If you're researching your life insurance needs, you might well be getting a lot of complicated information. It's not a simple subject.
Some financial advisors will tell you to multiply your annual income by a certain number, like 20. Others will tell you to buy only enough life insurance to replace the income you are expected to make between now and retirement. Some might recommend you buy only enough life insurance to cover your present debts.
The question "how much do I need" might not be the most useful way to approach the problem. The question you may want to ask is, "What do I want my life insurance to accomplish?" Then you can start to determine how much life insurance you'll need. Calculating your life insurance needs takes homework. It requires an individual solution, not a one-size-fits-all approach or a throwaway equation.
Why Do You Need Life Insurance?
This is a specific question, not a general topic. Think about why you're considering life insurance, or why you're considering an increase in the amount of life insurance you have. The most common reason for purchasing life insurance is to replace the income of a family member that others depend on. For that need alone, it's usually acceptable to multiply your annual salary by 20 and buy that amount of term life insurance for a period that will cover you until you retire.
If you have additional debts or obligations, you can consider adding those to the amount of insurance you need. However, keep in mind that debts and obligations like mortgages usually decrease over time, while a family's need for income replacement does not. If you and your spouse both work and are financially stable, it might not be difficult for your spouse to pay off a mortgage or debts, as long as you buy enough insurance to replace your income. If you're a single parent, however, you would probably need to purchase enough coverage to pay off all debts so that they're not passed on to your children.
Not Leaving a Burden
For some people, life insurance may seem too expensive, especially if they're just starting a family. If that's the case, it may make sense to initially purchase only enough insurance to cover your debts and obligations. Although you need to realize that it's risky to be underinsured, it's better that not having any life insurance. As your financial situation improves, you can usually purchase more insurance under similar terms.
For single people with no children, purchasing a small amount of life insurance can be an inexpensive way to cover debts and final expenses.
Additional Life Insurance Uses
Not everyone buys life insurance to replace income. If you're wealthy, have a large estate, or simply wish to donate to charity or establish a trust for your family, life insurance can be a smart purchase. If you have a large estate, you may want to consider buying a life insurance policy as a way to pay the estate taxes when you die. Otherwise, your family could be forced to sell off assets in order to pay the estate taxes. Life insurance could also be a good way to donate to a charity without paying taxes, or to establish a trust for your family or for philanthropic purposes.
Regularly Review Your Insurance
Because things change and it's impossible to predict the future, it's important to review your life insurance needs and coverage at least annually. If you make a change in your life, such as getting married, buying a larger house, or having children, your life insurance needs will probably increase. If your salary increases dramatically and your family becomes accustomed to a higher standard of living, your life insurance needs will also become higher. If you're certain of one of these changes before you purchase life insurance, make sure to include your expected circumstances in your insurance calculations.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
How to Buy Life Insurance
Buying life insurance is an easy way to protect your family after you're gone. If you know what to look for, you can get great coverage at a price you can afford.
Why Buy Life Insurance?
One of the biggest reasons to buy life insurance is to provide money in case of death. If you're single and don't want to leave money to anyone, you may not need life insurance. But as you take on more responsibilities and your family grows, your need for life insurance increases. The proceeds from a life insurance policy can replace the income lost to your family upon your death. The life insurance death benefit can also pay off debts and expenses, provide money to a charity or organization, and cover final and estate expenses.
Term or Cash Value?
There are two basic types of life insurance: term life insurance, which provides life insurance coverage for a specified period of time (the term), and whole life (permanent or cash value) insurance, which combines a death benefit with a cash value component. Term life insurance generally offers the most protection for the smallest price. Many term policies are renewable, meaning that you can purchase them again for the same term even if your health or circumstances have changed, although the premium may increase on renewal. Some term policies (called "convertible") will permit you to convert the term life insurance policy to a permanent one at some point without undergoing an evaluation.
The advantage of cash value life insurance is that it offers lifetime protection. However, some types of permanent life insurance act more like investments, meaning that their ultimate value depends in part on the performance of their stocks and bonds. Permanent life insurance generally has much higher premiums, especially initially, but unlike term insurance, it can also be used as an investment and retirement vehicle. With term life insurance, you protect you family's financial future for a smaller premium payment. For a higher premium, permanent life insurance gives you financial protection now and savings for the future. To further compare types of life insurance, see our article on term vs. cash value life insurance.
Choose a Coverage Amount
The amount of life insurance protection you should buy depends on how much income your survivors will need, how much you own and owe, and the amount of other life insurance available to you. If you're married, both you and your spouse should consider buying life insurance. For more information on how to determine the correct amount, you can read our article "How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?"
One of the easiest ways to estimate how much life insurance protection you should buy is to think about how much money your survivors would have to pay if you were gone. The process is similar for understanding how much car insurance coverage to buy.
What Term?
Term life insurance is usually offered for periods ranging from 1 to 30 years. Consider choosing a term that matches your need for life insurance protection. For instance, if your main reason for buying life insurance is to protect your 7-year-old twins until they're out of college, you'll want to buy a policy with a term of at least 15 years. Different types of term life insurance will have different premiums. Level term, in which the death benefit stays the same over the course of the policy, and renewable and convertible term life policies will tend to have higher premiums, but may offer the protections you want.
Two additional options for term life insurance are decreasing term and a return of premium feature. Decreasing term is often used by people who have a specific debt that is scheduled to decrease over time, such as a mortgage – although it may not be appropriate or cost-effective in all situations. It provides a continually decreasing death benefit, although the premium usually stays the same. The return of premium feature allows you to recover some of your premium payment if you never make a claim on your life insurance policy. It may be available in versions which allow for only portions of the premium to be returned, and may require that you reach the end of the term to qualify for a return. It almost always costs significantly more than other term policies, and thus does not make financial sense for most situations.
Premiums
How much you pay for life insurance will depend on a number of factors, including your age, your health, whether you use tobacco, your family health history, and the type and amount of life insurance you're buying. Keep in mind that the premium payments may change later with some types of life insurance. If your policy does not guarantee that premiums will stay the same and that benefits will not decrease, that means the insurance company may raise the rate or lower the benefits. Be especially sure to understand how and why the premium and benefit payments are calculated, and what is guaranteed. Although many policies come with example illustrations of how the insurance company expects the policy to perform, your policy may not get the same performance. If you expect or need guaranteed premium payments and benefits, make sure your policy provides them.
Shop Around
When comparing life insurance quotes, make sure that the policies and insurance coverage you're comparing are similar. And remember, any policy that you buy is only as good as the company that issues it. Find out what rating the company has received from major ratings services, such as A. M. Best or Standard & Poor's. These companies evaluate an insurer's financial condition and claims-paying ability. The company giving you an insurance quote should provide you with this information. You can also contact your state's department of insurance to find out more about an insurer's record.
