Quality Claims a Sponsor at Lipton Cup Challenge

Quality Claims is a proud sponsor of the 98^th annual Lipton Cup Challenge.  Hosted by the San Diego Yacht Club (SDYC), the Lipton Cup regatta has been notorious for being a prestigious event for sailors in southern California.  Catch a glimpse of the Quality sail this weekend at the San Diego Bay.  For more information, visit:  http://sdyc.org/

Governor Cuomo Announces Homeowners Will Not Have to Pay Hurricane Deductibles

 

 

Governor Cuomo Announces Homeowners Will Not Have to Pay Hurricane Deductibles

Department of Financial Services Working Closely with Insurers to Speed Response to Homeowners Who Experienced Losses

New Yorkers Can Call DFS Disaster Hotline for Help

Albany, NY (October 31, 2012)

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that New York homeowners will not have to pay potentially large hurricane deductibles on insurance claims stemming from damage caused by Monday’s storm.

The New York State Department of Financial Services has informed the insurance industry that hurricane deductibles should not be triggered for this storm. This will prevent coastal homeowners from having to pay deductibles in their insurance policies.

“Homeowners should not have to pay hurricane deductibles for damage caused by the storm and insurers should understand the Department of Financial Services will be monitoring how claims are handled,” Governor Cuomo said.

Many homeowners’ insurance policies for homes located in downstate areas contain hurricane deductibles based on a percentage of a property’s insured value. These deductibles typically range from one percent of a home’s insured value to five percent. So for example, with a five percent deductible on a home insured for $300,000, the homeowner would have to pay for the first $15,000 of damage.

Benjamin M. Lawsky, Superintendent of Financial Services, said, “We have informed the insurance industry that hurricane deductibles are not triggered because Sandy did not have sustained hurricane-force winds when it made land in New York. We will be working with insurers to help them respond as quickly as possible to homeowners who need to file claims. And we will be sending our mobile command center to hard hit areas to help consumers with insurance questions and problems.”

DFS urges homeowners who experienced property losses to file insurance claims with their insurers promptly and as soon as possible after losses occur. It is important to provide policy numbers and all information relevant to the loss. To best document losses, homeowners should to take photos or videos showing the extent of the losses before cleaning up damage.

Homeowners should make only necessary repairs to prevent further damage to property, like covering broken windows. Permanent repairs should not be made until after insurers have inspected losses. Damaged personal property should be kept until after an insurance settlement has been reached.

In addition, homeowners should cooperate fully with their insurer and keep a diary of all conversations with the insurance agent, including the agent’s name, as well as the times and dates of all calls or visits.

Homeowners are also reminded that flood damage is only covered by flood insurance, which is a federal program administered by FEMA. Homeowners who have flood insurance and have flood damage should make claims through that insurance.

DFS will be sending its mobile command center to hard hit areas to help consumers with insurance questions and problems.

DFS has activated a Disaster Hotline to answer consumer questions and help with problems. The Disaster Hotline number is 800-339-1759. It is staffed Monday – Friday from 8 AM – 8 PM and Saturday - Sunday from 9 AM – 4 PM.

Homeowners unable to resolve disputes with insurers can file complaints at http://www.dfs.ny.gov/consumer/fileacomplaint.htm.

###

NAPIA Offers Tips to Consumers for Hurricane Sandy Insurance Claims

National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NAPIA Offers Tips to Consumers for Hurricane Sandy Insurance Claims

Potomac Falls, Virginia (October 29, 2012) – With Hurricane Sandy wreaking havoc up and down the east coast, members of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) offer the following tips to property owners who may experience property loss as a result of the storm:

• Immediately consider the use of a public adjuster to help you settle a claim. Public adjusters work for consumers, interacting with insurance companies and their independent adjusters to fairly and timely settle claims. In a storm such as Sandy, there may be an effort by insurers to settle claims quickly; a public adjuster can assure that the settlement is also consistent with the terms of your coverage.
• Due to the type of storm this is, your policy may have a deductible that applies to hurricanes. This can be a tricky and complex area to navigate as it is often difficult to determine which deductible may apply -- this will depend on numerous factors and the specific timeline of events of the loss.

·            Check to make sure that the public insurance adjuster you do select is licensed if the local jurisdiction requires it (45 states currently have a licensing statute), and know if your jurisdiction has limits on the fees that can be charged by a licensed adjuster. In many cases, fees may be capped given the size of the storm and the number of claims it produces.

·            Ask the public adjuster for their professional qualifications, past experience and whether they have been cited by their regulators for poor or unethical performance before you sign anything;

·            Know that insurers cannot prohibit a property owner from utilizing the services of a public insurance adjuster;

·            Understand that independent adjusters and insurance company adjusters represent the interests of the insurance company, and do not represent the interests of the claimant.

·            Be aware that many contractors, roofers and others hold themselves out as public adjusters, and that the unauthorized practice of public adjusting is illegal in many states.

Check to see if your public adjuster is a member of NAPIA by visiting www.napia.com or by calling 1-703-433-9217. Also, do not hesitate to contact NAPIA or your local state insurance department if you believe that a public adjuster is acting improperly or someone is acting like an adjuster without a license.

“We hold our members to the highest standards of ethical conduct and professionalism,” said NAPIA President Ronald Reitz, CPPA. “With meteorologists calling for this storm to cause severe property damage, consumers should not hesitate to reach out to our members should they need any assistance in filing their insurance claims.”

Public Adjusters are experts on property loss adjustment who are retained by policyholders to assist in preparing, filing and adjusting insurance claims. Employed exclusively by a policyholder who has sustained an insured loss, these professionals manage every detail of the claim, working closely with the insured to provide the most equitable and prompt settlement possible. A Public Adjuster inspects the loss site immediately, analyzes the damages, assembles claim support data, reviews the insured's coverage, determines current replacement costs and exclusively serves the client, not the insurance company. To find a member of NAPIA who can assist you in preparing your claim, visit http://www.napia.com/search/index.asp.

NAPIA strongly encourages the public to reach out to their insurance departments or other regulators of public adjusters to know more about the critical role that public adjusters play, or to report concerns over the actions of parties purporting to be public adjusters. The public can also reach out to NAPIA with any questions or concerns by calling 1-703-433-9217.

To read NAPIA’s Top Ten Tips for Maximizing Claims After a Storm or Natural Disaster, visit http://www.napia.com/news/documents/NAPIAStormTipPressRelease.pdf.

Founded in 1951, the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) promotes the highest standards of professional education, conduct and ethics in the field of public insurance adjusting. NAPIA’s 750 plus members are committed to working in the best interest of their client – the policyholder – and to conducting business with honesty and integrity. To find out more about the association, please visit www.napia.com.

Media Contact:

Marjorie Musick, Director of Communications and Events

marjorie@napia.com

(571) 217-2915

###

The different types of home insurance

There are a number of different types of home insurance - the type you choose will depend on where you live. Each policy will typically cover the contents, structure, and liability for the home and its owners. Specific policies might cover more things than others, so it's important to understand your individual policy.

