Types Of Life Insurance Policies - Which Is Right For You?

Term Life by definition is a life insurance policy which provides a stated benefit upon the holder's death, provided that the death occurs within a certain specified time period. However, the policy does not provide any returns beyond the stated benefit, unlike an insurance policy which allows investors to share in returns from the insurance company's investment portfolio.

Annually renewable term life.

Historically, a term life rate increased each year as the risk of death became greater. While unpopular, this type of life policy is still available and is commonly referred to as annually renewable term life (ART).

Guaranteed level term life.

Many companies now also offer level term life. This type of insurance policy has premiums that are designed to remain level for a period of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 or even 30 years. Level term life policies have become extremely popular because they are very inexpensive and can provide relatively long term coverage. But, be careful! Most level term life insurance policies contain a guarantee of level premiums. However some policies don't provide such guarantees. Without a guarantee, the insurance company can surprise you by raising your life insurance rate, even during the time in which you expected your premiums to remain level. Needless to say, it is important to make sure that you understand the terms of any life insurance policy you are considering.
Return of premium term life insurance

Return of premium term insurance (ROP) is a relatively new type of insurance policy that offers a guaranteed refund of the life insurance premiums at the end of the term period assuming the insured is still living. This type of term life insurance policy is a bit more expensive than regular term life insurance, but the premiums are designed to remain level. These returns of premium term life insurance policies are available in 15, 20, or 30-year term versions. Consumer interest in these plans has continued to grow each year, as they are often significantly less expensive than permanent types of life insurance, yet, like many permanent plans, they still may offer cash surrender values if the insured doesn't die.

Types of Permanent Life Insurance Policies

A permanent life insurance policy by definition is a policy that provides life insurance coverage throughout the insured's lifetime ñ the policy never ends as long as the premiums are paid. In addition, a permanent life insurance policy provides a savings element that builds cash value.
Universal Life

Life insurance which combines the low-cost protection of term life with a savings component that is invested in a tax-deferred account, the cash value of which may be available for a loan to the policyholder. Universal life was created to provide more flexibility than whole life by allowing the holder to shift money between the insurance and savings components of the policy. Additionally, the inner workings of the investment process are openly displayed to the holder, whereas details of whole life investments tend to be quite scarce. Premiums, which are variable, are broken down by the insurance company into insurance and savings. Therefore, the holder can adjust the proportions of the policy based on external conditions. If the savings are earning a poor return, they can be used to pay the premiums instead of injecting more money. If the holder remains insurable, more of the premium can be applied to insurance, increasing the death benefit. Unlike with whole life, the cash value investments grow at a variable rate that is adjusted monthly. There is usually a minimum rate of return. These changes to the interest scheme allow the holder to take advantage of rising interest rates. The danger is that falling interest rates may cause premiums to increase and even cause the policy to lapse if interest can no longer pay a portion of the insurance costs.

To age 100 level guaranteed life insurance

This type of life policy offers a guaranteed level premium to age 100, along with a guaranteed level death benefit to age 100. Most often, this is accomplished within a Universal Life policy, with the addition of a feature commonly known as a "no-lapse rider". Some, but not all, of these plans also include an "extension of maturity" feature, which provides that if the insured lives to age 100, having paid the "no-lapse" premiums each year, the full face amount of coverage will continue on a guaranteed basis at no charge thereafter.

Survivorship or 2nd-to-die life insurance

A survivorship life policy, also called 2nd-to-die life, is a type of coverage that is generally offered either as universal or whole life and pays a death benefit at the later death of two insured individuals, usually a husband and wife. It has become extremely popular with wealthy individuals since the mid-1980's as a method of discounting their inevitable future estate tax liabilities which can, in effect, confiscate an amount to over half of a family's entire net worth!

Congress instituted an unlimited marital deduction in 1981. As a result, most individuals arrange their affairs in a manner such that they delay the payment of any estate taxes until the second insured's death. A "2nd-to-die" life policy allows the insurance company to delay the payment of the death benefit until the second insured's death, thereby creating the necessary dollars to pay the taxes exactly when they are needed! This coverage is widely used because it is generally much less expensive than individual permanent life coverage on either spouse.