Submit an Application
Once you're ready to purchase a life insurance policy, you'll fill out a life insurance application that contains questions about your current and past health history and lifestyle. You'll generally be required to take a medical exam, arranged and paid for by the insurance company. The answers you give on your application, along with the results from the medical exam and your past health history, will help the insurance company determine whether to offer you a policy, and if so, at what price. Be sure to answer the questions fully and carefully, because intentionally misrepresenting yourself or hiding information can cause the policy to be cancelled. There are many life insurance options and many companies. Even if you're not eligible for a policy from one company, you can usually get a policy somewhere else.
Read and Understand Your Policy
Life insurance contracts aren't written to be exciting, but read and understand yours. Policy provisions, the amount of benefits, the premium, and other charges you'll pay will be listed along with other important information such as the beneficiaries you've named and the premium guarantee period. Make sure you understand everything in the policy. Under the laws of your state, you may have a "free look" period (typically at least 10 days) during which you can cancel the policy without penalty. If your life insurance policy doesn't meet your needs, it's easier to change it during this period than later, when you may face cancellation penalties.
Why Buy Life Insurance?
One of the biggest reasons to buy life insurance is to provide money in case of death. If you're single and don't want to leave money to anyone, you may not need life insurance. But as you take on more responsibilities and your family grows, your need for life insurance increases. The proceeds from a life insurance policy can replace the income lost to your family upon your death. The life insurance death benefit can also pay off debts and expenses, provide money to a charity or organization, and cover final and estate expenses.
Term or Cash Value?
There are two basic types of life insurance: term life insurance, which provides life insurance coverage for a specified period of time (the term), and whole life (permanent or cash value) insurance, which combines a death benefit with a cash value component. Term life insurance generally offers the most protection for the smallest price. Many term policies are renewable, meaning that you can purchase them again for the same term even if your health or circumstances have changed, although the premium may increase on renewal. Some term policies (called "convertible") will permit you to convert the term life insurance policy to a permanent one at some point without undergoing an evaluation.
The advantage of cash value life insurance is that it offers lifetime protection. However, some types of permanent life insurance act more like investments, meaning that their ultimate value depends in part on the performance of their stocks and bonds. Permanent life insurance generally has much higher premiums, especially initially, but unlike term insurance, it can also be used as an investment and retirement vehicle. With term life insurance, you protect you family's financial future for a smaller premium payment. For a higher premium, permanent life insurance gives you financial protection now and savings for the future. To further compare types of life insurance, see our article on term vs. cash value life insurance.
Choose a Coverage Amount
The amount of life insurance protection you should buy depends on how much income your survivors will need, how much you own and owe, and the amount of other life insurance available to you. If you're married, both you and your spouse should consider buying life insurance. For more information on how to determine the correct amount, you can read our article "How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?"
One of the easiest ways to estimate how much life insurance protection you should buy is to think about how much money your survivors would have to pay if you were gone. The process is similar for understanding how much car insurance coverage to buy.
What Term?
Term life insurance is usually offered for periods ranging from 1 to 30 years. Consider choosing a term that matches your need for life insurance protection. For instance, if your main reason for buying life insurance is to protect your 7-year-old twins until they're out of college, you'll want to buy a policy with a term of at least 15 years. Different types of term life insurance will have different premiums. Level term, in which the death benefit stays the same over the course of the policy, and renewable and convertible term life policies will tend to have higher premiums, but may offer the protections you want.
Two additional options for term life insurance are decreasing term and a return of premium feature. Decreasing term is often used by people who have a specific debt that is scheduled to decrease over time, such as a mortgage – although it may not be appropriate or cost-effective in all situations. It provides a continually decreasing death benefit, although the premium usually stays the same. The return of premium feature allows you to recover some of your premium payment if you never make a claim on your life insurance policy. It may be available in versions which allow for only portions of the premium to be returned, and may require that you reach the end of the term to qualify for a return. It almost always costs significantly more than other term policies, and thus does not make financial sense for most situations.
Premiums
How much you pay for life insurance will depend on a number of factors, including your age, your health, whether you use tobacco, your family health history, and the type and amount of life insurance you're buying. Keep in mind that the premium payments may change later with some types of life insurance. If your policy does not guarantee that premiums will stay the same and that benefits will not decrease, that means the insurance company may raise the rate or lower the benefits. Be especially sure to understand how and why the premium and benefit payments are calculated, and what is guaranteed. Although many policies come with example illustrations of how the insurance company expects the policy to perform, your policy may not get the same performance. If you expect or need guaranteed premium payments and benefits, make sure your policy provides them.
Shop Around
When comparing life insurance quotes, make sure that the policies and insurance coverage you're comparing are similar. And remember, any policy that you buy is only as good as the company that issues it. Find out what rating the company has received from major ratings services, such as A. M. Best or Standard & Poor's. These companies evaluate an insurer's financial condition and claims-paying ability. The company giving you an insurance quote should provide you with this information. You can also contact your state's department of insurance to find out more about an insurer's record.
Submit an Application
Once you're ready to purchase a life insurance policy, you'll fill out a life insurance application that contains questions about your current and past health history and lifestyle. You'll generally be required to take a medical exam, arranged and paid for by the insurance company. The answers you give on your application, along with the results from the medical exam and your past health history, will help the insurance company determine whether to offer you a policy, and if so, at what price. Be sure to answer the questions fully and carefully, because intentionally misrepresenting yourself or hiding information can cause the policy to be cancelled. There are many life insurance options and many companies. Even if you're not eligible for a policy from one company, you can usually get a policy somewhere else.
Read and Understand Your Policy
Life insurance contracts aren't written to be exciting, but read and understand yours. Policy provisions, the amount of benefits, the premium, and other charges you'll pay will be listed along with other important information such as the beneficiaries you've named and the premium guarantee period. Make sure you understand everything in the policy. Under the laws of your state, you may have a "free look" period (typically at least 10 days) during which you can cancel the policy without penalty. If your life insurance policy doesn't meet your needs, it's easier to change it during this period than later, when you may face cancellation penalties.
Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs
Do you work in a dangerous occupation? According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a job is considered dangerous based on the fatality rate, which is a ratio between deaths and the total number of people employed in the profession. The top 10 most dangerous jobs (by fatality rate) in 2007 were:
1.Fishers and related fisher workers
2.Logging workers
3.Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
4.Structural iron and steel workers
5.Farmers and ranchers
6.Roofers
7.Electrical power-line installers and repairers
8.Drivers/sales workers and truck drivers
9.Refuse and recyclable material collectors
10.Police and sheriff's patrol officers
This list does not reflect the actual number of deaths—for example, the occupation with the highest actual number of fatalities was "Drivers/sales workers and truck drivers" with 908 deaths in 2007.
Do you have the life insurance protection you need?
