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By admin, January 27, 2012 2:05 pm

News Canada
32

(NC)-All owners are required by law to insure vehicles driven on public roads. Some provinces and territories offer public insurance while others have insurance sold privately. Here are some basic items to consider when buying vehicle insurance:

Liability insurance is mandatory, and is used as financial protection against loss or injury caused to others while operating your vehicle. The minimum amount of insurance required differs across jurisdictions but keep in mind that skimping on liability insurance may cost you in the long run. Minimum liability will not cover the cost of an accident resulting in the injury of several people, for example, particularly in circumstances where litigation is an option.
Vehicle damage insurance, unlike liability insurance, may be optional. Damage insurance, however, is still recommended for the simple reason that damages to a vehicle will quickly add up in the event of an accident where you are at fault. Not being able to recover any money will have serious ramifications on your bank account.
Some dealers or credit grantors may require that you take out other insurance such as life and/or disability insurance prior to agreeing to do business with you. Make sure that you fully read and understand any agreements that you are asked to sign and that you get a copy of the completed and signed agreement. Do not sign an agreement unless it is completed in full.

You should also do some comparison shopping on insurance prices and coverage prior to signing any agreement. Here are some items to consider in keeping your insurance rates to a minimum:

Accidents can increase your insurance costs, especially when you are at fault. Though it’s easier said than done, staying out of accidents will save you money in more ways than one.
Statistics show that some vehicles are more likely than others to be involved in an accident. Insurance companies are aware of this and therefore charge more to insure high-risk vehicles. The make and model of the vehicle, its colour, and whether it’s a two-door or four-door are all factors considered by your insurance company. Some cars are also more expensive to repair or are frequently pursued by thieves. Consider how important owning a high-profile vehicle is to you. Contact the Vehicle Information Centre of Canada (www.vicc.com) to find out which vehicles will cost you more to insure.
Where you live may affect what you pay for automobile insurance. Driving to work everyday, especially if it’s a long commute, does not only mean extra gas and wear and tear on your vehicle but also the possibility of a higher insurance premium. Urban residents may have higher premiums than those living in rural areas.
Insurance companies reward those who are of low risk to them. Discounts might be offered for driver education, multiple vehicles, high academic achievement, anti-theft devices or abstinence from alcohol, among others. Have your insurance broker inquire about any of these types of discounts.

Sometimes it doesn’t pay to be carrying collision or comprehensive insurance on an older vehicle if the total amount you are paying for the deductible plus the monthly premium is more then the entire worth of your vehicle.
For more information regarding auto insurance and other topics on cars and transportation, visit the Canadian Consumer Information Gateway ConsumerInformation.ca The Gateway is a new Web site created by federal, provincial, territorial governments and their partners that brings consumers, objective, reliable and current information.

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By admin, January 25, 2012 1:58 pm

