pay three, five, even 10 times less than a driver with a couple of tickets, an accident or who has been cited for and convicted of driving under the influence.

A person who lives in a major city – say Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston or Denver – will pay three, four, even five times more than someone who lives in a rural area or small town, even though the two have the same driving records.

∗ Example. The last two paragraphs are average differences. Auto insurers are all over the map on prices in a given area. Say you live in Everywhere, U.S.A. (don’t we all). Say you have a good driving record. One insurance company might charge you $500 a year for a policy that provides almost every coverage available. Another insurer might charge you $1,500.

As you can see, it can pay to shop around. Just be sure:

• You really understand the different coverage’s in your policy, or,

• You have an agent you really trust who can examine coverage’s and prices for you.
Auto Insurance: How Much Should You Buy?

So far, we’ve been talking about “auto insurance” as if it were, well, a commodity. The fact is, you can buy a lot of auto insurance, or a little. Most states, more than 40, require you to have auto insurance.

But they don’t require you to have much. In states that have so-called mandatory auto insurance laws, all you are required to buy is a little bit of liability coverage. This is so you can pay for some of the damage your car does to other cars and other people not in your car.

How much are you required to buy? In most states with mandatory auto insurance laws, the minimum needed is liability that provides 1) $15,000 for any person involved in an accident with you, 2) a maximum of $30,000 for all persons in the accident, and 3) $5,000 for damage to the other vehicle(s) involved. That’s not much. In fact, it’s next to nothing.

∗ Tip. The minimum amount of insurance required by most states is not much. Seriously consider getting more protection in order to protect your financial health.

∗ Note. Notice that mandatory auto insurance laws do not require you to buy coverage for your own car. Or coverage for your injuries. Or coverage if you are hit by someone who doesn’t have insurance.

If you buy just the minimum coverage required by law, you are leaving your assets at considerable risk. Your car, obviously. And your home, if you are at fault in an accident that causes serious injuries to the other parties.

And how far do you think $5,000 will go if you total somebody’s Lexus? Not far enough
Little Known Fact: There Are Six Distinct Coverages in an Auto Policy

The auto insurance “commodity” is actually a product with six distinct coverages:

Let’s look at them here.

1. Bodily Injury Liability – It pays the medical and other expenses of those people injured or even killed in accidents you cause. This is required by most states, usually with a minimum coverage of $15,000 for any person involved in an accident with you and no more than $30,000 for all the persons in the accident.

2. Property Damage Liability – It covers the damage your car causes to property. Usually, that’s the other car or cars involved in the accident, but it also covers damage you do to any object you hit. Garages, buildings, lampposts, fences, whatever. This is also required in most states, usually with a minimum coverage of $5,000.

3. Collision – This is for damage done to your car when it collides with other vehicles (your fault) or other objects (again, your fault).

4. Comprehensive – This covers damage to your car that results from something other than a collision with another vehicle. As examples, damage caused by vandals or a wind-blown tree hitting your car. It also includes coverage for theft.

5. Medical Payments – It pays medical, and even funeral, expenses for you as well as members of your family and passengers in your car if it is involved in a collision, regardless of who caused the accident. It also covers you as a pedestrian if a vehicle hits you.

6. Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist – This pays for injuries to you and, in some policies, damage to your car if you are hit by a driver who doesn’t have insurance – or by someone who doesn’t have enough insurance to cover your losses. In most states, more than 10% of motorists don’t have any insurance. In some states, as many as three out of 10 drivers don’t have coverage.

Many of those who do have insurance don’t have enough to cover the damages and injuries that would result in a major collision. If you don’t have this coverage, which is often referred to as UM/UIM, you are taking a risk. UM/UIM also provides coverage for any injuries you suffer if you are hit while walking or riding a bicycle by a driver with inadequate or no insurance.
There are Even More Coverages Available…

There are additional coverages you can buy. You can purchase towing coverage, which will pay the costs if your car needs to be transported after an accident. If you’re a member of an auto club, you don’t need this coverage.

You can buy rental reimbursement, which will pay for a rental car you use while your vehicle is being repaired. (If the accident was not your fault, the cost of the rental car is automatically picked up by the other person’s insurance company.)

What are the Various Options for These Different Coverages?

While there are six main coverages in an auto insurance policy, there are numerous options to consider for each coverage.

How much insurance do you need?