Variable Universal Life

A form of whole life which combines some features of universal life, such as premium and death benefit flexibility, with some features of variable life, such as more investment choices. Variable universal life adds to the flexibility of universal life by allowing the holder to choose among investment vehicles for the savings portion of the account. The differences between this arrangement and investing individually are the tax advantages and fees that accompany the insurance policy.

Whole Life

Insurance which provides coverage for an individual's whole life, rather than a specified term. A savings component, called cash value or loan value, builds over time and can be used for wealth accumulation. Whole life is the most basic form of cash value insurance. The insurance company essentially makes all of the decisions regarding the policy. Regular premiums both pay insurance costs and cause equity to accrue in a savings account. A fixed death benefit is paid to the beneficiary along with the balance of the savings account. Premiums are fixed throughout the life of the policy even though the breakdown between insurance and savings swings toward the insurance over time. Management fees also eat up a portion of the premiums. The insurance company will invest money primarily in fixed-income securities, meaning that the savings investment will be subject to interest rate and inflation risk.

Life Carrier Direct was founded by managing partners with over 70 years of combined Life Insurance experience. Most people want life insurance to protect the ones they love from any unexpected death so that they will be protected financially to cover such things as loss of household income, funding for education, mortgage satisfaction, and other important financial considerations related to the sanctity of the family. Please visit  for a quote comparison of all the major A rated life insurance carriers.

Life Insurance: Protect What You've Got

While insurance isn't an investment, it's an important part of sound, savvy personal financial management. Insurance is protection. It protects everything you've worked so hard to earn. It protects your spouse in the event of premature death. It sends the kids to college. It holds together a family at a time when money shouldn't be a concern.

You need insurance but shopping for the right coverage to protect your family and your assets is like learning a new language. Term life, whole life, universal life, actual cash value, dividends, loans against policy - it's a maze of insurance products out there and finding the right coverage for your needs may take a little research.

Here's a starter course on getting the most for the least in life insurance and still have the protection you and your family need.

Types of Life Insurance

There are two basic types of life insurance with numerous variations on a theme.

Term life insurance is the simplest to understand. It's also the most economical protection you can buy.

Term life insurance is paid when the insured (you) pass on within a defined term - a defined length of time your life insurance coverage is in effect. Term life comes with a variety of time frames: five-, ten- even thirty-year terms are available.

The younger you are, the lower the cost of the monthly premium - the dollar amount you pay for protection each month. Premiums are calculated based on two factors - your age (and general health) and the dollar amount of protection you need. It's simple. A $100,000 term life insurance policy won't cost as much as a $500,000 policy because you're buying less protection.

With term life, you keep things simple. The insurance company pays X amount of dollars to the beneficiaries when the insured individual passes on, as long as the policy is in effect, that is, the death occurs during the term of the policy, thus the name term life insurance.

Term life policies don't accumulate value, you can't borrow against them and, if you choose a short term and your health changes, you could end up paying more for your term life insurance than you would if you buy a long-term policy - one that covers you for the long term.

To determine how much term life you need, add up funeral costs, outstanding personal debt, mortgage debt, the prospect of paying tuition and other large expenses that would drain family resources. Figure what it would cost your family for a single year.

Then multiply by a factor between 5 and 10. Use the lower factor if you don't have a lot of debt and the higher factor if you're carrying a couple of mortgages and you have three kids to put through school. That's how much term life you need to protect your family and all their expectations.

The other class of insurance is whole life insurance, also called permanent insurance, universal insurance, variable universal insurance and other product names, but all fall into the general class of coverage called whole life insurance.

The first difference between term and whole life is that whole life covers you from the day you buy the policy until you die. Of course, this assumes that you pay your whole life insurance premium each month. There is no term (length of time coverage is in effect) to whole life. Buy it when you're young and your premiums will be low and you'll start building cash value.

That's the other main difference between term and whole life insurance coverage. Whole life pays dividends. Not a lot, but dividends that can be used to lower monthly premiums, or they can be allowed to accumulate earning interest.

Once the whole life policy has accumulated enough cash value you can borrow against that cash value to buy a house or cover some tuition bills. The downside to taking loans against the value of a whole life policy is that it lowers the payout to family in the event of the insured individual's death.

However, a whole life policy does increase in value while providing protection for your family. The cost of coverage is also higher. Expect to pay more for $500K of whole life versus $500K of term life insurance, simply because the insurer is paying interest on your monthly premiums.