It's a fact that some occupations are riskier than others. But no matter what you do for a living, take a look at your life insurance needs. Life insurance can help you financially protect your loved ones after you die. If you're single, and no one is depending upon your income for support, you may not need life insurance. But if any of the following is true, consider buying life insurance:
•You're married and your spouse depends on your income
•You have children
•You have an aging parent or disabled relative who depends on your income
•Your retirement savings, pension, or other cash accounts won't adequately support your loved ones after you die
•You have a large estate and expect to owe estate taxes
•You own a business
•You'd like to donate life insurance proceeds to a charity or school
Calculators and worksheets are available to help you determine how much life insurance you need. You may want to contact an insurance agent or broker who can help you determine what type of life insurance is best for you and the amount of coverage you need.
Do you have the disability insurance you need?
If you work in a high-risk occupation, you probably know how important it is to have disability insurance coverage. But don't rely on government programs such as Social Security and workers compensation as your main source of protection. In reality, government programs pay only limited benefits under restrictive terms (e.g. you must meet a strict definition of disability to qualify).
Your employer may offer group disability insurance at low or no cost to you. This coverage is called Accidental Death & Dismemberment Coverage. But you may also want to consider purchasing an individual disability insurance policy. Although you'll pay more for individual coverage than for a group policy, you often get more benefits. And keep in mind that if you leave your job or otherwise terminate your relationship with a group, you can't take your disability policy with you, and you usually can't convert it to an individual disability policy. This means that you may be left without disability coverage when you need it most.
Shop around for coverage
Since many different types of life and disability policies are available, it's important to shop around for coverage to find a life insurance policy that meets your individual needs. Since premium costs vary widely, get quotes from several insurance companies. Just make sure you're comparing policies that offer similar benefits
1.Fishers and related fisher workers
2.Logging workers
3.Aircraft pilots and flight engineers
4.Structural iron and steel workers
5.Farmers and ranchers
6.Roofers
7.Electrical power-line installers and repairers
8.Drivers/sales workers and truck drivers
9.Refuse and recyclable material collectors
10.Police and sheriff's patrol officers
This list does not reflect the actual number of deaths—for example, the occupation with the highest actual number of fatalities was "Drivers/sales workers and truck drivers" with 908 deaths in 2007.
Do you have the life insurance protection you need?
It's a fact that some occupations are riskier than others. But no matter what you do for a living, take a look at your life insurance needs. Life insurance can help you financially protect your loved ones after you die. If you're single, and no one is depending upon your income for support, you may not need life insurance. But if any of the following is true, consider buying life insurance:
•You're married and your spouse depends on your income
•You have children
•You have an aging parent or disabled relative who depends on your income
•Your retirement savings, pension, or other cash accounts won't adequately support your loved ones after you die
•You have a large estate and expect to owe estate taxes
•You own a business
•You'd like to donate life insurance proceeds to a charity or school
Calculators and worksheets are available to help you determine how much life insurance you need. You may want to contact an insurance agent or broker who can help you determine what type of life insurance is best for you and the amount of coverage you need.
Do you have the disability insurance you need?
If you work in a high-risk occupation, you probably know how important it is to have disability insurance coverage. But don't rely on government programs such as Social Security and workers compensation as your main source of protection. In reality, government programs pay only limited benefits under restrictive terms (e.g. you must meet a strict definition of disability to qualify).
Your employer may offer group disability insurance at low or no cost to you. This coverage is called Accidental Death & Dismemberment Coverage. But you may also want to consider purchasing an individual disability insurance policy. Although you'll pay more for individual coverage than for a group policy, you often get more benefits. And keep in mind that if you leave your job or otherwise terminate your relationship with a group, you can't take your disability policy with you, and you usually can't convert it to an individual disability policy. This means that you may be left without disability coverage when you need it most.
Shop around for coverage
Since many different types of life and disability policies are available, it's important to shop around for coverage to find a life insurance policy that meets your individual needs. Since premium costs vary widely, get quotes from several insurance companies. Just make sure you're comparing policies that offer similar benefits
Protect your family with life insurance
Life insurance gives your family protection and peace of mind. It's also fairly inexpensive, especially if you shop around. Insurance.com makes it simple to compare multiple life insurance quotes from top companies. Just enter some basic information to see the discounts and coverage options available from our partners. It's easy to get an online life insurance rate you can afford.
We think you should research and buy life insurance the way you want. When it's time to talk to someone about your life insurance quotes, you can call or have a licensed agent call you. Getting a good deal from a brand-name life insurance company doesn't need to be hard. We love insurance, and we're here to help.
Helpful Life Insurance Tips
Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs
It's a fact that some occupations are riskier than others. Is your job among the most dangerous? Find out if your job is in the top 10.
Read More
How to Buy Life Insurance
Buying life insurance is an easy way to protect your family. If you know what to look for, you can get the coverage you need at a price you can afford.
Read More
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
How much life insurance do you need? It's not a simple question. The best approach is to examine why you want life insurance and then calculate how much you need to accomplish your goal.
Read More
The Hunt For A Missing Life Insurance Policy
If you're the beneficiary of a relative who just died, and you can't find their life insurance policy, don’t panic. You'll still be able to claim the death benefits. Here's what to do when a life insurance policy is missing.
We think you should research and buy life insurance the way you want. When it's time to talk to someone about your life insurance quotes, you can call or have a licensed agent call you. Getting a good deal from a brand-name life insurance company doesn't need to be hard. We love insurance, and we're here to help.
Helpful Life Insurance Tips
Top 10 Most Dangerous Jobs
It's a fact that some occupations are riskier than others. Is your job among the most dangerous? Find out if your job is in the top 10.
Read More
How to Buy Life Insurance
Buying life insurance is an easy way to protect your family. If you know what to look for, you can get the coverage you need at a price you can afford.
Read More
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?
How much life insurance do you need? It's not a simple question. The best approach is to examine why you want life insurance and then calculate how much you need to accomplish your goal.
Read More
The Hunt For A Missing Life Insurance Policy
If you're the beneficiary of a relative who just died, and you can't find their life insurance policy, don’t panic. You'll still be able to claim the death benefits. Here's what to do when a life insurance policy is missing.
National Drive Safely Work Week: Save Lives and Money
Insurance.com data proves that safe driving saves money.
October 6–10, 2008 is National Drive Safely Work Week. This annual campaign, always in the first full week in October, is dedicated to promoting safe driving practices at or while commuting to or from the nation's workplaces.
The Network for Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) believes that the Safety Week can help reduce the number of accidents, and the campaign has tips for not just drivers of cars, but for motorcyclists, pedestrians, cyclists and truck drivers. This year the campaign is focusing on raising awareness of the "special needs and considerations of all roadway users."
During National Drive to Work Safely Week drivers are urged to be aware of their driving and avoid these common behaviors.
Some Common Mistakes
•Inattentive driving
•Driving too closely to the car in front
•Speeding
•Ignoring traffic signs or signals
•Backing up unsafely
Making a Safe Change
As part of National Drive Safely Work Week, the Network for Employers for Traffic Safety provides tips and ideas for drivers and employers at their website (www.trafficsafety.org). Some of the tips include:
•Avoid aggressive driving
•Avoiding driving when fatigued or tired
•Keep your vehicle well maintained
•Identify distractions to avoid while driving
•Advice for employers
The entire campaign can be downloaded as a free PDF (after registration), with plenty of information for employers and drivers.