Insurance for the house

There are currently 3 different types of house insurance available - HO-1 (basic), HO-2 (broad), and HO-3 (special). Both broad and basic coverage will only cover what is named - therefore, they are often referred to as peril coverage. Basic coverage applies to eleven types of losses: hail or windstorm, impact, riot, fire, sprinkler leakage, volcanic eruption, vandalism, sinkhole, smoke, lightening, and explosion. Broad coverage includes these eleven plus falling objects, weight of snow/ice/or sleet, and accidental water damage. Special coverage means the opposite of peril - everything is covered, unless it is excluded in the policy. The type of home insurance coverage you need is a personal decision and it is best to consult with an insurance expert.

Insurance for the condominium

Condominium insurance policies cover your condo for the things that are not covered by the association's master policy. Each association policy is different, so it is necessary to go over it before purchasing condo insurance. These policies are typically very flexible and allow you to choose how much and what coverage you require. Your association might determine what you are required to buy, but the specifics vary from condo to condo.

Insurance for rented properties

Finally, there is rental insurance. This insurance is necessary if you own a home but are renting it to others. Tenants bring additional liability, making a traditional home insurance policy inappropriate. Since you are receiving income, a rental home will require a business policy. Rental insurance policies provide you with additional coverage such as the loss of rent, and also remove much of the personal property coverage - tenants should purchase their own insurance for their personal property.

Replacement cost against actual cash value

One last thing to be aware of when shopping for home insurance is if the insurance covers the replacement value or actual cash value of your home. Replacement means your house is insured for the cost to replace the items with new items. Actual cash value covers the depreciated value of your home and its contents. Actual cash is cheaper, but it means less coverage. What you choose is up to you and the value of your home and property.

A brief survey of the factors less recognised in auto insurance quotes trends

Looking ahead in order to plan your budget, you love any spendinghs to be easily or at some degree predictable. But the real life is rarely a predicatble thing so, without any warning, you can suddenly find all your careful plans thrown out of joint. Insurance rates are no exception to this. To understand why, we need to remind you how auto insurance works. Everyone pays into a central fund. When accidents happen, people claim and the money is paid out. The rest must cover the administrative costs and provide a profit. So, in their business model, insurers are looking for drivers who will never claim or only make small claims. If you suddenly look like a bigger risk, your personal rates will rise. If too many people have been claiming, your rates will rise. But there may be other less obvious reasons for your rates to rise.

Let's start with changing your vehicle. Most people upgrade, buying a new or newer vehicle. With more money at risk, you may decide to buy collision and comprehensive cover. This will be required if you have taken out an auto loan. Inevitably, this means you will pay more unless your new vehicle is cheaper to insure. Look carefully at the theft rates and insurance ratings before deciding what to buy. Now think about changing your job. If you now have to commute a longer distance during peak hours, the risk of an accident rises and so will your premium. If your new job will involve more driving, the rates will also rise. Similarly, before you change your address, look at the premium rates associated with the proposed ZIP code. Many people face an increase even if all they are doing is moving across the street. If you manage to take these three factors under your control, you can minimize their impact on your auto insurance quotes next time. Failure to plan could mean a very unpleasant surprise when the next auto insurance quotes arrive and throw all your careful budgeting into disarray.

The Great California ShakeOut

Quality Claims will join the Great California ShakeOut this week as they host their annual statewide earthquake drill.  The drill has garnered more than 9.1 million registered participants for 2012, and will officially shake out at 10:18 am on Thursday, October 18th.  Quality Claims’ Safety Squad strives to offer many drills and safety seminars for employees throughout the year.  For additional information on this week’s event and earthquake preparedness tips, please visit:  shakeout.org/california.

Quality Claims to Present at National 2012 First Party Claims Conference

Quality Claims’ President Ron Reitz will present at this year’s First Party Claims Conference in Providence, Rhode Island.  The event is set to take place October 15-17.  Reitz will speak on Mortgage(e) Rights and Interests and the Dispensing of Insurance Proceeds.  The conference is a dynamic educational event for professionals in the first party property insurance claims community.  For additional information, visit http://www.firstpartyclaims.com.

Some questions you should ask yourself for using free auto insurance quotes effectively

There are a few rules to follow when getting free auto insurance quotes. The first is to get as many as you can to compare. The second is to make sure you are comparing the same things. The third is to do a little bit of research on the company that is giving the quote.

If you already have a policy, review it. If not that is ok, this guide should help you go over the finer points to analyzing your quotes. Get out some paper, write down these questions, or copy paste this into a document, and leave space for answers.

Does the quote represent adequate coverage for my assets?

Quotes for liability usually follow a pattern like this: 50/100/25 This means in any one accident $50,000 is the max for an individual's medical coverage, $100,000 for total medical bills for any number of people in one accident, and $25,000 total for property damage. If you have little or no assets and you don't make that much income, then this should be fine. However, you should purchase auto insurance coverage that is equal to the net worth of your assets or the limit of coverage from the company. If the limit is a lot lower than your total assets then you need to carry an umbrella policy to take up the slack.

Do I need to carry PIP or under/uninsured medical coverage?

PIP is personal injury protection. Find out how much your personal medical plan will cover in the event of an auto accident. You may find if you need extensive work or rehabilitation therapy your personal medical insurance might not cover this for an auto accident, and you will need to sue for damages. If the other person has no viable assets and his policy is a minimal policy you may be paying out of pocket for your injuries; or worse yet have to forego treatment. If however your personal medical can handle such treatments, then there is no need to purchase this coverage.

Is the company credible?

Once you have your quotes research the insurance company. Price isn't everything. The company may have the cheapest quotes because they don't pay out claims. Use an online search engine to see if they have had service complaints. You're buying a service, and they should perform professionally.

Using free auto insurance quotes is a great way to save money; let us help you get started.

Getting the cheapest car insurance for your new car

When you go out and buy a new car, chances are you will finance it. Not too many people walk up to the dealership and pay cash for the car. When you finance, part of your contract with the bank or the finance company is to keep a minimum amount of car insurance. They generally stipulate that you have to buy comprehensive coverage in addition to your liability coverage. While you get online and search for the best car insurance in terms of price, and compare quotes and specific coverage's, you probably aren't thinking about depreciation.

Depreciation is when the value of a good declines over time from its original price. Cars are notorious for quick depreciation. Part of that is because cars are a production commodity. As quickly as a model hits the factory line, a new and improved one is in the prototyping phase of production, and still another is being worked out on the computer. Technology for communications and entertainment as well as materials used for safety equipment and fuel efficiency are making new strides in innovations that customers want to see in their new car. Therefore, last year's model left on the parking lot loses value, and the one you drove away and used loses value even quicker. The fact that you are now moving parts and putting wear and tear on the vehicle just speeds up the loss in value.