Calculate your coverage needs using the criteria listed above. Don't think of whole life as a money-maker. It's not intended to increase your wealth. That's a side benefit. An important side benefit, but the primary reason for purchasing whole life is to protect your family in the event of your pre-mature death.

Life Insurance Sources

There are hundreds of insurance companies and even more life insurance products so talking to a knowledgeable professional is a good first step.

An insurance broker can advise you but, keep in mind, each insurance broker carries a "line" of products from a limited number of insurance providers so each broker will tell you her products are the best value.

If you do the math yourself, you know going in, how much coverage you want to buy, at which point, it's just a matter of finding a reputable insurance company offering competitive rates and the benefits you're looking for.

Another resource is your local bank - often the best place to start researching your life insurance needs. Banks sell a broad range of life insurance products and, because insurance isn't the primary business of a bank, you're more likely to get straightforward answers to your questions.

Another reason to visit your bank's insurance rep is that your bank knows the financial you - how much you have in accounts, how much comes in and goes out on a month to month basis, your tax status and other personal finance information needed to get the right kind of life insurance at the right price.

Talk to your employer. Life insurance may be a benefit along with health care and two weeks vacation, but you may also be able to increase the dollar amount of coverage with money deducted from your paycheck painlessly.

Unions, associations, your local Chamber of Commerce and other organizations are also sources for low-cost term or whole life coverage. Purchasing life insurance coverage through an industry association, for example, gets you group rates that translate into more coverage at a lower monthly premium. On the other hand, when you purchase term or whole life through your union you usually don't have a choice of insurers and that's an important point to consider.

Go with an insurance company that's ranked highly by Standard and Poor or some other rating organization. Your broker or banker will steer you toward quality of coverage so you get more for your money.

Life insurance sounds complicated but, when you break it down into simple terms, it's something you can do with a trusted advisor to point you down the right path.

Get life insurance. Get term life if you want lower premiums; get whole life if you want your insurance to build cash value against which you can take loans.

It's your choice. Making the right one saves money and delivers the peace of mind that only quality life insurance protection delivers.

No one likes to think about buying life insurance. It's depressing. It's also essential to protect your family and your assets. What kind of life insurance is right for you? Here's what you need to know before talking to an insurance agent or company.

Twelve Secrets and Tricks to Buying Life Insurance

Secret #1: Don't spend too much time on a life insurance quote.

Do not be fooled by the low price quotes you get online - they don't apply to you unless you are extremely healthy. Statistically only 10% of people who apply actually get the lowest priced policy. The premium you end up paying has nothing to do with the initial quote you get online or from an agent. It is amazing to me how often I see people getting duped by an agent who quotes company X at a lower price than another agent.

Life insurance policies are the same price no matter who you buy from! One agent or website quoting a lower premium means nothing. Prices for any given policy is based on your age and health. There are a few exceptions to this but that is beyond the breadth of this article.

Most life insurance companies have 10-20 different health/price ratings and no agent or website can assure you the quote they give you is accurate. You have to apply, do a health check, and then go through underwriting (meaning you complete a mini-exam with a nurse in your home and then the company checks you doctor records and reviews and 'rates' your health) to get the real price of the policy. Remember that a health rating also factors in your family history, driving record, and the type of occupation you have. Only use quotes to help narrow down your choices to the top companies. You may want to consider a no load or low policy. The more that you save on commissions the more money builds up in your policy. You can even buy term insurance no load, and save a lot on premiums. You will not get the help of an agent, which may be worth something if they are very good.

The most important factor determining price is matching your particular health history with the company best suited for that niche. For instance company X might be best for smokers, company Y for cancer survivors, Company Z for people with high blood pressure, etc.

Secret #2: Ignore the hype on term versus cash value permanent insurance.

You can go crazy reading what everyone has to say on buying term insurance versus a whole or universal life policy. Big name websites give advice that I think borders on fraudulent. Simply put there is NO simple answer on whether you should buy permanent cash value policies or term insurance.