Jeffrey Strain
96

Although the most interesting method to save on car operating costs came from my chemistry teacher in high school (Buy your gasoline in the early morning or at night when it is cold outside. Gas becomes denser in cooler temperatures. Since gas pumps only measure the volume of fuel – not the density – you’ll get better overall gas mileage for your money by purchasing fuel when it’s cool outside rather than in the heat of the day), the moment that will determine the true amount you can save on your car costs comes before you even buy a car. The simple fact is that the type of car you decide to purchase will have the largest impact on the expenses you incur during the lifetime of it.
Even if a large sports utility vehicle is your dream car, it’s probably a lot more than you really need. Taking some time to make a list of the things you’ll use the car for will help determine the difference between your true needs and your wants. It’s important to remember that each additional want you add above what you really need will cost you not only at the time of purchase, but in most cases well down the road with an increase in maintenance and operating costs.
The size of the car you decide to purchase will have a direct effect on its operating costs. Purchasing the smallest car possible for your driving needs will save you a tremendous amount in gasoline charges. Small cars weigh about half as much as larger cars which results in about half as much fuel being used.
Once you have decided on the size of car, it’s worthwhile taking the time to research the safety ratings of the different cars in that size range. Not only will this improve your chances of staying alive in an accident, it will likely reduce your car insurance costs. A quick call to your car insurance company will tell you the tale. Remember, if you keep your car for 7 years, a $25 a month difference in insurance costs adds up to over $2,100 over the lifetime of the car.
Once you have a car, taking some simple steps can reduce your operating costs by hundreds of dollars. For example, if you reduce your gas consumption by $20 a week, it will save you over $1,000 a year. Most people can easily save this amount (and often much more) by simply changing their driving habits and paying a little more attention to their cars.
By far the best way to reduce your car expenses is to use your car only when necessary. Cars are extremely convenient and this causes people to use them much more often than they really need to. By simply asking yourself, “Is this trip really necessary?” you can greatly decrease the amount you drive.
For short trips close to home, try walking or riding your bicycle. Not only will you save money on your car expenses,you’ll also get some healthy exercise. When you go shopping or run errands, take a little time to plan and combine them all into one outing instead of several. Of course, car pooling and using mass transportation systems when possible are always excellent ways to reduce car expenses. If you can find a different way to commute to work rather than by your car, there is a good chance that this will result in a discount in your car insurance.
There are also a number of steps you can take to reduce your driving expenses while using you car. Here’s a quick list of some actions you may want to consider while driving.
*** Take the time to check your car’s tire pressure each month. Under inflated tires reduce fuel efficiency by 2% for every pound they are under inflated. Under inflation also causes premature tire wear giving your tires a shorter use life.
*** Drive at the speed limit. Cars use about 20% more fuel driving at 70 miles per hour than they do at 55 miles per hour.
*** Avoid driving fast in low gears. Driving at high speeds in the improper gear can reduce fuel efficiency by up to 40%.
*** Avoid using air conditioning whenever possible. Air conditioning reduces fuel economy by 10% to 20%.
*** Don’t open windows when traveling at high speeds. Open windows on the highway can reduce fuel efficiency by 10%. It is much better to use the ventilation system. Also remember to remove car racks and other items which make your car less aerodynamic when they’re not being used. Use cruise control to maintain a steady pace on the highway to increase fuel economy.
*** Avoid rough roads. Driving on roads made of dirt or gravel can reduce fuel economy by up to 30%.
*** Don’t let your car idle. Even on cold mornings, there’s no need to let your car idle for more than 30 seconds. Newer cars are designed to be driven almost immediately and letting your car idle longer is a waste of gas. In addition, it’s more efficient to turn off your car and turn it on again than to let it idle for more than 45 seconds while waiting.
*** Remove all excess weight from your car. Many people use their car trunk as a storage space adding unneeded pounds to the car’s weight. This unnecessary weight reduces the car’s fuel efficiency.
*** Try to accelerate gently, brake gradually and avoid stops when driving. Gunning engines, quickly accelerating, and abrupt stops all waste fuel. Try to avoid driving during rush hour periods when you know traffic will be stop and go. If you do find yourself in stop and go traffic, try to maintain a crawl. When approaching hills or steep slopes, accelerate before the hill. Accelerating once on the slope will consume much more gas.
*** Service your car regularly while paying special attention to oil and filters. Blocked air flow from clogged air filters will increase fuel waste. Also check your car’s alignment since this can cause engine drag which will also increase gas waste.
*** Periodically calculate your car’s fuel efficiency. A loss in fuel efficiency is an indication of possible mechanical problems.
To really see how much you can save by using the above information, don’t change your driving habits this week, but take note of the number of miles your drive and calculate your car’s current fuel economy. The following week begin initiating any of the above ideas which you aren’t currently utilizing. You are sure to be surprised by how much you can save over your regular driving habits, and you’ll be able to enjoy some extra money jingling in your pockets.
Copyright (c) 2004, by Jeffrey Strain
This article may be freely distributed so long as the copyright, author’s information and an active link (where possible) are included.
A complimentary copy of any newsletter or a link to the site where the article is posted would be greatly appreciated.

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By admin, January 23, 2012 1:59 pm

Mike Dobson
1079

Non-truckers often don’t stop and think about the trucking industry and the many trucking companies that help keep the economy going. Without those big rigs hauling various loads, whether it is gasoline, office supplies or grocery items, this country would be at a stand still. Where do you think the gasoline you pump comes from? What about that package of diapers you are buying your child? How did they get on the shelves? The answer: a big truck delivers all of that and much more!
Let’s talk about the various types of trucks that you might encounter on the roads. Each one is different because the loads of cargo are different. For example, the same truck that delivers your favorite ice cream brand to the grocery store will not be the same type of truck that delivers office supplies to the local discount store. By the same token, you will have a trucking company that might specialize in the delivery of one certain type of product over the other.
Possibly one of the most hair-raising trucks on the road today is the one that hauls vehicles. You know ?those car carriers where you just KNOW that one of those vehicles are going to come loose and fly off onto the hood of your car! Or how about the tanker trucks that haul fuel or other hazardous products like fertilizers and chemicals? Truckers who drive these types of trucks probably have nerves of steel. Not only do they have to worry about safety precautions for their own loads they are hauling, but they also have to keep an eye on some of the crazy drivers on the road and always be on the lookout for potential hazards.
Some trucking companies specifically handle household or office moving. Think of those families that sell their homes and move half way across the country. Truckers that handle that type of load not only have to be careful of these household items due to insurance issues but also have to have great customer service skills to handle these stressed out people making this move.
There are many other types of trucks on the roads today. Flatbed carriers, refrigerated trucks, dry van carriers and even those trucks that carry livestock ?non-truckers encounter some of these every day on the roads. We all should be cognizant of the fact that these trucking companies and truckers literally drive the economy. They have a tough load to carry and without them doing their jobs, we could not do our own.

