USAA Life Insurance Review: Is it the best choice?

You’re in the military and need to get some life insurance, of course you have heard of USAA but are wondering if you are making the right choice. Well the short answer is Yes, since USAA is a huge insurance company that exclusively serves members of the military. The company has  served its policyholders since 1922 and now boasts over 10.3 million members. USAA also has an incredible rating by A.M. Best which is A++, the top rating a company can get based on their financial strength.

The company is definitely not one you should lose sleep over worrying whether or not they will be going out of business. Like most big companies they do offer a broad range of insurance products. As far as their life insurance products are concerned, they do have a solid variety of options from a term life insurance to permanent life insurance like whole or universal life.  At this point you might be wondering why you have not applied yet and I don’t blame you, but there are a few reasons why you may consider a few other options prior to jumping in.

Savings

Although the company has pretty competitive pricing, there are some other carriers out there that have lower rates. The reason we know this is because being an independent agency we work with over 60 top A rated companies on a daily basis. If savings are important to you then you may want to use our quote engine to compare rates before moving forward with USAA.

Fair Health

What many people with preexisting conditions find out is that the rates they applied for come back higher due to their condition. When applying for life insurance, companies will look into your health and background to determine eligibility. Not all companies have favorable guidelines and USAA is a bit more strict with certain conditions. If this is your case, it’s highly recommended that you apply for coverage with a company that is more lenient with your condition. This will save you money and improve your chances of getting approved for life insurance. Once again the best way to do that is by working with an independent agency.

source : http://www.insurechance.com

10 Tips to Save on Car Insurance

How to get the coverage you need and can afford

 Car insurance is one of the costliest purchases that consumers hope to never use. While it’s always important to buy the right coverage, it costs a lot more to insure a brand-new car than a five-, seven-, or nine-year-old model you are replacing. Here are 10 helpful tips on how to keep your premiums in line without taking on unnecessary risks.

Do an Annual Rate Check

If you’ve been with the same insurer a long time, it might be tough to beat its rates, especially if you haven’t had any claims lately. In fact, a 2014 survey by the Consumer Reports National Research Center found that only 10 percent of 19,000 ConsumerReports.org subscribers who compared premiums found that they would save money by switching insurers.
It’s easy to compare multiple insur­­ers online, at sites such as Answer Financial, Insure.com, Insweb.com, and NetQuote. You usually won’t get an immediate quote online, but you will get email messages from agents look­ing for your business. Consider forming a relationship with an independent agent, who will check rates for you at a range of carriers.

Pick a Top-Rated Insurer

Saving money isn’t simply a matter of finding the lowest premium. Some insurers have lower premiums, but end up costing you more in the end by lowballing loss estimates, hassling the repair shop to cut corners, and forcing you to pay extra for original-equipment replacement parts. They might even unfairly jack up your premiums after an accident.
We surveyed 64,872 Consumer­Reports.org subscribers who filed a claim between 2011 and 2014. Eighty-eight percent of them were highly satisfied with the handling of their claims. Among the highest-rated groups were USAA, Amica, and NJM, with overall satisfaction scores of 90 or higher.  

Set the Right Deductible

A higher deductible reduces your premium because you pay more out of pocket if you have a claim. Hiking your deductible from $200 to $500 can cut your premium on collision by 15 to 30 percent. Go to $1,000 and you could save 40 percent. If you have a good driving record and haven’t had an at-fault accident in years, if ever, opting for a higher deductible on collision might be a good bet. Just make sure you can afford to pay that cost if your luck runs out. 

Review All of Your Coverage

Your liability coverage pays for bodily injury and property damage that you cause in accidents. Don’t get caught short by reducing your liability limits to the state minimums. Buying more coverage

might seem like an odd way to save, but the benefit comes if you have a costly claim, which can put your life’s savings at risk.
If you have another car that you can use while your vehicle is being repaired, you don’t need to pay for rental-reimbursement coverage. Dump roadside assistance if you have an auto-club membership that’s a better deal, or if it’s part of your new car’s warranty.
Think carefully about personal-injury protection and medical-payments coverage: Forget it if you have good health coverage; keep it if you don’t or if your usual passengers might not be well insured.

