Archive for the ‘Insurance Company’ Category

PostHeaderIcon Where to Get Homeowners Insurance Company Rankings



Homeowners insurance company rankings can tell you a lot about insurance companies. Here’s where to find insurance company rankings that will help you determine which company is best for your homeowners insurance needs.

Consumer Rankings

The best place I’ve found to get homeowners insurance consumer rankings is at J.D. Power & Associates. They are an independent information company that conducts customer surveys and provides unbiased customer reviews and ratings on a variety of products and services.

J.D. Power ranks insurance companies based on their policy prices, policy options, claims handling, and customer service. Their ratings go from five circles (the best companies) to two circles (the worst). I recommend purchasing your homeowners insurance with a company that has a rating of three circles or higher.

Insurance Department Rankings

Every state has a department of insurance that oversees insurance companies, and most states have a website that provides insurance statistics. One of the most useful statistics they provide is a list of complaints made against insurance companies by their customers. These complaints are a good way to find out how reliable a company is, and how it treats its customers.

If your state insurance department doesn’t list insurance company complaints, you can get this information at the California Department of Insurance website (http://www.insurance.ca.gov/).

All major companies have had complaints filed against them, so I recommend going with a company that has a lower than average number of complaints.

Financial Rankings

Financial rankings are a good way to determine an insurance company’s ability to pay its claims. A.M. Best (ambest.com) rates insurance companies based on their financial strength. A high rating means a company has enough financial assets to pay it’s claims.

A.M. Best rates companies from A++ (their highest rating) to D (their lowest). I recommend purchasing insurance through a company with a B+ rating or higher.

Getting Low Cost Insurance With A-Rated Companies

The best place to get low cost homeowners insurance is at an insurance comparison website. Some of these sites provide an online chat service so you can get answers to your homeowners insurance questions from an insurance expert, and get help in lowering your insurance cost. (see link below).

PostHeaderIcon Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance Company Review



Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance Company is a solid choice for anyone searching for auto insurance. Read this Liberty Mutual Auto Insurance Company review to get a better understanding of who Liberty Mutual is and then decide if they may be a good choice to meet your car insurance needs.

Automobiles are becoming more and more common in the United States and with them the number of companies that are willing to insure them are on the rise. With so many costumers in the market there is no reason for automobile insurance companies to slow down, and experts are predicting a steady rise in the number of customers in the market in the next years. With the high diversity of customers in the market it is impossible for an automobile insurance company to gain all of the customers, and it is for this reason that there are many big name insurance companies instead of just one. One of the most famous insurers in the United States is one by the name of Liberty Mutual.

Liberty Mutual was founded in July 12, 1912 when the Massachusetts State Legislature passed a law requiring companies to protect their employers with employee compensation insurance. The company quickly gained fame and they launched its first advertising campaign five years later in 1917. The company spread out so fast that in the year 1937 they had expanded through the 48 states and in year 1972 they passed the $2 billion mark in premiums. Nowadays they have expanded all through out the United States (servicing 42 states) and in other countries of the world. They also rank 95 on the Fortune 500 list of largest corporations in the United States based on 2006 revenues, they have an estimated $85.5 billion assets and employ more than 40,000 people I an estimated 900 offices around the world. Other than automobile insurance, the company offers homeowners insurance, workers compensation, commercial multiple peril, general liability, fire insurance and group disability.

Liberty Mutual offers basically one policy which is called “Liberty Guard Auto Insurance”. This insurance plan covers everything from liability, comprehensive, collision and theft; and they offer other extra services in case you want to add anything else. The liability coverage in this policy pays the damages caused by an accident up to policy limits and prevents you from being sued in case that the accident is your fault. The medical payments coverage are mandatory in some states, but for the most part they are optional. They cover you after an accident and allow you to go see a doctor if injury occurs. Last but not least the comprehensive and collision part of your policy prevents you from a loss by covering the repairs your vehicle needs after an accident or if it’s caused by fire, flood, etc. For a little bit more money you will be able to add towing and labor coverage in case you need it at any time.