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By admin, January 21, 2012 2:00 pm

Jeanine Steele
86

What is Colossus?
Colossus is software licensed to about twenty-five insurance companies to aid in predicting the settlement value of claims. The insurance industry maintains it is a useful tool because it considers a great many factors, and the settlement values are just a range for use in any way the insurer wishes. The claimants?attorneys, on the other hand, maintain that the software is only so good as the data input, and we never know what the adjuster has input; that it does not consider interference with normal life activities, or other valid indications of pain and suffering normally proved by lay testimony instead of medical testimony (as required by Colossus); and that it is NOT merely a beginning point, but is instead the FINAL WORD ON VALUE that the adjuster has to adhere to, or else risk unfavorable management reviews.
How would you like to know that only a part of all you are suffering will be compensated? Unless data are input, how can a computer quantify your emotional distress, or the loss of enjoyment of life because you no longer can take long walks with your spouse, or the pain and despair you suffer each day because your work hurts you and interferes with your healing? Unless all of your circumstances are included, is it fair to quantify all you have suffered and reduce to a dollar value based upon some factors that may or may not reflect your condition?
That is the essence of the Colossus software. It is an attempt by some insurance companies to value claims with no consideration at all given to whether or not a jury might award you more than the “average?claimant. They plug in such things as damage to the vehicles and expected length of treatment and allowable cost of treatment and many other variables and then come up with a number for the value of the claim. No consideration whatsoever is given to the extent of your actual pain and suffering.
Nor is any consideration whatsoever given to the fact that you might have a job where your injuries cause continued pain, or which slows your healing (consider, for example a waitress, or a person who has to stand all shift). They do not know, nor do they care, that you cannot hold your baby because of the pain in your neck and back. There is no room in the formula for such information.
But the problem is that in our system, it is the jury that is supposed to be the basis for determining the value of a claim, and juries do tend to listen to and consider many of the factors that Colossus ignores. Juries do make a distinction based upon whether or not they think the plaintiff is believable, or has attributes we value in our society, such as the virtues of honesty, perseverance, humility, or patience, for example.
Colossus has no way to evaluate those positive traits, so if you are possessed of anything positive that is likely to bring you a larger jury verdict, it will not be included in the Colossus valuation. You will have become a magnetic image, no different in regard to your positive characteristics than the magnetic image of any other of thousands of claimants with injuries similar to yours.
The real problem with Colossus is that the adjuster for your claim is just about stuck with the results that come out of the computer. Of course the insurance company will deny this, and will tell the media and the state insurance commissioner that Colossus is nothing more than an evaluation tool. It just gives a starting point, they say, from which the adjuster can move up if the facts of the case merit it. That is not at all true.
The Colossus result is a position that is increasingly locked in, and the adjuster who wishes to vary from it because of the facts of an unusual case, had better be ready to justify it. Furthermore, how many times do you think any adjuster trying to make the cut at an insurance company is going to go to her boss and ask for permission to exceed the Colossus determination of value? Considering that her evaluation and merit pay will be based upon how “efficiently?(read that to mean cheaply, or “hard-line? she settles her cases, do you think she will ever go to her boss to ask for more money than allowed by Colossus? Not very likely.
Colossus is a well-kept secret by the insurance companies that use it, and they will likely not tell you if they have licensed the software. It is the market leader bodily injury claims-handling software used by an increasing number of insurance companies in the world. According to Computer Sciences Corporation, the company which produces Colossus, it is used by more than 50 per cent of the nation’s claim adjusters and by more than 300 insurance companies. Out of the top 20 US Property and Casualty Insurers, 13 are using Colossus.
Most claims insurance adjusters use computer software to appraise any insurance claim that you make. CSC claims that Colossus can evaluate more than 600 type of injuries based on 10,000 different rules. This way, adjusters will obtain a figure from Colossus software and then offer it to you to settle your claim. Insurance companies claim that their adjusters are not required to settle within the suggested Colossus calculations, but that is truly nonsense, and should be investigated by the nation’s insurance commissioners.
How does it work?
Neither insurance companies nor CSC will divulge exactly how they determine the Colossus baseline value. Most of Colossus’ calculation of your claim is based on insurance data to which you don’t have access, and insurance companies certainly do not want former insurance adjusters to tell anything about it either, see the article from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer (http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/93800_insurance01).
However we do know that the value of your claim will differ greatly from one region to another and also by the baseline that your insurance company has set. For example, auto insurers using the software select a number of closed, already-settled claims from each region in which they do business to provide the “baseline” settlement value for each type of injury. For example, an insurer might pick 200 back injury cases from a particular region that previously settled for between $1,000 and $5,000 and enter them into the Colossus program. Based on this past settlement data, Colossus calculates a settlement range for similar claims. Therefore the baseline value will be different for each insurer.
But who is there to ensure that the closed claims selected truly represent the norm? Wouldn’t it be in the interests of the insurance industry to “pad?the research by holding back reports of high value settlements? There is no assurance whatsoever that Colossus represents anything other than what best serves the interests of the insurance industry. No one has certified that the base from which the data are drawn was fairly and objectively constructed.
By using Colossus, most insurance companies will try to lower the value of your claim, and will not take into consideration stress, or emotional trauma, loss of enjoyment of life, loss of consortium (relationship), inability to participate in activities that you used to enjoy, or any number of other things that a jury will consider. These factors are not accounted for by the Colossus software.
What Should You Do?
The first thing to do is to determine whether or not the company you are dealing with uses Colossus for any purpose in its claims process. Here is a list obtained through the media, of companies that will admit to using Colossus for some purpose in their claims valuation process.
The following companies are known to license COLOSSUS:

Aetna
Allstate (since 1997)
American National Property and Casualty (since 1997 in 38 states)
American Family Group of Madison (since 1996)
Arrow Claims Management (since 1997)
AXA Insurance (based in UK, one of the world’s largest insurance group) (2001)
Bishopsgate Insurance (since 2000)
Explorer Insurance Company (1997)
Farmers Insurance Group of Companies (2000)
Federated Mutual Insurance Company (1998)
General Casualty Insurance Companies (1998)
Grange Mutual Casualty Companies (1998)
Great American Insurance Company (1998)
Hartford Financial Services (2000)
Keystone Insurance Companies of Philadelphia
Metropolitan Group, Rhode Island Norwich Union
Motorist Mutual –American Hardware Insurance Group (1998)
Ohio Casualty Group of Insurance Companies (1998)
State Auto Insurance Companies of Columbus (1996)
20th Century Industries (1997)
Travelers/Aetna Property Casualty (1996)
United Services Automobile Association (USAA) (1997)
Utica Mutual Insurance Company (2000)
Zurich Personal Insurance (1998)

Therefore, we recommend that you follow carefully our advice on this topic to avoid allowing the insurance company an upper hand in resolution of your claim. How could this valuation software allow them the upper hand? First, as documented above, this is a software program that will produce a result that is in favor of the insurance industry. It does not include factors that may cause real interference with healing, or which may result in many nights of disturbed sleep.
Be it the tortfeasor’s company or your own insurance company, if the company that you are going to deal with for a general damages award has licensed Colossus, we recommend that you consider that in your negotiations. For example, since Colossus produces only an “expected?result based upon an “average?from input verdicts and settlements, you would want to call to the attention of the adjuster any facts that put your situation outside of the norm.
Let’s say that you are a waitress and you sustained a soft tissue injury to your neck and low back. No matter how good and helpful your medical treatment or no matter how much healing you achieve from a couple of days off of work, your condition will worsen just as soon as you again start carrying those trays full of food or drinks. The weight of that tray on one side or the other will make your injuries worse, and it will be much more difficult for you to obtain healing.
Another example might be a single mother who has to pick up her 11 month old baby frequently. She will suffer continued pain from her accident injuries a lot longer than a person who does not otherwise burden healing tissue. Think of how many times a day she has to pick up that child, and what a strain that puts on her neck and back.
Now do you think there is any way that either of these-or like-situations will be covered or considered in the Colossus result? Of course there isn’t. This is the old adage of: “Garbage In-Garbage Out? Since the computer was not queried or programmed to consider either of these circumstances, then it is your job to provide sufficient information to the adjuster to allow her to modify the result from Colossus by making another set of information inputs to the program.
What you have to do is to think about your situation and come up with some aspect of your case that may be a little different than the norm. Then you will make note of that situation in a letter to the adjuster and ask her to confirm that in her evaluation she will make allowance for your situation notwithstanding the result suggested by Colossus. A good resource to consult to get such a letter would be a website specialized in personal injury claim such as SettlementCentral.Com (http://www.settlementcentral.com)
If she does not respond, or if she does not agree to make allowance for your particular situation, we suggest you warn her that you will write to the insurance commissioner. Again, consult the SettlementCentral.Com website (http://www.settlementcentral.com) as they do provide a sample demand letter. As a next step, we suggest that you write to your state insurance commissioner and complain about the use of Colossus. Finally, we think that your state Trial Lawyers Association may have some information or suggestions on legislation to curtail the total reliance on Colossus.
Another key to working with an adjuster who is using Colossus is to make sure your medical record documents everything in a way that the software will reward. There are three key elements to this requirement, and you control only one of them: the other two are held by your doctor (who may not wish to make adequate documentation) and the adjuster (who may not cooperate to let you know what format is required for information to be understood by Colossus).
You will need the cooperation of the adjuster to tell you what format would be helpful to him in getting you full value for your claim. Ask him about the quality of your medical records. Which records were most useful, and which records were virtually useless. He should be able to tell you. This person is not an actual enemy; he has a job to do in this mission, and so do you; you need each other to ensure the case is settled fairly and amicably.
Solicit the adjuster’s cooperation to let you know the specific injuries and specific complaints used to evaluate the claim. Since each complaint and injury must be documented in a medical report to be considered by Colossus, ask him to help you by telling you which doctor needs to make a supplementary record in this case.
If you don’t have a good medical record, you will have to obtain a narrative report from your doctor, or get him to make specific findings that are translatable to input into Colossus.
Additional information such as a letter to the insurance adjuster regarding Colossus, letter to the insurance commissioner, and other Colossus references are available for free on our website at: http://www.settlementcentral.com

