What is the most important thing in life? It is, of course, health. What we eat and where we step foot can cause incurable illnesses, not to forget the fatal car accidents we hear about everyday. It is therefore no surprise that we spend a major part of our income on medical expenses. Sometimes it becomes a burden because the bills cannot be paid with what one earns. One, therefore, needs to plan for these expenses. No matter how careful you are you will in one way or another fall sick. It is therefore, prudent or wise that you prepare for such expenses in advance.

Many people are of the opinion that health insurance is unaffordable. That is where they are way out of line. They can get affordable health insurance if they look around for it. If you pick and choose the most affordable health insurance, you will be saving tons of money and avoiding the possibility of going into debt and bankruptcy.

The most effective health insurance plans should cover the medical needs of each individual. The plan should be cheap and affordable without compromising on coverage. The premium amount should be low and suitable to a family budget. The terms and conditions of the health insurance plans should be clear and specific. There shouldn’t be any hidden rate or norms. If there is so then it may lead the unsatisfied customers to drop from the medical insurance plans at any time. The purpose of taking the health insurance plans will be of no use for the customers and the insurance firms will also loss a good business.

The most effective health insurance plans should cover all the expenses incurred in the hospitalization and on medical treatment. Moreover the health insurance plans should cover family members and the individual against any kind of financial constraints that are arising from medical treatment and emergencies. If a health insurance policy holder is suddenly hospitalized, becomes ill, meets with accident, then the existing health insurance plan should generally take care of all the expenses on ambulance, blood, medicines, oxygen, hospital room, various medical tests, treatment expenses and almost all other costs that are incurred.

The most effective medical insurance plans should make the policy holder ensures that if he regularly pays the prescribed amount of health insurance premium monthly or quarterly or half yearly or annually depending on the policy holder’s age, then the insurance firm will allow him to certain limit of medical expenses. Therefore the policy holder needn’t spend his own pocket and keep the saving safe. A common man should understand that medical emergencies under any circumstance cannot be neglected or postponed. It is to be noted that an unforeseen expense becomes really inevitable in some situation if medical insurance plan has not been availed by a person.

Since pregnancy is considered to be one of the most complex stages in womanhood, each woman who is under this stage is advised to purchase a health insurance. There are actually a lot of things that can go wrong during the period of pregnancy. The health of the expectant mother and her baby can be put at risk if the right medical services are not sought. Because of this, a health insurance should be around to prepare pregnant women for the unexpected. It is also advisable for them to receive checkups periodically in order for them to have a guarantee that the pregnancy is properly progressing, thereby immediately detecting problems with the unborn child, if ever there are any. With a good coverage around, they do not need to worry about the amount that they need to spend for all of these.

The good thing about pregnancy health insurance is that anyone can purchase it at the planning stage for pregnancy. One can even purchase it during that period when she is already expecting. If you are thinking of buying a pregnancy health insurance, then you have to bear in mind that there are a lot of insurance providers out there that offer customized packages so you need not worry about finding that which will suit your needs. Once you have chosen the perfect coverage for you, you will no longer be extremely burdened about all the medical expenses linked to pregnancy and childbirth.

If you want to save a substantial amount from purchasing the health insurance, then it is advisable for you to obtain it before you ever become pregnant. The monthly premiums for this are known to be lower when compared to those that are obtained by already pregnant women. It is also important for you to take note of the fact that there are insurance providers out there that view pregnancy as a preexisting condition. This makes them ask for higher premiums for maternity coverage. If you can afford the pregnancy health insurance, then you should make it a point to purchase one. This will allow you to enjoy financial protection while waiting for your baby to come out.

Pregnancy is indeed a complex and sensitive stage. Aside from the health risks that are linked to it, you may also incur a lot of expenses including fees for regular check-ups, ultrasound, healthcare products, obstetrician’s consultation service, surgical fee, hospital admission and delivery costs. If you do not want to be burdened financially, then a pregnancy health insurance is perfect for you. Just make sure that you pick the best one out of the many pregnancy health insurance policies that are offered by different insurance providers.

If you are in search of low cost health insurance for pregnant women, then you should consider trying out the many federally funded programs that offer healthcare coverage for people with low income. Medicaid is one of them and this allows you to enroll in a plan even if you are already pregnant. Another good program is the CHIP. There are states that offer specialized programs for healthcare and you have to determine if your state offers one.