Drive Safe and Save
According to a 2003 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study, the average accident costs an employer $16,500. However, accidents and violations can have a direct cost to the driver as well, increasing their auto insurance premium. The Drive Safely Work Week campaign mentions this, suggesting that sharing the road with others is preferable to "sharing your paycheck with your insurance company."
Insurance.com's data supports the relationship between safe driving and lower premiums.
Compare the average price of a policy sold by Insurance.com during 2008, from 15 companies nationwide, for customers with no traffic violations to those with 2 or more violations.
Better drivers pay less, on average, for their auto insurance," explains Sam Belden, Director of Consumer Experience at Insurance.com. "As our data shows, your driving history, and the number of violations or claims you’ve filed, can have a direct impact on your monthly insurance premiums. Obey the traffic laws, and be a careful and considerate driver. At the very least, you could realize significant savings on your policy."
Drivers may also wish to consider driving courses as a possible path to car insurance savings. Many insurance companies in several states offer discounts for drivers who take defensive driving courses. Such courses are often considered by insurers to be proof that drivers are actively pursuing safer driving practices.
About NETS
Founded in 1989, NETS is an employer-led public-private partnership dedicated to improving the safety and health of employees, their families and their communities.
According to NETS, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death and injury in the workplace, and by avoiding high risk driving mistakes, all drivers, at work or otherwise, can help insure the safety of themselves and others on the road.
October 6–10, 2008 is National Drive Safely Work Week. This annual campaign, always in the first full week in October, is dedicated to promoting safe driving practices at or while commuting to or from the nation's workplaces.
The Network for Employers for Traffic Safety (NETS) believes that the Safety Week can help reduce the number of accidents, and the campaign has tips for not just drivers of cars, but for motorcyclists, pedestrians, cyclists and truck drivers. This year the campaign is focusing on raising awareness of the "special needs and considerations of all roadway users."
During National Drive to Work Safely Week drivers are urged to be aware of their driving and avoid these common behaviors.
Some Common Mistakes
•Inattentive driving
•Driving too closely to the car in front
•Speeding
•Ignoring traffic signs or signals
•Backing up unsafely
Making a Safe Change
As part of National Drive Safely Work Week, the Network for Employers for Traffic Safety provides tips and ideas for drivers and employers at their website (www.trafficsafety.org). Some of the tips include:
•Avoid aggressive driving
•Avoiding driving when fatigued or tired
•Keep your vehicle well maintained
•Identify distractions to avoid while driving
•Advice for employers
The entire campaign can be downloaded as a free PDF (after registration), with plenty of information for employers and drivers.
Drive Safe and Save
According to a 2003 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration study, the average accident costs an employer $16,500. However, accidents and violations can have a direct cost to the driver as well, increasing their auto insurance premium. The Drive Safely Work Week campaign mentions this, suggesting that sharing the road with others is preferable to "sharing your paycheck with your insurance company."
Insurance.com's data supports the relationship between safe driving and lower premiums.
Compare the average price of a policy sold by Insurance.com during 2008, from 15 companies nationwide, for customers with no traffic violations to those with 2 or more violations.
Better drivers pay less, on average, for their auto insurance," explains Sam Belden, Director of Consumer Experience at Insurance.com. "As our data shows, your driving history, and the number of violations or claims you’ve filed, can have a direct impact on your monthly insurance premiums. Obey the traffic laws, and be a careful and considerate driver. At the very least, you could realize significant savings on your policy."
Drivers may also wish to consider driving courses as a possible path to car insurance savings. Many insurance companies in several states offer discounts for drivers who take defensive driving courses. Such courses are often considered by insurers to be proof that drivers are actively pursuing safer driving practices.
About NETS
Founded in 1989, NETS is an employer-led public-private partnership dedicated to improving the safety and health of employees, their families and their communities.
According to NETS, traffic crashes are the leading cause of death and injury in the workplace, and by avoiding high risk driving mistakes, all drivers, at work or otherwise, can help insure the safety of themselves and others on the road.
How Bankruptcy Affects Car Insurance Rates
In the current economic climate, people who may never have considered bankruptcy as an option may find it a difficult, but necessary next step.
It's no longer something that happens when you've "failed" or simply overspent. A recent New York Times article reports bankruptcy filings increased 34% from October 2007 to October 2008. Families considered solidly middle-class are now seeking Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection to ensure they do not lose their homes and other assets when financial woes impact the household.
What is Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
Chapter 13 allows consumers to arrange repayment plans that will protect their assets in a way that Chapter 7 bankruptcy does not. Also known as Individual Debt Adjustment, Chapter 13 lets an individual with regular income keep property and pay debts back, usually over three to five years. During this time the individual is protected from creditors, who can't start or continue collection efforts on past due bills. In contrast, consumers generally lose most assets with a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, other than those considered exempt—a definition which varies from state-to-state, and is often based upon income.
For consumers who wish to protect the equity in their homes or cars with a loan or lease balance, Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a good option. But, it comes with a cost, as creditors and insurance companies may not offer their most favorable rates in the future.
Will my car insurance rates go up if I file for bankruptcy protection?
The short answer is—it's likely, but how much depends on your credit rating before the bankruptcy. If you have insurance and continue making your payments, you're less likely to see a rate increase at renewal, but some companies will check your credit once a year. A lower credit rating may lead to a rate increase.
Any type of bankruptcy filing will hurt your credit rating and will remain on your record for up to 10 years. During that time, car insurance companies that use credit as part of their risk assessment may increase your rate or may decline to offer you the lowest rates available. If you're shopping for a new policy post-bankruptcy, you may find that some companies will not offer you a quote, if bankruptcy is used as a risk factor.
Is this fair? Well, using credit history as one factor in insurance pricing is a lot like looking at an individual's driving history: a large number of accidents or violations means that driver may not be responsible and presents a greater risk to the company. A bankruptcy is a bit like a financial accident or violation. It strongly indicates, in much the same way as a traffic violation, that the individual had some difficulty with their finances—and some insurance companies have determined that insurance risk increases as financial stability decreases.
Some practical issues
If you're currently paying for your auto insurance using a credit card or checking account that may be restricted or closed by a bankruptcy filing, you may need to call your insurance company to change your method of payment. Remember, if you change from automatic withdrawal to direct billing, there may be additional installment or service fees, and you may risk late payment fees in some states, if a payment is late. But, the important thing is to keep your policy active, as a lapse in coverage could result in even higher rates when you re-start your coverage.
Our position
There is a significant difference between the two kinds of bankruptcy. We believe that insurance companies can and should evaluate their risk criteria based on insurance risk scores and determine ways to help consumers retain their insurance coverage. But, we hope that companies will evaluate Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings more favorably than other types of bankruptcies—and not penalize consumers who take the important step of choosing to repay their debts.