Your loan pays the amount down in a linear fashion. You create the loan to be a consistent debt you can pay over time. If you were to graph it, it would be a straight line sloping down. The degree of slope would depend on how many years your financed the car. The depreciation graph would look more like a steep slope that eventually slows down near the middle to end. If you graph the two lines on the same space for a five-year loan, somewhere around year three your loan value will equal then drop below the depreciated value of the car. If you were to get into an accident in the first year or two of the loan, you would cover the loan amount still owed above what the insurance company paid for the depreciated value. To insure against that get a quote on GAP insurance. GAP insurance will mean the cheapest car insurance you have for your new car won't leave you without a car if you are in an accident that totals you auto.

Auto insurance quotes and identity theft after an accident

Even minor auto accidents are stressful. Your prized vehicle has been damaged. You may feel shaken physically. You may feel angry, whether with yourself or the other driver. This makes it easy for you to say too much. Let's start with a simple rule. Although it costs you nothing in a no-fault state, making any type of admission of fault is a bad idea in all the at-fault states. This goes double if the other driver or passengers are holding devices that may be recording what you say. Say as little as you feel possible in all the circumstances. This protects your position until you have a chance to think calmly about what happened.

In a recent survey, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found about 40% of drivers were prepared to share all the information on their driver's license. About 17% admitted they would allow the other driver to take a photograph of their license. Although this may sound a convenient way of exchanging information, this opens you to identity theft. The information on the license is one of the standard tools used to establish your identity for telephone and internet transactions. Giving other people your home address and license number potentially allows others to assume your identity. Indeed, 25% of respondents said they would always pass on their home address and 30% would give their personal telephone numbers. Neither disclosure is legally required. The law only instructs you to give your name and proof of insurance. The only telephone number you need give is that of your insurer.

What can you do to protect yourself and maintain auto insurance quotes?

In 2011, there were more than 9 million reported cases of identity theft. This seriously disrupts your life, damages your financial reputation and leaves your credit score on the floor. So don't expose yourself to the risk of further losses by saying too much. Keep yourself safe after the accident and, by so going, keep your auto insurance quotes lower when renewal time comes round. More importantly, if everyone keeps their losses within reasonable limits, everyone's car insurance quotes stay lower. So whether for selfish or altruistic reasons, take care.

Black boxes can help to prove your good driving record to qualify for safe driver discount

You are the kind of person that does things right the first time. You did your comparison shopping, got your insurance quotes. You have a clean record, and think you are getting the most car insurance discounts possible. However, your still wondering is there anything else I can do to get cheap car insurance. Maybe...are you willing to put your driving to the test?

Technology is allowing insurance companies to add another tool to their arsenal that helps them decide if you are a good driver or not. Your driving record may be spotless, but not flawless. Just because you have no tickets, no points, and have been accident free for a number of years, you still may exhibit risky driving patterns. Or, you may be as safe a driver as you think you are.

Most new models (over 80 %) have black boxes already installed at the factory. Moreover, the US senate passed a mandate for cars built in 2015 to have a data recorder that monitors at least 15 different variables leading up to a crash. You can check your owner's manual to find out if you car is equipped with an EDR (event data recorder). EDR's record you speed at the accident, how long it took safety equipment to engage--like airbags to deploy, how the brakes were applied and more. This data belongs to the owner of the car. They can only access the data after an accident and if you give them access or they own the car. If your car is totaled and the insurance company pays you, your insurance company owns the data and can analyze it.

However, if you want the chance to get the best safe driver discount you can opt to have the insurance company add an additional black box to your vehicle, which will sends them data about your driving habits in real time. It will record your momentum around curves, driving speeds, breaking distance, application of the brakes, average distance verses speed and more. IT does not record your GPS. While some of the advertisements say your premiums will not go up if you employ an insurance company black box, that generally is limited to the current contract. At renewal time, if your driving proved to be more risky than you thought, you will see a premium increase. However if your driving is truly safe then a black box is a great way to get cheap car insurance.

Learn about the 10 car insurance discount for green cars

When talking about green cars, most people automatically go to Hybrids. They were the first on the market to catch the public eye. They were also very expensive initially. The difference in price between a standard combustion engine model and a hybrid use to be an additional 15 to 20% for the sticker price. That kept many people from going green. Add to that most insurance plans base their premiums on the MSRP of a car and it took a number of years to recoup your original purchase and insurance from not going to the pump. Now the times have changed.

There are more makes and models qualifying as green cars, and many of them will surprise you. Even better many insurance companies are offering 10% discounts on car insurance quotes to green cars owners (more exactly on the annual premium). What is a green car?

A green car has more to do with its carbon footprint than what fuels it. A green car minimizes its impact on the environment. The green car category contains: hybrids, natural gas, electric, and high efficiency combustion engine using either diesel or gasoline. Hybrids tend to be some of the most expensive models of the green cars, and are offered in the luxury class. However, the motor companies have been developing mid-class hybrids like the Ford Fusion hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, and the Toyota Camry hybrid. The 10% insurance discount helps to offset the cost difference between the hybrid and non-hybrid model allowing for you to see your at the pump savings accrue faster.

If you want to take advantage of the 10% discount there a number of reasonably priced electric only cars. The prices on these models are dropping as new battery technology comes down in price and more outlets for recharging becomes available at roadside stations.

If you want the comfort of a regular car but still stay green then you can opt for the minis , micros and high fuel-efficient models. Fiat's 500, Honda Fit, Toyota Yaris, For Fiesta, and Nissan Versa qualify as green and got high ratings for safety and repair costs by the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety.

So think over the idea of getting a green car. It turns that insuring such a vehicle becomes for affordable. Remember to ask to apply the green car insurance discount. Then go out and test-drive the different models that fit your budget and way of life.

Cheap flights and the three hour tarmac delay rule

In 2009, there was a remarkable incident at Minnesota's Rochdale International Airport when forty-seven people were held against their will on an airplane without properly working toilets for seven hours. During this time, they were in sight of the airport's buildings, but the airport staff refused to open a gate. This was the straw that broke the Department of Transport's back and it introduced the now popular three-hour rule. The intention is to force airlines and airport operators to treat passengers with basic decency.

If a US or foreign airplane on a domestic flight is held on the tarmac for more than two hours, the airline must provide adequate food and drinking water. If the delay is more than three hours, the airline must allow the passengers to leave the airplane. This timetable is shortened if there's a medical emergency or the toilets cease to work. Except, you can only leave the airplane at a formal gate. It's not safe or practical to have you jump or slide down on to the tarmac in the middle of the runway system. This puts significant pressure on the airport operator to make gates available as the time limit approaches. If the airlines breach the rules, there's a federal fine of up to $27,500 per passenger affected. As to international flights, all airlines must publish their rules about tarmac delays which cannot exceed four hours, and breach of these rules will also produce fines.

There are other issues addressed under the rules. For example, some take-off slots are at very congested times and, even a few minutes delay at the gate can mean the slot is lost and the flight must be rescheduled. If this happens consistently at one or more slot times, every flight will be treated as cancelled and the airlines fined for deceptive practices. Airlines must also nominate identified individuals to communicate with passengers on a timely basis, and cannot seek to exclude liability in the terms and conditions, particularly on cheap flights. There have been increases in the number of flights cancelled and the number of slots has been rationalized at some crowded airports. So this has represented an improvement both passengers on both full-price and cheap flights.