Bodily Injury Liability – You can buy the minimum required by law, say $15,000 per person, $30,000 per accident. Or you can buy limits as high as $500,000, even $1 million. Remember that someone you hit can sue you for everything you have.

Tip. If you have a home, own stock and have a decent income, you should probably buy, at minimum, limits of $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident. If you have more than $300,000 in assets, you should buy higher limits or an umbrella policy. Consult with your professional agent about this!

Many auto insurance companies now sell what are called combined single limit (CSL) coverages, which have no per-person limit. If you buy, say, $300,000 CSL, that means your policy will pay a maximum of $300,000. All of that could go to one person, if needed.

Some companies include property damage liability in the CSL, which means that if you total someone’s antique car, your policy could pay up to $300,000 for property damage. CSL coverage costs more than traditional limits, but it can be worth it if you have any significant assets.

Tip. Many insurance agents believe CSL is so important to have, they strongly urge their clients to buy it if it is available.

Property Damage Liability – Several years ago, $25,000 was considered the maximum most people needed for this coverage. Not anymore. There’s a lot of $50,000, $60,000, even $70,000 cars and sport utility vehicles on the road these days.

∗ Tip. Because of all the super-expensive cars on the road today, you should seriously consider at least $50,000 of coverage, assuming you don’t have CSL coverage; $75,000 might be preferred.

Collision – Consider how much you can afford to pay to have your car fixed if you have an accident. Auto policies have several deductible options.

∗ Note. Deductible? That’s the part you pay before the insurance kicks in. You can buy deductibles of $100, $250, $500, even $1,000. Obviously, the lower the deductible, the more this coverage will cost.

Unless you’re planning to have a lot of accidents, it’s probably a good idea to have a deductible of at least a couple of hundred dollars. (By the way, the deductible does not apply if someone else hits you and that person’s insurance is used to pay for your car’s damages.)

Comprehensive – Like collision, there’s a deductible with comprehensive, although it is often lower. For example, if you have a $250 deductible for collision, your comprehensive deductible will be, say, $100.

∗ Note. While collision and comprehensive will pay for the damage or loss to your car, neither coverage will pay for everything on or in your vehicle. Most policies exclude things like CB radios, two-way radios, car phones, cassettes and CDs.

Further, if you add special features to pickups, vans or SUVS, these things probably will be excluded as well. In fact, it’s a good idea for you to talk to your insurance agent about any high-tech equipment or special features you have added to your vehicle.

Many, perhaps even most, of these features aren’t covered in the standard policy. It is possible, however, to obtain special coverage for the high-tech equipment or special features in your vehicle. Your agent can advise you of the options.

Medical Payments (also called Personal Injury Protection) – Some people elect not to buy this coverage because they believe their health insurance is enough in this regard. That’s true – to an extent.

∗ Note. Unlike your health insurance, medical payments coverage can reimburse you for income lost as a result of injuries suffered in an auto accident. However, medical payments coverage is not nearly as comprehensive as most health insurance plans. Still, medical payments coverage, which usually costs less than $100 a year, is probably a good buy for most people.

In addition, medical payments coverage provides protection for passengers in your vehicle for medical expenses incurred and income lost. In some states, medical payments coverage is not relevant. These are states that have so-called no-fault auto insurance systems. Basically, regardless of who’s at fault, your insurance company pays for damage to your car and/or injuries you incur. Personal injury protection is included as part of your coverage.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist – For most people, it’s a good idea to have the same limits for UM/UIM as they have for bodily injury liability. But remember, UM/UIM coverage is for you. It pays for your injuries and, in some policies, damage to your car if the person at fault in an accident with you cannot. Since you based your liability limit on what you have to lose, you should do the same with UM/UIM.

Who is Covered when You Buy Auto Insurance?

All the coverages in your auto policy apply when you are driving, but they also apply when other people are driving your vehicle. The coverages are actually for the car, not the person.

∗ Note. However, if someone is going to be a regular user of your car, that person’s name needs to be added to the policy.

Your insurance company wants to know who’s going to be using the car. That stands to reason. After all, you could be a great driver, with no tickets or accidents. But your spouse, your teenage child, your reckless cousin could be a lousy driver.

If you let these people drive your car without telling your insurer and these people keep getting in accidents, your insurance company isn’t going to be very happy. In fact, the company will probably cancel your policy.

∗ Tip. It’s not wise to risk losing your policy by failing to disclose who’s driving the insured vehicle. Keep in mind, however, that if you add drivers with lousy records or who haven’t had much driving experience, your premiums will definitely go up.

