Thursday, August 5, 2010

Public Policy on Insurance - Different Strokes For Different Countries

In most parts of the World, it is compulsory to have vehicle insurance before using or keeping a motor vehicle on public roads. Most jurisdictions relate insurance to both the car and the driver, however the degree of each varies greatly.

In South Australia, Third Party Personal insurance from the Motor Accident Commission is included in the licence registration fee for people over 16. A similar system applies in some other parts of the world.

In places like Victoria, Australia, third Party Personal insurance from the transport accident Commission is similarly included, through a levy, in the vehicle registration fee.

In New South Wales, Compulsory Third Party Insurance (commonly known as CTP Insurance) is a mandatory requirement and each individual car must be insured or the vehicle will not be considered legal. Therefore, a motorist cannot drive the vehicle until it is insured. A 'Green Slip, must be obtained through one of the seven main insurers in New South Wales.

In a place like Queensland, CTP is a mandatory part of registration for vehicles, and there is a choice of insurer although the government controlles the price.

These state based third party insurance schemes usually cover only personal injury liability. Comprehensive vehicle insurance is sold separately to cover property damages and cover can be for events such as fire, theft, collision and other property damages.

IN Canada,some provinces like (British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec) provide a public auto insurance system while in the rest of the country insurance is provided privately. Basic auto insurance is mandatory throughout Canada with each province's government determining which benefits are included as minimum required auto insurance coverage and which benefits are options available for those seeking additional coverage. Accident benefits coverage is mandatory everywhere except for Newfoundland and Labrador. All provinces in Canada have some form of no-fault insurance available to accident victims. The difference from province to province is the extent to which tort or no-fault is emphasized. Typically, coverage against loss of or damage to the driver's own vehicle is optional - one notable exception to this is in Saskatchewan, where SGI provides collision coverage (less than a $700 deductible, such as a collision damage waiver) as part of its basic insurance policy. In Saskatchewan, residents have the option to have their auto insurance through a tort system but less than 0.5% of the population have taken this option.


Since 1939 it is compulsory to have third party personal insurance before keeping a motor vehicle in all federal states of Germany. Besides, every vehicle owner is free to take out a comprehensive insurance policy. All types of car insurances are provided by several private insurers. The amount of insurance contribution is determined by several criteria, like the region, the type of car or the personal way of driving.

Third-party vehicle insurance is mandatory for all vehicles in Hungary. No exemption is possible by money deposit. The premium covers all damage up to HUF 500M (about €1.8M) per accident without deductible. The coverage is extended to HUF 500M (about €4.5M) in case of personal injuries. Vehicle insurance policies from all EU-countries and some non-EU countries are valid in Hungary based on bilateral or multilateral agreements. Visitors with vehicle insurance not covered by such agreements are required to buy a monthly, renewable policy at the border


The Road Traffic Act, 1933 requires all drivers of mechanically propelled vehicles in public places to have at least third-party insurance, or to have obtained exemption - generally by depositing a (large) sum of money with the High Court as a guarantee against claims. In 1933 this figure was set at £15,000. The Road Traffic Act, 1961 (which is currently in force) repealed the 1933 act but replaced these sections with functionally identical sections.

From 1968, those making deposits require the consent of the Minister for Transport to do so, with the sum specified by the Minister.

Those not exempted from obtaining insurance must obtain a certificate of insurance from their insurance provider, and display a portion of this on their vehicles windscreen. The certificate in full must be presented to a police station within ten days if requested by an officer. Proof of having insurance or an exemption must also be provided to pay for the motor tax.

Those injured or suffering property damage/loss due to uninsured drivers can claim against the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland's uninsured drivers fund, as can those injured (but not those suffering damage or loss) from hit and run offences.

In 1930, the UK government introduced a law that required every person who used a vehicle on the road to have at least third party personal injury insurance. Today UK law is defined by the Road Traffic Act 1988, which was last modified in 1991. The Act requires that motorists either be insured, have a security, or have made a specified deposit (£500,000 as of 1991) with the Accountant General of the Supreme Court, against their liability for injuries to others (including passengers) and for damage to other persons' property resulting from use of a vehicle on a public road or in other public places.

The minimum level of insurance cover commonly available and which satisfies the requirement of the Act is called third party only insurance. The level of cover provided by Third party only insurance is basic but does exceed the requirements of the act.

Road Traffic Act Only Insurance is not the same as Third Party Only Insurance and is not often sold. It provides the very minimum cover to satisfy the requirements of the Act. For example Road Traffic Act Only Insurance has a limit of £1,000,000 for damage to third party property - third party only insurance typically has a greater limit for third party property damage.

It is an offense to drive a car, or allow others to drive it, without at least third party insurance whilst on the public highway (or public place Section 143(1)(a) RTA 1988 as amended 1991); however, no such legislation applies on private land.