It is also advisable for you to familiarize yourself about each of your best choices. Shop around for the best health insurance coverage for pregnant women by visiting the internet so you can start gathering relevant information from reliable sources online. All it takes is for you to search online the leading and the most reputable health insurance companies at present and try to deal with their agents. Make sure that you get quotes from them so you can easily compare their prices and the kind of pregnancy health insurance policies that they offer. This will allow you to pick the most ideal policy for you.

Insure4USA.com, a leading online insurance service recently published the list of most expensive vehicles to insure in 2011. According to the traffic rules of the state, all the motorized vehicles are categorized into private or public use. These motorized vehicles are driven on national highways, state highways and city roads. All the motorized vehicles must be properly insured in accordance with rules and regulation of the state. If this national law is violated by the driver and vehicle owner then penalty are charged in the form of heft fines or imprisonment. The driver and vehicle owner should be aware of the latest amendments related to the traffic rules and regulations. If there is any violation done, than any claim under the present insurance plan becomes void.

The latest survey by Insure4USA.com reveals the German auto manufacturer Mercedes-Benz at the top of the list. The world famous auto giant is one of the oldest manufacturers of automobiles, trucks, coaches and buses. The next place is occupied by GT sports car made by Aston Martin. Moreover Aston Martin’s DB9 Volante was featured in television shows such as “Desperate Housewives” and “Entourage.” This car has six-speed manual transmission and also available in automatic.

Insure4USA.com survey also indicates that the Porsche 911 Carrera GT2 is next in line amongst the most expensive cars to insure. The chart also mentions that Mercedes-Benz CL600, Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG and Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG models are holding top position. BMW also has a special and favorite position among the luxury car, mainly because it has a classy design and extraordinary comfortable interior. Even the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series has special place among the customers. It is to be noted that the fifth position is held by the Italian sports car manufacturer Pagani. Strong at number four is British auto manufacturer named Bentley auto mobile. The third position is held by Rolls-Royce. The sexiest car on the market is Lamborghini.

Insure4USA.com values and respects each and every car that hits the open market in the form of new arrival. It also pays attention to the existing brand in the open market. The datas collected from customers, insurance providers and motorized vehicles manufacturers are taken into consideration in preparing the most expensive vehicles that were insured in 2011. Whether you own one of these most expensive cars or a lower end model, it is prudent to purchase the best auto insurance policy to protect your finances.

See Insure4USA.com full article http://www.insure4usa.com/most-expensive-cars-to-insure.html

Hard economic times mean that more and more people are finding it harder to maintain auto insurance coverage on their vehicles. Apart from exposing them to crippling financial losses if they are ever involved in an accident, uninsured motorists may also face fines and jail time if they are ever stopped and cannot produce proof that they are insured. Fortunately, there are a number of simple methods that you can use to make car insurance premiums more affordable.

1.    Decide which types of coverage you must have and which you can forgo. Of course, you have to obey your state’s minimum car insurance coverage requirements, but once you get past that you have a lot of leeway in deciding which coverage features to keep. For example, if you already have health insurance through your employer, you don’t need to have personal injury protection coverage.

2.    Take defensive driving classes. One of the major factors that insurance companies take into account when deciding what premiums to charge is the driver’s level of experience. This is why young drivers are generally imposed higher premiums compared with older ones, since their lower levels of experience make them more likely to get into an accident. Taking a class in safe driving can cancel out this factor and make it more likely that the insurer will charge you less.

3.    Avoid making a lot of claims for small items. If you were involved in a minor accident that resulted in your fender being dented, pay for it yourself. When you make several claims on your policy, the insurer will charge you a higher rate when you renew. Make claims only when significant damage is involved.

4.    Accept a higher deductible if you can afford it since this will mean lower monthly premiums. However, you should also keep in mind that this is risky, since it means that you will pay more of the damages out-of-pocket if you’re ever involved in an accident. But if you have a buffer fund that can cover the deductible, you can save a substantial amount on your premiums.

5.    Buy several types of insurance from one provider. Many insurance companies offer bundled options in which you can get a discount by purchasing both your car and homeowner’s insurance from them. You can also get discounts by insuring several cars under one policy.