Any parent of a driving teenager can tell you this. Teenagers are notorious for getting tickets and having accidents. They are also very inexperienced drivers. As such, when your child gets his or her license, your insurance premiums will go up when you add your child to the policy.

If you buy all six of the major auto insurance coverages, your policy will cover you in most every instance in which you cause damage or injury to your car, yourself, your passengers, or drivers and passengers in other vehicles.

But not all.

∗ Note. The standard auto insurance policy has some “exclusions,” which is insurance-ese for, “We won’t cover that.” Here are some examples where your auto policy won’t provide coverage:

• If you intentionally try to cause damage to your car or another vehicle. This includes liability coverage.

• If you are using the vehicle to transport other people for a fee. (This does not apply to car pools where the expenses are shared.)

• If you are using the vehicle for certain business activities. This does not include traveling to see clients or taking a standard business trip.

• For damage caused by normal wear and tear, freezing, mechanical or electrical breakdown, or road damage to tires.

• If your car is damaged because of radioactive contamination, intentional or accidental discharge of nuclear weapons, war, insurrection, rebellion or revolution.

Important Question: What are You Using Your Vehicle for?

You can get sideways with your insurance company because you haven’t been upfront about how you are using your vehicle. For example, do you drive your car to work? If so, you will pay more for auto insurance than if you take mass transit. In fact, the further you have to drive to work, the more you will pay.

∗ Tip. If you drive to work and tell your insurance company you don’t, you have basically committed fraud. Resist this common temptation, even if it will save you a few dollars.

∗ Example. Say you have an accident on the way to work. Say, also, that you have told your insurance company you don’t drive to work. Your insurer could technically argue that it is not obligated to provide coverage. It is unlikely, however, that this will happen.

Why? Because the insurer would have a difficult time proving that you drove every day. Perhaps this was a one-time thing, or a fairly rare event. In any case, by lying about driving to work, you’ve given your insurance company a good reason to cancel your policy.

Honesty is the best policy when it comes to insurance. Insurance fraud is a huge problem in this country. Claims are frequently padded with nonexistent damages. Accidents are staged. Injuries are faked.

∗ Fact. It is estimated that fraud accounts for as much as 25 cents to 30 cents of every auto insurance premium dollar. Think about that. If even half the auto insurance fraud in this country were wiped out in the next year, you would pay 12% to 15% less for your next policy.

Personal Car for Business, Company Car for Personal Use

Do you use your personal car for business? Do you have access to a company car? If the answer to either question is yes, you could have potential coverage gaps.

∗ Example. Let’s say you use your personal car for business. It’s possible your employer is providing some coverage for you through your employer’s commercial auto policy. Some coverage. For the most part, the coverage is for liability only, and often this commercial auto policy doesn’t even apply until the limits on your personal auto policy are exhausted. (This is what insurance people call “excess” coverage.)

∗ Tip. You should talk to your employer about what, if any, coverage is available to you through the company’s commercial auto policy. That way, if you have an accident while on company business, you know who (or which insurance company) to call.

If you use your personal car for regular business purposes – trips, visiting clients, etc. – your personal auto policy probably provides enough coverage for these activities. (Assuming you have “enough” coverage to begin with.)

But what if your car is actually a source of revenue? You make deliveries, for example. In that case, you likely need a commercial auto policy as well.

∗ Note. In fact, if you have an accident while delivering a product or using your car as a taxi, your personal auto insurer may well deny your claim. Talk to your agent to make sure you have coverage for all the business activities for which you use your car.

What about company cars? Well, they can be an insurance problem, if you use the company car for business and pleasure, and particularly if you don’t have a car of your own. If you don’t have a car, you probably don’t have a personal auto policy. If you don’t have a car (or personal auto coverage), but use a company vehicle for pleasure, you are inviting disaster if you have an accident during a pleasure trip.

∗ Tip. If you are in this situation, you should have what is called a non-owned personal auto policy. Such a policy can also come in handy if you don’t have a car and you rent a vehicle on a trip. Your non-owned auto policy will cover you and your rental car if you have an accident. Otherwise, you would probably need to buy coverage from the rental car company, coverage that is very, very expensive.