If you've been in good standing with your company in the past, making payments on time, your company should have no reason to believe that your current financial situation will impact your ability to continue to pay your premium. It's very important to communicate with your company. Ultimately, they are going to be looking at your situation as a whole—not just your financial risk, but your driving record.
All being well, and if your claims and driving history is still good, your auto insurance company shouldn't have any reason to cancel your policy. Your financial situation is only part of your risk factor, after all.
It's no longer something that happens when you've "failed" or simply overspent. A recent New York Times article reports bankruptcy filings increased 34% from October 2007 to October 2008. Families considered solidly middle-class are now seeking Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection to ensure they do not lose their homes and other assets when financial woes impact the household.
What is Chapter 13 bankruptcy?
Chapter 13 allows consumers to arrange repayment plans that will protect their assets in a way that Chapter 7 bankruptcy does not. Also known as Individual Debt Adjustment, Chapter 13 lets an individual with regular income keep property and pay debts back, usually over three to five years. During this time the individual is protected from creditors, who can't start or continue collection efforts on past due bills. In contrast, consumers generally lose most assets with a Chapter 7 bankruptcy, other than those considered exempt—a definition which varies from state-to-state, and is often based upon income.
For consumers who wish to protect the equity in their homes or cars with a loan or lease balance, Chapter 13 bankruptcy is a good option. But, it comes with a cost, as creditors and insurance companies may not offer their most favorable rates in the future.
Will my car insurance rates go up if I file for bankruptcy protection?
The short answer is—it's likely, but how much depends on your credit rating before the bankruptcy. If you have insurance and continue making your payments, you're less likely to see a rate increase at renewal, but some companies will check your credit once a year. A lower credit rating may lead to a rate increase.
Any type of bankruptcy filing will hurt your credit rating and will remain on your record for up to 10 years. During that time, car insurance companies that use credit as part of their risk assessment may increase your rate or may decline to offer you the lowest rates available. If you're shopping for a new policy post-bankruptcy, you may find that some companies will not offer you a quote, if bankruptcy is used as a risk factor.
Is this fair? Well, using credit history as one factor in insurance pricing is a lot like looking at an individual's driving history: a large number of accidents or violations means that driver may not be responsible and presents a greater risk to the company. A bankruptcy is a bit like a financial accident or violation. It strongly indicates, in much the same way as a traffic violation, that the individual had some difficulty with their finances—and some insurance companies have determined that insurance risk increases as financial stability decreases.
Some practical issues
If you're currently paying for your auto insurance using a credit card or checking account that may be restricted or closed by a bankruptcy filing, you may need to call your insurance company to change your method of payment. Remember, if you change from automatic withdrawal to direct billing, there may be additional installment or service fees, and you may risk late payment fees in some states, if a payment is late. But, the important thing is to keep your policy active, as a lapse in coverage could result in even higher rates when you re-start your coverage.
Our position
There is a significant difference between the two kinds of bankruptcy. We believe that insurance companies can and should evaluate their risk criteria based on insurance risk scores and determine ways to help consumers retain their insurance coverage. But, we hope that companies will evaluate Chapter 13 bankruptcy filings more favorably than other types of bankruptcies—and not penalize consumers who take the important step of choosing to repay their debts.
If you've been in good standing with your company in the past, making payments on time, your company should have no reason to believe that your current financial situation will impact your ability to continue to pay your premium. It's very important to communicate with your company. Ultimately, they are going to be looking at your situation as a whole—not just your financial risk, but your driving record.
All being well, and if your claims and driving history is still good, your auto insurance company shouldn't have any reason to cancel your policy. Your financial situation is only part of your risk factor, after all.
Will Insurance Companies Weather the Financial Storm?
Consumers can look to states for protection during and after a sale.
When it comes to insurance companies, American International Group (AIG) has been a high profile target of criticism. While we won't attempt to evaluate its worldwide operations, we can offer some thoughts on what we know—auto insurance.
Throughout the sale of AIG's Auto Insurance unit, you're protected. Zurich Financial Services Group recently announced their purchase of the auto insurance companies owned by AIG. Zurich has a global network of companies, and sells auto insurance in the United States through the Farmer's Insurance Group, the 3rd largest property-casualty insurer in the U.S. So, a sale to Zurich means that your policy will eventually be owned and serviced by a company with a long and profitable record of insuring cars and homes. Farmer's earns a Financial Strength rating of "A" (Excellent) from A.M. Best Company, an independent firm that rates the financial strength and performance of insurance companies. When the sale is finalized, you will be notified of how your policy might change—subject to state laws, of course.
If you have a policy with AIG today, you're protected. Before and during the sale, the individual AIG company that is licensed to sell auto insurance in your state is regulated by your state department of insurance. Each insurance company has strict legal restrictions on how they invest their money (your insurance premiums) and the amount of money (called a loss reserve) they must have on hand to pay future insurance claims. State regulators have one primary responsibility—and that is to make sure that the companies they regulate have enough cash to pay claims. Insurance commissioners from numerous states, including New York, have publicly asserted that the claims reserves for AIG's Auto Insurance companies are solid.
What's next? In a recent address to Congress, President Barack Obama promised to reform the nation's regulatory system to "ensure that a crisis of this magnitude never happens again." That crisis has affected financial institutions worldwide, causing consumers to question the safety of their money and other assets.
A second round of financial assistance to AIG gave the company additional cash in exchange for a stake in two of its companies. The government announced that it granted a new package of relief because the company has spent the cash granted previously but has not yet found buyers for pieces of the company it had hoped to sell in order to repay the government some $150 billion. The supplemental package gave AIG $30 billion on an "as needed" basis. And, instead of paying back $38 billion in cash with interest that it has used from a Federal Reserve credit line, the company has agreed to repay that debt by giving equity stakes in Asia-based American International Assurance Co. and American Life Insurance Co., which operates in 50 countries.
Would federal regulation of the insurance industry give me more protection? There's plenty of debate on the issue. The current crisis within financial institutions does not revolve around the individual insurance companies themselves—but rather the holding companies which are engaged in other types of business.
Regulatory reform may be necessary, but state insurance regulators are nearly unanimous in stating that federal regulation could significantly complicate the current system. And Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke said that federal regulation of financial institutions needs to be "…a much more elaborate version of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation… that would apply to large financial institutions of various types, that would give guidance to regulators under appropriate checks and balances about under what circumstances the regulators could come in and shut down a firm in a safe way that doesn't disrupt the financial markets." In other words, simply shifting regulation of insurers from states to the feds won't do it, because the holding companies are financial institutions and are not regulated as insurance companies.
Looking for different information? Have questions or feedback? Please let us know.
(Full disclosure: Insurance.com has partnered with the aigdirect.com subsidiary company for many years. Their insurance product is now called 21st Century and is marketed on our site and across the country.)
