Wednesday, November 14, 2007

I Had a Car Accident - Now What?

Steps to Take After a Car Accident

Although car accidents are more prevalent in the winter months, what you need to do after an accident never changes. Obviously it is hard to think clearly after a car accident so it is important to know before you get into an accident what to do first and what questions may need answered. This checklist will help you know what to do after a car accident. It is best to review it now and then print it out and keep a copy with you in your car.
  • Determine the Extent of Damage or Injuries

    Try to stay calm. Panic can make others panic and the situation worse. There needs to be a calm person to determine the extent of damage and to determine if there are any injuries that need immediate medical attention.

  • File a Car Accident Report with the Police

    Even in a minor accident it is important to make sure there is a legal accident report.

  • Do not leave the scene until the police file a full report.
  • Discuss the Car Accident Only with the Police

    With everyone all shook up it can be hard not to talk about what just happened, but that can also lead to you not thinking clearly and accurately about what happened. It is important to limit your discussion of the accident and not to admit any fault or liability. You should talk about the accident with the police and your insurance agent only.

  • Get the Facts

    This is the part most people know to do, but often forget to after the accident for one reason or another. It is important to get names, address, and phone numbers of everyone involved in the accident. A description of the car and license plate number can also be helpful, but make sure you also get their insurance company and the vehicle identification number of their car. Don't just assume the license plate number will do because most insurance companies only record the type of car and the vehicle identification number, not the license plate number.

  • Call you Insurance Agent

    Call your agent or insurance company's 800-number immediately, even at the scene with the police if possible. Sometimes the police officer can give your insurance company more accurate information rather than information you may not be recording properly because you are upset by the accident. This can save you a lot of time later waiting for your claim to be processed.

Protect Your RV Before Hitting the Road by Getting RV Insurance Coverage

Who Needs RV Insurance Coverage?

A nice convenience of RV travel is taking along the comforts of home. While camping or just RVing, having the comfortable luxuries of furniture, cookware, TV's, and even a cell phone and computer access right at your side makes for a nice vacation. Unfortunately though, by forgetting to review their RV insurance coverages, many RVers don't take the time to adequately insure all of those comforts.

A common practice for RV owners is to insure their RV under their current auto policy instead of purchasing a separate RV insurance policy. But too often the owner does not take the time to read what and how much is covered under their auto policy. In many instances, RV’s covered under auto policies are not adequately covered.

RV owners often hesitate to buy RV insurance for their personal property because they think that the personal property in their RV will be covered under their homeowners policy.

This is true, but again, coverage on personal property is limited when the property is kept somewhere other than the “residence premises.” Often the limit in a standard policy is very low and the usual policy deduction would apply.

To insure proper and adequate coverage, a RV owner should add a separate RV insurance coverage to their current auto policy. If the RV owner’s insurance carrier does not have this type of RV insurance coverage available, there are insurance companies that specialize in RV insurance coverage. Usually the cost is minimal, especially compared to the alternative of finding out the RV and it’s possessions are not covered after a disaster happens.

Recreational Vehicle and Motorcycle Insurance Information

How To Get the Best and Cheapest Motorcycle Insurance

Now that you have found the bike for you, it's time to get it insured. But, before you call just any insurance agent you will want to learn how the insurance company decides your rate.
Make Sure Your RV is Protected Before Hitting the Road
Having the comforts of home is the nice advantage of RV traveling, but what happens when your personal property gets lost or stolen? In most cases your auto and home insurance is not adequate and you may need a special RV policy.

The Top Ten Insurance Myths You Need to Know

Umbrella Insurance is for only for the rich. I am alive so I need Life Insurance, right? My co-worker is uninsured and that doesn't effect my insurance. Learn why these insurance myths are inaccurate and find out answers to the top 10 insurance myths everyone should know.
RV Coverage Information
A very comprehensive overview of what RV insurance would cover. Just click on the areas to the left of the screen or simply scroll down to view entire list.
Common RV Insurance Claims Articles
Here are some interesting articles explaining some common RV Insurance claims and how they were handled. These articles can be a resource to help you avoid your own RV insurance claims.