6.    Buy less coverage on older cars. It makes no financial sense to maintain high levels of coverage on cars that are several years old, since their depreciated values mean that you will be able to claim less from the insurance company if they are in an accident.

7.    Maintain a good credit history. Most insurers keep track of the credit records of those who buy insurance from them, and use this as one of the factors in deciding the amount of premiums to charge them. By preserving a high credit score, you are adding a positive factor to your profile that could lead the insurance company to give you lower rates when it comes time for you to renew your policy.

8.    Become a member of a credit union or other professional organization. Many of these organizations may offer more affordable group rates for auto insurance to their members which are substantially less than what you would pay by taking out an individual policy.

9.    Explore other discounts that you may qualify for. For instance, if you mainly use your car to travel to and from your office, you may be eligible for low mileage discounts. If you install anti-theft devices on your car, your insurer may also offer you a discount since you are lowering the risk your vehicle will be stolen.

10.    Shop around for quotes. Comparison shopping is a tried and true method for saving money by finding the best deals. Visit online insurance sites that will provide you with quotes from several providers. Or you can discuss your coverage options with a reputable insurance agent.

Senior citizens ought to know they have a choice of car insurance as long as they take a few necessary precautions. One of the leading online insurance services, Insure4USA, recently released an article titled “How to Purchase Car Insurance for The Elderly” which offers plenty of advice for seniors to reduce their insurance bills. According to the firm, recent research indicates that plenty of accidents involving motorists over 75 are a major cause for deaths and injuries as compared to other age groups. Therefore, it is important for them to consider several factors prior to purchasing car insurance.

David, spokesperson for Insure4USA.com says, “The major factor is that premiums are based on the insurance provider’s past experience with drivers over 75 and their type of vehicle, which is one reason why you may find a variation in rates between providers. Age is considered a risk factor where those over 70 attract a higher collision rate that is comparable to a new driver. It is important to understand that loyalty doesn’t hold much ground in these cases so you need to look at several areas that ensure safety of the driver and other people on the road.”

The article lays emphasis on the fact that the a decline in the physical and mental capabilities of senior motorists over 70 is something that cannot be prevented even if they follow all the safety rules. Therefore, it is important for younger family members to evaluate senior motorists in their family over the age of 65. David says, “One of the first things to monitor is response time, which is crucial when you need to step on the brakes when driving. A slower response time indicates that there could be problems while driving, so keep tabs on this issue very closely. If a senior member is under medication then make sure the drugs aren’t the type that cause drowsiness. Regular checks for vision and hearing are essential, so don’t hesitate to discuss these things with seniors in your home.”

Senior motorists in fit condition are eligible for discounts on car insurance of up to 10% depending on the insurance provider. In addition, members of the American Association of Retired Persons are also entitled to discounts on several car insurance products. Seeking the advice of a car insurance agent can help. In addition, senior drivers can also benefit with additional defensive driving lessons for a better deal on their insurance premiums.

See Insure4USA.com full article http://www.insure4usa.com/car-insurance-for-elderly-drivers.html

One of the worst scenarios motorists can face is confiscation of their driving license due to traffic violations. With almost every US state monitoring traffic violations with a point system the danger of gathering points which leads to suspension of a license is always imminent. In a recent article released by Insure4USA.com, one of the leading online insurance services in the country, the firm discusses ways that motorists can reduce points for traffic offenses and restore a better driving. However, this is does not affect penalties already levied.

According to David, spokesman for Insure4USA.com, it is important to opt for a traffic safety course. Many states offer a reduction in points for the successful completion of a course since motorists are likely to drive more safely after enrolling in a program. David says, “This is a great way not only to reduce points but lower insurance rates as well. Once you are considered less risk by the insurance provider, motorists are likely to benefit with lower premiums. Each state has its own programs and sets of rules, but this is the way to go if you are really serious about saving money on insurance bills.”

Other issues highlighted in the article include the importance of contesting any wrongful charges in the traffic court. For motorists who have been wrongfully charged with a particular violation, they can have points removed if the court finds sufficient grounds to support their claim. Each state has its own set of rules with reference to penalty points. For example, New York residents can apply for the Point and Insurance Reduction Program (PIRP), a special course in driving techniques which are conducted in traditional classrooms and online as well. One completion of the program motorists may be eligible for as much as a four-point reduction on their driving record along with a 10% discount on the base rate of car insurance premiums for three years.