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By admin, January 19, 2012 1:56 pm

Doug Taylor
1188

You have probably seen a huge rise in the number of car insurance companies offering their services. From TV adverts, to leaflets through your door, to radio jingles, the list goes on.
It may seem a little frsutrating when renewal time comes. The choices out there are huge. Do you go for this company because they are offering a free keyfob with every cover – or this one because you like the sound of their jingle. Neither, there are many ways to find the best car insurance policy a few tips we will cover here.
First; a car alarm will not only frighten off the thiefs, but also help lower your insurance. An immobaliser has the same affect and better still an alarm, immobaliser AND garage parking. The safer your car the less chance of theft or damage caused by theft.
Second; when you have passed your test the first thing usually recommended to you by your instructor is advanced lessons or advanced course. You may think ‘I’ve already passed, I don’t need to’ but insurance companies treat your devotion to safer driving seriously. Not only will it help you with your skills, but will save a few pounds.
Third; shop around. There are a number of companies, and with competition comes price wars. Insurers are looking for your business, don’t be afraid to try and haggle on price. If not you could try an online company, e.g. theaa.com, who will contact a number of leading insurers to get you the best quote.
Fourth; buy your car insurance over the internet. Many car insurers are offering discounts of around 10% simply for buying online. If your car insurance is usualy ?00, you save ?0 instantly buying online – well worth logging on for!

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By admin, January 17, 2012 1:56 pm

Michael Trusthold
454

Would you buy a used car–with cash–from someone you just met in the bar, and who walked you down a dark alley to show you the car? Not likely. How about from a well-dressed, friendly, middle-aged man or woman, who placed a classified ad in your local newspaper, and who meets you midday at a restaurant of your choice?
Oops! You may be more likely to be cheated by seller number two. That’s the story of Jennifer Warwa, who bought a minivan and had her mechanic examine it. The mechanic later said how shocked he was that Jennifer had been scammed:
“Because I met the gentleman who was selling the vehicle. Very clean cut. In his fifties. Very soft spoken…. And he went with her to get it inspected. There was just no sign that was the kind of person he was” the mechanic told CBC’s Marketplace.
A few months later, Jennifer got a phone call from the police. They said she had purchased a stolen minivan, and they were coming to seize it. She was so upset, she tried to hide the van from the police. Eventually they caught up with her and she ended up paying for a year and a half for a $5,000 bank loan on a van she could not drive. Ouch!
Jennifer was just one victim in the chain that included the original owner, the insurance company, other consumers whose insurance rates keep rising, and the police, who spend thousands of hours tracking thefts. According to the FBI, a vehicle is stolen about every 25 seconds in the USA, amounting to an $8 billion yearly problem.
Here’s how these scams often work. Thieves target particular cars: for their value, their ease of resale as a whole or in parts, or because they are easier to steal. Years ago, most cars were stripped for parts, including unusual parts such as airbags. But today some thieves are so brash they sell cars through newspapers.
This newer scam is called “VIN cloning”, because the Vehicle Identification Number is stolen from another car. Criminals obtain VINs by copying them from the dash of cars in parking lots–even at dealerships. Some even physically remove the VIN plate from vehicles in auto salvage yards that allow customers to “pick your own parts.” (They do not mean that literally!) The number is used to falsely obtain new ownership documents, or documents are forged. Either way, a cloned VIN allows them to transform stolen cars into pseudo- legal vehicles that can be officially titled and sold. Many thieves work across state lines: cars may be stolen in the East, registered in the Mid-West, then sold in California. Scary!
Here’s what you can do to avoid buying a stolen car:

