Insurance World

Due to the large number of vehicles plying on the roads, traffic accidents have become a common phenomenon these days. According to statistics a traffic accident occurs every 3 seconds in the United States. Other than following traffic rules, one can do not much about the traffic accidents. However one can reduce the financial risk associated with a traffic accident by obtaining a vehicle insurance.

Vehicle insurance provides insurance cover for costs incurred by the insured due to accidents. It is mandatory by law for all vehicle owners to have a vehicle insurance.

Driving a car without insurance is a punishable offence. The individual is liable to be fined and/or license and registration revoked and/or sentenced to jail. Hence it is very important to get a vehicle insurance both for financial and physical security. There are differences in vehicle insurance and the corresponding terms are explained below.

Premium is the amount you pay to the insurance company for providing the insurance cover. The premium depends upon factors like, model and age of vehicle, your age, gender, usage, policy etc. The vehicle insurance company bears the cost due to the accident like vehicle damage, property damage etc.

Coverage is provided to three parties under vehicle insurance namely the insurer, the vehicle and third party. Third party means a party involved in the accident, for instance if you have an accident with another vehicle, that vehicle and its driver are the third party. There are different types of policies depending upon the type of coverage and are explained in the subsequent paragraphs.

Comprehensive coverage provides coverage for costs due to damage by any process such as vandalism, weather, animals, theft etc.

Usually the vehicle becomes unusable after accident. The insurance company pays the expenses incurred for towing and other roadside assistance under towing insurance coverage.

After an accident you may have to rent a vehicle till the insurance company pays you for the vehicle damage or replaces your vehicle. The rental cost will be borne by the insurance company under rental coverage.

During accident if you damage somebodyґs property or his vehicle, the costs incurred such as repair/replacement of third party vehicle, medical costs of third party etc will be borne by the insurance company under liability insurance coverage. If somebody else is driving your car then he is also covered under your insurance. However if you are driving someone elseґs car then you will be covered by that vehicleґs insurance and not your vehicleґs insurance. However a non-owners insurance policy provides that flexibility also.

If the third party is at fault in the accident then his insurance has to bear the cost. However if the third party is under insured and is not in a position to pay the costs, then your own insurance will bear the expenses if you have under insured coverage.

Home owners insurance policies are designed to protect your house and personal property against losses from the perils listed in your policy.

Home owners insurance rates vary widely based on your geographic location. Areas prone to hurricanes, floods, hail, earthquakes, fires and other natural disasters will generally have higher rates. Even the distance to the nearest fire department or fire hydrant can have an impact on your home owners insurance rates.

Knowing Your Policy Is VERY Important
Coverage for Property and Possessions

Liability Coverage

Theft Off Premises

Additional Living Expenses

What Can a Homeowner Do To Be Prepared?

What Can a Homeowner Do To Save Money?
Coverage for Property and Possessions

Damage to the dwelling and the contents could be the biggest unexpected disaster awaiting a homeowner who has less coverage than needed. Most policies provide a stated maximum amount of coverage for the dwelling and another amount for contents.

Generally, dwelling coverage is based on replacement cost, which means that in the event of a total loss, the policy will provide reimbursement, up to the policy limit, to replace the structure. Ideally, a homeowner should buy enough insurance to completely rebuild the home, known as replacement value. This figure may not be the home’s actual market value or what the owner originally paid for the home. This is especially true in a depressed or an inflated market or if the home is simply not replaceable to its condition prior to the loss. Replacement cost policies, which may pay over the policy limit to rebuild the home, may be available from your insurer.

To determine how much insurance to purchase, an accurate appraisal of the home for replacement cost should be made. Working with your insurance company is important in this process. Most insurers recommend or require that a homeowner insure the dwelling for 100 percent of its full replacement value. Some homes, very unique ones such as national register-types or very elaborate ones, cannot be insured for exact replacement since some features are not replaceable in either workmanship, materials or practical costs. The insurer and/or the agent is the best source for these issues.

Coverage for personal property is different. Most policies provide actual cash value coverage for contents which includes depreciation, or full value contents without depreciation. Actual cash value means that if a power surge blows out a 10-year-old television set, the homeowner should know what to expect. Unlike full value contents coverage, which would essentially provide a new television set, actual cash value coverage allows the insurance company to calculate the useful life of the item and then depreciate the item to present value. A depreciated 10-year-old television set would be insured for only a fraction of its original cost. A homeowner may want to consider replacement cost coverage to be sure that the contents are adequately insured.

In addition to making sure that contents are covered for replacement cost rather than actual cash value, homeowners should purchase additional coverage for items that would ordinarily be subject to loss limitations. Virtually all policies cover contents loss up to the policy limit for items that include furniture, clothing, toys, accessories such as lamps and other items which are used for decor. Explicit limitations are set in the policy for high-cost items such as jewelry, fine art, furs, electronics, collectibles, oriental rugs and antiques. If a thief comes in and steals a two-carat engagement ring, it will not be covered well enough without what is commonly known as a personal property rider to cover specific, costly items. For more information on home owners insurance visit our specialist site below.