The article also highlights the rules and regulations for the point system in Pennsylvania, Utah, California, and other states. David says, “The main issue here is reduce points and go back to maintaining a clean driving record. That is all it takes to have three points removed for twelve consecutive months of safe driving in a state like Pennsylvania. All it takes is a bit of effort to remain a responsible driver to save hundreds of dollars on your insurance bill. After all, these rules are always in the interest of motorists.”

See Insure4USA.com full article http://www.insure4usa.com/how-to-get-points-removed-from-your-drivers-license.html

About Insure4USA.com

Insure4USA.com is an online marketplace that allows consumers compare insurance quotes for any types. Insure4USA.com is a one-stop resource of information on insurance. Source: http://www.insure4usa.com

(PRNewswire) – Summer is here which means teens are pouring out of the classroom and into their cars.  And a new study by Liberty Mutual Insurance and SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) gives parents reason to pause before they hand over the keys to their newly freed young driver.  The 2011 Liberty Mutual/SADD teen driving study reveals an alarmingly high number of young drivers who have had “near misses” while driving and some insight into what may be chief contributors to those events, despite what the teens think.  According to the study, 68 percent of teens admit to have narrowly avoided a crash – with more than half of those (56 percent) reporting multiple instances – yet young drivers are more apt to blame external causes such as other drivers or the weather rather than owning up to any personal responsibility in the near-miss.

In the national study of 2,294 high school students, one in three drivers (34 percent) who say they have had a “near miss” point the finger at another driver, while 21 percent say the weather was the primary cause.  Yet when asked what they were doing in the car at the time of the incident, teens admitted to a rash of distractive or dangerous behaviors:

• Speeding: 30 percent
• Texting while driving: 21 percent
• Talking to passengers: 20 percent
• Changing songs on their MP3 player: 17 percent

Ironically, only 9 percent of teens believed excessive speed was the primary contributor, 13 percent said texting while driving was to blame, and 6 percent said their own passengers distracted them.

Further, teens who admit to have narrowly avoided a crash are far more likely than teens who have never had a near miss to report regularly (“often” or “very often”) engaging in dangerous or distracted driving behaviors:

Despite all this, 92 percent of teens consider themselves to be safe and cautious drivers.

“The high prevalence of distracted and dangerous driving continues to be a concern, especially as we head into the summer months when the highest number of driving fatalities occurs,” said SADD Chairman Stephen Wallace.  “We know from past Liberty Mutual/SADD research that teens are behind the wheel 44 percent more hours each week in the summer (23.6 hours) than during the rest of the year (16.4 hours), adding some urgency for parents and teens to sit down and review their family rules of the road.”

According to the survey, teens don’t necessarily share the concern.  The Fourth of July aside, only 7 percent consider summer driving to come with a high degree of danger, yet it is the most popular time of year for teens to say they have driven under the influence of drugs or alcohol (12 percent).  Teens are far more likely to say July 4th is a dangerous time to drive (29 percent), yet 8 percent admit to driving under the influence on Independence Day.

Change in Behavior?

Close calls cause the majority of teens who have had near misses (55 percent) to change their driving behaviors, albeit temporarily.  In fact, less than half of them (42 percent) say their renewed commitment to more responsible driving was short-lived (a month or less).  Improvements in driving habits most often were reported in the form of paying more attention to other drivers (44 percent); while only 26 percent of teens who have had a near miss say the incident caused them to text less and 13 percent say it led to less speeding.

It takes actually getting in a crash (reported by 22 percent of teens) to result in significant changes in driving habits.  Nearly 70 percent of teen drivers who have been in a collision say the experience changed their driving habits, with the majority of them (58 percent) saying those improvements are “forever.”

“The crashes – too often with tragic results – naturally draw our attention and concern, but it’s those brushes with danger that are even more prevalent that should serve as a wake-up call to any driver,” said Dave Melton, a driving safety expert with Liberty Mutual and managing director of global safety.  “We don’t want to wait for the crash to happen before we subscribe to safe driving practices; parents and teens can unite now on a commitment to responsibility behind the wheel.”

