Insurance World

Auto insurance rates are composed of dozens of different variables and while that may add to your confusion, it also allows many chances to find lower rates. By following the tips below you will be able to better tailor your policy to your needs while also saving as much on your premiums as possible.

Increase your deductibles: You can choose to increase your comprehensive and collision deductibles. Many policies are issued with a standard $250 or $500 deductible on these physical damage components. Calculate the savings you will have if you raise these deductibles to $1000. If raising your deductible saves you $125 every 6 months, it would take you two years for you to break even in the event of a claim. Determine if this is an acceptable risk to you.

Get older or get married: Most car insurance policies offer lower rates to older drivers. It’s simply a matter of time before your reach 18, 21, or 25 years old and become eligible for these discounts. You can also get married. Married customers can combine their 2 policies into one to save money and married couples are usually offered a lower rate due to their decreased risk of accidents.

Take defensive driving classes: AARP, AAA and other agencies offer defensive driving classes. Check with your insurance company and see if they offer an additional discount for completing a defensive driving class. Even if they do not, the knowledge you gain from attending the class can be an invaluable asset to your driving ability.

Make sure your distance to work is accurate: If you change your job, work from home, or retire, make sure you notify your insurance company. Your rate is calculated partly on the number of miles you drive to work each day and if you are improperly classified you may be paying more money than necessary.

Shop online for your insurance: Online insurance companies offer some of the most competitive rates available today. Shopping online is easy and allows you access to a large number of companies competing for your business. By spending 10 minutes online you may be able to save $100 - $500 a year or more on your car insurance. You can find out how much you can save online by clicking the link below and getting your free quote today.

Please note that this description/explanation is intended only as a guideline. Contact your licensed agent for more information.

Purchasing a family dental insurance plan provides you and your family two important benefits:

• Better oral health for the entire family as most plans pay 100% of the preventive service fees such as cleaning every six months. This encourages the family to visit the dentist for regular check ups and cleaning treatments. Prevention is half the battle!

• Generate more savings because the dental insurance company pays a certain percentage of dental services for minor and major procedures.

Here are six questions to guide you in the selection of the right dental insurance plan for you and your family.

1. Does the plan allow you to pick your own dentist?
Some dental insurance carriers give you bigger discounted rates provided you use their network of dentists. If your favorite dentist is not part of the network, the dental insurance plan may not cover the treatment. You should consider paying extra for a plan, which allows you and your family to go to your preferred dentist.

2. Are there restrictions when it comes to choosing the best treatment options? Some insurance plans put a cap on the number of treatments or limit the amount paid for a condition. If you or your family has a history of poor dental health care, then you should choose a plan that has few restrictions on this aspect.

3. What is does the plan cover? An ideal dental insurance plan allows for one cleaning treatment every six months, with X-ray and fluoride treatments that come at little or no cost for each member. For the major procedures, some dental plans require you to pay 50 percent of the entire bill. If your family has a history of good dental health care, then you may want to negotiate for lesser coverage when it comes to the major procedures.

4. Which family members are covered by the family insurance plan? Most dental insurance carriers cover the spouse and dependent children, from birth through 18. Some exceptions are given for children up to the ages of 22 if the child is a full time student, and dependent on the principal for support.

5. Is there built in flexibility in scheduling dental appointments? Some inexpensive dental insurance plans limit when you can come in for dental treatment. Check to ensure that these scheduled appointments do not inconvenience you or your family.

6. How much savings does this plan generate? Whether you and your spouse decide to purchase a family dental insurance plan, or avail of your employers’ sponsored plan – you will still be able to generate savings, for you are not paying for the entire procedure.