Liberty Mutual is also well known for their discounts and the money saving options that they give their members. Like all the other automobile insurance companies, their discounts vary by state and what some members might find as money saving options in one state, can literary be non-existing to others in another state. Some of the discounts offers by Liberty Mutual Automobile Insurance Company include but are not limited to Accident Prevention Course, Anti-Lock Brakes, Anti-Theft Devices, Mature Driver, Good Student, Multi-Car Policy and Driver Training Discount. Apart from these discounts, the company allows the potential customer to know some of the basic money saving tips given to every single one of their members. Some of the advice given by Liberty Mutual is to make safety a primary concern when buying your next vehicle. This is important because a car with more safety features will get a lower rate because it will protect its diver better, not to mention that if it has more safety features is usually less to repair.

Other advice given includes to consider a high deductible when its time to decide on a auto insurance plan. A higher deductible is good if you can afford to have it because it will give you lower monthly premiums. However it is important to know that in the case of an accident you will have a higher degree of economic responsibility if your deductible is high. Last but not least, Liberty Mutual tells their drivers and any other people that are looking into getting automobile insurance with them to maintain a good driving record. The less infractions a person has on their driving record, the lower your premium will be and Liberty Mutual awards these drivers with the best rates.

One last thing worth talking about with Liberty Mutual is their additional Personal Liability Protection (PIP) coverage. Liberty Mutual decided to establish this plan simply to allow their customers to protect themselves against potential cases in which they can be sued for millions of dollars. This coverage broads the range of personal injury coverage, protects a member for liability coverage caused by an accident, defends a member against claims and lawsuits and it pays for your defense anywhere in the world.

Liberty Mutual is a great insurance company for anyone that is looking for low-cost and great service. They are given an A rating by A.M. Best due to their excellent customer service satisfaction and financial ratings; and they continue to grow excessively. With their different rates based on type of coverage, deductible and discounts; Liberty Mutual is a great choice for anyone looking for a company with great financial stability and national (as well as global) presence.

PostHeaderIcon Progressive Car Insurance Company Review



This insurance company is worth looking at next time your automobile insurance is due for renewal. The company has been in business for over 70 years and has attracted millions of customers. It is one of the largest insurance providers in the United States. With 6 major staffed locations, it is worth contacting the friendly staff who will endeavor to find the cheapest option for your insurance needs.

The company are unique in the way they operate. Not only do they provide you with a quote for their rate, they also provide you with quotes for up to a maximum of three other providers. This is a great way to save some time in the daunting task of trying to find cheaper insurance.

They also provide added extras that are sure to appeal to individual customers. These options include:

* IRV’s (Immediate Response Vehicles) – these are invaluable as they can travel to anywhere if you have an accident to start the claims process. They can take photographs, interview witnesses and assess the damage to the auto.

* Total Loss Concierge- if your vehicle is a Total Loss they can do all the work in finding you a new automobile from the information you give them about what you like/can afford.

* Accident Forgiveness – This option guarantees that your rates will not increase as long as you remain accident-free for a specified number of years. There are no extra charges for this service.

* Automobile Insurance Discounts- this lets you save even more money by taking out other types of insurance with the company to receive discounts.

This company has a very extensive range of policies and products. The fact that discounts can be achieved by having multi-coverage is very appealing. Not only does it save you money with the discounts you receive, you can save time by having all your insurance with one provider instead of shopping around.

PostHeaderIcon Claim Negotiation – Beat the Insurance Company



Is there a correct way to a successful claim negotiation? Yes there is. But you must be willing to play hard ball. I am not kidding you. Insurance companies are the very best negotiators out there. They know the
rules, and they know when to break them. They understand the system, and they can and will take advantage of the unwary.

It does not matter if you are dealing with a personal injury claim, a health insurance claim, or the total loss value of your car. Insurance companies will use “dirty techniques” to get you to settle for the
least amount possible. For example, in the case of a total loss, they will cut your rental car early so you do not have a car to drive. The only way to get money to go find another car is to settle your total loss right then.

How can you handle a good claim negotiation? Or better yet, how can you play hard ball and beat the insurance company? The best thing you can do is to document in writing everything about your claim. If the insurance company contacts you and tells you that the value of your car is at most
$10,000, then you need to tell them to put it on writing. Everything the adjuster says must be on writing. This makes insurance companies nervous because you can always show that an adjuster has misrepresented the facts or the law and they can be suit for bad faith.

You can ask the insurance adjuster to follow up in writing. However, you can also write a letter stating the highlights of your conversation. You can also ask the adjuster for written evidence of what they
say is in your policy or is required by law. For example, you can write the following:

Ms. Adjuster, per our conversation today, you have stated that you cannot provide a rental car for
more than three days. Please provide the pertinent statute that states that. You also told me that per my policy, I had agreed to go to arbitration if you and I disagree to the value of the settlement. Please provide the exact policy language, noting page, paragraph, policy edition, and all pertinent definitions.
Thank you.”

