Insurance World

After so many experts have warned us that the cost of car insurance is on the rise, what’s happened? It’s fallen! It’s mostly down to the growing impact of shopping online.

In the second half of 2005 the average car insurance premium fell from Ј470.17 to Ј462.15. But it’s the silver surfers who’ve benefited most. During the last six months of last year, drivers over the age of 65 have seen their average premium fall by 4.5% from Ј342 to Ј347. What is most surprising are the huge differences in premiums between providers. Differences of 40% between the most expensive and the cheapest are common.

It seems that most motorists are not aware of this as every year, half of them automatically renew their insurance with their existing insurer. A further 19% only bother to get one competitive quotation.

And readers will be surprised who sells the expensive policies. A recent survey in “Which”, the consumer magazine, shows that Norwich Union - the UK’s biggest insurer - failed to come top in any of the 36 driver categories surveyed. Direct Line, another well-known name, only managed one top spot.

This is down to the marketing strategies of the big brand names. They have been building up their client base with low prices and heavy advertising and then gradually increase prices. They are clearly relying on apathy and brand loyalty to keep their clients. And with 50% automatically renewing, it works!

But if you decide to shop around, be careful. A low price isn’t everything. Some policies have mouth-wateringly low prices but skimp elsewhere.

For example, when your car is being repaired, do you want a courtesy car? Some policies only pay Ј100 or so for stolen audio equipment. Is that enough? Do you want to insure your personal belongings whilst they’re in your car? And crucially, some comprehensive policies won’t provide third party cover if you to drive another person’s car - even with their permission!

Before you decide, it’s wise to consider all these aspects.

But going back to price, if you think prices are cheapest on the Internet, you’re right! Internet quotations are normally 5% - 10% cheaper than telephone quotes.

When Internet shopping, most people look for the cheapest quote and then read the details about the cheapest policy to check out that they provide the cover that’s needed. You can hunt for the best deals by searching under “car insurance” but some of the discount insurance sites are more easily found if you type in “discount car insurance” or “cheap car insurance”.

But please remember, when renewal time comes around go shopping again. Don’t automatically renew! It’s so easy on the Internet as I found this year. My previous insurer quoted me Ј945 and I eventually bought it for Ј702. A saving of Ј243 for 30 minutes work.

Healthcare costs have risen dramatically over the course of the past two decades. Indeed, in different parts of the world, concern over potential healthcare and medical costs is the biggest worry of a significant segment of the population. You may be one of those people who carry the burden of worrying about how you will pay for medical bills and healthcare costs that you might face in the future. As a result, you may be interested in identifying reliable health insurance. In this regard, the Internet and World Wide Web can be useful tool in your personal hunt for health insurance.

As you begin your search for reliable health insurance on the Internet and World Wide Web, your first stopping point should be one or another of the independent insurance reference and information websites that are maintained on the Net. There are a variety of different websites that have been established by different associations and organizations that provide independent evaluations of different types of insurance products, including health insurance policies.

In addition to spending time evaluating the information provided at websites operated by independent organizations and associations on the Net, you will also want to pay a visit to the Internet venue maintained by the Commissioner of Insurance in your home state. Each and every Insurance Commissioner in the United States operates a consumer assistance division within his or her office. These divisions are established to assist consumer in better understanding the different types of insurance products that are available in any given state. (The availability of insurance policies and products differs from state to state.) Through these Internet websites, a consumer such as yourself can order useful handbooks and other materials that can assist you in locating valuable health insurance and in selecting the health insurance coverage that best meets your needs.

After you have spent some time online amassing some independently prepared information about various insurance products and health insurance, you will be in a position to turn your attention to examining what is available from specific insurance companies. Every major insurance company in the United States — and in many other locations around the globe — maintain Internet websites that provide detailed information about their products and services.

Naturally, you do need to keep in mind that the whole purpose behind an insurance company website is to induce you to purchase that company’s products and services. (That is the reason why it is important to arm yourself with independently prepared information and unbiased health insurance in advance of visiting these insurance industry created websites.)

By accessing individual insurance company websites, you can identify specific health insurance on an insurer by insurer basis. By taking the specific information that you will be able to glean from websites hosted by insurance companies, together with the independent evaluations and information that you have obtained from independent associations and organizations and from the Insurance Commissioner’s staff, you will be able to make very intelligent insurance purchasing decisions.