When To Get Car Insurance?

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By Russell Marlow


It's important that you have a car insurance policy before you actually drive the vehicle in question. It's illegal to drive a car on UK roads without a relevant policy for it. This applies whether you are simply driving a car from one house to another or going for a long journey on a motorway - you must have a car insurance policy to be within the law.

It's even illegal to drive the car from the point of purchase to your home if you do not have a policy in place. This might seem strange as some people might be worried about buying a car insurance policy for a vehicle they have not yet sealed a deal for. The way around this is to get somebody who has fully comprehensive cover allowing them to drive other vehicles to drive the car back to your home address for you. Alternatively, whoever it is you are buying the car from may allow you to put down a deposit, a proportion of the final sale price, to secure the car while you go away and sort a cover policy before driving it away and paying the full amount.

The main point is that there are no exceptions when it comes to the law, you must have a relevant policy in place before you drive a car on public roads. The police take a dim view of those who are caught. You can end up in court and face penalty points on your licence plus a fine. Persistent offenders may end up with a driving ban, and those who routinely break the law can even find themselves going to prison.

Although many people are still tempted and fail to get a policy, current technology means it is easier for officers to catch offenders. Something called automatic number plate recognition or ANPR technology means the police can simply use a camera to record the registration numbers of passing vehicles and compare them instantly to a database to see if they have a policy on them. Any questionable vehicles flagged up by the system will probably find themselves instantly pulled over.

Car insurance is also still needed if you are a learner driver, and you will need something in place before you take to the roads with your L plates and qualified driver in the passenger seat. Many people use a relative's or friend's car and are put on its insurance policy as a 'named driver' before taking to the wheel. Cutting corners is not advised and remember when you do get a car policy, cover comes in different levels - third party only is the minimum legal requirement.

To recap, here are a few points to keep in mind:

* You need a policy before driving a car on UK public roads.
* Insurance needs to be in place before you take to the wheel, whatever your reason for driving that car.
* Learner drivers also need to be covered when driving on public roads.
* Penalties for driving without a policy can include points on your licence and heavy fines.


Russell Marlow is a London based freelance writer who writes about financial products including car insurance.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Russell_Marlow
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5 Reasons For Having Insurance

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By Phillip Darcy


The cost of insurance is rising all the time and many people are now starting to wonder if it is actually one of life's necessities. There are many different types of insurance and it can be expensive to cover everything that only has a slight chance of happening. Unfortunately though we cannot guarantee nothing bad will happen to us, our families or our belongings! There are still plenty of good reasons for taking out those insurance policies.

1. You never know what is going to happen. This is the main reason for having insurance. If you are covered and someone breaks in to your home and steals something you get it replaced, if you break your hip you get it replaced etc. This is how insurance should work.
2. You can't trust nature - In early 2009 bush fires ravaged the southern Australian state of Victoria destroying over 1000 homes (not to mention vehicles and possessions). This is but one example of the destructive forces of nature. Add storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, tsunamis, floods etc. into the mix and it becomes very clear that insurance is still very necessary!
3. You can't trust other people - Accidents happen to everyone, but there are people who cause accidents through negligence, a drunk driver for example. Not being insured doesn't mean you can't sue them, but at least you are covered from the start!
4. It's not as expensive as you might think - Insurance plans can seem expensive, but there are always ways to save money, like bundling different types of insurance together for example.
5. For your peace of mind - Knowing that you (and your family) are covered by an insurance policy if something unfortunate does happen can help put your mind at ease.


Phillip writes for the best insurance plans website with featured articles such as life insurance for the elderly.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phillip_Darcy
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Top 5 Types of Insurance You Should Be Covered For

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By Jeff Salmon


Insurance is a necessity in the modern world where Mother Nature, poor drivers, thieves and accidents are just a handful of risks which can upturn your life and leave you and your finances vulnerable. Although it can seem like a needless expense, investing in insurance is the only way to prepare for the worst. With so many hazards at home, in the workplace and on the roads how do you know which types of insurance to choose? Below are 5 types of insurance which you should consider investing in.



1) Personal injury

We've all seen the adverts asking if we've been injured in an accident at work or in a public place but what would the consequences be if you actually did have an accident? You may not be able to work for a period of time and you may need to get help to look after your family or even yourself. Some of most common personal injury claims include road accidents, tripping, assault and accidents on holiday. Accidents can happen to anyone but if you work in a particularly dangerous environment, spend a lot of time behind the wheel or enjoy extreme sports, then you should consider investing in personal injury insurance.