Check the VIN on the dash against the VIN in the driver’s door jamb, under the hood, and on the paperwork
Use the VIN to get the car’s history at carfax.com for about $20
Ensure title and registration documents match the name and address of the seller
Is the car from out of state?
Be suspicious if you must meet a private seller in a parking lot. Better to see that they live at the address where the car is registered
Has the vehicle recently been transferred?
Does the seller use a home or work phone number, or just a cell?
Is the selling price oddly low?
Be warned that some used car dealers are getting scammed, too
Pay by certified cheque or money order, not cash.

Keep in mind that most private sellers are not thieves, but rather honest, regular folks like you. And prices do tend to be lower with private sales. So if you follow my advice, you can greatly improve your chances of driving away with a “genuine” used car.

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By admin, January 15, 2012 2:01 pm

Philip Franckel
436

Below are some tips to reduce your auto insurance bill, prevent substantial premium increases and avoid becoming assigned risk.
Claim Reports: You know about credit reports, you should also know about claim reports. C.L.U.E.?(Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange), is a claim report service provided by ChoicePoint, Inc. ChoicePoint, Inc. states on their web site “C.L.U.E. is a claim history information exchange that enables insurance companies to access prior claim information in the underwriting and rating process. C.L.U.E. Personal Property reports contain up to five years of personal property claims matching the search criteria submitted by the inquiring insurance company. Data provided in C.L.U.E. reports includes policy information such as name, date of birth and policy number, and claim information such as date of loss, type of loss and amounts paid.”
Tip: C.L.U.E. reports contain information on claims history by a residence address. Just like credit reports, a C.L.U.E. report may have errors. It is advisable to obtain a copy of your C.L.U.E. report at ChoiceTrust.com to check your report for errors.
Credit reports: Insurance companies are now looking at credit reports to determine future premiums. They have determined that people with better credit scores have fewer claims. Consequently, if you have a poor credit report you may find yourself paying more for car insurance.
Tip: Always make at least the minimum payment for your bills on time, particularly your insurance bill.
Glass Coverage: Most auto insurance salespeople recommend “full” glass coverage for an additional premium, when you purchase collision coverage for your car. They remind you how much it costs to replace all your windows if broken by a vandal. What they do not tell you, and it is unlikely that they would even know (I would only trust the answer from an underwriter, not a sales representative), is whether your insurance company will use a previous glass claim to increase your future premium and whether they will report your glass claims to C.L.U.E.
Some insurance companies will report glass claims to C.L.U.E. and then use these claims to raise your premium or even worse, cancel your car insurance policy making you assigned risk with a substantial premium increase. Allstate notified me that after four claims in less than five years, they terminated my auto insurance policy and then offered to sell me coverage in their Indemnity Company with a shocking premium increase. These claims consisted of two claims for a broken windshield, one for a stolen and recovered car and one accident.
I had a sports car and had to endure a total premium increase over a period of four years of approximately $12,000 and remain claim free before I became eligible for coverage outside of the assigned risk pool. I wrote a letter to the president of Allstate complaining that they should not have considered my glass claims when canceling my car insurance because the glass claims were made under a separate part of the policy for which I paid a separate and additional premium. Allstate responded in a letter stating “Although this claim activity does not indicate that you were directly at fault in each loss, the frequency and severity of the above losses was not within our range of acceptability. After careful review, I regret to inform you that we cannot reverse our original decision regarding the above policy. We have however continued to offer coverage in our Indemnity Company.”
Tip: Check with the underwriting department of your insurance company to see if they will consider glass claims when assessing premiums or if they report glass claims to C.L.U.E. If yes, do not make a glass claim. The two windshields which Allstate provided me with were aftermarket windshields which would have cost me less than $300 each. During the last 30 years of my driving history, I have experienced two broken front windshields, one broken rear windshield and two broken side windows. While the financial risk of totaling a car can be substantial, the financial risk of replacing a windshield is comparatively insignificant. It does not make sense to file a glass claim if it will increase your premium. You may even want to decline this coverage altogether and save the premium.
Tip for leased vehicles: Some lease agreements require that the car be returned with an OEM windshield. If you lease a car and replace a front windshield using your “full” glass coverage, insist that the insurance company provide you with an OEM windshield from the manufacturer. If you pay for the windshield yourself, check your lease agreement carefully to see if you must use an OEM windshield from the manufacturer or if you can use an aftermarket windshield. Some people with leased cars who have replaced a windshield with an aftermarket windshield are shocked, when they return their car, to find that the leasing company is charging them $800 for a new OEM windshield, even though the aftermarket windshield is in perfect condition.
Car Rental & Towing Coverage: While it may be a good idea to have this coverage, it is not always a good idea to use it. Some people have realized that this coverage is not just available when an accident has occurred. For instance, some people have used the car rental coverage when their car was in a repair shop or the towing coverage when their car broke down on the road. As with glass coverage, using this coverage may be the same as filing a claim.
Tip: Check with the underwriting department of your insurance company to see if they will consider rental or towing claims when assessing premiums or if they report these claims to C.L.U.E. If yes, do not use car rental or towing coverage unless you have had an accident, in which case it will be part of the accident claim. If you are concerned about towing costs when your car breaks down, you can buy one of the roadside assistance memberships such as the one available from AAA which provides additional benefits not provided by your automobile insurance policy.