When it comes to insurance companies, American International Group (AIG) has been a high profile target of criticism. While we won't attempt to evaluate its worldwide operations, we can offer some thoughts on what we know—auto insurance.
Throughout the sale of AIG's Auto Insurance unit, you're protected. Zurich Financial Services Group recently announced their purchase of the auto insurance companies owned by AIG. Zurich has a global network of companies, and sells auto insurance in the United States through the Farmer's Insurance Group, the 3rd largest property-casualty insurer in the U.S. So, a sale to Zurich means that your policy will eventually be owned and serviced by a company with a long and profitable record of insuring cars and homes. Farmer's earns a Financial Strength rating of "A" (Excellent) from A.M. Best Company, an independent firm that rates the financial strength and performance of insurance companies. When the sale is finalized, you will be notified of how your policy might change—subject to state laws, of course.
If you have a policy with AIG today, you're protected. Before and during the sale, the individual AIG company that is licensed to sell auto insurance in your state is regulated by your state department of insurance. Each insurance company has strict legal restrictions on how they invest their money (your insurance premiums) and the amount of money (called a loss reserve) they must have on hand to pay future insurance claims. State regulators have one primary responsibility—and that is to make sure that the companies they regulate have enough cash to pay claims. Insurance commissioners from numerous states, including New York, have publicly asserted that the claims reserves for AIG's Auto Insurance companies are solid.
What's next? In a recent address to Congress, President Barack Obama promised to reform the nation's regulatory system to "ensure that a crisis of this magnitude never happens again." That crisis has affected financial institutions worldwide, causing consumers to question the safety of their money and other assets.
A second round of financial assistance to AIG gave the company additional cash in exchange for a stake in two of its companies. The government announced that it granted a new package of relief because the company has spent the cash granted previously but has not yet found buyers for pieces of the company it had hoped to sell in order to repay the government some $150 billion. The supplemental package gave AIG $30 billion on an "as needed" basis. And, instead of paying back $38 billion in cash with interest that it has used from a Federal Reserve credit line, the company has agreed to repay that debt by giving equity stakes in Asia-based American International Assurance Co. and American Life Insurance Co., which operates in 50 countries.
Would federal regulation of the insurance industry give me more protection? There's plenty of debate on the issue. The current crisis within financial institutions does not revolve around the individual insurance companies themselves—but rather the holding companies which are engaged in other types of business.
Regulatory reform may be necessary, but state insurance regulators are nearly unanimous in stating that federal regulation could significantly complicate the current system. And Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke said that federal regulation of financial institutions needs to be "…a much more elaborate version of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation… that would apply to large financial institutions of various types, that would give guidance to regulators under appropriate checks and balances about under what circumstances the regulators could come in and shut down a firm in a safe way that doesn't disrupt the financial markets." In other words, simply shifting regulation of insurers from states to the feds won't do it, because the holding companies are financial institutions and are not regulated as insurance companies.
Looking for different information? Have questions or feedback? Please let us know.
(Full disclosure: Insurance.com has partnered with the aigdirect.com subsidiary company for many years. Their insurance product is now called 21st Century and is marketed on our site and across the country.)
AIG Sells Its Auto Insurance Unit
Consumers can look to states for protection during and after a sale.
When it comes to insurance companies, American International Group (AIG) has been a high profile target of criticism. While we won't attempt to evaluate its worldwide operations, we can offer some thoughts on what we know—auto insurance.
Throughout the sale of AIG's Auto Insurance unit, you're protected. Zurich Financial Services Group recently announced their purchase of the auto insurance companies owned by AIG. Zurich has a global network of companies, and sells auto insurance in the United States through the Farmer's Insurance Group, the 3rd largest property-casualty insurer in the U.S. So, a sale to Zurich means that your policy will eventually be owned and serviced by a company with a long and profitable record of insuring cars and homes. Farmer's earns a Financial Strength rating of "A" (Excellent) from A.M. Best Company, an independent firm that rates the financial strength and performance of insurance companies. When the sale is finalized, you will be notified of how your policy might change—subject to state laws, of course.
If you have a policy with AIG today, you're protected. Before and during the sale, the individual AIG company that is licensed to sell auto insurance in your state is regulated by your state department of insurance. Each insurance company has strict legal restrictions on how they invest their money (your insurance premiums) and the amount of money (called a loss reserve) they must have on hand to pay future insurance claims. State regulators have one primary responsibility—and that is to make sure that the companies they regulate have enough cash to pay claims. Insurance commissioners from numerous states, including New York, have publicly asserted that the claims reserves for AIG's Auto Insurance companies are solid.
What's next? In a recent address to Congress, President Barack Obama promised to reform the nation's regulatory system to "ensure that a crisis of this magnitude never happens again." That crisis has affected financial institutions worldwide, causing consumers to question the safety of their money and other assets.
A second round of financial assistance to AIG gave the company additional cash in exchange for a stake in two of its companies. The government announced that it granted a new package of relief because the company has spent the cash granted previously but has not yet found buyers for pieces of the company it had hoped to sell in order to repay the government some $150 billion. The supplemental package gave AIG $30 billion on an "as needed" basis. And, instead of paying back $38 billion in cash with interest that it has used from a Federal Reserve credit line, the company has agreed to repay that debt by giving equity stakes in Asia-based American International Assurance Co. and American Life Insurance Co., which operates in 50 countries.
Would federal regulation of the insurance industry give me more protection? There's plenty of debate on the issue. The current crisis within financial institutions does not revolve around the individual insurance companies themselves—but rather the holding companies which are engaged in other types of business.
Regulatory reform may be necessary, but state insurance regulators are nearly unanimous in stating that federal regulation could significantly complicate the current system. And Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke said that federal regulation of financial institutions needs to be "…a much more elaborate version of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation… that would apply to large financial institutions of various types, that would give guidance to regulators under appropriate checks and balances about under what circumstances the regulators could come in and shut down a firm in a safe way that doesn't disrupt the financial markets." In other words, simply shifting regulation of insurers from states to the feds won't do it, because the holding companies are financial institutions and are not regulated as insurance companies.
Looking for different information? Have questions or feedback? Please let us know.
(Full disclosure: Insurance.com has partnered with the aigdirect.com subsidiary company for many years. Their insurance product is now called 21st Century and is marketed on our site and across the country.)
When it comes to insurance companies, American International Group (AIG) has been a high profile target of criticism. While we won't attempt to evaluate its worldwide operations, we can offer some thoughts on what we know—auto insurance.
Throughout the sale of AIG's Auto Insurance unit, you're protected. Zurich Financial Services Group recently announced their purchase of the auto insurance companies owned by AIG. Zurich has a global network of companies, and sells auto insurance in the United States through the Farmer's Insurance Group, the 3rd largest property-casualty insurer in the U.S. So, a sale to Zurich means that your policy will eventually be owned and serviced by a company with a long and profitable record of insuring cars and homes. Farmer's earns a Financial Strength rating of "A" (Excellent) from A.M. Best Company, an independent firm that rates the financial strength and performance of insurance companies. When the sale is finalized, you will be notified of how your policy might change—subject to state laws, of course.