Take Advantage of Discounts

Car insurers offer a whole range of modest but worthwhile discounts that are essentially based on a low-risk lifestyle. Here are some to ask your insurer about if they don’t mention them to you first:

• Students with good grades.
• New drivers who have taken a driver-training course.
• Older drivers who have taken a refresher course.
• Any driver who takes a defensive-driving course.
• Members of affinity groups, such as college alumni and certain occupations and professions.
• Anti-theft and safety equipment.

Multiple-Policy Holders

Insurers also offer fairly hefty auto discounts if you also buy your home­owners, renters, or life-insurance policy from them. But be sure you check out total costs both ways: premiums from different insurers compared with single-insurer packages. 

source : http://www.consumerreports.org

 

Should You Get Credit Insurance When You Buy a Car?

Credit Disability Insurance

Credit disability insurance pays on a car loan if you become ill or injured and can't work during the time you're covered. | September 14, 2015 | iStockphoto

For most of us, buying a car is the second largest financial transaction we'll make, next to buying a home. And we're likely to get loans to finance our car purchase. In the fourth quarter of 2014, 84 percent of new cars purchased were financed, according to Experian Automotive.
If you're financing your car purchase through a dealership, it's also likely that the finance and insurance manager will offer you warranty and insurance products, such as an extended warranty, gap insurance or tire-and-wheel protection. The F&I manager might also offer credit protection, which is meant to cover your car payments should you be unable to pay them yourself because of layoff, injury, illness or death.
The most venerable of these products, with an almost 100-year history, is credit insurance. Consumer groups have long been leery of credit insurance products, which are offered not just for cars, but also for credit cards and other consumer loans. Often, the consumer groups contend, the products are expensive and unnecessary. Further, there have been instances of lenders forcing the credit insurance on consumers.
"It's often very expensive when you compare it to the benefits," says Chris Kukla, senior vice president with the Center for Responsible Lending, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization focusing on consumer lending, based in Durham, North Carolina. Further, he says, the credit insurance policies are "riddled with exclusions."
Payout rates (the premium dollars paid compared with the amount paid out in claims) are typically low. That's because the money is going to commissions, he says.
There are some decent providers of credit insurance, such as credit unions, Kukla says, but it's tough for consumers to know which products are worthwhile and which ones are rip-offs. To protect themselves, potential buyers should look for coverage they can afford that specifically addresses their financial concerns and which comes from a reputable insurer. The insurance department in your state is the place to check in order to see that the company is licensed and legitimate, says automotive expert Lauren Fix.
The three most common types of credit insurance coverage are:

Credit life: This pays off all or some of your loan if you die during the time you're covered.

Credit disability: Pays on the loan if you become ill or injured and can't work during the time you're covered. It's also sometimes called credit accident and health insurance.  
Credit involuntary unemployment: Pays a specified number of 
monthly loan payments if you lose your job through no fault of your own, such as in a layoff, during the coverage term. It's also known as "involuntary loss of income" insurance.
None of these coverages is required with a car loan. You can't be denied credit if you say no to a credit insurance offer, Kukla says.

Payment Protection: A Newer Product
 
A more recent type of credit protection is called debt protection, which might also go by such names as debt cancellation, debt suspension or payment protection. Federal law allows national banks, most state-chartered banks and credit unions to offer this benefit without involving an insurer. The bank or credit union fills that role.
Debt protection provides benefits that are similar to credit insurance. It's typically offered when you sign your loan papers.

What To Ask Yourself and the Lender
 
The popularity of debt protection products has been on the wane over the decades. In a long-term study for the Federal Reserve, the percent of people who said they purchased debt protection coverage in 1977 was 63.9 percent. In 2012, that dropped to 22.7 percent.
If you are interested in a debt protection product, the Center for Responsible Lending suggests that you purchase the products through a credit union or bank, where the rates may be lower. Compare any dealership price quote and terms to ensure you're getting the best deal for comparable coverage. Also, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners advises you to ask these questions before you buy:

• What's the premium? Will it be financed as part of the loan? And will that increase your loan amount so you'll have to pay additional interest?
• Can you pay the premium monthly instead of financing the entire premium as part of your loan?
• What's the loan payment minus the credit insurance?
• Will the insurance cover the loan's full length and amount?
• What are the limits and exclusions on payment of benefits?
• Is there a waiting period before the coverage becomes effective? If so, how long?
• With a co-borrower, what coverage does he or she have? What's the cost for that coverage?
• Can you cancel the policy? What kind of refund is available? Are there any penalties?