Instant Motorcycle Quote

Get an instant quote for motorcycle insurance. Also includes a list of things you will need to complete your quote application.
State Specifics
All states have varying insurance laws. Want to know more about insurance laws specific to your state? Find your state commissioners website and phone number here.
Content Submission Form - Writer's Guidelines
Do you have experience in the personal insurance industry? Here is your chance to get your article published on my site! I am looking to publish guest articles from experienced insurance professionals.

Long Term Care Insurance

Long term care insurance can provide you help in paying for a nursing facility or home care for a long term illness. Find out here answers to frequent questions, policy basics, and other online sources to help you decide if long term care insurance should be an option for you.

LTC - Long Term Care Insurance 101

This guide will help you decide if long term care insurance is a good fit for you and it will educate you on how to choose and shop for long term care insurance. So, if you are thinking about purchasing a long term care insurance policy through your local insurance agent or would like to get an online insurance quote, this guide will steer you in the right direction to find the best long term care insurance policy for you.

Costs of Long Term Care Insurance

While long term care insurance might not be cheap, neither are the costs it covers. For most of us, the solution to all of this is to obtain insurance as early as possible when premiums are lower and before any pre-existing conditions arrive. But what is the solution when seniors are older and coverage is more expensive?

Getting the Most out of Your Long Term Care Insurance Policy

When selecting a long term care insurance policy or getting a long term care insurance quote, it's important to look for a policy that not only you can afford but also meets your needs. There are many insurance policies covering Long Term Care available today. Policies can vary widely in terms of benefits they'll offer, terms of the contract, and features. Choosing the right long term care insurance policy is not simple.

Choices in Long Term Care Health Insurance

Interested in getting long term care health insurance but worried you might not use the policy and loose your money? Check out the new hybrid long term care health insurance policies. The new Hybrid Long Term Care Insurance Policies mix a LTC policy with an annuity or life insurance to give you an extra way to use your policy.
Who Should Consider Long Term Care Insurance?
If you acquire a long term illness or disability, do you want your relatives to pay for your care? If not, then long term care insurance may be a good choice for you.

Understanding Medicaid and Medicare
These government and state funded insurance programs benefit low-income and the elderly. Find out differences, coverages, and eligibility information.
The Top Ten Insurance Myths You Need to Know
Umbrella Insurance is for only for the rich. I am alive so I need Life Insurance, right? My co-worker is uninsured and that doesn't effect my insurance. Learn why these insurance myths are inaccurate and find out answers to the top 10 insurance myths everyone should know.
The Top 10 Personal and Business Insurance Tax Do's and Don'ts
When tax time comes there can be an array of questions about deductions and what to report as income. This Insurance Tax Do's and Don'ts list of tax tips will hopefully help many with tax questions regarding insurance whether on a personal or business level.
State Specifics
All states have varying insurance laws. Want to know more about insurance laws specific to your state? Find your state commissioners website and phone number here.
Printable Long Term Care Guide
This is a great resource for an overview of long term care insurance. This 26 page guide can be printed or viewed online in pdf format.
Don't be a Victim
Find helpful information on how not to be a victim of fraud when choosing your long term care plan. Easy to view in a question and answer format.
Content Submission Form - Writer's Guidelines
Do you have experience in the personal insurance industry? Here is your chance to get your article published on my site! I am looking to publish guest articles from experienced insurance professionals

Auto Insurance Frequently Asked Questions

Is anyone who drives my car covered?

What are the best liability policy limits?

What is the difference between comprehensive and collision?

What are the minimum requirements?

Why does my insurance cost more than my agent said it would?
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How does my driving record affect my insurance premium?

Why is it harder to get insurance with bad driving records?

My car was totaled and my policy did not pay for all of my car, why?

What happens if my loan was more than my company says my car is worth?

My teenager just got his license, does he need to be insured?

What do insurance companies consider when deciding cancellations?

Does everyone have to have auto insurance?