Vehicles which are exempted by the act, from the requirement to be covered, include those owned by certain councils and local authorities, national park authorities, education authorities, police authorities, fire authorities, health service bodies and security services.

The insurance certificate or cover note issued by the insurance company constitutes legal evidence that the vehicle specified on the document is insured. The law says that an authorised person, such as the police, may require a driver to produce an insurance certificate for inspection. If the driver cannot show the document immediately on request, and proof of insurance cannot be found by other means such as the Police National Computer, drivers are no longer issued a HORT/1. This was an order with seven days, as of midnight of the date of issue, to take a valid insurance certificate (and usually other driving documents as well) to a police station of the driver's choice. Failure to produce an insurance certificate is an offence.


Most motorists in the UK are required to prominently display a vehicle licence (tax disc) on their vehicle when it is kept or driven on public roads. This helps to ensure that most people have adequate insurance on their vehicles because an insurance certificate must be produced when a disc is purchased.

The Motor Insurers' Bureau compensates the victims of road accidents caused by uninsured and untraced motorists. It also operates the Motor Insurance Database, which contains details of every insured vehicle in the country.


In the United States, auto insurance covering liability for injuries and property damage done to others is compulsory in most states, though different states enforce the requirement differently. The state of New Hampshire, for example, does not require motorists to carry liability insurance (the ballpark model), while in Virginia residents must pay the state a $500 annual fee per vehicle if they choose not to buy liability insurance. Penalties for not purchasing auto insurance vary from State to State, but often involve a substantial fine, license and/or registration suspension or revocation, as well as possible jail term. Usually, the minimum required by law is third party insurance to protect third parties against the financial consequences of loss, damage or injury caused by a vehicle.

Several states, like California and New Jersey, have enacted "Personal Responsibility Acts" which put further pressure on all drivers to carry liability insurance by preventing uninsured drivers from recovering non-economic damages (e.g. compensation for "pain and suffering") if they are injured in any way while operating a motor vehicle.

Some states, such as North Carolina, require that a driver hold liability insurance before a license can be issued.

Some states require that insurance be carried in the car at all times, while others do not enforce this law. For example, North Carolina does not specify that you must carry proof of insurance in the vehicle; however, the law provides that you must have that information to trade with another driver in the event of an accident. Whether a State specifies you must have proof of insurance in the car or not, it's always advisable to have the information on hand in case an officer should request it.

Arizona Department of Transportation Research Project Manager John Semmens has recommended that car insurers issue license plates, and that they be held responsible for the full cost of injuries and property damages caused by their licensees under the Disneyland model. Plates would expire at the end of the insurance coverage period, and licensees would need to return their plates to their insurance office to receive a refund on their premiums. Vehicles driven without insurance would thus be easy to spot because they would not have license plates.
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How to Lower Your Car Insurance Rates Now

The truth is that car insurance can be generally costly. The national average car insurance premium as of July 2009 is $1,796 or a 12% increase over the same period in 2008. But one thing that is clear is that not having a car insurance could earn you a huge car repair bill if you have an accident. There are certain determinants of the premiums that are beyond your control; such as your gender, age and record of previous claims. However, there are things you can do to lower your car insurance premiums.

The first thing you can do is to compare the rates from different shops. It is obvious that rates differ from one company to the other and you can get a better deal if you shop around. There are some independent websites that allows you to compare insurance quotes online, which include consumer buying guides that compare premiums from different insurers.

You can also save on premiums if you are willing to boost your deductibles. For example, if you increase your deductible from $250 to $1,000 then you can lower your premiums by 25% to forty percent. This money can be set aside to meet repair costs if you have an accident.

Many carriers also now consider credit scores when setting insurance rates, so make sure your score remains high. A low score can make you pay up to 50% or more in premiums.

However,there are discounts on your premiums that you may be entitled to, which you should discuss with your agent. For example, you may be offered discounts if you install certain safety devices in your car, or if you rack up a lower annual mileage than the average. Many carriers also offer students discounts if you maintain your grades at a certain level. Also, try to drive safely, since you may also get a discount if you maintain a good safety record for a certain period of time.

If you are a member of a certain organization or profession, such as a teacher or a veteran, you may also be eligible for a group discount. You may also be able to get a discount if you take out other types of coverage such as life insurance from the same carrier. However, don't put all your hope on discounts; also consider how much the company's rates are - you may still end up paying more despite the discount.

Most companies charge additional fees for installmental payments,so it is advisable to pay your premium up front if you can afford it. Never let your coverage lapse, even for a short time, because insurers will use this as a pretext to increase your premiums.

Lastly, if you are still selecting your new car, you should make sure it is a model that does not command high premiums. Insurance companies have lists of these cars, and you should contact your carrier to ask about the rates the car models you are considering will carry.