But I do think there is a simple rule of thumb - buy term for your temporary insurance needs and cash value insurance for your permanent needs. I have read in various journals and run mathematical equations myself which basically show that if you have a need for insurance beyond 20 years that you should consider some amount of permanent insurance. This is due to the tax advantage of the growth of the cash value within in a permanent policy. I am divorced and have taken care of my children should I die. I probably no longer need as much insurance as I now have. I have earned a great return on my policies and have paid no taxes. I no longer pay the premiums, because there is so much cash in the policies. I let the policies pay themselves. I would not call most life insurance a good investment. Because I bought my policies correctly, and paid almost no sales commissions my policies are probably my best investments. I no longer own them, so when I die my beneficiaries will get the money both tax free, and estate tax free.

Since most people have short term needs like a mortgage or kids at home they should get some term. Additionally most people want some life insurance in place for their whole life to pay for burial, help with unpaid medical bills and estate taxes and so a permanent policy should be purchased along with the term policy.

Secret #3: Consider applying with two companies at once.

Life insurance companies really don't like this "trick" because it gives them competition and increases their underwriting costs.

Secret #4: Avoid captive life insurance agents.

Look for a life insurance agent who represents at least fifty life insurance companies and ask them for a multi company quote showing the best prices side by side. Some people try to cut the agent out and just apply online. Just remember that you don't save any money that way because the commissions normally earned by the agent are just kept by the insurance company or the website insurance company without having your premium lowered.

Plus a good agent can help you maneuver through some of the complexities of filling out the application, setting up your beneficiaries, avoiding mistakes on selecting who should be the owner, the best way to pay your premium, and also will be there to deliver the check and assist your loved ones if the life insurance is ever used.

Secret #5: Consider refinancing old life policies.

Most companies won't tell you but the price you pay on your old policies has probably come down dramatically if you are in good health. In the last few years life insurance companies have updated their predictions on how long people will live. Since we are living longer they are reducing their rates rather dramatically. Beware the agent may be doing this to obtain a new commission, so make sure it really makes sense.

I really am amazed at how often we find that our client's old policies are twice as expensive as a new one. If you need new life insurance consider "refinancing" your old policies and using the savings on the old policies to pay for the new policy - that way there is no extra out-of-pocket costs. We like to think of this process as "refinancing your life insurance" - just like you refinance your mortgage.

Secret #6: Realize life insurance companies have target niches that constantly change.

One day company 'X' is giving good rates to people who are a little overweight and the next month they are super strict. Company 'Y' might be lenient on people with diabetes because they don't have many diabetics on the books - meaning they will give good rates to diabetics. At the same time company 'W' might be very strict on diabetics because they are insuring lots of diabetics and are afraid they have too big of a risk in that area - meaning they will give a bad rate to new diabetics who apply.

Unfortunately when you are applying a life insurance company will not tell you, "Hey, we just raised our rates in diabetics." They will just happily take your money if you were not smart enough to shop around. This is the number one area a smart agent can come in handy. Since a good multi-company agent is constantly applying with multiple companies he or she will have a good handle on who is currently the most lenient on underwriting for you particular situation. The problem is that this is hard work and many agents are either too busy or not set up to efficiently shop around directly to different underwriters and see who would make you the best offer. This is a lot harder than just running you a quote online.

Secret #7: Don't forget customer service.

Most people shopping for insurance focus on companies with the lowest price and the best financial rating. Unfortunately I know of some A+ rated companies with low rates who I would not touch with a ten foot pole simply because it's easier to give birth to a porcupine backwards then it is to get customer service from them.

Before I understood this I used a life insurance company that gave a client a great rate but 2 years later the client called me and said, "I have mailed in all my payments on time but just got a notice saying my policy lapsed." It turned out the company had been making lots of back office mistakes and had lost the premium payment!

We were able to fix it because we caught the problem so early. But if the client happened to have died during the short period the policy had lapsed, his family might have had a hard time proving that the premium had been paid on time and they might not have received the life insurance money - a loss of hundreds of thousands of dollars in that case.

Secret #8: Apply 3-6 months ahead of the time you need the insurance if possible.

Don't be in a hurry to get a policy if you already have some coverage in force. But go ahead and apply right away knowing that you might need months to shop around if the first company does not give you a good rate. Even though the life insurance industry is getting more automated your application will still often be held up for weeks or months while the insurance company waits on your doctor's office to mail them a copy of you medical records.

