How to Shop For Boat Insurance
If you have a boat, you need boat insurance!
Shopping for boat insurance is a bit different from shopping for car insurance, even though the concept is much the same. Boat insurance will protect you against losses incurred while operating your boat, and while transporting your boat. Most boat insurance includes coverage for the boat, the motor, and the trailer.
When shopping for boat insurance, it is usually best to start with the insurance company that insures your cars and your home. Insurance companies usually give deep discounts to their current customers. Most insurance companies will also give deep discounts to people who have successfully completed a boating safety course.
Ask each insurance company that you contact about such discounts. In most cases, they won’t tell you about the discounts unless you specifically ask.
Don’t settle for the rate that your current insurance company quotes! Just get the quote, and tell them you will call them back soon. Using that quote as your base, you need to see if you can get the insurance cheaper elsewhere.
Using online resources is a great way to start. Get the quotes, and then contact the agents personally to see if you can work out a better deal. Believe it or not, insurance companies will compete with each other for your business. Don’t be afraid to tell them the lowest quote that you have been given so far – make them work for your business!
Know what type of insurance you want and need before contacting any agents. Some agents will try to sell you too much insurance, causing your premiums to skyrocket, while others aren’t as knowledgeable about the insurance needs of boat owners and won’t sell you enough coverage!
You should be protected against losses caused by sinking, fire, storms, theft, capsizing, stranding, collision, and explosion. The policy should cover anchors, oars, trolling motors, fuel tanks, seat cushions, skis, tow ropes, dinghies, tools, canopies, life preservers, and any equipment that is permanently attached to the boat.
The different types of insurance that you need include Watercraft Liability, Watercraft medical payments, Newly acquired watercraft coverage, coverage for repairs, coverage for emergency services, and coverage for wreck removal. In most states, the liability coverage entails Watercraft Liability and Watercraft Medical Payments.
Watercraft liability will protect you in the event of an accident that results from the ownership, maintenance, or use of your boat. It should include bodily injury coverage, property damage coverage, and even legal defense coverage. It should also protect anyone who drives your boat, as long as they were legally allowed to drive the vessel.Cheap Medical Insurance, Health Insurance, insurance, Low Cost Health Insurance, Medical Insurance
Watercraft Medical payments coverage will pay medical expenses up to specific limits for you and the occupants of your boat in the even of an accident.
Other types of coverage are usually voluntary, but should be strongly considered. There is quite a bit that can happen when you transport or operate a water vessel, and protecting yourself legally should be a high priority!
Again, know what you want in terms of coverage before you talk to an agent, and make sure that you get the coverage that you need.
Compare rates online, and then contact the agents that offer you the lowest quotes. Attend a boating safety course, and make sure that you get that discount! Once you’ve found lower rates than the original quote that your current insurance company offered you, call them back and let them know that you found a lower rate. See if they can compete – in many cases they will offer to match that rate, just to keep your business! Again – make them work for your business!
CopyRight Ian D. Major 2005.
How To Slash Your Car Insurance Costs Up To 54% In 10 Easy Steps – Part 1
How much do you pay for Car Insurance every year?
Eight hundred dollars a year? One thousand? Two thousand?
Whatever the amount you’re paying now, you can slash that amount by more than 50% by simply following a few simple strategies.
Can you cut your car insurance costs by investing only 30 seconds of your time? No, that can’t be done.
But if you’re willing to spend 30 minutes today, this week, or next, I’ll show you how to save up to $6,000 on your Car Insurance over the next 10 years.
Okay, here we go. Grab your Car Insurance declarations page (the page in your policy that details all the coverage’s you’re paying for) and follow along. Make sure you take some notes. If you don’t have your policy, or can’t find it, call your car insurance company and get one – they’ll send it to you pronto.
STRATEGY 1 – Make sure you’re getting all applicable discounts for your vehicles safety features, such as:
– Front, Side or Head Curtain Air Bags;
– Automatic Seat Belts;
– Anti-Theft Alarms or Tracking;
– ABS or Traction Control….and many more.
Think about the safety features you have….and write them down.
STRATEGY 2 – Review & Change Deductibles For Comp & Collision.
Most Car Insurance Policies have two deductibles – one for “collision” (you hit someone or someone hits you) and one for “Comprehensive” (all other damage or loss).
For both of these, have at least a $500 deductible – preferably a $1000 deductible.
Here’s why – If you are currently paying a $100 – $250 deductible, you’ll save up to 40% per year on your monthly premiums by moving it to $500. That means if you’re currently spending $1,000 a year on insurance, you’re going to get to keep $400 every year. If you jump to a $1,000 deductible, you could keep almost $600 extra a year in your pocket.