∗ Tip. You can have coverage gaps even if you have a personal auto policy and use a company car for pleasure. Or if your spouse and/or children use the company car for pleasure. Find out from your employer the extent of coverage that is available for your corporate car. Once you know the extent, talk to your insurance agent about what additional coverage you might need.

How Do You Get the Most for Your Money? 11 Ways to Save Money on Your Car Insurance…

So you’re shopping around for auto insurance. What do you need to know? Well, there are lots of ways – at least 11 – that you can save money. Many of these money-saving ideas may apply to you.

1. One Insurer, Multiple Policies – Do you have a homeowners or renters insurance policy? If so, is it with the same insurance company that provides your auto insurance? If the answer is no, you’re paying too much – for both policies. Almost every insurance company that sells auto insurance wants its policyholders to also buy homeowners or renters insurance from that company.

These insurers offer so-called multi-policy discounts. Usually, these discounts are at least 10% and some insurers apply the discounts to both the auto and the homeowners/renters policy.

∗ Tip. Talk to your agent about multi-policy discounts.
2. Good Driver, Good Price? – It’s no secret that the better your driving record, the less you will pay for auto insurance. But did you know that most people qualify as “good drivers” and are eligible for discounted premiums? Some good drivers pay a lot more than others, however.

Many auto insurers are actually a collection of several insurance companies in which each caters to a certain type of driver. The worst drivers go in one company, the best in another, and a lot of people wind up in one of the middle companies.

These middle people pay less than the worst drivers, but more than the best. The thing is, many of these middle people have driving records that are just as good as those who are insured by the companies that offer the lowest rates. Yet these middle people are paying more. Why?

The usual reason is that they don’t know any better. No one told them which insurance company in the group had the best prices. And, probably, no one told them there was even a group of insurance companies. If you have a spotless driving record, there’s no reason you shouldn’t be paying the lowest price a group of insurance companies has to offer.
∗ Tip. Make sure you’re getting the best discount for your driving record. Talk to your agent. And remember, be a safe driver. It will save you money.

3. The Beauty of the Bus (or Other Mass Transit) – Do you drive to and from work? If you do, you are literally paying a premium to do so. Insurance companies charge you significantly higher premiums if you drive to work. And, the longer your commute (in miles, not minutes), the higher the premium.

∗ Tip. Some drivers should consider mass transit. Yes, there’s a price there, too. But you will reap the savings of gas and lower insurance costs.
4. Low Mileage, Low Price – On average, people drive 1,000 to 1,250 miles a month. That is what insurance companies consider average use.

∗ Tip. If you drive less than the average, you could be eligible for low-mileage discounts, which some insurers offer.

5. High-Profile, High-Cost – The type of car you drive is a major factor in what you pay for insurance. Is your vehicle a magnet for thieves? Is it more expensive to repair than most cars? If the answer to either of the last two questions is yes, you’re paying more than the average car owner for insurance.
∗ Note. To get detailed information on your vehicle(s) – or a vehicle you’re thinking of buying – write to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety at 1005 North Glebe Rd., Arlington, VA 22201 and ask for the “Highway Loss Data Chart.”
6. Raise Your Deductible – The deductible is the amount you pay before insurance kicks in if you have a claim. For example, if you have a $250 deductible and you have an accident in which your car sustains $1,000 in damage, you pay the first $250 and your insurer pays the balance, $750. The lower the deductible you choose, the more you pay. If you have assets, you can probably afford to absorb at least $250 and probably $500 if you have a claim.
∗ Tip. If it’s been years since you’ve had an accident, you may be better off raising your deductible and paying less each year for insurance.
7. Drop Unnecessary Coverages – Let’s say you have an older car, one not worth very much. There’s really little point in having collision and comprehensive coverages. You don’t have much to protect. Remember, too, that you have to subtract your deductible from any potential payout you might get.
∗ Tip. As a general rule, any car worth less than $1,000 shouldn’t have collision and comprehensive coverage. Between the deductible and the extra expense of these coverages, the cost is probably greater than the benefit. How much is your car worth? An auto dealer can tell you, or there are plenty of books that have values of vehicles going back many, many years.
8. Discounts, Discounts, Discounts – Auto insurance companies offer several discounts for a variety of reasons. The car has automatic seat beats, air bags, anti-lock brakes, anti-theft devices, etc. The driver is a good student, which is especially valuable if you have teenage children who will be on your policy.
∗ Tip. Make sure you are taking advantage of all the discounts available to you!