2) Fire

All homes are at a risk from fire but the level of the risk will depend on what types of preventative measures you have in place. If you have a smoke alarm on every floor in your home and a fire extinguisher in the kitchen then your home is arguably less at risk. If the worst does happen then the aftermath of a fire can be extremely traumatic and even small fires can result in needing to spend money redecorating and replacing damaged furniture. It's worth getting covered so that the aftermath of the fire is less of a financial burden and you can have the right help on hand.

3) Flooding

In 2006 the UK saw some of the worst floods on records with thousands of homes and businesses being wrecked by water across the country. This scale of devastation proves that it's not just coastal or riverside properties which are at risk from floods and any low lying area could be affected. Arranging alternative accommodation, making repairs and replacing possessions is just the start of recovering from a flood and in some cases it take months for your home to become liveable again. Being insured can make the recovery process much smoother and also give you peace of mind if you are in a high risk area.

4) Burglary

A break in can result in your possessions being stolen and potentially damage your home if they break a window or force a door. If you live in a high risk area or in a home which is older and perhaps more vulnerable to thieves then upgrade your home security and find out exactly what your home insurance covers in terms of theft and consider raising your policy.

5) Subsidence

Subsidence is usually just associated with homes on coastal edges, steep cliffs or in mining regions but extreme weather such as flooding and the type of ground the house is built on can also cause subsidence. Subsidence can cause cracks in your property walls and damage to piping and outside areas of your home such as drive ways and patios which can affect the foundations of your home and put your property and family at risk.

Insurance is sometimes the only preventative measure you can take against accidents, break-ins and extreme weather so it's wise to check your policies to see if you have the right insurance to cover your home and lifestyle.


This article was written by Jeff Salmon of Salmon Assessors, a claims negotiation company based in London which helps people to get what they are entitled to when making insurance claims.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeff_Salmon
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Health Insurance Quotes Online - 3 Questions to Answer Before You Shop

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By Barbara Dearing


Ready to shop for health insurance quotes online? Maybe -- maybe not. Shopping for any type of insurance usually requires the shopper to make a number of on-the-spot decisions, so it helps to have your priorities firmly in mind before you begin. If you want to avoid a mind-numbing shopping experience, you may want to write down the answers to the following 3 questions -- before you fire up your computer and start shopping for online quotes.

1. How flexible are you? Do you have your heart set on seeing a specific doctor, or receiving medical care at a specific hospital? If so, you will want to start your shopping process by ruling out all Health Maintenance Organizations (HMO's), which are very restrictive about using their "in network" health care providers.

On the other hand, if you have been referred to a particular HMO, ask them up front whether or not your favorite providers are included in their network. If not, you'll want to look elsewhere -- perhaps a PPO that provides more flexibility.

2. How healthy are you? Are you looking for a specific kind of coverage? Keep in mind that health insurance coverage comes in all shapes, sizes and flavors and what is necessary for your neighbor isn't necessarily the right kind of coverage for you. Think about your lifestyle and decide whether or not any of the following optional benefits are important to you -- prescription drug coverage, mental health benefits, maternity care, vision care, dental, or chiropractic care. If you don't expect to need these benefits, there is certainly no point in paying for them in your policy.

On the other hand, make sure you are including optional coverage that you are likely to need. For example, if you have any thought of starting a family in the near future, maternity benefits are an absolute necessity as they will be prohibitively expensive or impossible to purchase once a pregnancy has occurred.

3. How much deductible can you afford? Early in the quote-seeking process, you will need to declare the amount of deductible you are seeking. Remember, the higher the deductible, the lower your premiums. It is generally advised that you accept the highest deductible being offered, even if it seems like a financial stretch -- the lower premiums will usually out-weigh the deductible over time.

Once you have a firm grasp of the flexibility, coverage and deductible that you're seeking, you're ready to begin shopping for health insurance quotes online. If you need help finding the right quote provider, please visit the website recommended below.

Barb Dearing is a freelance writer, specializing in topics that help consumers save money in a variety of areas. She recommends the following website for consumers seeking multiple health insurance quotes: http://www.shop-health-insurance-quotes.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Dearing
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Do You Need A Health Insurance Plan?

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By Uma A Ilango


Medical Bills Can Ruin You

There is no socialized medical care in the United States of America. This means that in times of medical need, you will have to pay for the bills out of your own pocket. All it takes is one serious illness or an accident to send you filing for bankruptcy. The medical bills can be raked up to tens of thousands of dollars easily.