Helpful Tools and Resources to Navigate the Early Driving Years

Helpful tools and resources can be found at www.LibertyMutual.com/TeenDriving, including previous Liberty Mutual/SADD study findings as well as a Parent/Teen Driving Contract to guide families in the discussion about responsible driving habits and to help customize consequences and rewards for behaviors such as cell phone use, text messaging, speeding, seat belts, alcohol and other drug use, and curfews.  The website also provides state-by-state teen driving laws, practice permit tests, and video demonstrations of safe driving techniques.  Other important safety information can be found at www.sadd.org.

Liberty Mutual’s ongoing campaign to promote safe, responsible driving was recently lauded by Ace Metrix, an authority in television advertising effectiveness.  Ace Metrix’s industry study on auto insurance ads, released in March, found Liberty Mutual’s anti-texting while driving ad featuring Oprah Winfrey to be the most effective of 136 insurance ads over the past year, based on the Ace Score measurement of reaction by randomly selected viewers across the U.S.

About the Study

Liberty Mutual and SADD commissioned ORC International, an InfoGroup Company, to conduct a qualitative and quantitative study to measure teen driving attitudes and behaviors.  The study was initiated with a series of four focus groups held in Harrisburg, Pa., and San Francisco, Calif., in October 2010, followed by a survey of 2,294 teens in eleventh and twelfth grades from 28 recruited high schools across the country in January 2011.  Overall findings for the study can be interpreted with a 95 percent confidence interval with an error margin of +/- 2.02 percent.

About Liberty Mutual Insurance

“Helping people live safer, more secure lives” since 1912, Boston-based Liberty Mutual Group is a diversified global insurer and third largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. based on A.M. Best Company’s report of 2010 net written premium. The Group also ranks 82nd on the Fortune 100 list of largest corporations in the U.S. based on 2010 revenue. As of December 31, 2010, Liberty Mutual Group had $112.4 billion in consolidated assets, $95.4 billion in consolidated liabilities, and $33.2 billion in annual consolidated revenue.

Liberty Mutual Group offers a wide range of insurance products and services, including personal automobile, homeowners, workers compensation, property, commercial automobile, general liability, global specialty, group disability, reinsurance and surety. Liberty Mutual Group (www.libertymutualgroup.com) employs over 45,000 people in more than 900 offices throughout the world.

About SADD

SADD, the nation’s leading peer-to-peer youth education, prevention, and activism organization, is committed to empowering young people to lead initiatives in their schools and communities. Founded in 1981, today SADD has thousands of chapters in middle schools, high schools, and colleges. SADD highlights prevention of many destructive behaviors and attitudes that are harmful to young people, including underage drinking, other drug use, risky and impaired driving, and teen violence and suicide. To become a Friend of SADD or for more information, visit sadd.org, parentteenmatters.org or follow SADD on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Home insurance is something that no homeowner can afford to escape. For the most part, it ought to be considered as an investment. Besides, there are several ways to save money on home insurance. One mistake that people make is to lower the amount of insurance just because the market value of their home has declined over a few years. Cutting on insurance can only lead to further complications and insufficient coverage in the event of a disaster.

One way to save on home insurance is to increase your deductible. This could lower your premium significantly. For example, an increase from $500 to $1000 could save you as much as 25% on your premium. Moreover, you won’t end up filing for small claims that can hurt your chances of a claims-free bonus.

Most of us tend to clutter our garage without unnecessary items including those that are potential fire hazards like unused logs of wood, fuel, and more. It is important to ensure that your garage is clear of anything that can cause a disaster so that the insurance inspector is convinced that your home is safe and not a potential risk to the insurance company. Insurance is a business like any other, therefore, insurance providers look for ways and means to maintain their profits and prefer low risk customers. Installing a fire and burglar alarm and a sprinkler system will also help reduce your home insurance bill. Although this may cost you a bit in the beginning, it will add up to a significant amount of savings in the long run.

It would be wise to insure you home with the same provider you deal with for other matters such as auto and health insurance. Many carriers offer discounts of as much as 15% on multiple policies. In addition, it is possible that the company may offer a further discount for being a loyal customer. Competition is tough in the insurance industry and providers always look for ways to retain their customers and carve a niche for themselves in the industry.