If you have a policy with AIG today, you're protected. Before and during the sale, the individual AIG company that is licensed to sell auto insurance in your state is regulated by your state department of insurance. Each insurance company has strict legal restrictions on how they invest their money (your insurance premiums) and the amount of money (called a loss reserve) they must have on hand to pay future insurance claims. State regulators have one primary responsibility—and that is to make sure that the companies they regulate have enough cash to pay claims. Insurance commissioners from numerous states, including New York, have publicly asserted that the claims reserves for AIG's Auto Insurance companies are solid.
What's next? In a recent address to Congress, President Barack Obama promised to reform the nation's regulatory system to "ensure that a crisis of this magnitude never happens again." That crisis has affected financial institutions worldwide, causing consumers to question the safety of their money and other assets.
A second round of financial assistance to AIG gave the company additional cash in exchange for a stake in two of its companies. The government announced that it granted a new package of relief because the company has spent the cash granted previously but has not yet found buyers for pieces of the company it had hoped to sell in order to repay the government some $150 billion. The supplemental package gave AIG $30 billion on an "as needed" basis. And, instead of paying back $38 billion in cash with interest that it has used from a Federal Reserve credit line, the company has agreed to repay that debt by giving equity stakes in Asia-based American International Assurance Co. and American Life Insurance Co., which operates in 50 countries.
Would federal regulation of the insurance industry give me more protection? There's plenty of debate on the issue. The current crisis within financial institutions does not revolve around the individual insurance companies themselves—but rather the holding companies which are engaged in other types of business.
Regulatory reform may be necessary, but state insurance regulators are nearly unanimous in stating that federal regulation could significantly complicate the current system. And Federal Reserve Board Chairman Ben Bernanke said that federal regulation of financial institutions needs to be "…a much more elaborate version of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation… that would apply to large financial institutions of various types, that would give guidance to regulators under appropriate checks and balances about under what circumstances the regulators could come in and shut down a firm in a safe way that doesn't disrupt the financial markets." In other words, simply shifting regulation of insurers from states to the feds won't do it, because the holding companies are financial institutions and are not regulated as insurance companies.
Looking for different information? Have questions or feedback? Please let us know.
(Full disclosure: Insurance.com has partnered with the aigdirect.com subsidiary company for many years. Their insurance product is now called 21st Century and is marketed on our site and across the country.)
Racing to Find Car Insurance
Racing to Find Car Insurance
"Driving well above the street-legal speed limit was simply not what your insurance company expected when you said you drive your car "primarily for pleasure"—and your rates are based on expected driving—not racing."
If you like to race or are a performance enthusiast, you need to read this article. In the past, car insurance may have covered driving improvement classes where you were able to safely exceed normal street speeds. Now, however, most insurance companies have closed loopholes in their standard policies that allowed it, leaving you without coverage.
8. How Did Your Vote Affect the Future of Driving?
"Energy issues were high profile while gas prices were sky-rocketing, but will this administration remain focused on this issue for the long-haul?"
The 2008 election was historic and important. The country needs leadership that will guide us out of our current situation. Will the energy and environmental promises of the campaign trail take a backseat to the economic recovery, or will the Obama administration find a way to link the two?
"Driving well above the street-legal speed limit was simply not what your insurance company expected when you said you drive your car "primarily for pleasure"—and your rates are based on expected driving—not racing."
If you like to race or are a performance enthusiast, you need to read this article. In the past, car insurance may have covered driving improvement classes where you were able to safely exceed normal street speeds. Now, however, most insurance companies have closed loopholes in their standard policies that allowed it, leaving you without coverage.
8. How Did Your Vote Affect the Future of Driving?
"Energy issues were high profile while gas prices were sky-rocketing, but will this administration remain focused on this issue for the long-haul?"
The 2008 election was historic and important. The country needs leadership that will guide us out of our current situation. Will the energy and environmental promises of the campaign trail take a backseat to the economic recovery, or will the Obama administration find a way to link the two?
National Drive Safely Work Week
National Drive Safely Work Week: Save Lives and Money
"Insurance.com's data supports the relationship between safe driving and lower premiums."
This article answers the often-asked question of how much a ticket or accident increases your car insurance. It turns out that it can be quite a lot: as much as $200–$400. If your safety and everyone else's wasn't enough to get you excited about safe driving, maybe the opportunity for significant savings will be.
6. Nitrogen in Tires: Hot Air or a Cool Breeze?
"If you can get your tires filled with nitrogen for free (as part of a deal with new tires, for example) it's probably not a bad idea—the advantages are minor, but a free advantage is always a good one."
Unfortunately, filling your tires with nitrogen is not a substitute for regularly checking their pressure. Still, the debate is interesting, and some people adamantly insist that they get better gas mileage and improved handling.
"Insurance.com's data supports the relationship between safe driving and lower premiums."
This article answers the often-asked question of how much a ticket or accident increases your car insurance. It turns out that it can be quite a lot: as much as $200–$400. If your safety and everyone else's wasn't enough to get you excited about safe driving, maybe the opportunity for significant savings will be.
6. Nitrogen in Tires: Hot Air or a Cool Breeze?
"If you can get your tires filled with nitrogen for free (as part of a deal with new tires, for example) it's probably not a bad idea—the advantages are minor, but a free advantage is always a good one."
Unfortunately, filling your tires with nitrogen is not a substitute for regularly checking their pressure. Still, the debate is interesting, and some people adamantly insist that they get better gas mileage and improved handling.
Look Before You Peep: A Leafer's Guide
Look Before You Peep: A Leafer's Guide
"Even though leaf-peeping sounds rather naughty, it actually involves looking at trees."
Ah, trees. As Ronald Reagan said, "I mean, if you've looked at a hundred thousand acres or so of trees—you know, a tree is a tree, how many more do you need to look at?" Obviously many people feel otherwise, which is why so many of them go leafing. This article also contains an interesting literary exercise that, like many of the best leaves, is hard to spot.
4. Usage-Based Car Insurance: The Freedom to Choose in California - and Elsewhere
"So, are the potential savings worth it? Would you voluntarily place a tracking device in your vehicle for auto insurance savings?"
Proposed insurance regulation in California stirred controversy because one of its mileage-verification options is a device installed in your car to track your mileage. Many consumer advocacy groups argue that visual verification is sufficient. You don't have to be a conspiracy theorist to see how putting an electronic device in your car that can communicate with your car insurance company via cell phone conjures up images of Big Brother, regardless of what it's actually used for.
"Even though leaf-peeping sounds rather naughty, it actually involves looking at trees."