If you follow these money-saving tips, then you can save a lot on your car insurance and this may reduce your budget substantially...Read more at-http://www.theautoinsuranceworld.co.cc

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Affordable Car Insurance Quote;The Best Option For You

These days there are plenty of options for getting a car insurance quote; it can be done online, through a broker or directly from the insurance company. In order to make sure that you are getting the best deal possible it is a good idea to get a variety of quotes for comparison. However any car insurance quote is going to be largely based on how much of a risk you are to the insurance company. The best way to get low auto insurance premiums is to be a good driver.
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Whenever you get a car insurance quote what you are actually getting is an assessment of how likely you are to cause an accident. This is determined through the use of actuary tables and is extremely complex, but suffice it to say, the better driver you are the less you will pay. The most important factor in determining how good a driver you are is by looking at your past history, if you have caused accidents before, the insurance company is going to assume that you will cause more accidents in the future. This is a reasonable assumption on their part since past actions are usually the best guide to future behavior.

If you don't have a good driving record, there are things that you can do to lower the amount that you pay in insurance premiums. A defensive driving course can go a long way to helping you get a lower car insurance quote. Learning to drive properly will certainly help to avoid accidents; it will also show the insurance company that you are serious about changing your ways. This will make you less of a risk and will result in a lower premium.

Another way to get a cheaper car insurance quote is to trade-in the sports car for a nice, safe family sedan. It should come as no surprise that sports cars are involved in more accidents than family cars, usually because people in sports cars drive more recklessly. You may own a sports car and be the safest driver in the world but you will have to pay more because of the behavior of other sports car drivers. This may not seem fair, but that is how it is looked at by insurance companies. It is based on generalization of large groups of people. Family cars also tend to be safer in an accident than sports cars and this is another consideration for the insurance companies. The less damage after an accident means the less they have to pay out.

Simply driving less will usually result in a lower car insurance quote. Common sense says that the less time you spend on the road the less likely you are to be in an accident. Again this lowers the risk to the insurance company and results in lower vehicle insurance quotes.

Getting a cheap car insurance quote is not all that difficult, but you must be a good driver. If you have a poor driving history you are going to pay for it no matter how much comparison shopping you do. It is never too late to change your driving habits and doing so will make it much easier to get lower auto insurance premiums in the future... Read more at http://www.theautoinsuranceworld.co.cc

At Last, The Secret Of Preventing Foreclosures Revealed:Are You In This Situation?

There are many debt relief companies that will be willing to assist you to get out of your debt and
prevent foreclosure on your home.

However,there are actions you need to take to avail yourself of these programs that will help you to modify your existing bad loan situations. The best step you can take is to first learn everything you can about the available debt relief programs.

*Make Some research on the Internet to find viable options such as:
1 Debt Management.
2 Debt Settlement.

*Compile all the documents that relate to your finances and get them ready, as they may be requested for by any of the debt relief Companies.

When choosing the Company to approach, take the following into consideration:

1 The Company's reputation
2 Number of years in the Industry
3 Reliability
4 Adherence to Industry Standards

These actions are neccessary and will help you to prevent any foreclosure on your home, regardless of how bad your debt situation is...Read more at http://www.theautoinsuranceworld.co.cc

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Mortgage Repayments:What Is the Best Option?

The different types of mortgage repayments available to property purchasers are: tracker, variable rate, fixed rate,etc,.There are however some additional options like interest-only deal type and repayment mortgage deals.www.theautoinsuranceworld.co.cc

What does it entail?

An interest-only mortgage deal, entails that the borrower pays off the interest on the money borrowed, excluding the capital, for the duration of the term. But in a repayment mortgage deal, the borrower will be paying off some of the capital each month, as well as the interest accrued on the total amount.

Most people who take on a mortgage always choose repayment mortgage deals. These are the simplest types of mortgage deals and the risks are minimal.

With a repayment mortgage, your monthly payments will be made up of both a capital repayment and an interest repayment.

Capital repayments:

The 'capital' which is the money you borrowed in the first place, drops as payment is made each month and this gives you the opportunity to make payments within what you can afford. If no capital repayments are made, the amount owed will remain the same throughout the length of the mortgage deal.

Interest payments:

The interest is the money which has accrued on the capital you have borrowed. Interest payments may vary according to base rate fluctuations and the amount you owe over time. The larger the total mortgage, the more interest will be payable on the amount each month, so with repayment mortgage deals the interest will reduce over time as the capital owed reduces.

In a fixed rate mortgage, the interest owed monthly will not vary with the base rate, but remains the same for a fixed period or time. But in a variable rate or tracker mortgage, the interest owed each month may change according to base rate variations.

Which option is more suitable?