9. Taking the Defensive – Many insurance companies also offer discounts to those who have taken defensive driving courses recently.
10. Low-Cost and High-Cost Areas – Are you planning to move? If you are, you should take into account the cost of insurance. Generally, the more urban the area, the higher the premium. The costs can vary even within a community.

∗ Fact. Rates can really vary from state to state. If you’re living in New Jersey, Massachusetts or Hawaii, you’re paying several times more, on average, than you would in North Dakota, South Dakota or Idaho.
11. Credit Where Is (Or Is Not) Due – Is your credit record better than your driving record? If you have a good credit record, you could be eligible for discounted premiums from several auto insurance companies.

∗ Fact. Many insurers now use your credit history as a major factor in determining what to charge you for auto insurance. In some cases, with some companies, you could save money by shifting your business to an insurer that uses credit as a rating factor – even if you have a so-so or poor driving record. There is another side to this coin. If you have a poor credit history, you could save money by moving your auto insurance to a company that does not use credit as a rating factor. Many insurers do not use credit as a factor.
∗ Tip. Regardless of your credit status, you should talk to your agent to make sure you have the best situation given your credit record, good or bad.

Whatever your driving record or coverage needs, you should shop around, or let an experienced insurance professional shop around, for the best deal for you. There are literally thousands and thousands of coverage options from hundreds and hundreds of insurance companies.

In addition, not only should you try to get the best deal you can, you also need to make sure you have all the coverage you want/need. Using an Independent Insurance Agent is usually your best bet to get the most value for your auto insurance dollar.
STRAIGHT ANSWERS TO THE NAGGING QUESTIONS ABOUT RENTAL CAR INSURANCE

∗ Example. You’ve just started your vacation. You’ve arrived at your destination, collected your luggage, and are in the process of renting a car. You’ve given the person behind the counter your driver’s license and credit card, and now you are being asked if you want to buy “coverage” from the rental car company.

Do you need it?

Probably not, but how can you be sure? The best way is to be prepared and know the answer to this question before you leave on your vacation.

So why shouldn’t you buy insurance from a rental car company? The person behind the counter is (usually) not a licensed insurance professional. He or she is not conversant with insurance laws and whether your own personal auto policy covers you when you rent a vehicle (in most circumstances, it does).

Some rental car company personnel may say you are required to buy the coverage (not true) or you will be personally liable for any damage to the car while you’re renting it (most likely, not true).
This Coverage Is Incredibly Expensive

∗ Fact. While it’s true you could be making a costly mistake if you need the rental car coverage and don’t buy it, you’re also making a costly mistake if you buy it when you don’t need it.

Rental car insurance is incredibly expensive. On a daily basis, which is how it is sold, the rental car coverage can cost 10 to 20 times more than your personal auto policy. If you buy all the coverages offered by the rental car companies, you could easily double the daily cost of your rental vehicle.

So who needs to buy the rental car coverage? Well, here’s who doesn’t. If you have insurance for your own cars, including collision and comprehensive coverages, you don’t need the rental car insurance – provided you are not renting the vehicle for business purposes.

If you’re on vacation, no problem. Just say no. If you’re on vacation but planning to do some business, you’re probably OK. But you should talk to your auto insurance agent if you mix business and pleasure on the trips where you rent cars.
∗ Note. One thing to keep in mind: Your collision and comprehensive coverages on your personal auto policy have deductibles (the amount you must pay before the insurance kicks in). Those deductibles apply to damage to rental cars as well.
What if You Don’t Carry Collision Coverage?

So what happens if you don’t carry collision and comprehensive coverages on your own cars? Many people don’t, particularly if they have vehicles that are at least 10 years old.

∗ Note. If you don’t have collision and comprehensive, your personal auto policy won’t cover damages to the rental car if it is in an accident, stolen, vandalized, collides with an animal or burns.

So what should you do?

You can risk it, not buy the rental car company’s collision damage waiver (CDW) or loss damage waiver (LDW), and hope you don’t have an accident or encounter anything that damages the vehicle. You’ll save money, but it might not do much for your peace of mind, particularly if you’re driving in a strange city or area.

∗ Tip. If you’re averse to risk, you probably should buy the CDW or LDW. Some rental car companies offer some options with their CDWs or LDWs. Some come with deductibles, like regular collision and comprehensive coverages, while others provide first-dollar coverage.