One of the best ways to ensure savings on your home insurance policy is to review your policy limits regularly. Some values depreciate, so you no longer need to pay a higher premium on items that depreciate. Check the value of your possessions and see if any reductions are possible on their premium. This could include high-tech equipment and jewelry as well.

It is also prudent to ascertain the insurability of your home regularly. Factors that affect insurability are the age, condition of wiring and plumbing, the type of construction material used, proximity to a fire station, and more. This is what the home insurance provider will look at before determining your premium. In addition, always evaluate the worth of your home so that you do not over-insure or even under-insure and then lose out on insurance either way.

Another way to save money is to choose the appropriate policy options. Shopping online for home insurance quotes will also help you compare and find the best possible price from the top insurance providers without compromising on coverage.

The drivers in US are questioning on the importance of the proof of insurance today. They are trying to find the solution of their queries and want to know about the use of the proof of auto insurance. Why they need it and how they should obtain it? How much it is beneficial if one gets a proof of auto insurance? Is it necessary to obtain a proof of insurance if they are driving in US? These are their basic question they want to know about. Insure4USA.com an independent online insurance service provider in US now tries to solve their queries and explains them the exact importance of proof of insurance.

The website Insure4USA.com clears all their doubts and says “Yes, obtaining a proof of insurance is absolutely necessary and mandatory by law. It is a financial responsibility which every driver in US must face.” In each state of United States, currently there is a strict law one has to have an insurance policy. If in any incident, they get pulled over, get in any accident or get a violation, they need a proof that they have an insurance of their vehicle.

The proof of insurance is actually a record which specifies how they have met requirements of their state for the auto insurance. Although there are separate requirements for each state but usually all the states need that the drivers of the particular state must show the proof of their financial responsibility. The drivers in US, who own their vehicles, must cover their liabilities with the policy of auto insurance. The proof of insurance will be a card provided by an insurance company as they sign up for the coverage.

Insure4USA.com also explains further the circumstances in which the drivers will need a proof of auto insurance. In several instances a proof of insurance is very much required. These cases are as follows:

– If one leased or financed a vehicle and needs to present the proof of physical damage to vehicle to the leasing or finance company.

– When a driver is asked about the proof of financial responsibilities by the authorities.

– When one needs to show the proof that he/she meets the requirements of the state law to DMV for registering the vehicle.

– When a driver is involved in an accident and needs to exchange the policy information.

To learn more about auto insurance, readers can go to http://www.insure4usa.com/proof-of-auto-insurance.html where they will find resource page and easy-to-use quote comparison tool that can help consumers compare car insurance quotes from multiple providers.

One of the main things to look for when renting a home is renters insurance. Your landlord is most likely to have insured his building, while the onus is on you to insure your possessions with a suitable home renters insurance policy. If you think of it as an unnecessary expense you ought to think again. In the long run, this type of insurance policy can save you from financial ruin in the event of a disaster.

One of the main reasons you ought to purchase home renters insurance is to protect your home from liabilities. There could be many instances where insurance could save your day. If there is any water seepage from your home to the residence below, it will cover the cost of repairs for any damage to the other residence. If a visitor slips and falls while in your home it will also cover the cost of treatment for any injuries or cover the cost up to your liability limit in case the person chooses to sue you in court and wins.

There may occur a time when you are forced to stay away from your home due to repairs. During this period renters insurance will cover the expenses that you may need to incur. You need to check with your provider for the extent of coverage which is usually around 30 – 40 percent of the policy value.

Thefts and vandalism can occur at any time, but with the right renters insurance you can cover the costs and prevent any financial damages. Premiums are usually based on how secure your home is, and the location where you live. Any safety and security equipment installed will attract a lower premium, while you continue to reap the benefits of renters insurance.

There is no denying the fact that natural disasters can cause havoc and financial ruin to any family without proper insurance. Strong winds, lightening, floods, fires, and volcanic eruptions just a handful of disasters that are always looming depending on the area you live in. It is essential to be prepared for such disasters with adequate renters home insurance.

Never make the mistake of using your landlord’s insurance as an excuse not to purchase renters insurance. Your landlord’s insurance covers only structural damage and often won’t even cover that. Therefore, you need to make sure you are well covered with renters insurance. Besides, a few dollars a month won’t hurt so much when you can reap the benefits and remain financially secure in the event of a disaster.