Quality Claims Puts Safety First

Quality Claims’ Safety Squad recently visited Kensington Fire Station 18 to thank them for their service and contributions to the community.  The Fire Department offered Quality Claims helpful tips on fire safety and prevention earlier this year.  As we embrace fire season here in San Diego, it is important to keep this advice in mind.

Company ratings and cheap auto insurance

With most insurance companies there are things that set them apart from other companies that may appear similar. It is also true that an insurance company is not necessarily a good one just because it claims to offer the lowest rates. You want cheap auto insurance from a reputable insurance company. And you can get that by reviewing a company's ratings. Many agencies, including JD Power and Associates, provide annual lists of the top insurance companies based on several factors.

Coverage Provided

Getting the coverage you need is important. You want sufficient coverage but you do not want to pay for coverage you do not need. An insurance company that always seems to be pushing an upgraded policy on you can be a nuisance. You want your insurance provider to provide information but leave the decision making up to you.

Premium Rates

The competitiveness of the rates is tied with the coverage that is provided. A cheaper auto insurance is not always a better insurance. Low rates are ideal but what you really want is the best value for your money. This means you have to consider the amount of coverage you are getting for the amount of money you spend. You should also take the deductible into consideration. A low rate is great but if your deductible is too high, you may face a financial hardship if you are involved in an accident.

Claims Processing

This factor focuses on the ease at which claims are processed as well as how long it takes for a claim to be approved. Insurance companies that make it easy to submit claims get ranked higher. Most insurance providers now have online claim processing centers. Not only is the claim process faster, but it is more convenient.

Value-Added Services

Complimentary services such as free roadside assistance or free rentals are important to many drivers. These services may not be offered by every insurance provider. Or, you may only get these benefits if you purchase a certain level of coverage.

Customer Service

You want to be able to speak to a company representative when needed. A company that provides 24-hour service may be ideal as long as representatives are knowledgeable and helpful. You might want a company that has a strong online presence with representatives ready to chat with you.

An insurance company's reputation will impact your insurance experience. You can still get cheap auto insurance that includes good coverage by reviewing a company's ratings. To review individual auto insurance companies, check out Standard and Poor's ratings.

Back to school season drive safely and you can keep your premiums down and your record point free

It's that time of year again, the time when we put away our summer toys and get back into the grove. Along with getting back into the grove children and young adults all over are getting back into school. This means you will have competition on the road during your morning commute.

School bus stops change from year to year depending on where the children live. Consequently bus drivers have to learn new routes with stop variations, and the children have to get used to the new schedule as well. When the stop and go stutter traffic of the school bus reduces your morning commute to an exercise in fortitude, keep your composure.

In many states, the bus driver has the right to issue you a summons if you pass the bus inappropriately. Understand, they are not out to get you. However, nationally thousands of school busses are passed, or cut off every day. Thousands of students are injured every year due to bus accidents. Moreover, on average 20 children die a year when they are entering or departing school buses because of careless drivers. Many school districts are placing cameras on the buses to record the information of people driving illegally around the school buses. The cameras are attached to the STOP arm actuated when the red blinking lights are put on. The cameras can identify and record a car up to 100 yards away.

Depending on the state you live you can be fined several hundred dollars, and or have your license suspended, and or spend several months to years in jail. For example in NJ, you will receive 5 points on your driving record, minimum of $100 fine and up to 15 days in jail or community service. In Virginia it can be up to 11 years imprisonment.

How it affects auto insurance?

There are things you can do to make the back to school transition period a bit easier. Get up a little earlier and leave plenty of time. If you are not rushed you are less likely to try to pass the bus as it is coming to a stop. Watch for children on the streets approaching the bus stops, and always defer to the directions of the crossing guard. You take the time to review your auto insurance policy to make sure you aren't overpaying on your premiums. Take the time to drive safely and you can keep your premiums down and your record point free.

Prepare for winter driving season and maintain your cheap car insurance

Winter Driving and Auto Insurance

Maintaining your car in good working condition year-round is one easy way you can keep your auto insurance quotes low. When a car is properly maintained, it works better on the road. This is especially important during the winter, when accidents tend to increase due to the climate changes. A poorly maintained car simply can't perform the way you need it to in severe conditions. There are a few simple things you can take care of to make sure your vehicle will be taking care of you come winter.

Minor Maintenance

Keeping your oil and other fluids clean and topped off is necessary to keep your engine working properly. You should also make sure your headlights, turn signals, brake lights and hazards are all working properly. Taking time out for an oil change is much cheaper than a broken engine, and changing the bulb in your brake lights is much cheaper than getting ticketed for a burned-out light. Remember that the outside temperatures have an impact on the air pressure inside your tires, so check your gauges as the seasons change. Tire treads, also, need to be capable of navigating safely through slush and snow, while retaining traction on slick roads. Don't forget to check the spare tire, too, and make sure your jack is easy to find and has all the necessary parts.

Get Tuned Up

Bring your car into your favorite mechanic's shop to have them check your battery and heater. Cold weather can affect your car's starting ability, and you need to make sure your battery is up to the challenge. You'll also need to make sure your defroster is working effectively. Also, since worn or aged rubber will crack in the cold weather, you should also replace any worn hoses or belts.

Upgrade As Needed

Finally, your car may need some modifications which are designed specifically for winter driving benefits. Wipers can be replaced with blades which are better at removing ice, or windshield fluids may be exchanged for a freeze-resistant formula. It's also a good idea to keep an emergency kit in your vehicle, especially during the winter months. Your paying a little care beforehand to make winter driving safer can play a favourable role in ensuring you get affordable car insurance.

How fraud affects car insurance quotes

Fraud, and its resulting increase in prices, threatens nearly every industry. This is especially true for all types of insurance. Car insurance providers lose millions of dollars on fraudulent claims every year. If you are looking for car insurance quotes, you should know how fraud affects the quoted rates so you can make an informed decision about policy selection.

Impact on Rates

While there are many factors that affect your rates, the one that often has absolutely nothing to do with you is fraud. When insurance companies lose money due to fraud, they pass on those losses to all customers through higher rates. Also, all drivers, including those who commit fraud, are required to have insurance. This means that some insurance provider must provide coverage to those drivers. It is likely that your own rates will increase as result because the insurance company will protect itself against possible claims from such drivers.

Reduce Impact of Fraud

There are several steps you can take to help lower insurance costs. Always notify the police if you are involved in a car accident. Having an official report of the incident can prevent fraudulent claims. Notify your insurance company immediately if you are asked to engage in fraudulent activity of any sort. Always be honest. Do not try to get cheaper rates by registering your vehicle in an area with lower rates or by not disclosing the names of everyone who will be driving your vehicle. Chances are you will be caught, and the cost of insurance becomes even higher for everyone.

Review Insurance Providers

If a particular insurance company has been in the news recently discussing fraudulent claims, you may want to avoid that company. Each insurance provider has to maintain their own financial health. This means that certain insurance companies are simply bad to deal with because they are not financially stable. You can get information on insurance companies from Standard and Poor's, including a financial snapshot, prior to purchasing a policy.