Car Insurance

All about auto insurance. Find car insurance articles, companies, faq's, rating information, state specifics, news, laws, glossary, car insurance quote savings information, claims information and more.
Your First Car Insurance Policy
Getting your first car insurance policy may not be a priority but it should be. Car insurance protects one of your first investments, your car. But car insurance can be complicated and often new car insurance shoppers fail to compare car insurance rates and in turn fail to reap the financial benefits of finding the best and affordable car insurance available to them.
Auto Insurance 101
Why do you need a five step guide to auto insurance shopping? Because, if you want to get the best coverage for your buck, shopping smart for your car insurance is the way to do it. Also, car insurance is one of the top ways to chisel down your insurance budget if you know how to do it right.
Changing Lives, Changing Needs: Marriage and Your Insurance
Of course, thinking about how marriage will affect insurance is not at the top of a couple’s list when the wedding vows are taking place, but with every life stage and change, insurance needs to be a priority. The basics such as name and address changes are not the only insurance evaluations that need to be considered before and after the marriage.
5 Steps to Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim
Five basic steps in filing your auto insurance claim: From deciding if you should file to expecting the call from the insurance company, learn what steps you need to take to file a successful auto insurance claim.
How to Buy an Insurance Friendly Vehicle
A customer's driving history is just one of many factors that are considered when determining an insurance rate. Characteristics of the vehicle being purchased plays a large role in insurance costs.
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Protecting Yourself Against Automobile Insurance Fraud
Have you been a victim of auto insurance fraud? Find out here what to look for and a list common scams.
Content Submission Form - Writer's Guidelines
Do you have experience in the personal insurance industry? Here is your chance to get your article published on my site! I am looking to publish guest articles from experienced insurance professionals.

Cheapest Motorcycle Insurance

Now that you have found the bike for you, it's time to get it insured. But, before you call just any insurance agent you will want to learn how the insurance company decides your rate.

By educating yourself on how the insurance company will view you, you can find the best insurance coverage for you and your bike while at the same time saving money. First, to find the best and cheapest motorcycle insurance you must understand how the insurance company will rate you:

1. Your Bike: If you have the latest and flashiest bike, that will cost you more than an older, basic motorcycle.

2. Your Age: As with auto insurance, usually the older you are the cheaper your rates will be. But, if you are new to operating motorcycles you will probably be in a higher rate category until you gain some riding experience.

3. Your Address: Sometimes the high insurance rates you receive can be greatly influenced by where you live. If you live and/or regularly drive in a high crime or high accident area, your rates will likely be higher than someone in a zip code with less crime and accidents.

4. Your Driving History: All accidents count. Even if you are new to a motorcycle, the accidents you had in your automobile will count against you. Therefore, the cleaner your driving record, the cheaper your insurance will be.

5. Your Job: Where you are driving to and parking your bike will influence your rate. If you have to keep your bike parked on a construction site, you insurance may be increased due to the increased risk of injury to your bike.

Now that you know how the insurance company will view and rate you, here are some tips on how to get a good deal:

1. Shop, Shop, and Shop More: Insurance can vary widely in the same region. Take a whole day to call as many companies as you can to get a rate quote. Shopping around for insurance can sometimes be the single best way to cut your insurance costs.

2. Securing Your Bike: What can you do to keep your bike more secure? If you can garage your bike, alarm it, or secure it somehow while it is parked, you may be able to secure yourself some discounts on your insurance.

3. Don't Over insure: Remember, if something happens to your motorcycle, you will only receive the market value so over insuring will not help you get a higher price for your bike.

4. Mileage: If you only ride your bike once in a while during the summer for pleasure, you should be able to get a better rate if you can keep your mileage low.

5. Special Motorcycle Training: Taking special DMV or other motorcycle classes can help decrease you rate. Just make sure you keep your certification documents handy for the insurance company to view.

There is no reason to overpay one insurance company when another one is willing to give you a better deal. If an accident would occur you will get the same value for your bike regardless of what company you choose. By taking the time to find out how the insurance company will view you, your bike, and your riding habits, you can learn how to save while still getting a great policy.