I can hear some of you saying, “Wow, a $1,000 deductible. That’s a lot of money.” Yes, it is.
So is paying $1,000 a year with that $100 deductible….versus $400 a year with a $1,000 deductible.
The odds are in your favor – go with the $1,000 deductible.
STRATEGY 3 – Review & Change Property Damage Liability.
Have you ever seen a $100,000 mailbox? Car Insurance Companies must have. Here’s why….
Property damage is not damage done to an automobile but rather “property” like a mailbox or a utility pole. So, why in the world would you need $100,000 dollars of coverage?
In most cases, almost 100% of all property damage claims can be taken care of with only $50,000 of coverage. So take a look at your policy to find out what you’re currently paying for. And if you have little or no Net Worth, drop your coverage even lower – to $25,000 or your States minimum. You can find your States minimum by doing a Google search for “car insurance state minimums.”
Here’s what to look for on your policy – Many will have your liability coverage’s listed like so – 50/100/100 – The first two numbers refer to bodily injury liability coverage. The 1st number is the dollar figure covered per person. The 2nd is the dollar figure per accident.
The 3rd number is the “Property Damage Liability.” That’s what you need to change. What does yours say?
STRATEGY 4 – Review & Change Bodily Injury Liability.
Although Bodily Injury Liability Coverage is a must, almost all of us end-up overpaying for the coverage we need. This type of coverage specifically covers:
– Any and all occupants of an automobile, whether it’s yours or someone else’s;
– Any and all occupants of another vehicle;
– And Pedestrians
Your only goal with this type of coverage is to have just enough protection to protect what is yours….in other words, your assets. And in order to protect your assets, you need to figure out what your Net Worth is – here’s a well known site for calculating your net worth – www.kiplinger.com/personalfinance/tools/networth.html?
A great way to slash your premiums is to have no more in bodily injury liability than what your net worth is. Here’s a common example of the coverage most people have – If your net worth is only $20,000 and you have $100,000 in coverage, you’re throwing money away.
And if you have little, or negative net worth, just get the required State minimums. You’ll need this info to get the lowest car insurance rates. Again, you can get see your state minimums by Googling “car insurance state minimums.” An Air Purifier for a Breathe of Fresh Air
Here’s what to look for when trying to figure out how much coverage you have now. As I said earlier, most Policies today have your liability coverage’s listed like so – 50/100/100 – The first two numbers (whatever they might be) refer to bodily injury liability coverage. In this example, there is $50,000 in coverage per person and $100,000 per accident.
What does your policy say? Are you paying more than your net worth? If so, change it.
STRATEGY 5 – Review & Change Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage.
The uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage is a fantastic deal for car insurance companies….and a lousy one for you. This premium alone can increase your auto insurance by a couple hundred dollars a year.
Most folks think that uninsured/underinsured coverage is there to get your car repaired if it is hit by someone without insurance….or someone with lousy insurance.
Wrong.
Any damage done to your car is already covered – by the premium you’re already paying for collision.
First things first….check your policy if your paying for uninsured/underinsured coverage now. If you are, Google “uninsured motorist state requirements” to see if your State requires it.
If it’s not required by your State, cancel it.
If the State you live in does require uninsured/underinsured coverage, make sure you have the absolute minimum required. These minimums are not advertised, change every couple of years and are very difficult to find. So, here’s how you handle this.
Do a Google search for your State Department of Insurance, go to the “Contact Us” page, find a phone number, then call and ask what the minimums are.
Don’t try looking for it. Finding the minimums listed is almost impossible on most State Web Sites – they’ve buried it so deep you’ll never find it. Just call your State Department of Insurance.
I know it’s a bit of a hassle to get the info yourself. Yet relying on the Insurance Companies to give you the correct information isn’t very wise.
Next – Part 2 of “How To Slash Your Car Insurance Costs Up To 54% In 10 Easy Steps”
How To Slash Your Car Insurance Costs Up To 54% In 10 Easy Steps – Part 2
In Part 1, we detailed the first five strategies on how to cut your car insurance costs. In Part 2, we show you the second five.
STEP 6 – Review, Change or Cancel No Fault & PIP (Personal Injury Protection)
No-Fault Coverage, and it’s Twin – PIP – started out as great idea’s. Your premiums were actually going to be lowered. Then, your State Politicians got involved (at the urging of Insurance Lobbyists, of course) and mucked it up.
You see, no-fault insurance coverage was originally intended to have each individual’s losses, covered by their own car insurance company – no matter who was at fault.
Today, in many States, car insurance companies are making a ton of money on no-fault because the insurance companies convinced State law-makers to make “modifications.”