You can still use car insurance quotes to get lower rates. Car insurance quotes allow you to compare your options so you can take advantage of the best deal offered.

You just need to take a few extra steps to find the companies that have the best protection against fraudulent claims so you know you are getting the absolutely lowest rate on your insurance.

Looking online for free auto insurance quotes

In order to get car insurance in the past, you would have had to call an insurance company and speak to an agent about scheduling an appointment. Not only was this time consuming, but it was also a hassle if you decided not to buy a policy from that agent. They would continue to call you to get you to buy insurance through their company. Now you can get free auto insurance quotes online in two ways.

Insurance Provider Websites

A range of quotes can be obtained simply by visiting the websites of major insurance providers. It is recommended you get at least three quotes from separate providers to compare coverage and price options. This requires you to visit their individual websites and request quotes from each company. You then need to compare the offers made by each.

Although better than meeting with agents in person, this process is still cumbersome. It is also a rather inefficient way to spend your time. It takes time to visit each site. You will likely be required to submit different information to get the quotes. And the response time can vary by insurance company so you may not be able to immediately compare quotes.

Insurance Quote Comparison Tools on Reseller Sites

You can save time and money by using this type of site. At one site, you get quotes from as many as a dozen insurance companies. You provide general information such as gender, age, location, and type of vehicle to get started. Quotes are available 24-hours a day. And you get all quotes at the same time for immediate comparison.

When it comes to comparison sites, it is important you determine their legitimacy from the start. You should never have to pay to get quotes. Detailed personal information should only be requested by the insurance company whose quote you select. Never provide this data to the comparison site directly. Finally, if you do not recognize the insurance brands being offered, it is recommended you find another comparison site to use. Getting free auto insurance quotes is simple. There are several ways to get these quotes online at your convenience. You no longer have to worry about contacting an insurance company during business hours when you can get free auto insurance quotes online.

Cheap auto insurance for hybrid cars

Can you get cheap auto insurance for green cars? The answer is yes, but you have to look for it. Because more and more people are choosing to go green, the government is offering incentives to companies to go green, so there are more offers for green car insurance.

The initial cost of a car and the cost of repairs is what drive the cost of insurance. The higher the initial price the higher the premiums are. The higher the cost of repair or claims in accidents the higher the premiums are. It use to be that hybrid cars were very expensive and only offered in the luxury line; not anymore. While Toyota's groundbreaking Prius starts in the mid $30K's they now offer a hybrid Camry models, and smaller fuel efficient cars that are more like European inner city cars (Toyota Yaris). Honda has the economical Civic hybrid models, as well as it's little euro car called the Fit, then there are the Smart cars by Mercedes, with Scion, and Fiat to rounding off the close to 40 mpg or more mini car choices. The latter group is considered green because of its gas mileage and carbon footprint. Most models start out in the MSRP rage of $16K and up.

For insurance, this means they are economical to insure. If you check out the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website (http://www.iihs.org/ratings/) you can look up the ratings for some of these cars. The information provided will let you know how the insurance industry rates the car for safety and how much they have paid out for repairs and injury claims. (This is under the heading Insurance losses.) Armed with this information you can choose the model that fits your style, budget, and within your insurance premium comfort range. Then ask about the Green car discount.

Many insurance companies offer a 10% discount for your green car. If you opt for middle to higher end model, say Accord, Prius or Lexus the 10% discount from the insurance company can come close to the difference in price for insuring the hybrid model over the standard model.

Going green can be a great thing for you and the planet. Be an educated consumer; use this site to let you compare cheap auto insurance quotes. Make sure to tell them you have a green car and ask if they offer the 10% green discount.

To save on homeowners insurance you need to know a few secrets

If you're like most people, your home is probably the largest asset you have, and you have a decent homeowners insurance policy for protecting that asset. However, your insurance premiums shouldn't come anywhere close to equaling your actual mortgage. If you think you're spending too much on your insurance policy, here are a few lesser-known tips which can help you save.

Quit Smoking

You might think this tip would only lower health insurance premiums, but it turns out that other insurance can be increased when you're a smoker as well. Many residential fires are started by cigarettes left burning, so it's no surprise that nonsmokers can get better homeowners insurance quotes than those who continue smoking. As an added bonus, quitting smoking might lower your health insurance premiums as well.

Pay Your Bills

Those with better credit scores will end up paying less on insurance premiums. This is because a person who makes financially sound decisions is generally considered to be a lower risk, since they are assumed to be more responsible and steady than those with lower credit scores. Pay your bills, pay them on time, and keep your credit card balances low for the best quotes on insurance for your home.

Adjust Your Policy

Raising your deductible is a pretty well-known trick to lowering your monthly premiums. This is a great strategy, but just remember it means you'll have to pay more out-of-pocket and upfront if you do ever need to file a claim. Keep money set aside which will be accessible in case there is a problem with your home.

Another adjustment you can make to your current policy is to insure the physical structure only, and not the surrounding acreage. Although your landscaping might be damaged by storms, fires or floods, it will repair itself over time. Your house won't. Make sure your policy will cover your physical home, and don't worry too much about adding coverage for the dirt where it's actually sitting.

These three tips alone can really help you save on your premiums. Remember too that it's a good idea to compare policies before purchasing any type of homeowners insurance, in order to make sure you're getting the right balance of coverage which is still budget-friendly.

Home Renovation Insurance

It is always such a marvelous feeling when you get to see or visit age-old homes that may somehow be counted on as historic that has been constructed years and years before. But of course, when it comes to restoring these kinds of homes, you would need a lot of money to restore it or to renovate it into something that is fresh and at the same time, would meet all the modern requirements that we need for everyday living.

And when it comes to the estimates of these kinds of homes, you would be surprised that the price that you would have to pay is very expensive that usual home insurance companies would refuse to cover and that is why there are companies that are specializing in home renovation insurance for this type of homes. Many home renovation insurance companies that understands your sentiments and your love for your pre-historic homes.These companies helps in restoring and renovating your wonderful home.

In a fast paced world such as today, there are different thing you have to consider when buying home insurance. To get optimum coverage, you have to know how much home insurance you should purchase The insurance policy that can protect everything you own, which you feel important. There are several home insurance online owner purchase policies you can compare to help you arrive at your optimum insurance coverage value. Homes that are rather old and in a poor condition will require an owner to pay a much costly insurance compared to a new and well-kept house. One good thing about home insurance though, is that your provider cannot deny coverage no matter how old or how badly maintained the house is.

Home insurance policies are required to rebuild a home the moment it is lost or destroyed. Consequently, if your house were rather expensive, the higher your insurance rate would be.

The type of construction materials used. Frame homes are going to require higher rates than the ones made of brick. Bricks are sturdy, so less damage is expected when calamities strike. On the other hand, frames don't provide as much sturdiness. In essence, more damage expected, more home purchase insurance premium collected. If your home is located in an area where hurricanes, storms, tornadoes, and hailstorms are frequent, the rate is higher. The same is true if there is a relatively high incidence of burglary in your area.