Haven’t Got Any Health Insurance?

It is no doubt that with the surmounting bills and expenses of basic necessities in daily life, setting aside money for it may seem like a luxury or a chore. To make matters worse, a lot of plans in the market are relatively expensive. In order to feel good about the decision to not buy one, we tell ourselves a simple lie – It will never happen to me. We may even justify the decision by looking for facts to substantiate it such as being a non-smoker or having a low-risk job. Are you guilty of this?

Do you really believe that serious illnesses and freak accidents choose a particular group or type of people to “attack”? Nobody says that a non-smoker will never get cancer. All the experts say is that a smoker stands a higher chance of getting cancer. Are you really invincible? Of course, there are others who have not invested in a health insurance due to other reasons such as lack of funds or lack of understanding of how it works.

Health Insurance 101

A health insurance is basically a protection against large medical bills. You can pay monthly, quarterly or annually for your it. The first step to getting a good one is to assess your current financial standing as well as health conditions and needs. There are many types of these plans in the market and you should be able to find one that fits your situation.

Group health insurance is affordable and it can be gotten via your employer for you and your colleagues. A private one also come in many forms – indemnity insurance plans, HMO plans, POS plans and PPO plans. Find out more about each of these plans so that your final choice will be one that is well-informed. Research is required to get a good idea of it. As in other service sectors, these plans are also susceptible to a degree of misleading advertisement, promises and information. Often you hear that it will cover most or all of the medical bills. On the contrary, it does not happen all the time. It all depends on the terms, conditions and limitations listed in the health insurance plan.

As this is quite tricky and requires quite a bit of reading up and work, you may consider hiring the services of health insurance broker. Another way of getting the perfect one is to use the information on the Internet to guide you to read and understand the plans. There are many articles to help you do this. There are also many websites that help you to compare various quotes online. Also obtain online reviews about how well the health insurance company you are interested in has dealt with previous clients’ needs. For those who may need more financial assistance, there are government funded such programs such as Medicaid and Medicare. Look them up as well.

Not having a health insurance is a serious gamble with far-reaching financial and emotional effects. It need not be costly. Look for an affordable one. Know the terms, conditions and limitations. To be honest, I do wish all of you are invincible and will never ever be in a situation where you are faced with large medical bills. At the same time, I know that isn’t reality and I sincerely wish you’ll not be caught unprepared.

Many people consider that finding health insurance are for those who fall ill often and those who do risk filled jobs. However, the truth lies in the way when sudden blow of health hazard occupies one of our family members leading to consecutive problems in economy and normal life. Having a Healthinsurance is a must.

Uma Ilango is a programmer from profession. Has lots of interest in non-technical writing too. She has written articles in several topics. Her hobbies include reading, surfing, writing and playing chess. She writes regularly at Bigarticlepool.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Uma_A_Ilango
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Various Types of Insurance Plans - How to Choose the Right Plan?

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By Mona Agarwal


In this world, every person wants to secure his family. He can invest money in PPF, Mutual funds, insurance plans and many more.

There are numerous insurance policies provided by various insurance companies. So we can not easily decide the perfect policy for ourselves. There is a short description of some life insurance policies that may help you in choosing the right plan.

Term Life Insurance: - Term life insurance is an insurance which gives coverage for a particular time of period. After this period, the policy holder can continue his policy or can drop his policy. If the policy holder dies in the term period, nominee will get the death benefit. This insurance plan is very affordable. The policy holder can pay a low monthly premium that is based on the term length and amount of the coverage you choose.

Whole life insurance: - Unlike term insurance, a whole life insurance policy gives the coverage for the entire life not a particular time of period. In this insurance policy, the policy holder gives the insurance premium amount from the date of issue of policy until he completes 100 years. If he dies in this period, then his dependent will get the face value of the policy. This policy can also used as an asset. A person can also take loans from the cash accumulation with the help of policy. If the person reaches at the age of 100, he will get full amount immediately.

Money back insurance: - In money back insurance plans, the policy holder will get periodic payments of partial survival benefits during the term of the policy. The main feature of this policy is that if the insured person dies during the policy term, the death claim will be given to his nominee with sum assured without deducting any of the survival benefit amounts.