It's also wise to see if you have other insurance that might eliminate the need for a credit insurance contract in association with your car purchase. A term life insurance policy would provide benefits in the event of your death. Your employer may make disability coverage available. Check with your insurance agent to see what your current coverage would provide before you buy credit protection.
If at any point you feel pressured to buy credit insurance, it's best to simply walk away and consider your options in a pressure-free environment. In the words of the National Automobile Dealers Association, "once you sign the contract, you are legally obligated."

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To find a dealership that knows how to treat shoppers right, please visit Edmunds.com's Dealer Ratings and Reviews.

source: http://www.edmunds.com

Does Your Credit Score Affect Your Car Insurance Rate?

Your Credit Affects Your Car Insurance

In all but three states, insurers can use your credit history to help set your rate. If you have bad credit, you can minimize the costs by shopping around for better rates. For the longer term, work on improving your credit score. | November 3, 2015 | iStockphoto

Does your credit score impact your car insurance rate? It's a question you might have wondered about before — especially if you have a particularly spotty credit record. Unless you live in California, Hawaii or Massachusetts, the short answer is yes. The explanation of the relationship between credit scores and car insurance rate-setting is more complex, however.
What Factors Into a Car Insurance Rate?
Obviously, your driving record has an impact on the estimated risk your insurance company assumes by taking you on as a driver. There also are other risk elements that affect your car insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute: where you park your car at night, your gender, your age and the kind of car you drive. Also relevant to your rate, according to insurance companies, is your credit score.
The practice of using credit scores in setting insurance rates has been around for at least 20 years. According to at least two studies, a 2003 study done at the McCombs School of Business at the University of Texas at Austin, and a 2007 study by the Federal Trade Commission, there is a statistical correlation between how much a consumer costs an insurance company and that customer's credit score.
The Texas study looked at a random sample of 175,647 people in the state and found that "the lower a named insured's credit score, the higher the probability that the insured will incur losses on an automobile insurance policy, and the higher the expected loss on the policy." The study's authors noted that they did not attempt to explain why credit scoring added significantly to the insurer's ability to predict insurance losses.
The FTC study found that credit-based insurance scores are effective predictors of risk under automobile policies. "They are predictive of the number of claims consumers file and the total cost of those claims," study authors write. "The use of scores is therefore likely to make the price of insurance better match the risk of loss posed by the consumer. Thus, on average, higher-risk consumers will pay higher premiums and lower-risk consumers will pay lower premiums."
It's also important to note that insurance companies don't use traditional credit scores. They build their own scores based on FICO or Experian scores: Basically, companies take your score and use it in their own model.
What You Can Do To Mitigate Your Costs
Regardless of whether the use of credit history is fair, it is legal in all but three states. So what can you do if your credit score is in less than perfect shape? As always, your best bet is to shop around for an insurance company.
"Insurers always differ in how much weight they put on each rating factor, and I guarantee you consumers will always find one that finds their imperfect credit score less of a problem than other insurers do," Kuo explains.
According to a study by WalletHub, Geico appears to rely the least on credit scores, while Farmers Insurance seems to lean on it the most heavily.
For consumers who have difficulty finding coverage at all, in almost every state there is an assigned risk plan that helps high-risk drivers find coverage for a limited period of time. "Even if the rates may be higher than if they obtain a policy in the voluntary market, they will be avoiding insurance lapse, which not only contributes to higher rates in the future, but also possibly legal consequences," Kuo explained.
Finally, improve or maintain your credit history by paying your bills on time and not skipping payments. You also should check your credit report and keep an eye out for possible errors. Consider free credit monitoring with a company like CreditKarma and free annual credit-history reports from AnnualCreditReport.com.