If you are thinking of renovating your homes, especially the ones that were considered to be historic or age-old, Internet that helps you in locating different companies that could help you with your home renovation insurance. You may visit visit those websites to see different kinds of companies that may cover your home renovation and restoration when you think that you need to upgrade the look of your home that would help you when it comes to the expenses.

One of the best things about these House restoration companies is that they understand your sentiments when it comes to regular home insurance companies that have high premiums for home renovation insurance. If you browse Internet for home renovation you will be amazed by the result.You will be linked to these wonderful home renovation insurance companies that could help you in upgrading the look of your historic home and share the same love with old-age homes. So do not worry if you think that your home would not achieve the look that you want, there are many home renovation insurance companies that could help you and visiting the website of Phouka Old House Restoration is the first step for you to have an amazing home.

Quality Claims at the San Diego Fall Home Show

Quality Claims exhibited at the San Diego Fall Home Show this past weekend.  They informed homeowners how to prepare for a property insurance claim and how to properly manage insurance claims after experiencing a loss to their home or business.  The San Diego Fall Home Show, held at the San Diego Convention Center, featured hundreds of exhibitors who offered home improvement products and services.

Buying Home Insurance

The amount you are asked to pay when you ask for a quote for home insurance is determined by how big a risk the company think you are. In giving you a quote they take into account many things, such as how secure your property is, the area in which you live and the cost of the possessions that they would have to pay to replace if some mishap occurred. However there are ways in which you can help to lower the premium quoted with the biggest being shopping around either yourself or with a broker’s help, for a policy.

When looking for insurance make sure that you get at least four or five quotes from different companies as policies and premiums do vary from company to company. All policies are different and will have exclusions within them, so it is essential that you understand what you are and are not covered for.

Where you live will affect the price that you have to pay for your insurance, while you cannot change your address there are some things you can do to help lower the cost of your insurance. Installing more security is one of the best ways you can reduce the premium, insurance companies will list certain brands of alarms for instance which are considered the best and by having these you can cut the cost of your premium.

If you are thinking of making any big home improvements such as adding a conservatory then take this into account, the more value that you add onto the property then the higher the premium will be. Also take into account any patio furniture or garden equipment which is kept outside, some policies will include this in their policy while others insist that you take an addition to the policy in order to cover them.

If you have items in your home which are of particular value then make a note of these, any items which are classed as antique or say any collections such as records or art, might not be included in your policy unless you have particularly stated these at the out set of the policy.

Also check if computer equipment is covered in the policy, if you have more than one home computer then they might need adding to the policy as extras, some policies say that computer equipment such as printers and scanners are classed as commercial or business equipment and as such are not covered by the standard policy.

How To Pay Less On Home And Contents Insurance

Buildings Insurance went up again last year, costing homeowners another 1% a year, taking the average to just over £205 for a year's insurance. Contents insurance also went up, this time by 2% - now it costs the average homeowner £151 a year. However, some lenders are hiking prices even higher than that – Norwich Union for example, raised its prices by a whopping 6% last year.

The question is - why? There's so much competition out there, you'd expect prices to be falling, not increasing – but there are other forces at work, as we go on to discuss.

No 1 – the cost of having a house repaired or rebuilt

Labour and building materials are getting more costly, so when the insurance company calculates how much it would cost to rebuild your house, prices are higher. This is due to inflation, and the same thing affects the insurance company and its own operating costs. Wages, bills, office rental – all these costs are increasing year on year – so of course insurers have to factor these in.

No 2 – the weather

The British weather is getting more and more tempestuous, whether it's due to global warming we are not qualified to say, but it's a fact that we have been experiencing a lot of extreme weather in the past few years. The 1987 hurricane was a freak occurrence, but flash floods such as the incident in Boscastle, Cornwall, Helmsley in North Yorkshire, and Carlisle are making the headlines on a regular basis. The Association of British Insurers has stated that the average insurance claim due to flood damage could be anything from £15,000 to £30,000, making huge dents into the insurance industry's profits. In fact, floods cost insurance companies millions every year.

No 3 - Burglary

Claims due to burglary have been going up, now average at around £1,400. The 2 main causes are:

• From digital cameras to laptops, game consoles to ipods – our houses are full of electronic gadgets with a high value bought new, and a high value resold. Burglars are after these items and it's hitting the insurance industry where it hurts – their pocket.

• Burglars pick posh neighbourhoods to ensure they get away with the best items - with expensive items like jewellery for the taking, the value of these kind of claims is increasing.

Insurance companies use statistics relating to a postcode area to calculate premiums for everyone in that area. If your neighbours have suffered subsidence, or your area is near a river which has been known to flood – you will have to pay higher premiums. Similarly, if people in your area have been broken into, then it will be assumed that you are at a higher risk of making a burglary claim too.

Having a no-claims discount is a help when it comes to offsetting the annual rise in premiums, but insurance companies cap these discounts once you have 5 years no claims, so you will not get any further discounts.

So is there any way to avoid the rising cost of home and contents insurance?

The first thing you can do is look around for the best deal. Try the Internet for the best deals, because most insurance companies offer a discount, often 10%, for customers that buy online. You will also save if you pay by direct debit. It's tempting to accept your current insurer's renewal quote but don't be fooled – the small amount of effort it will take to shop around will pay good dividends. One of the reasons for this is because insurers always offer their best deals to new customers, existing customers are virtually penalised for showing loyalty!

Improving your home security is another good way to reduce premiums – while giving you essential peace of mind. Neighbourhood watch schemes, external security lighting, a burglar alarm, security locks on windows, and industry-recognised locks on external doors will make a difference. Obviously these things cost money to install, but they pay for themselves in the long run.

Insurance Can Help You Sell Your Home

Does your home insurance policy include things like plumbing or electricity failures? It most likely doesn’t.

What will you do if something goes wrong in the home after you’ve successfully closed the deal?

(there is a free ebook: 101 Tips For Selling Your House,for you to download, from a link at the bottom of this page).

Even worse, what if something goes wrong after the buyer has already moved in? You could end up paying thousands of dollars to have the problem fixed.

Don’t think that just because ownership of the property has transferred from you to buyer that the buyer won’t come to you if there is a major home failure.

Imagine if your brand new vehicle malfunctioned within days of its purchase.

Would you pay for repairs without word to the dealer? Of course, you wouldn’t.

Neither will your buyer if there is a problem with the home after closing.

As a for sale by owner home seller, you can benefit from the purchase of a seller’s home warranty.

Not only will it cover the cost of repair in the case that a major home item fails, it can also make your home look more attractive to buyers.

Prospective buyers will be pleased with the assurance that comes from a home warranty.

The last thing you want is to have to have the pressure of dealing with a surprising failure in the home after you have successfully closed the deal.

Deciding whether you or the buyer is responsible for paying for the damages could result in a heated debate.

Even in the unfortunate event of a home failure, you can avoid this type of situation by purchasing a seller’s home warranty.

Essentially, the home warranty picks up where insurance coverage leaves off by paying for failures in items like heating, plumbing, electricity, and air conditioning.

Be advised that the warranty only covers these items if they fail on their own.