You are now binding the insurance company to its words. If you send a letter to the insurance company, make sure you send it certified or at least you get delivery confirmation; if you ever need to prove that you did send it, then you can do that with no problems.

Documenting everything with the insurance company is also an effective way to avoid the common technique of “changing adjusters.” Insurance companies and their managers know when the “claim negotiation” is not going their way. They love to switch adjusters on you so you have to renegotiate
points that you have already settle on. Most insurance companies will tell you that the adjuster went on vacation, is ill, left the insurance company, or that they had to reassign the claim for some other reason. Although this could be legitimate, it is also very convenient. Be aware.

If you have everything documented, a new adjuster cannot just tell you: “well sir, I am sorry Bob said that he would give you $7,000 for your car, that is clearly a lot more than I would ever be able to give you, I can only settle for $5,500.” If you do not have anything in writing, then you could have an uphill battle getting the value back to $7,000. But if you have this in a letter, you can show it to a lawyer, a jury, or the office of the department of insurance. You’ve got them!

The only way you can really beat the insurance company is by making sure everything is in writing, every negotiation, every law, every quote or estimate. This is the only way you can hold the insurance company up to their promises.

PostHeaderIcon Major Medical Insurance Company



A major medical insurance company is a health insurance institution that sells major medical insurances – policies that provide flexible, inexpensive coverage for most injuries and illnesses. Major medical insurance plans cover most serious medical expenses up to a maximum limit, normally after a deductible and co-insurance provision.

A major medical insurance company usually offers two major insurance plans, the Managed care medical plans and the indemnity plans (traditional insurance plans). In indemnity plans, also referred to as “reimbursement” plans, an insurer reimburses the insured for medical charges no matter who provided the service. Managed care plans include Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs), and Point of Service (POS) plans; all involve an agreement between the insurer and a selected group of medical providers.

Before deciding upon a major medical insurance company, it is wise to do a careful analysis of the plans as well as a comparative study of the quotes provided by the insurance companies. Many insurance agents somehow “forget” to talk about plan restrictions, which could make the plan absolutely ineffective. Therefore, it is important that one does some careful investigation before zeroing in on a plan that is ideal for one’s family and that fits one’s purse.

The Internet is a rich source of information regarding companies’ plans and services. Compare and analyze the cost of each plan before arriving at any conclusion. If the facts and figures leave your head whirling, find expert advice. Another option is to make contact with major medical insurance companies and learn the benefits that you get for the price that you have in mind.

Major medical insurance coverage is also an obligation of the federal health department. A list of companies and agents handling insurance coverage is available at the state department’s office. In addition to the companies’ list, the offices provide important advice on which policy to opt for as well as information on companies with adverse track records.

PostHeaderIcon Choosing a Reliable Life Insurance Company



Life insurance companies compete on various selling points. Some try to gamble their claim to be the best by giving lower premiums, whereas others confess their premiums for a similar policy are higher but they have other advantages such as better customer service, quicker payout times in case of a claim, better financial solidity, a wider range of products, etc.

With so many companies selling life insurance, a lot of people have a difficult time choosing which life assurance company to pick for their necessities. This matter is principal in everyone’s mind these days with the financial questions in the global economy that have witnessed many such companies meeting difficulties and having to ask for government monetary help.

One of the best methods to ensure that you are getting the right policy is to opt for a well-qualified life insurance company. All life assurance companies have a variety of policies that cater to people from all walks of life.

Before you begin seeking a reliable company, you need to first make a decision whether you want term or whole life insurance. Once you come to a decision, you can discover more information about each type of life indemnity and the advantages given by the various companies you contrast.

The most dependable way to discover whether or not the life insurance company from which you have chosen to buy your life assurance is trustworthy and reliable is to make some research. There are a number of ways to do research to get the best one. You might want to have a discussion to any family members, friends, co-workers, etc. who apply the same company. You might want to read information given about the life assurance company, like company Web sites, and talk to an agent. Or, you might want to look into how high the company is rated by a variety of independent financial rating services.

Keep in mind, choosing a reliable life insurance company involves more consideration than just ensuring the company is financially established.

By making some research, you will be able to discover the best life insurance company for your necessities as well as the necessities of your family.