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To find a dealership that knows how to treat shoppers right, please visit Edmunds.com's Dealer Ratings and Reviews.

source: http://www.edmunds.com

How To Tell If Usage-Based Car Insurance Is Right for You

Going Over 80 Can Hurt Your Insurance Savings

Driving at 80 mph or more can count against rate-reduction rewards in usage-based insurance plans. | November 11, 2015 | iStockphoto

Plug-in devices that monitor aspects of an auto insurance customer's driving are nothing new. And it's nearly impossible to miss the commercials touting the savings that good drivers might enjoy if they try out their carrier's usage-based programs.
But what is still only whispered about are the potential downsides: surcharges for bad driving. Most auto insurers go out of their way to insist that their driver-monitoring programs exist only to reward safe drivers and that the worst outcome for trying one is that drivers don't get the advertised savings. And even then, insurers say, drivers will gain valuable feedback and be able to make positive changes in their driving.
But in spring 2015, Progressive announced that it would begin charging some members of its Snapshot program a surcharge for aggressive driving behaviors.
Dave Pratt, Progressive's usage-based insurance business leader, said Snapshot 3.0 currently exists in Missouri, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio and Oregon.
"Because insurance is regulated at the state level, the full rollout will take time and vary based on the Department of Insurance in each state," Pratt said.
As of now, Progressive is the only major insurance carrier moving away from the reward-only model of usage-based insurance programs, which are all still voluntary. Progressive explains that the surcharges will help them give good drivers even lower rates.
Other major insurers continue to insist that the usage-based programs will only reward good drivers and will not punish bad drivers. Justin Herndon, an Allstate spokesman, said that adding a surcharge is not something the company has considered for its smartphone-based Drivewise program. Nationwide Insurance has no plans to impose a surcharge on members who enroll in its program, said company spokeswoman Alison H. Emery.

For best results, keep this checklist in your car and makes notes at the end of each trip.
Driving Assessment Checklist:

• Times driven between the hours of 12 a.m. and 5 a.m.
• Hard braking (decreases in speed of 7 mph per second or greater)
• Quick accelerations (increases in speed of 9 mph per second or greater)
• Speeds exceeding 80 mph
• Total mileage

source: http://www.edmunds.com

Auto Insurance Articles

Car Insurance – California, Do You Have Auto Coverage?
 
 Trying to find an alternate route to work when nearly 280,000 other commuters are scrambling to find their way into the city can definitely increase the odds of getting involved in a fender-bender. San Francisco Bay area interstate travelers will be the first to tell you that you cannot predict accidents or catastrophes.
Auto Insurance Tips – Sealing the Deal on Affordable Car Insurance
 
Okay. I admit it. I’ll stand in line for the latest Harry Potter book. You can probably convince me that I “need” the latest Dior volumizing mascara and yes, I have eaten turtle cheesecake for supper before. I have several guilty pleasures. Buying auto insurance is not one of them, but it’s a necessity. Read on to learn why, in addition to being a legal stipulation, auto insurance is important to you and your assets.
Tips for Buying Cheaper Car Insurance
 
With the rising costs of car insurance for most American families, there are more and more people searching for cheaper car insurance. Although it is certainly possible to get cheap car insurance quotes, let the buyer beware. The old adage “you get what you pay for” is as true in buying car insurance as it is in the retail world.
Auto Insurance – What’s In Your Policy?
 
If you are in an auto accident – the last thing on your mind should be money. It is important to know you are covered and what that coverage includes.
Determining how much Auto Insurance Coverage you Need
 
Auto Insurance Bodily Injury (BI) Liability and Property Damage (PD) coverage is Legally required in most states today. (BI & PD) Most people understand that they need BI & PD, but they have no idea how to determine how much coverage they need.
Changing Auto Insurance Companies
 
There are many reasons why you may choose to change your auto insurance coverage to another company. Perhaps you’ve found another company that offers you the same amount of coverage for considerably less money. You might have changed jobs and are eligible for a group discount through another insurer, or maybe you’re unhappy with the service that your present company provides. With the growth of the internet and quote comparison sites, investigating your options has never been easier!
Auto Insurance Tips for Senior Drivers
 
Like all drivers, senior citizens (or as I like to call them “seasoned citizens”) want to get the best rates on their auto insurance policies.
How Does Credit History Affect Car Insurance Rates?
 
Many personal car insurance companies consider your credit information when determining how much premium to charge for your insurance. So if you are calling around for new car insurance, keep in mind that many insurers are looking at your credit history to determine your car insurance rates. I hope that we will be able to let you know why and how they do this.
How to Find Car Insurance Discounts
 
Saving money wherever you can is important to us all. Car Insurance should be no different. Do not assume that your insurance agent knows everything about you and your car. At HometownQuotes we go out of our way to find all the possible car insurance discounts that are available to each customer.

source : https://www.usa.gov/