ULIP insurance plans: - ULIP plans are the combination of investment and insurance. This is a long term, systematic and goal based investment plan. One can get tax benefits under section 80c of the Income Tax Act. The two key features of this product are flexibility and transparency. Many ULIP plans provide options to increase or reduce premiums after three years.

Riders: - Riders are additional benefits that one can opt to include in one's policy over and above what the insurance policy provides. These add-ons come with extra premium charges that depend on the rider you have opted. One can not buy these riders separately.

To summarize, there are details of some insurance policies that may help you to select the right plan for you. Before purchasing any insurance policy, an individual should compare all the policies and choose the policy that meets his requirements.

This article provides the information about various insurance plans. As we know that "insurance is a contract between the insurer and the insured person". So each person wants to choose the correct insurance policy. Here, we are also providing some information about insurance policies. If you want to know more information about insurance, you can also visit:- http://www.insurancereview.in

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mona_Agarwal
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How to Select an Insurance Company

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By Lorna Greenwood


Caveat emptor - Let the buyer beware! Unfortunately, it's difficult area to be well informed in insurance for many consumers because of the number of insurance companies, kinds of coverage and similarity of names. Add to that the global aspect of the modern business climate, and the struggle can be even greater.

If you're looking for coverage for your home or car, chances are you're familiar with the companies you contact for quotes. Many insurance companies advertise in trusted areas and have long-standing reputations. You know them. When a consumer steps out in a new arena, it pays to be even more informed.


For example, one of the fastest growing industries is Medical Tourism, in which patients travel for health care.

Typically the patient travels overseas for cost savings, often to gleaming facilities with skilled surgeons and other healthcare providers. The cost savings can begin from the ground up, with state of the art facilities being constructed for 1/5 the cost for the same building in the US. Complications can arise from surgery performed anywhere. When patients travel for healthcare savings, they want to know that if a complication arises, they won't see their savings erode. Specialty insurance can cover trip cancellation, travel accident, complications of surgery and more to alleviate that concern.

Because they are specialty policies, they can vary widely. It's important for consumers to compare coverage to ensure they're getting coverage that truly meets their needs. A side by side comparison is important in this regard. Ask about exclusions, coverage periods, deductibles, taxes and fees, etc.

Further, new trends and industries create opportunities for unscrupulous offers from fictitious insurance companies. Because they can appear to be very official, and perhaps claim to be organized outside the US, consumers may feel that they fictitious company is real and legitimate. These bad apples don't spoil the whole bunch, but they can certainly leave a bad taste when they're chosen by mistake!

Insurance companies cannot be set up overnight in any country, and are either listed or reviewed by companies who rate insurers, such as Standard & Poor's or A.M. Best. Even foreign companies are rated, or at least listed (if they have not been in business long enough or otherwise don't meet the criteria to be rated.)

I recently came across a policy that was offered to medical tourists as a patient's version of Malpractice insurance. It is conceivable, but very unusual for a patient to be able to purchase malpractice insurance on a doctor (and I would add that a patient who experiences a complication of surgery would want coverage whether it was the result of malpractice or not.) It included a claim deposit that the patient had to pay if he needed to make a claim. Such requirements are highly unusual, and should prompt the consumer to investigate the validity of the company and the policy.

Consumers should always check insurance companies out, either through their trusted agent or by asking A.M. Best (www.ambest.com) or other rating companies directly. Also check with the Better Business Bureau and your state department of insurance for complaints. Consumers should also ask the insurance company who handles their product, so they know they're dealing with the right and authorized agent. An insurance company can be a victim of an unscrupulous person as well as can a consumer, when someone pretends to represent the insurance company. And unfortunately, if money is paid to a fictitious company, it can be very difficult to recover - if it can be recovered.

If in doubt, call on your trusted insurance agent to help you navigate the waters. Get quotes from several companies, check out the companies and agents, compare coverage forms, and move forward knowing that while no insurance policy is everything to everyone, you've made an informed choice for the best option for your needs.


Lorna Greenwood, WCS, CRM, CIC, CISR, ACSR is Program Manager at US Risk Underwriters, Inc. in Dallas, Texas with over fifteen years of experience in the insurance industry, plus ten years experience in real estate investment portfolio management. Visit http://usrisk.com/medtour.htm and http://www.usrisk.com/uw_vocal.htm for more information on her programs. Lorna underwrites MedTour Pro - coverage for Medical Tourism Facilitators, Employers who offer Medical Tourism Benefits to employees; and MedTour - coverage for the medical tourist.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lorna_Greenwood
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