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By admin, January 13, 2012 1:57 pm

Viojieley Gurrobat
651

Imagine driving down the highway on a clear Monday morning. Everything was going perfect when suddenly another vehicle came skidding from the opposite direction. You stepped onto the break but it was too late. You tried to avoid the other car but unfortunately you hit your car into a post. Dazed and somewhat unable to believe what just happened, you came out of your car with a few scratches and injuries. People came to help you and the police arrived to investigate. In this instances, when you do not know what to do you might tamper the evidences and risk your chance of getting insurance benefits and auto accident injury claim.
After the accident you would probably ask, is it possible to handle your car accident claim yourself? The answer is yes, it is possible. Besides, if you do not have a lawyer you can save money from not having to pay attorney’s fees. But just the same you will have a hard time proving your claim to the insurance company. Remember that insurance companies are also looking after their interest so they would always find a way to reduce the amount of your settlement.
Probably the only way to get a fair settlement is to have an experienced and reputable lawyer by your side. The intensive training and skill of auto accident lawyers can help you get a positive outcome in your claim. Additionally, when the insurance company knows that you have a lawyer to explain all your legal options, they would be willing to settle without delay to avoid the extra costs. Lawyers always give insurance companies the scare that they need so they would not give you a hard time in processing your claim.
An attorney will also always make it a point to increase your settlement amount to cover his fee. So financially speaking, it’s a win-win situation. So let your lawyer handle your legal case. After all, following the accident your greatest concern is getting yourself medical attention to get back to work as soon as you can. Your lawyer would be more than a legal representative in this case. He can be your friend, confidant, and even your greatest ally. Hence, let your lawyer do all the dirty job and focus most of your energy in doing everything it takes to get your life back to normal.

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By admin, January 11, 2012 1:58 pm

Simon Jacobs
1176

Many motorists have long benefited from the ‘drive other cars?clause most insurers have included in their policies. This means that it is legal to drive a vehicle that does not belong to you, with the owner’s permission, and that you will be insured. Generally you are able to drive another person’s car if you are insured fully comprehensively but will be insured on that car third party fire and theft. A leading insurer, Norwich Union, has now changed its car insurance policy and will not cover people to drive cars for which they are not directly insured. The ‘drive other cars?clause that has been included in most policies for years, has now come under the spotlight and motorists have been advised to check with their own insurance company before they borrow someone else’s car.
The benefit of being able to drive another person’s car depends upon a variety of factors not least whether the individual insurer allows this. Other factors include the age of the driver; they often have to be over 25, and the driver’s record. For example if the driver has made several claims and also has penalty points then they may not be covered to borrow someone else’s car.
Norwich Union is removing this option to drivers as it says that too many people are using it as a scam to reduce the cost of their car insurance. The ‘drive other cars?clause is also seen by police to be a hindrance in overcoming the issue of uninsured drivers. This might be seen as a setback by many law abiding drivers who have been able to use someone else’s car in an emergency, such as taking someone to hospital. However, many dishonest drivers abuse the system by buying low cost car insurance for a small car and then borrowing high powered performance cars belonging to friends. These are cars that they would never normally be able to drive. Because of this new restriction insurers believe that dishonest behaviour will be curbed.
Other car insurance companies thought to be following suit include AA, Cornhill Direct, Royal & Sun Alliance and Axa. These changes are being made as a result of suggestions by the Department of Transport who feel that phasing out the clause will prevent uninsured drivers from getting an easy ride.
Paul Jenson from Hoot Car Insurance Services www.hootcarinsurance.co.uk has this to say to drivers who are worried that they might not be insured:
“It’s always best to check that you are insured on another person’s car before you borrow it. In the past, more often than not, it’s been acceptable to drive your mate’s car but now many insurers are phasing this option out. You can have you name put on another person’s car insurance policy very cheaply so if you want to regularly drive your girlfriend or boyfriend’s car or your Mum doesn’t mind you borrowing hers, then you can do so legally. Insurance companies will also be lenient on people who have a genuine emergency, for example if they need to get to hospital quickly and the only car available belongs to someone else.?

