Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Compare Insurance

By Tom Martens

No one wants to be "taken" on their insurance premiums. It is hard not to view these payments as money down the drain, so many of us use price quotes as the deciding factor when we select auto, home or household insurance.

That is a choice many consumers come to regret when the time comes to file a claim. This is when we find out what kind of service our premiums have been paying for, and, we shouldn't be surprised to find that we get what we pay for.

That said, you're able to find companies that quality services at decent prices, and finding out how to compare insurance quotes, among other things.

Researching insurance online is the easiest way to start. You'll find resources to educate yourself about common insurance terms and practices. And, you can gather enough information, most of the time including quotes, cover information and company history, to know if you want to give the company a call for information on specific options. This way, you can avoid high-pressure sales tactics that might cause you to make a decision prematurely.

When you start negotiating with the insurance company, you'll hear novel terms and listen to consultants who try to pull fast ones on you. You need to know what will happen when you submit a claim, and what the terms of your policy include. Ask any questions that you need to ask to clarify the policy. Any company that wants your business should be willing and able to explain its policy to your satisfaction.

One thing it is important to understand about insurance is how the companies determine your premium. Foregoing all the jargon that can accompany this explanation, it essentially boils down to your risk profile. If you're a high risk, you'll pay a higher premium. If you're a low risk, you'll pay a lower premium.

Several factors influence your risk profile, including, age, gender, place of residence, the value of the item(s) to be insured, your history of claims, the type and amount of cover you want to buy and the risk the item(s) being insured are exposed to. These factors can influence the various types of insurance in different ways, but some have the same effect on each insurance type.

Home, household, and car insurance will cost you more if you live in a high-crime area, because of the increased risk of burglary and hijacking. You can lower your car, household, and home insurance premiums if you add security measures beyond those required by the insurance company.

Excess refers to the amount you are responsible to pay when you file a claim. All car, home and household policies have minimum excess amounts, but you can raise yours in exchange for lower premiums.Consider increasing your excess amounts,if you can afford it.

It takes a while to establish your driving record and history with an insurance company. If you are just starting out with insurance you will find that you will not be eligible for discounts. Some insurance companies do offer breaks and rewards to new drivers, I have seen some companies offer incentives to those who have good grades and show signs of responsibility. - 15224

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