If you are in a hurry and buy a quickie 'no-underwriting' policy without going through the full health checks and underwriting that a mainstream life insurance company requires, you will end up paying 20%-50% more because the insurance company will automatically charge you higher rates because they don't know whether you are healthy or about to die the next day.

Secret #9: Avoid buying extra life insurance through work if you are healthy.

I am sure there are exceptions to this "trick" but I have rarely found one. By all means keep the free life insurance your employer provides. But if you are healthy and you are paying for supplemental life insurance through payroll deduction you are almost certainly paying too much. What is happening is that your 'overpayments' ends up subsidizing the unhealthy people in your company who are buying life insurance through payroll deduction.

Usually the life insurance company has cut a deal with your employer and will waive the required health exam for all employees - instead they just average the price for all the employees and offer one or two rates for males or females at any given age. Life insurance companies know they will pick up lots of unhealthy clients this way so they jack up the price on everyone so that the healthy people end up overpaying so that the unhealthy employees get a cheaper policy. Also, unlike the guaranteed term policies which we recommend, most life insurance you buy through work will get more expensive as you get older.

Also group life insurance is generally not portable when you retire or change jobs meaning that when you retire or change jobs you might have to apply all over again even though you will be older and probably not as healthy and risk being turned down for a policy. If the group plan does allow portability they generally limit your conversion choices and force you to go into expensive cash value plans.

I remember helping someone evaluate his supplemental life insurance. He was sure it was a better deal than any policy I could find him. Little did he know that the price of his group plan would go up every year? By the time he retired his premium would have risen to over $10,000/year. I found him a policy for around $1000/year that would never go up. Also, unlike his old group life policy, he could take the individual policy with him when he changed jobs or retired.

Secret #10: Do a trial application on a COD payment basis.

Only send money with the application if you need the life insurance coverage right away. Sending a check with the application is a traditional practice agents used to do - I think mostly because it got them their commissions faster. If you send money with an application you usually get temporary coverage immediately but if you already have plenty of coverage and are just trying to get better rates ask your agent to do a trial application on a COD basis so you only pay once the policy is approved. If you do not send money, and you die before paying for the policy there is no coverage.

Secret #11: Wear your shoes when the nurse measures your height.

When the insurance company sends out the nurse to do your health check try to be as tall as possible if you are overweight? In most states you are allowed to wear shoes and if you are a little overweight your taller height/weight ratio will look a little better to the underwriter who is determining your health rating and policy price. Also do your exam early in the morning with no food in you - this will make your cholesterol count and various health ratios look the best.

Secret #12: Be careful with extra perks and riders.

Most policies come with options like accidental death benefit, child riders, disability riders, return of premium etc. If you do the math on most of these "extras" they usually don't make smart financial sense. Life insurance companies are out to make money and these riders are usually profitable because they either cover something that rarely happens or they are so stringent that the benefit never gets paid out. Keep things simple and focus mainly on getting a life policy to cover your life without many strings attached. Again a good agent can help you weigh the benefits of the extra riders. But be wary of an agent who tries to tack on every possible extra rider.

A Car Accidents Lawyer Isn't Just for Drivers

A cyclist faces innumerable dangers on a day-to-day basis during even short trips to the grocery store or the routine commute to work. Poor infrastructure plus a split second distraction spells disaster. Undesirable weather conditions such as wind, rain, or snow, turn braking into a gamble. Then, of course, there are the drivers, arguably the biggest threat to a bicycle owner, who unfortunately do not always see the two-wheeled travellers. However, the dreaded collision between a bike and an automobile marks only the beginning of the cyclist's troubles.

Who's At Fault?

It just happened. The car makes a legal left turn through a green light, without an arrow, having waited for all other vehicles to pass. Only they didn't see the biker making a legal pass through the intersection, and the two collide. The biker's leg breaks in two places, and the bicycle itself gets twisted beyond use. Anyone could see that the biker is the victim. But this particular biker thinks their case is an easy win, and as such doesn't think they should waste their time and money on a car accidents lawyer. The unfortunate just happened, but this is where it gets worse.