Today, because of the these changes, car insurance companies have actually used the no-fault laws to reduce payments on a claim made by a customer, instead of reducing car insurance premiums as it was supposed to do.
So, premiums keep going up-and-up and insurance companies end up paying less for claims – Someone’s getting rich on that deal….and it’s not you.
And to make matters worse, some States (with really, really talented Insurance Lobbyist’s) also require an additional premium be paid on top of the no-fault premium. This beauty is called Personal Injury Protection (PIP).
PIP is a “wide-blanket” of coverage and can provide Collision Coverage, Hospitalization, Social Security Disability, Workers Comp, Personal Disability Insurance & Life Insurance.
The problem with PIP and what it covers is….
You already gave most, if not all, of these coverage’s anyway, don’t you? So, you’re paying twice!
So, you need to do a couple of things:
Google “minimum levels of required auto insurance” to see if No-Fault Insurance and/or PIP Is required in your State;
Then, check your policy. If it’s not required by your State to have No-Fault/PIP Coverage and it’s on your policy – cancel it. If No-Fault/PIP is required by your State….take the absolute minimum. Here’s how.
If you must have No-Fault/PIP, ask for and get a deductible from your car insurance company.
STEP 7 – Cancel Medical Coverage
Medical Coverage, on most car insurance policies, is a promise to pay “reasonable” medical expenses for anyone who is riding in your car should you have an accident…as well as anyone in your car should it get hit by someone else.
Cancel it. You don’t need it.
Why is that you say? Well, medical coverage as part of your car insurance policy is a duplicate of your own:
– Medical Plan; – Any Life Insurance Coverage you might have, as well as; – The Liability Sections of almost every car insurance policy written in the U.S.
Think of it this way….Do you have a Health/Medical/Hospitalization Plan thru work or an Association you belong to?
Then why are you paying premiums for Medical/Hospitalization Coverage on your Car Insurance Policy?
Here’s what’s going to happen when you tell the car insurance company or Agent that you “Don’t want the Hospitalization/Medical Coverage.” You’re going to hear very slick “scare tactics” to help change your mind.
The insurance company employee will say “Well, if you’re in an accident, and it’s your fault, who’s going to cover the medical bills for any injured passengers in your car?”
Here’s your answer. Your family is already covered by your Health/Hospitalization Plan. If anybody else is in the car and they’re injured – they’re covered by your Bodily Injury Liability coverage that you’re already paying for….and their own Health/Hospitalization Plan.
So go ahead – save some more money and get rid of this coverage.
STEP 8 – Cancel Death, Dismemberment & Loss of Sight
Do you have any of these coverage’s on your existing car insurance policy? If so – cancel them.
And if you’re a first time car insurance buyer or, just looking at getting several car insurance quotes, don’t let anyone talk you into them!
Why?
Because, these coverage’s are an absolute waste of money. Most of these optional coverage’s are simply “glorified” life insurance policies with ridiculous provisions and horribly overpriced premiums. If you need life insurance, make it a separate Insurance Policy.
STEP 9 – Cancel The Extras
Do you have “Roadside Assistance” or “Rental Car Reimbursement” on your policy? If so, cancel them.
And again, if you’re a first time insurance buyer or getting a few car insurance quotes, don’t bother with these coverage’s.
Why? Because they’re severely overpriced, are rarely ever used, and limit what you can and cannot do.
For instance, some rental car reimbursement” coverage is almost $100 a year for each vehicle on your policy. So if you have two cars, you’ll spend almost $2,000 on rental car coverage in the next 10 years – and likely never even use it.
And roadside assistance? The piece-of-mind it offers gets trampled by the premiums the car insurance companies want for this coverage. Roadside assistance is a good idea. But use AAA for a cheaper solution.
STEP 10 – Terminate Comprehensive & Collision Coverage On Older Cars.
If you have an older car – by that I mean one that’s worth less than $2,000 wholesale (the amount a car dealer would give you if you were trading it in) cancel any Comprehensive and Collision Coverage you have or decline that option when getting a car insurance quote.
Here’s why. If an 8 year-old car and a brand new car have identical damage, the cost to repair both will be identical as well, even though the 8 year-old car is worth next-to-nothing.
You see the cost of a bumper and fender are the same – whether it’s for a brand new car, or one that is 8 years-old. That’s why your premiums don’t go down as the value of the car goes down. Your payments remain almost the same, year-after-year-after-year.
But, the bottom drops-out of what you’ll be able to collect on that older car. For instance, if your car is “totaled”, your insurance company will only pay you the wholesale value of your car.
So, let’s say your car is worth $1,000, but the total damage is more than $4,000, the insurance company is only going to give you a check for $1,000….minus your deductible, of course.