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By admin, January 9, 2012 1:59 pm

Dan Baldyga
21

Here comes the insurance adjuster. Is he overly friendly? If so, watch out! It’s OK to be hospitable. Be good-tempered and cordial – - but beware! Never forget he’s paid to save his company as much money as he can. That’s the name of his game.
DON’T SIGN ANYTHING: Don’t overestimate the good will of the adjuster. They’re trained to investigate accident cases in such a way, if at all possible, to make their insured look good. Many unsuspecting individuals fall prey to the adjuster who seeks to protect his company’s pocketbook at the expense of a legitimate claimant.
If a company calls you and suggests they take your statement over the telephone, tell them you would prefer to meet with an adjuster. Don’t agree to dictate a verbal statement into a tape recorder over the phone, and certainly not when you’re in the presence of an adjuster. Don’t sign a statement when you meet with him. Whatever the circumstance may be, advise whomever you’re dealing with that you’ll be more than willing to provide a signed statement, after your claim has been settled.
HOW TO PROCEED WITH THE ADJUSTER: Be pleasant, but firm. No matter how much in the wrong the person is that hit you, no matter how they acted at the scene of the accident, and no matter what they may have verbalized to or at you, don’t take it out on the adjuster. It’s not the adjuster’s fault if his insured is an idiot.
You must never underestimate the importance of the adjuster’s impressions and conclusions, all of which go into your file. What he feels and reports about you have a great influence on the final disposition of your claim. If he likes you that’s money in the bank. On the other hand, if he gets upset with you he has the ability to twist the facts to make you look bad. Once that’s been done, it will be set in cement, go into your file and, without you’re ever being aware of it and haunt you to the last dollar of your settlement.
THE ADJUSTERS CLAIM LOAD: The job performance of insurance adjusters is judged not only on how little of the company’s money they spend in settlements, but also on how quickly they settle the claims assigned to them. They’re constantly under pressure to settle your claim; to get rid of it and move on. The adjuster will never tell you, but the weight of their caseload comes down on your side of the scale. It’s an advantage people are never aware of.
THE ADJUSTERS SETTLEMENT AUTHORITY: The Adjuster’s authority to settle claims on their own is restricted on how much experience they have. For a less experienced adjuster, perhaps $5,000 to $10,000, but for a more experienced adjuster, their settlement authority may go as high as $20,000. When bigger bucks are involved they usually have to be given permission to settle the case from their immediate supervisor.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Don’t let a sweet talking insurance adjuster manipulate you into feeling good about your relationship with him and the eventual outcome of your claim. In the vast majority of instances that’s not the way you should play the game because if provided with the opportunity, they’ll almost always take advantage of you. That’s a fact of life. Know and understand that they’re only doing their job. Their assignment is to save money for the company who signs their paychecks – - no matter what it takes.
If you have a legitimate claim stay cool and understand what you’re up against. Don’t be impossible to deal with, but remain steady. Remember that the adjuster wants to look good to his company. He doesn’t want your claim to end up in court, plus he wants to reduce his caseload. Be patient. At the end of the day, after the dust has settled, he’ll be forced to do the right thing.
DISCLAIMER: The only purpose of this claim tip is to help people understand the motor vehicle accident claim process. Neither Dan Baldyga nor (name of magazine/newsletter and/or web site) make any guarantee of any kind whatsoever; NOR to substitute for a lawyer, an insurance adjuster, or claims consultant, or the like. Where such professional help is desired it is the INDIVIDUAL’S RESPONSIBILITY to obtain said services.
Dan Baldyga’s latest book AUTO ACCIDENT PERSONAL INJURY INSURANCE CLAIM (How To Evaluate And Settle Your Loss) can be found on the internet at his web site http://www.autoaccidentclaims.com or visit your favoite bookstore.
Copyright (c) 2002 Daniel G. Baldyga. All rights reserved.
Dan Baldyga