The at-fault party's insurance will typically cover the expenses, but both people benefit from not taking the fall. This run-of-the-mill scenario often ends up in a "he said, she said" case with one person's word against the other. The advised know that in this moment the best interaction with the other party is no interaction at all. In fact, beyond exchanging contact information, the only person either one should be talking to is a car accidents lawyer. The ill-advised, however, may try to contest the events that just unfolded right on the side of the street. Even an obvious victim can blow an easy case by confusing the matter with arguments at the scene.

Game of Drones

The criteria for determining fault in cases include credibility, neutral witness accounts, physical evidence, and official police reports. But the insurance companies handle this, not the driver and rider. Most insurance claims like this hypothetical collision are determined by the state's definition of negligence, a matter that the layman may not be familiar with. In fact, the victim may not even get the chance to defend themselves without a car accidents lawyer, who understands how to communicate with insurance matters, to speak on their behalf. Before issues like going to court even come up, losing rightful compensation can easily happen to even the clearest victims.

On the other hand, the insurance company could find the driver at fault. But, because they know the cyclist didn't "lawyer up," they low-ball the deal to minimize the financial burden. This is where the specifics matter most. Depending on the state where the accident took place or the history of the two people involved, a court date or an easy settlement could be ahead.

Aftermath

The cyclist later receives just enough to cover medical expenses and repairs on the bike. The driver, now out of the picture, has paid for the accident and the matter is dealt with. Only the biker still has a broken leg and cannot conceivably work for the next three months, and must now face paying bills without income. In this scenario there would be no legal recourse once the accident claim is already settled. If, however, the cyclist had sought legal representation, they could have increased their settlement or gone to court to fight for enough money to cover the time out of work.

Every Time and Immediately

The moral of the story of the cyclist is that even in the best-case scenario of post-accident resolution without legal advice, a victim can be short changed or even blamed for an incident. A car accidents lawyer has a job that entails running the gauntlet of insurance, fault, state laws, and out of court settlements for you. For cyclists, defense on the road goes well beyond the helmet and reflectors.

Insurance for Your Junior Games Organization

We all agree that getting our kids physically active is as important to their health as eating nutritiously. Unfortunately, the wholesomeness of great games that little leagues are famously involved in does not extend to liability risks in relation to damages and losses.

As in all such pursuits, be it business or non-profit, anything can happen - and it does, all of the time!

Take the following true little league insurance claims as examples for the need for protective insurance policies.

Property Insurance Coverage

Some bored individuals broke into the storage bin used by the local junior sports organization. They made off with team uniforms, a ball pitching device and other items used for playing. All in all, the incurred losses totaled ten thousand dollars. Good thing there was coverage!

General Liability Insurance Coverage

A team member's aunt came to watch the baseball game in the stadium. Midway through the game, the ball flew into the audience and bounced onto her head. Injuries were extensive and medical bills high. The former little league fan sued the junior sports organization for pain and suffering. Good thing there was coverage!

Hired and Non-Hired Auto Insurance Coverage

The trainer for the junior sports organization was instructed to purchase caps for each team member before they would start the soccer tournament. On the way to the sports equipment shop, the trainer became the responsible party in an auto collision. While the trainer escaped with barely a scratch, the other driver suffered massive injuries. The injured party brought a claim against the trainer's personal car insurance, however because damages exceeded personal limits, the man brought a secondary claim against the sports organization. Good thing there was coverage!

Abuse and Molestation Insurance Coverage

The father and mother of a female member on the ball team could not travel with her to an out-of-town match. Since they assumed the team's coach was a trustworthy person, they agreed to allow their daughter to travel with him for the event. Once alone with the girl, the coach sexually abused her. The livid parents filed a bodily injury and mental duress lawsuit against the junior games organization. Good thing there was coverage!

Employment Practices Insurance Coverage

One of the fathers of a boy on the junior team offered to be a volunteer secretary for the organization. After a couple of weeks, the director advised the man that this job was more suited to a woman and asked him instead to assist the group with administrating finances. Soon enough, a woman volunteer took over the secretarial responsibilities. The director's actions were unacceptable to this dad and he filed a lawsuit for sex discrimination against the league. Good thing there was coverage!