So you might end up getting $500 back. Sounds like a lousy deal….but that’s how it works.
So, the rule-of-thumb is this – cancel your comp & collision coverage when your vehicles value is less than $2,000….or you’ll be throwing your money away.
Okay – you’ve jotted down some notes and are ready to make some changes to your car insurance policy. So pick up the phone and start slashing your premiums!
I Don’t Want To Pay For Auto Insurance! What’s It For Anyway?
There are approximately 20 various types of insurance policies available and auto, home, life and health top the charts.
The concept of insurance has been recorded to be first practiced as far back as 2nd and 3rd millennium B.C. Just about anything you think about or hold value too these days can be insured. Auto or vehicle insurance is one of the most common types of insurance and is a basic policy to protect you against losses incurred from car accidents, theft, vandalism and various other mishaps. Auto insurance can be purchased for different vehicles like cars and trucks as well as recreational items like motorbikes, boats and motor homes. In recent years the internet has been instrumental in helping people to know the various policies available to meet their needs and compare prices.
What’s auto insurance for anyway?
Auto insurance is basically a contract between you the customer or car owner and an insurance company. According to this contract you the customer agree to pay a certain amount of money or premium to the insurance company and the company agrees to payout any losses as defined in the policy.
The main items covered in auto insurance policies are:
1. Property: in case of damage or theft of a car the reimbursement is paid under the property coverage.
2. Liability: covers expenses incurred for bodily injury or property damage to the other person and or yourself.
3. Medical expense: medical coverage helps pay for treating injuries, rehabilitation and funeral expenses.
Most insurance policies are valid for six months to one year and need to be renewed before the policy expires to avoid gaps of coverage where you would be liable if something were to happen. Insurance companies will usually notify you by mail when it is time to renew your policy. Insurance companies charge a flat rate premium regardless of how much the vehicle is used. Some insurance companies also offer various types of discounts.
The Benefits of Auto Insurance:
In order to protect your assets and financial situation it is very important to purchase auto insurance, this is the main purpose of auto insurance. Auto insurance is not only important for the protection of your vehicle but also in most countries it is required mandatory by law.
It is very important to conduct a detailed study when buying auto insurance coverage because there are different types of policies with different benefits. Consult an expert before investing in any insurance to ensure you get the right type and best rates possible.
I’m Buying a Cheap, Used Car. Do I Need to Insure It?
Purchasing a cheap, used car is a great idea for individuals who are on a budget and looking to save money. However, it is still mandatory that, in order to drive the vehicle on public roads in the United States of America, the vehicle needs to be insured by an auto insurance company. Some individuals may choose still to not insure their vehicles, even though the laws of their state mandate that they have current auto insurance coverage on their vehicle(s) in operation. These people may be subject to heavy fines and penalties for operating their vehicles without insurance coverage in the event that they are caught without insurance.
There are a number of things for which a vehicle needs to be insured. It is not just a case of insuring the driver and the vehicle in the case of an accident damaging the vehicle. If this were the case, many people would be able to get away without having insurance since, to this extent, as long as they stayed out of accidents that were their fault, drivers could avoid any damages that may occur. Unless one of these mishaps occurs or an individual is pulled over, it would not be likely that the issue of insurance would come to the attention of law enforcement. However, individuals that do choose to drive without being properly insured are taking a huge risk. In addition to vehicle accidents, there are a number of other problems for which an individual’s insurance may be applicable.
Vehicles can also be insured against theft, fire, accident damage and third party use. Individuals do not need to insure their cars against all different types of damages or accidents. In general, individuals can choose between having comprehensive or liability insurance coverage. Deciding between which insurance coverage would be best for you as an individual can be more easily begun by first determining which type of auto insurance is affordable to you. Once you determine the insurance you need to have, you can begin to explore whether or not any additional coverage would be beneficial in your life.
Liability coverage covers damage caused to other people. This can include not just their property, but their body as well. Medical liability helps to ensure that the cost of a person’s medical costs and/or their death will be met. Comprehensive coverage extends to your own vehicle and the property of other people. Collision coverage ensures that your car and other vehicles involved in the collision are covered in the event that they are damaged and you are found to be the cause. Underinsured motorist property damage pays for the costs in the event that the liability insurance coverage had by the negligent driver is not enough. Regardless of the type of insurance that an individuals chooses to have, the laws of the United States of America do require drivers to insure their vehicles prior to taking them out on the road. Individuals who do not insure their vehicles, or who allow their insurance to lapse, can bring problems down upon themselves if they are ever caught in a situation where they need to, but cannot, provide proof of insurance.