Pssst – Want To Know A Secret That Banks and Car Insurance Companies Don’t Share With You

Every single driver in the U.S. is required to have Car Insurance. And most of us drive around confident that we have adequate coverage to protect us should we ever be involved in an accident.

Yet, almost 97% of all drivers are not adequately protected….and don’t even know it. Here’s what I mean.

Let’s say you’re involved in an accident and it’s serious enough that the car is considered a “total loss” by your Insurance Company. Or, maybe your vehicle gets stolen. A few weeks later, you get a check from your Insurance Company.

When you look at the amount, you’re shocked. It’s thousands less than what you owe on your car. How can that be, you ask?

Well, like most, your policy has this short clause buried somewhere in all that legalese -

“In the event of a total loss, the policy holder will receive the actual cash value of the vehicle, minus any deductible.”

Did you catch the 3, very important words in that clause? The three words are – “actual cash value.”

Actual Cash Value means you’re going to get a get a check for….

“What it’s worth” not “What you owe.”

Isn’t that a nasty little surprise.

And like most, you owe quite a bit more than what the car or truck is worth. What would you owe your Bank or Credit Union if your car was totaled today?

So, how do you avoid this situation?

Well, when you buy a new or used vehicle, add a “rider” to your policy or purchase a separate “rider.”

If you have Homeowners or Rental insurance, a “rider” might sound familiar. For a homeowner’s policy, if you own expensive items, like fine jewelry, you need to add a rider to your policy. The reason – Insurance Companies won’t cover those types of items as part of a regular insurance policy.

So, you pay an extra $5 or $6 a month to have those items fully covered by the “rider.”

If anything ever happens to the jewelry, it gets replaced.

A rider for your car or truck is called GAP Insurance or GAP Protection. It’s just like the rider for your Home – except it’s only for cars, vans, trucks or suv’s.

It covers “What You Owe”, not “What its worth.”

It doesn’t matter what the reason is – if it’s ever totaled due to theft, fire, accident, flood, tornado, vandalism, hurricane, it’s covered – and paid-in-full!

You can protect yourself four different ways.

1. Put at least 20%-30% down on any new or used car purchase to erase any gap;

2. Purchase a “Rider” – AKA GAP Insurance from your Car Insurance Company or Bank;

3. Purchase Gap Insurance from another Insurance Company;

4. Buy Gap Insurance from the Dealership you’re buying at.

Any one of these options is great way to protect yourself. Whether you’re getting ready to purchase a new car or truck, or purchased a vehicle in the last 12 months, make sure the “gap” between what your vehicle is worth and what you owe is covered.

Tom O’Leary is an Automotive Portfolio Analyst based in Cincinnati, Ohio and Publisher of mynewcarpurchase.com, a consumer focused web site that offers assistance with a new car purchase, gap insurance strategies and is Author of the best selling guide “How To Get Low Cost Car Insurance For Life”.

Pet health insurance is very important for pet owners because it will always ensure that they will have financial backup if their pet becomes ill or gets into an accident. Although there are many advantages of pet health insurance, it is wise to carefully research your choice of pet health insurance companies.

To help you choose the best pet health insurance there is, here are some myths and misconceptions that you should keep in mind.

Myth # 1: “Your pet does not need health insurance.” Like people, you will never know when you pet would get sick or get hurt. The main reason why there is a pet insurance policy is because there are times when your pet would need health care and you are not prepared for it. Vet care costs a whole lot of money and your pet also needs routine vet care. If you have a pet health insurance policy you don’t need to choose between your pet’s health and your money when you have a little problem with financial status. You may think you don’t need it today but the truth is everybody needs to make sure that their pets are covered with a good pet health insurance policy.

Myth # 2: “There are a limited number of vets that are accredited by pet health insurance policies.” Unlike some human health insurance policies where there are just some places and doctors that accept patients because of the limited accreditation, pet health insurance policies have more coverage when it comes to the vet of the owner’s choice.

Myth # 3: “You can’t include vaccinations, dental cleanings and check ups.” There are some pet health insurance comprehensive policies that include wellness care and preventive care in their coverage so it is best that you choose those types.

Misconception # 1: “It will cost a fortune to get a pet health insurance policy.” Basic accident policies are very affordable – and the most affordable health care policies cost fewer than 10 dollars a month. You wouldn’t want to take the risk with any of your other family members right? And like it or not, your pets are (for most of us) a true family member. The money that we spend on their food, the shelter that they have, the toys and the other things that we buy for them is part of our investment in them as a family member. Throwing it all away because our pets are not insured is a sure waste. Other pet insurance policies may cost a little more but the policies become more expensive because of their comprehensiveness and inclusions. Think over what policy best fits your pet and remember that peace of mind can be bought!