PRIME Insurance is an experienced, independent family-run agency. Winner of numerous prestigious industry awards and appointed to directly conduct business with the top companies around the country, PRIME shops its wide network to bring customers excellent tailored coverage - at competitively lowest rates

Tips for Saving Money on Insurance Premiums

For those who are looking to save some money in the new year, it may be beneficial to research some ways to reduce the costs of car insurance premiums. There are a variety of ways to pay less money each month. The following are some ideas to consider implementing in order to reduce monthly spending:

Liability Coverage on Older Vehicles

For anyone who has older vehicles, carrying only liability insurance is one way to reduce premiums. This is especially helpful for those who have older vehicles in addition to their vehicles used for primary transportation. Removing the collision and comprehensive pay can be a good way to reduce spending, particularly if the value of the vehicle is low. It could be that the cost of insuring the vehicle is higher than the replacement value.

One main consideration with this idea is whether or not there are payments due on the car. For anyone who is still financing, the agency may not allow a drop in coverage until it is paid in full. Also, if there is no way to replace the vehicle in the event of a crash, full coverage may be needed until funds are in place to do so.

Inquire About Safe Driver Discounts

Many agencies will offer discounts to those who have a clean driving record. These discounts are typically provided to those who have no tickets or accidents on their driving record in a specified timeframe. In addition, drivers should not have made any claims for comprehensive repairs, such as broken windshields.

Ask About Discounts for Good Grades

For those with children of driving age, a good report card can prove to be beneficial with regard to insurance costs. Discounts are often provided to kids who maintain a certain grade point average. The amount of the discount will vary from agency to agency. Also, the insurance agent will likely ask for proof of grade point average from time to time, so be prepared to provide that information on a regular basis.

Do Not Drive As Often

For those who are at a point in which they are not driving as often as they used to, agencies may provide a discount for doing so. If driving less is not an option, there still may be options to attain this discount. This can be done through carpooling or traveling using public transportation. This not only accomplishes the goal of spending less, but it will also save money in fuel costs, maintenance, and repairs on a vehicle. For those interested in this type of discount, the agency may require a device to be placed in the car to track mileage. Alternatively, the insurer may request a manual report of mileage on a regular basis.

Saving money is often a priority for many families, and saving on insurance premiums is an ideal place to start. Check with different insurers to see if additional discounts are offered that are different from the current agencies. It may be worthwhile to change providers to take advantage of these cost-saving measures.

The Need for a Business Owner's Insurance Policy

A business owner's policy (also known as a BOP) is specially tailored commercial insurance offering protection against law-suits claiming your business for bodily injuries or property damages.

Such lawsuits can be very costly or bankrupt a business even if your not liable. For this reason, you need adequate protection.

The article contains reasons to invest in a well suited business owner's insurance policy.

1. Protection of Employees

Usually all types of businesses have employees, and need a business owner's policy for the protection of employees. This policy will shield them if they get hurt on the job. In addition to protection, they will also guard your finances in case your employees sue you over their illnesses, injuries or wounds. You can get guidance from an insurance agent or broker to provide you with adequate coverage.

Protection of Core Business Activities

A business insurance policy reduces your stress. The coverage gives peace of mind to work and focus on your core business activities. You do not need to worry about getting sued for various situations your company or business may encounter. The better the policy, the more you will be able to concentrate on your business operations. Good business coverage can be lucrative for your company.

2. Protection from Future Law-suits

You can never predict your business's future regardless of any business type. All of us wear seat belts in our cars to secure ourselves from unexpected accidents. We may not necessarily have an accident, but still we wear them for our safety.

Similarly, it's smart to invest money to protect your business. You may not get sued by every client you encounter but it is always safe to shield your business. You should always keep in mind that a claim from a single client can put you into losses and may even bankrupt your business.

3.Chance of Opportunities

You might be willing to take on more risk knowing you have adequate insurance coverage. This insurance policy gives you a chance to take risks keeping in view the safety procedures and best practices. You can peacefully go for the lucrative opportunities by managing your risks prudently.

But it is imperative to ensure that the business practices you decide to take are covered first. You need to maintain a good relationship with your insurance company keeping them up-to-date about all the ins-and-out of the new business activities.

4. Make Your Business Trustworthy

The BOP makes your business trustworthy in the eyes of the clients. They find your business safer because the insurance policy ensures to compensate them in case anything goes wrong.

Your insurance company can pay for the settlement in case they sue you. With this insurance policy, your business can provide a safety net to all your clients making your business more credible and trustworthy.