Ah, trees. As Ronald Reagan said, "I mean, if you've looked at a hundred thousand acres or so of trees—you know, a tree is a tree, how many more do you need to look at?" Obviously many people feel otherwise, which is why so many of them go leafing. This article also contains an interesting literary exercise that, like many of the best leaves, is hard to spot.
4. Usage-Based Car Insurance: The Freedom to Choose in California - and Elsewhere
"So, are the potential savings worth it? Would you voluntarily place a tracking device in your vehicle for auto insurance savings?"
Proposed insurance regulation in California stirred controversy because one of its mileage-verification options is a device installed in your car to track your mileage. Many consumer advocacy groups argue that visual verification is sufficient. You don't have to be a conspiracy theorist to see how putting an electronic device in your car that can communicate with your car insurance company via cell phone conjures up images of Big Brother, regardless of what it's actually used for.
Insurance.com's Tips for Hurricane Homeowners and Car Insurance Claims
2. Insurance.com's Tips for Hurricane Homeowners and Car Insurance Claims.
"As Dostoyevsky said, 'You are wise to provide yourself with what you need, for it will all come in handy in the future.'"
We hope you didn't have to use this article, but it has good information about preparing for and making claims related to hurricanes and other natural disasters. The worst hurricane to hit the U.S. in 2008 was Hurricane Ike, although Hurricanes Dolly, Gustav, Hanna and Omar also affected many Americans.
"As Dostoyevsky said, 'You are wise to provide yourself with what you need, for it will all come in handy in the future.'"
We hope you didn't have to use this article, but it has good information about preparing for and making claims related to hurricanes and other natural disasters. The worst hurricane to hit the U.S. in 2008 was Hurricane Ike, although Hurricanes Dolly, Gustav, Hanna and Omar also affected many Americans.
Can You Really Save Money On Gas
Although most of the articles at Insurance.com deal with insurance (go figure), we did touch on some of the larger topics as well. Money and the economy dominated the headlines for most of 2008, with other topics scattered here and there. Some other notable stories included high gas prices, the election, and the collapse of the financial sector. In chronological order, here are our top 10 articles from 2008.
1. Can You Really Save Money On Gas?
"You might be able to save money on gas by combining multiple trips, or walking and biking more often. Reducing your annual mileage to below 10,000 miles could also reduce your car insurance rate by letting you qualify for a low-mileage discount (if available)."
Remember in April and May of 2008, when gas prices started to soar, and no one knew where (or if) they would stop? Well, they peaked at over $4 a gallon in July, and then started falling along with the world economy. Where they will go in 2009 and beyond is anyone's guess, although a strong worldwide green energy push could keep them low.
1. Can You Really Save Money On Gas?
"You might be able to save money on gas by combining multiple trips, or walking and biking more often. Reducing your annual mileage to below 10,000 miles could also reduce your car insurance rate by letting you qualify for a low-mileage discount (if available)."
Remember in April and May of 2008, when gas prices started to soar, and no one knew where (or if) they would stop? Well, they peaked at over $4 a gallon in July, and then started falling along with the world economy. Where they will go in 2009 and beyond is anyone's guess, although a strong worldwide green energy push could keep them low.
When Should You Sell Your Structured Insurance Settlement Payment
purchase structured settlements $53.48 51 uk homeowner loan $46.67 mesothelioma lawyers san diego $51.39 52 endowment policy sales $46.58 secured loans calculator $51.35 53 sell structured insuran read more
When Should You Sell Your Structured Insurance Settlement Payment
insurance | May 25th 2009 by adi waristiyo
By Elliott CrossHave you been considering selling your structured insurance settlement payments for a lump sum cash payment? Before considering this, you need to consider a couple of things that can affect how much you receive now and in the future.I read more
PURCHASE STRUCTURED SETTLEMENT
Online Tips | May 19th 2009 by Gandhi
This is an article which will give a brief guide of structured settlements and the purchase of structured settlements.You may have heard of structured settlements and the buying and selling of structured settlements. It may be that you are looking fo read more
The Public Is Finally Protected With Selling Their Structured Set…
High Profit Yet Still Rare Business Opportunity - SELLING EN… | May 19th 2009 by sparkling
Structured settlement payments are one's peace of mind. Thank God there is the protection already over this issue passed recently by the government. President George W. Bush signed into law a bill on January , . This very law will protect individuals read more
Advice for Selling Structured Settlements You Should Not Ignore
Finance settlements | May 10th 2009 by chamika
There are a variety of ways people come to receive structured settlement payments - personal injury claims, annuity arrangements, and so on. Whatever your situation, if you are thinking about selling your structured settlement for a lump sum of cash read more
When Should You Sell Your Structured Insurance Settlement Payment
insurance | May 25th 2009 by adi waristiyo
By Elliott CrossHave you been considering selling your structured insurance settlement payments for a lump sum cash payment? Before considering this, you need to consider a couple of things that can affect how much you receive now and in the future.I read more
PURCHASE STRUCTURED SETTLEMENT
Online Tips | May 19th 2009 by Gandhi
This is an article which will give a brief guide of structured settlements and the purchase of structured settlements.You may have heard of structured settlements and the buying and selling of structured settlements. It may be that you are looking fo read more
The Public Is Finally Protected With Selling Their Structured Set…
High Profit Yet Still Rare Business Opportunity - SELLING EN… | May 19th 2009 by sparkling
Structured settlement payments are one's peace of mind. Thank God there is the protection already over this issue passed recently by the government. President George W. Bush signed into law a bill on January , . This very law will protect individuals read more
Advice for Selling Structured Settlements You Should Not Ignore
Finance settlements | May 10th 2009 by chamika
There are a variety of ways people come to receive structured settlement payments - personal injury claims, annuity arrangements, and so on. Whatever your situation, if you are thinking about selling your structured settlement for a lump sum of cash read more
selling structured settlements
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Structured Settlements News and Info Blog
http://structuredsettlementsnewsandinfo.com/annuities
Structured Settlements and Annuities - Articles on annuity payments, lump sum payments, periodic payments and selling investing in structured settlements.
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Structured Settlements
http://purchasestructruredsettlements.blogspot.com/
Structured settlements is compensation for injuries sustained in an accident. A change in Federal law in 1982 created "structured settlements", an alternative to lump-sum payments where the injured party receives payments over a period of time.
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Structured Settlements News and Info Blog
http://structuredsettlementsnewsandinfo.com/annuities
Structured Settlements and Annuities - Articles on annuity payments, lump sum payments, periodic payments and selling investing in structured settlements.
.
Structured Settlements
http://purchasestructruredsettlements.blogspot.com/
Structured settlements is compensation for injuries sustained in an accident. A change in Federal law in 1982 created "structured settlements", an alternative to lump-sum payments where the injured party receives payments over a period of time.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Starting with ASP
Asp is a powerfull tool for making dynamic and interactive web pages.
Here you will learn about asp and how to execute scripts on your server
Here you will learn about asp and how to execute scripts on your server
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