Repayment mortgages are the most popular because they are considered to be less risky and simpler to understand. Therefore, they are suitable for most people looking for mortgage deals. It is reassuring to know that each month the total owed is going down, and there is the added knowledge that interest repayments will drop in accordance with this. This type of mortgage deal is perfect for first time buyers who want a straightforward way to pay off their mortgage with ease.

Interest-only mortgages are often taken by investors who buy-to-let as they can claim back tax on mortgage interest. In most cases, they rely on the potential increase in the property market to make capital repayments at a later date.

Making your choice

Whether you are choosing the interest-only or repayment mortgage deals, it is advisable to consider your current and possible future circumstances, as well as the effect base rate changes will have on your repayments, and then make the necessary calculations so as to make an informed decision.

The Advantages and Dis-advantages of Interest-Only Mortgage Deals:

When taking on a new mortgage deal, certain things should be considered. First, you will need to decide whether you want to be paying off capital each month or only the interest on that capital.

An interest-only mortgage is one in which you only pay off the interest accrued on the total capital each month, while the capital owed remains the same throughout the period of the mortgage deal. http://www.theautoinsuranceworld.co.cc

Advantages of Interest-Only Deals:

According to the Financial Services Authority, in every ten households,four have interest-only mortgages. There are a number of advantages on interest-only mortgage deals, basically. that monthly repayments will be significantly lower than with a repayment mortgage. This means that you will keep more of your income each month to spend on family, or on home improvements, for instance, with a very low base rate, an interest-only mortgage deal can seem almost cheap to maintain.

An interest-only mortgage is also considered to be preferable in the eyes of buy-to-let investors. This is because they are able to claim back tax on the mortgage interest, and they expect that rises in the property market will enable them to make capital repayments later on.

With interest-only mortgage deals, you can choose a savings account or repayment vehicle which attracts the best interest rates and is tax-efficient. And If this is well managed alongside the mortgage and if the payments is maintained, this option could even save you money in the long run.

The dis-advantages of Interest-Only Deals:

Interest-only mortgages are considered risky, as they do not provide the borrower with a complete outline of how they will pay off the capital they owe, and this can cause problems when the mortgage term ends if there is outstanding debt and no alternative means of repayment.

Also, while a repayment mortgage may be more expensive in the short term, in the long run, you will be reducing the total capital owed which will, in turn, reduce the interest paid as well.But with an interest-only mortgage deal, however, the capital will still be payable in full at the end of the mortgage term

Recommendations

If you choose an interest-only mortgage deal, it is best to use a separate savings account or repayment vehicle in which you also make monthly payments into, to ensure you will be able to pay off the capital by the end of the mortgage term. Otherwise you will need to make capital available to pay off the remaining amount owed by the end of the mortgage term.

A repayment vehicle can be an ISA, which you make monthly payments into in order to accrue a lump sum that you can use to pay off the total owed at the end of the mortgage term. You will need to make these monthly savings regularly because different savings options will have different interest rates, which may vary over time, so it is necessary to make sure you continue to pay in the right amount to stay up-to-date.

Monday, June 14, 2010

How Does A Reverse Mortgage Work - Why Do You Need It

This loan type can be the best solution for you, but it is advisable to find out how it works and what the alternatives are.
The most important thing to know is that this type of loan is always expensive.
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1. How it works

How does a reverse mortgage work? The first thing you should know is, that this is an expensive loan and by that I mean the costs of the loans, which go to the lender is high. When these costs roll many years before you pay back all the costs and the capital, the multiplier effect is very alarming.

For a senior it is quite complicated to calculate the costs and that is why the Federal Government has organized a special counselor network, which helps a senior. Additionally these counselor meetings are compulsory for some of the loans. However, it is highly recommended, that you go and meet the counselor, before you sign anything, because he can give a detailed explaination of how it works.

2. Who are they meant for and for purpose

These loans are meant for the persons, who have modest pensions or incomes and who have their homes as main assets. The idea is to use a part of the home equity for daily expenses or for some other serious usage. When the home equity is saved during a long period of time, a senior reverse mortgage is seen as a last resource to get some extra cash.

3. It Is Easy To Take, Because The Costs Are Hidden.

This is the feature, which gives an impression that the money comes from thin air. If a senior has a strong need of extra cash for his daily expenses, he can have a temptation to take this loan easily, because he only thinks about the cash without giving thought to the additional expenses, which he has to make when the loan will be closed.

4. You Spend A Long Saved Mortgage.

It is important to understand that this money being spent now, by a senior and his spouse,is the money they saved over a long period of time, he must be sure, that he knows all the details of this loan type so as to take a good decision. He should be aware that this type of loan may decrease the future earnings of their heirs.

5. A Wise Usage Is To Buy A Home For Your Child.

Although the idea of the senior reverse mortgage is, that a senior can use a part of the home equity for some other purposes, one good idea is to use it to buy a home for a child. This creates an opportunity for the money to be retained in the property and to continue to grow according to the general home price increase.