Improper installation or maintenance, code violations, and unordinary wear and tear can lead to a denial of coverage.

Even without a home warranty, the buyer could not reasonably ask you to cover damages that were caused by actions taken on their part.

Depending on the provider, seller’s home warranty coverage can differ.

Make sure you carefully study and completely understand the policy you are purchasing before you pay for it.

In some cases, the home warranty might cover different items before and after the closing.

In most cases, the home warranty lasts for a year.

Buyers are given the option to renew the warranty coverage when it expires.

Be sure to advise your buyer that the cost to renew the policy might end up being more than the initial cost of the policy.

One of the good things about a seller’s home warranty is that it can be included as one of the closing costs.

Home And Business Insurance Claim Help - Dealing With Your Insurance Company

Any time you have property damage to your residence, you have to go through your Insurance Company to recover money for your losses and to rebuild what was lost. If you are like a large sum of property owners, you walked away with a check from your insrance company with barely enough funds to cover half of the work that has to be done to get your home back in shape.

This happens because of a couple of reasons. The first reason this happens is because of the nature of the Insurance Industry. They are in business to make money. They also hire their own Insurance Adjusters to estimate the amount of property damage you have to your home and how much it will cost to fix it. Since the Insurance Adjuster in this case works for the insurance company, you have nobody that is evaluating the damage with your thoughts in mind.

The second reason that Insurance Companies underpay their property owners is simply because the average property owner doesn't know any better. They see the insurance company and their Adjuster doing work, and when they come up with a payment number, it is automatically accepted that this is how much they should be paid for the damage.

A little known fact, is that all property owners can choose their own contractors and get multiple bids on conductng repairs to their home. You do not have to take the lowest estimate of the bunch. The lowst estimate could mean the work will also be the lowest quality. You, as a property owner, have the option of selecting the contractor with the highest estimate if you choose, and that is what the insurance company has to go by.

The problem with this option is that the average property owner doesn't know how to go about this process. It can be very tedious, overwhelming, and plain confusing. The good news is that you can get an Insurance Adjuster that works striclty for the policy holder and has only your interests at heart. This type of Adjuster is referred to as Public Adjuster. A Public Aduster's responsiblity is to work with and for the policy holder and to get every penny they deserve out of the insurance company. Property damage claims that are handled by a Public Adjuster include fire, wind, water, flood, hurricane, theft and many others.

In many states, a property damage claim can be reopened up to five years after it was claimed. If you feel that you were underpaid by your insurance company on a past insurance claim, a Certified Public Adjuster can help you recover those extra funds.

Keep Your Home Insurance From Being a Waste of Time With a Current Home Inventory

You'll hear hundreds of people tell you that buying a home insurance policy for your home, wherever that home happens to be, is never a waste of time. Guess what? They're wrong. If you don't bother to keep a current home inventory you're wasting both your time and your insurance agent's and leaving the doors to your home wide open to whatever misfortune fate decides to throw your way.

All right, so maybe that's a little melodramatic. Chances are pretty good that you're not going to have a burglar come in and completely gut your home while you're on vacation. There's a relatively slim percentage of the population that ever has to sit and watch while their home goes up in flames. Keeping a current home inventory for your homeowners insurance provider helps protect you from this type of loss, so the odds are in your favor that taking the time to catalog everything you own is going to be a complete waste of time.

But are you willing to take that chance? Are you willing to leave yourself wide open to the possible repercussions of being a statistic, a victim, just because you didn't want to take the time to complete a current home inventory for your insurance provider?

How much money would you say you had invested in your home? No, not your mortgage payment. That should have been your starting number when you figured out how much home insurance you were going to need, not your final one. Statistics show that the average American has $5,000 to $10,000 dollars worth of "stuff" just lying around their house between their furniture, their electronics, their jewelry, their book, their clothing and their collectibles.

Unless you're not going to miss $5,000 to $10,000 dollars it pays to make sure you've got enough insurance to cover your losses. By cataloging what you own, how much it cost to buy it, where you bought it and when you bought it you know that every item in your house is accounted for and able to be replaced if something should happen. Many people find that the easiest way to create their home inventory for their homeowners insurance companies is to create a photo or video log of everything they own, carefully marked and stored in a safe place.

Pro Tip: Don't store your photo or video log in your house. If the structure goes up in flames you're going to lose that along with everything else.

Remember, it pays to update regularly and add big ticket items to your home insurance policy as you buy them. It's not going to do you any good to file a claim for a $7,000 television if your insurance company didn't know you owned it in the first place. By maintaining a current inventory you're protecting your possessions from loss if the worst really does happen and helping keep yourself free and clear of any accusations of insurance fraud when the time comes to file a home insurance claim.

NAPIA Welcomes Quality Claims’ Ron Reitz as President

Quality Claims Management attended the Annual Meeting of the National Association of Public Insurance Adjusters (NAPIA) this past June to participate in discussions and educational sessions about Public Adjusting, and to witness the commencement of their own President, Ron Reitz, as NAPIA President for 2012-2013.  The NAPIA Annual Meeting, held at The Grand Del Mar in San Diego, had Public Adjusters and other NAPIA members from all over the country in attendance.

Ron Reitz, President of Quality Claims, carries a wealth of experience as he has been in the Public Adjusting field since 1994. The NAPIA community is excited to have him lead the organization for this coming year.  In addition to Ron’s presidential term commencement, Kim Cary, also of Quality Claims Management, was nominated to the Board of Directors for NAPIA.

The NAPIA Annual Meeting gives members the opportunity to network with fellow public adjusters from across the country and to advance their insurance knowledge.

Need Builder's Risk Insurance to Plug the Gaps in Your Home Insurance Coverage

What would you say is the best part of being a homeowner as opposed to renting? For most people, it's knowing that they can do just about anything they want with their house and no one's going to argue with them about it! There's a certain amount of freedom that goes along with being a homeowner that you're just not going to find when you're renting (like the freedom to start ripping down walls if you want to!). Before you launch all of those renovation projects you've got broiling around in your head, however, make sure you let your home insurance company know what's going on.

There are a couple of reasons home insurance companies heed to be kept in the loop when you're talking about renovating your house. First and foremost, let's talk about relative home value. Your home's value will usually increase, sometimes dramatically, when you renovate. Since the value's going up, you want to make sure your insurance coverage goes up too. Some home try to avoid this step in an attempt to keep their home insurance rates as low as possible, which is a good short term gain with catastrophic long term consequences.

It's no fun to get quotes to rebuild your home only to find out that because you never raised your level of coverage you're underinsured. That's like having to pay for those renovations all over again.

The other thing you want to keep in mind is that renovations can save you some big bucks on your home insurance rates. Yes, we just said that renovations raised the cost of your home insurance. Keep reading. If your renovations are making your home safer as well as more valuable you're going to be in an excellent position to save money on your insurance. Home insurance companies love low risk homes. By lowering your risk factor you're going to lower your insurance risks at the same time.