Misconception # 2 “It’s a drag to apply for one.” There are a lot of online references pertaining to pet health insurance and how to apply for it. If a pet owner wants to apply their pet for a policy they can get all the help they need from a lot of sources and people. The best companies will provide lots of help at the website too. If you are a pet owner and you need first hand information you can always ask your vet.

Misconception # 3: “Pet health insurance policies are complicated.” If there is any health policy in the world that is easy to understand – that’s a pet policy. Unlike a human policy where there is a sub clause for dependents legal claimers etc, pet health insurance policies are actually simplified for the owner’s better understanding.

The QuickCare Pet Insurance Program will help you with your pets health care concerns. For accident or illness, they are the premier pet health care company today. Learn more about pet insurance and many other pet care concerns at Doctor-do-little.com where pets are OUR concern!

Whether you buy a new vehicle or look for insurance on one that you have had for years, it pays to shop around. When you get auto insurance quotes from several providers you are better able to compare the rates and save yourself money by choosing the provider that can offer you the most coverage for the lowest price. However you also have to understand the factors that go into determining the rate of insurance you will have to pay.

The city in which you live has a direct impact on the car insurance quotes (http://cheap-insurance-rates.com/auto/) you will receive from the various providers you contact. This is because of the rate of accidents and auto thefts that occur in this city and its surrounding areas.

The type of vehicle you drive is another factor that you have to take into consideration. Larger and more expensive vehicles will naturally carry a higher auto insurance premium, but it is possible to pay a high premium for smaller and less expensive cars if they are among those on a list of the most stolen vehicles in your region.

The safety devices you have installed on your vehicle also affect the auto insurance quotes you receive. While most cars are now manufactured with safety belts, if you have anti-lock devices and theft warning systems on your vehicle you will receive a discount in your insurance premium. Your driving record is also an important factor because if you have had DUI charges against you in the past or any accident claims, this will result in higher premiums.

You also have to adhere to the auto insurance requirements for your state or province and have the appropriate amount of coverage. Different states have different requirements in this coverage, which means you do have to check this out before requesting auto insurance quotes. The deductible you choose will also impact the cost. The higher the level of deductible that you will be responsible for paying in the event of an accident will give you a lower insurance premium for the year.

Searching for auto insurance quotes online is one of the easiest ways in which you can compare the different rates. Since most insurance providers now have an online presence, you can visit the sites and read the information they provide about the rates they charge. You can request a free quote without an obligation to purchase the policy and compare the ones you receive through email.

If you have an older vehicle, you may decide to go with just public liability, which means that if you are at fault in an accident, you have the coverage needed for the damages incurred by the other driver. If you have a new vehicle, you will need full coverage, especially if you are making payments on this vehicle.

It doesn’t affect your credit rating to request multiple auto insurance quotes. This is not the same as applying for a loan and does not have anything to do with your credit score. Therefore, when you are in the market for auto insurance, you can sit back at home and start your search at any time of the day or night. When you receive a quote that meets your needs in coverage and price, then you can contact the insurance provider to purchase the policy.

Sarah Martin is a freelance marketing writer based out of San Diego, CA. She specializes in finance, business, and different kinds of insurance. For free auto insurance quotes, please visit http://cheap-insurance-rates.com/.

The American Cancer Society estimates doctors will diagnose over 1.4 million new cases of cancer in the U.S. in 2007, with more than 559,650 cancer-related deaths. If you are among the majority of cancer patients and survive for at least five years following your diagnosis, you may face another fight: buying life insurance.

Buying life insurance for cancer patients is challenging, but not necessarily impossible. Your chances for securing a policy depend greatly on the type, stage and grade of the cancer, and even on the treatment plan. There is a relationship between the rate you’ll receive and the curability of your cancer. Certain types of skin cancer, for example, are considered very low risk by life insurance companies and a skin cancer history may not even impact premiums.

Applicants with common and treatable forms of breast and prostate cancer may be able to get a “standard” rating under ideal circumstances. But patients with a history of leukemia or colon cancer may fall into a “substandard” or “high substandard” rating at best, or receive declines. Anyone with cancer that has metastasized likely won’t be able to obtain a policy.

Dr. Charles Levy, senior vice president and chief medical director of AIG American General Domestic Life Insurance Cos., says, “We’re better and better able to differentiate the risks of individual cancers.” Life insurers like AIG American General have sophisticated tables to determine premiums, where they can factor in cancer types and treatments. The end result is better premiums because applicants aren’t lumped together as an “average.”

Most insurers will not offer a policy to someone who is still undergoing treatment for cancer. Depending on your type of cancer, the life insurer may also want to add a surcharge, also called a temporary flat extra. For example, AIG American General sometimes charges temporary flat extras for two to five years, depending on the applicant’s cancer and treatment. The good news is that although these extra premiums can be expensive, they will automatically disappear after a set period of time.