Obviously, though, first-dollar coverage comes at a higher price. And some options limit the coverage. In other words, after a certain amount of damage to the vehicle, say $5,000, you would be on the hook.
What if You Damage Another Vehicle When You’re Renting a Car?

What about damage or injuries you cause to other vehicles and people while you’re driving the rental car? If your personal auto policy includes liability insurance (most states require some level of such coverage), your policy will pay for any damage or injuries you cause to other cars or people – up to the limits of the policy, of course.

∗ Note. If you are comfortable with the amount of liability coverage you have for your own cars, you don’t need to buy additional liability insurance for vehicles you rent.

If you don’t have liability coverage – if you don’t have a car, you’re probably not going to carry auto insurance – you actually may not need to buy the rental car company’s liability policy, either.

Most states require rental car companies to provide some liability coverage to you at no charge. The limit of the free liability coverage is equal to the state’s minimum liability limits.

Is this enough? Probably not, and certainly not if you cause a serious accident.

The minimum liability limit requirements are something like no more than $15,000 for injuries to any one person, no more than $30,000 for injuries to all persons, and no more than $5,000 for damage to the vehicle(s) you hit. That’s not much at all.

∗ Tip. If you have any assets to protect, you should strongly consider purchasing the rental car company’s liability coverage, which costs $7 to $15 a day depending on the state and level of coverage you choose. Higher liability limits mean higher daily costs.

If you have any concerns about whether you need to buy the coverages offered by rental car companies, you should talk to your auto insurance agent. The rental car coverages can double your daily rate. That’s a lot to pay for something you don’t need.
Be a smart consumer…but don’t try to be your “own agent.” Protection for you and your family requires constant vigilance….and a partnership between you and your professional agent. For the latest information on how to save money AND get the best protection for yourself and the people you care most about call Dakkak Insurance Agency at 941-921-6630 or visit our website www.dakkakinsurance.com .

© 2009 Dakkak Insurance Agency. The reader assumes all responsibilities for his/her own actions in regards to any items discussed in this report. Adherence to all applicable laws and regulations, federal, state and local, governing the use of any product or service described in this report in the US or any other jurisdiction is the sole responsibility of the reader. The publisher and author assume no responsibility or liability whatsoever on the behalf of the reader of these materials. The reader is encouraged to consult directly with his/her insurance professional.

Before buying Condo Insurance

Before buying condo insurance, learn more about what the homeowner’s policy covers. Condo homeowners insurance provides protection for the owner of the condominium and is separate from the condo association insurance policy. It’s designed especially for the needs of the condo homeowner. What to know about insuring a condo:

Condo Association Insurance Policy Coverages

Before getting into what condo homeowners insurance covers, it’s important to understand what is covered by the association’s insurance policy. The condo association should have a basic insurance policy that covers liability for people injured on the condo grounds, provides coverage for the building or buildings and covers the general condo property (coverage varies by policy). Condo association insurance does not cover the contents inside a home, does not provide coverage for property damage that occurs inside a home and does not provide homeowners with liability if someone is injured inside the home.

Condo Homeowners Insurance Policy Coverages

Condo insurance provides coverage for damages that occur inside the home. The personal property inside a condo is covered with this policy. The townhome insurance quote also provides policyholders with liability coverage in case someone is injured inside the home. Condo insurance companies often exclude earthquake and flood from the homeowner’s policy. Business use for a home office or for professional consulting services and personal injury to the homeowner are most likely excluded from the townhome insurance quote. Check with the condo insurance company to find out more about additional policy exclusions.

Additional Coverages Available for the Condo Homeowner’s Insurance Policy

You may also be able to purchase additional coverages for the condo homeowner’s insurance policy.

  • Purchase replacement cost to cover personal belongings. Replacement cost coverage is more costly but it doesn’t depreciate the items in your home.
  • If there are collections, like jewelry, they probably aren’t fully covered by the townhome insurance policy. Purchase a personal property floater to cover these items. With the personal property floater comes increased limits of coverage for valuables.
  • There are a range of deductible options and discounts that can help policyholders save money on insurance. Most of the condo owner insurance policy discounts are the same as the standard homeowner’s policy, including discounts for alarms, smoke detectors, and multi-policy discounts. Condo homeowner’s insurance companies also offer some discounts specific to the condo owner, like having a doorman on duty in your building.
  • Add flood and earthquake to most condo owner insurance policies to increase the standard coverage.

For more information call 941-921-6630 or visit our site www.dakkakinsurance.com