That's not the main reason you want to make sure your home insurance company knows about your renovation process, however. When you signed your insurance policy did you make sure to go through and read the fine print? If you did you probably already know that your insurer isn't going to cover your home (at all) during the time you're renovating.

That's a nasty little surprise that way too many home don't find out about until after the fact, when it's way too late to do anything about it. Since the risk of fire and water damage go flying during renovations (especially if you're doing the renovations yourself) your home insurance doesn't want to open themselves up to that much risk. The good news is, most providers give you the option of purchasing builder's risk insurance.

Builder's risk insurance takes the place of your regular home insurance coverage during the renovation period, and if its purchased before you begin renovations may even extend to cover your construction materials if they're lost courtesy of one disaster or another. Even if it doesn't cover your building materials, however, builder's risk insurance will make sure you're never left homeless with nowhere to turn because of an accident that took place during the renovation process.

Make sure you talk to your home insurance provider before you pick up that hammer. It might turn out to be the best decision you ever make.

Home Insurance And Selling Your Home

If you are selling your home, hopefully you have considered hiring a real estate agent to help you with all the fine details. If not – get to work!

The process of choosing the right real estate agent can be just as difficult as it is important. Below are guidelines to follow when you start your search for the right real estate agent for you.

Look at insurance companies that specialize in real estate. Usually these companies will be able to provide you with a list of their own real estate agents who are trained to the company’s specifications. Perhaps your current homeowner’s insurance company provides tools you need to sell your home; they may even have their own real estate agents from which you can choose. If not, they may be able to point you in the direction of a reputable insurance company or real estate agency that does.

Make sure the real estate agent you choose is trained or accredited. Most real estate agencies, or insurance companies that supply real estate agents, have specially trained their real estate agents, or have hired real estate agents who are in some way accredited. Look for special training or accreditation when choosing your real estate agent.

“Interview” the real estate agent. During the selling process, the real estate agent you eventually choose is going to handle a lot of things for you – many of which are better left handled by the real estate agent. However, there are certain factors you may want to know about, such as how the real estate agent plans to list your home and how the real estate agent plans to “show” your home. Make sure the real estate agent provides you with all the information you want to know.

In the end, choose a real estate agent you with whom you feel comfortable, whether the real estate agent is from an insurance company or real estate agency.

Home and Renters Insurance Quote

Home insurance comes with many responsibilities, one of which is to have adequate home insurance that not only protects you, but also your family. If you rent a house or an apartment, renters insurance is also a good idea. The number one reason people go without home insurance or renters insurance is affordability, or the perceived notion that these type of insurance products are expensive. The truth is that with a little bit of planning you can get home insurance quote or renters insurance quote that may change that notion.

Back in the day, getting a home insurance quote would involve calling your existing insurance company, dealing with your agent, and taking whatever rate was offered to you. Well, it no longer has to be that way. You can get an online home insurance quote with relative ease these days. What's more, you can get multiple quotes from multiple insurers. This puts you at a significant advantage, allowing you to shop for the best available home insurance quote. And of course this can also be done for renters insurance, car insurance, or for whatever other insurance needs you may have.

Now, this is all available to us, thanks to the advancements of the Internet. It's important to understand, however, that the elimination of an agent, means a bit more homework on your part. Things may be cheaper and easier by utilizing the power of the Internet, but you'll be missing guidance from a qualified agent. So, you'll need to take a look at what type of coverage you need, what specifically you need to cover, and how much. These are important areas of guidance that will be lacking, due to the lack of advice. So, it's important to do some due diligence, rather than just finding the best rate and going with it. It's also important to note that you should try to work with high quality insurance companies rated "A" or better. You'll more than likely be paying into a policy for years, and you'll want to make sure that company is around when you need them most. All insurance companies are not created equal, some will weasel out of claims at every chance they get, and that's why quality is so important.

By having several insurance companies compete for your business, you'll be assured the most competitive rate. What's recommended when getting a home insurance quote is to get a quote from about five insurers. But, make sure those five insurers are higher quality insurance companies. You'll be amazed at just how reasonable home or renters insurance can be. Renters are often renting, because they don't have the big bankroll to purchase a home. With these individuals, every dollar spent should be scrutinized. Apartment rental insurance, for example, can provide for very affordable rates. It is not unusual to see renters insurance at lower than $20 a month. This not only protects your belongings, but also protects you in the form of liability issues. Because renters insurance doesn't involve ensuring the physical property, much like home insurance has to, it is considerably more affordable. At these rates, there is no reason not to go with renters insurance coverage, so take the first step and get insured today.

Taking the first step in purchasing adequate home insurance, is even more important when you own a home. With home values still close to all-time highs, our homes are not only the place we live, but also our largest investment. Our families rely on the sanctity of our homes. With natural disasters so prevalent these days, it should be a reminder to us that we should have full home insurance coverage. If you live in a flood or an earthquake zone, make sure that you have either flood or earthquake coverage. Many home insurers don't include this type of coverage in their policies. If you can't purchase it as a rider within your policy, you have access to coverage through government protection. Home insurance protects against liability, as well as disaster. This is very important, as protecting you, your family, and friends from these issues should be paramount.

Your landlord may require some form of renters insurance. Your lender will most certainly will require that you carry a certain level of home insurance. For either, it is not only dangerous to go without coverage, but dangerous to go without adequate coverage. Make sure you have sufficient coverage that will protect you and your family. You can get a competitive home insurance quote online for free these days, so take advantage of it.

Quality Claims at I-Day

Quality Claims recently had the exciting opportunity to exhibit at I-Day, an event connecting insurance brokers with vendors in the field.  Hosted by the Insurance Brokers and Agents of San Diego, this special event welcomed hundreds of veteran participants who have been in attendance annually for nearly two decades.

The Quality Claims Team educated insurance brokers about the added value a claims management company can offer their business.  Brokers can benefit by trusting Quality Claims with assistance in preparing, presenting, and negotiating a complex settlement on behalf of their client, the homeowner or business in the event of property damage.  By eliminating the broker from a possible “conflict of interest” between the insurance company and client, Quality Claims ensures a seamless transaction for all involved parties.

 Homeowners Insurance in Louisville KY from Dick Watts Insurance

What is Homeowners Insusrance?

What is homeowners insurance?

Homeowners insurance compensates you for losses to your home and your possessions inside it, so purchasing a homeowners insurance policy provides added security for your investment. Homeowners insurance also protects you if you're legally liable for someone's injuries on your property, as well as from financial losses caused by storms, fire, theft and other events outlined in your policy.

Different companies offer different homeowners insurance coverages, so choosing the right policy means finding the right mix of coverages to meet your needs.

Generally, a standard homeowners insurance policy protects the following:

• The physical structure of your home
• Structures on your property (storage sheds, pools, boathouses, etc.)
• Your personal property and belongings inside your home, up to specified limits
• Your liability or legal responsibility for any injuries and property damage you or your family members cause to other people
• Injuries to your household pets while inside your home
• Additional living expenses if a fire or other insured disaster leaves you temporarily unable to live in your home.  
• If you would like a Louisville Homeowners insurance quote call us today at 502-245-3625 at Dick Watts Insurance Louisville KY