Cancer insurance risk specialists

While a dedicated life insurance agent will search cancer insurance companies to find insurers that will sell you a life insurance policy, in some cases you may be better off seeking out a broker who specializes in finding life insurance for people who have a history of cancer.

These brokers will know the specific questions underwriters will want answered when considering your application. Many brokers have developed relationships with several insurers, so they know which companies offer the best-priced life insurance policies for cancer survivors. Some brokers have experts who specialize in gathering your medical records and organizing them.

By directing your application to life insurers that will view your application most favorably, these brokers will help you find the most accurate price quotes and the lowest premiums for life insurance. Always check the financial strength of the insurer before you buy any policy and be sure that the agent or broker you choose is licensed in your state.

Life insurance strategies for cancer survivors

If you are a healthy cancer survivor, life insurance is even more feasible. There are things you can do to ensure you’re getting the best premium offers possible for your situation.

1. Gather all possible medical records before you apply, from the first pathology report to medical records to treatment records. That ensures medical underwriters have the most complete picture of you, your health, and your cancer history. Having all those records before you apply for cancer insurance will reduce delays in your application process, because your life insurer is going to request them and will wait for them. The information you provide can garner you better premiums in the end: The less life insurer underwriters knows about you, the more likely they are to have to assume you are the highest risk and offer you high premiums accordingly. According to Levy, “If it’s fuzzy, we’re more likely to err on the side of conservatism.”

2. Make sure you have complied with your doctor’s treatment plans. For example, says Levy, if your doctor asked to see you back in one year and you haven’t been back in four years, get to your doctor for your check-up before you apply for life insurance. Your life insurer is not going to offer you a policy without before seeing the results of that check-up. Similarly, if you’ve had breast cancer and you’re due for a mammogram in December and you apply for cancer insurance in October, your life insurer will likely wait for the results of your next mammogram.

3. Get prices from several companies. Policy costs can vary a great deal among companies.

4. See if you can get group life insurance through a professional, fraternal, membership, or political organization to which you belong.

5. Consider a “graded” policy (one with limited benefits) if you cannot get full death benefits. In the first few years of a graded policy, the company pays only the premiums and part of the face value if the insured person dies of a condition, such as cancer, that existed before the policy took effect. If the insured person dies after the specified grading-in period, the company will pay the full face amount of the policy.

If your cancer has been successfully treated, and you are otherwise in good health, you can likely obtain a cancer life insurance policy. If you can show that you are healthy and your treatments have gone well, several insurers may compete for your business.

Visit Insure.com for a comprehensive array of comparative auto, life and health quotes, including a vast library of originally authored insurance articles and decision-making tools that are not available from any other single source. Insure.com is dedicated to providing impartial insurance information to consumers. Visitors can obtain instant quotes from more than 200 leading insurers, achieve maximum savings and have the freedom to buy from any company shown.

The reason we compare car insurance quotes from multiple car insurance companies is to make sure we‘re getting the best rates possible. Of course nobody wants to pay more money than they have to, but in the other hand we also want to make sure that our car insurance company is going to respond quickly and fairly in case of an accident.

What is unknown to many is that there is not one single car insurance company that is cheaper than others. One particular car insurance company can be the cheapest for one person but the most expensive for another. Each car insurance company has a certain category of drivers they want to insure. If you fit their category they will offer you a cheap rate, if you don’t, they will offer you an expensive rate. That is their way of filtering the people they want and do not want to insure. That is the reason we need to compare insurance rates from multiple car insurance companies, to find out which company will offer us the cheapest rate. The key is to find the company that offers the cheapest rate for you, but of course, it is important to compare rates from quality companies only.

There are many quality car insurance companies out there; however, some of those quality companies also have a high price to go along with them. How do we find a quality company for a cheap price? That, my friend, is the key question.

The traditional method of shopping for car insurance is to call around which we all know can be a long process. Another drawback of shopping for car insurance by phone is the probability of getting caught with the old “bait and hook” trick. That is when someone gives you a low quote by phone and hikes it up on you when you go into their office to purchase the car insurance policy.

In today’s world, luckily, we have the internet. The internet makes life a lot easier for all of us. Using the internet, we can shop for many types of things we may need which include shopping for car insurance.

Shopping for car insurance online is the best way to compare rates from multiple car insurance companies. Online, you can also read about a company’s history and make sure they’re a quality company. Most companies offer instant online car insurance quotes thorough their websites which makes obtaining car insurance quotes a lot easier than the traditional method of shopping by phone. Better yet, there are some websites that offer online car insurance quotes from multiple companies with one simple process. You can even purchase your car insurance online if you like the price. One such website is OnlineAutoInsurance.com. There, you can obtain quotes from quality companies such as Progressive, AIG, Infinity, GMAC, Bristol West, and several more. All with one simple process!

OnlineAutoInsurance.com provides online car insurance to all United States. One simple process will get you quotes from top insurance companies like Progressive, GMAC, AIG, Infinity and more!