Over the last 20 years; InsureDirect.com has processed 10’s of thousands of auto insurance claims.  During that time, I’m confident we have been put in a position of paying a claim due to a car accident caused by a manufactures defect.  Something as small as a Break-Light Fuse Recall could cause an insureds new car being rear-ended because the driver of the claimants car could not see the Break-Lights of our insureds vehicle.  This is an expense which we should not be responsible and should be defrayed be the auto maker whom caused the defect. Sadly; these situations create more than just financial hardship of auto repair for the driver or car insurance company. If you are a victim of an auto accident because of a manufactures defect, you may experience an increase in your auto insurance rates.

For almost 15 years, over 360 million cars were recalled due to safety-related issues or flaws being revealed. It’s a huge figure that it must be taken into consideration by every car owners or to any single person whom is planning to buy one.

Knowing whether a car you own is on the list or not; it is important  to be observant to save money and unnecessary agony. If the car you wish to buy is on the list, it is still important to be sure the car manufacturer will held responsible for all costs incurred during the recall.

Sometimes because of the pressures placed on every car manufacturer, new automobiles are being released too early and yet are constantly recalled more and more often. Recently, General Motors a leading car manufacturer based in Detroit Michigan, had recalled 1.5 million trucks because the windshield fluid heater’s high risk of catching fire. A similar story was  what happened at Toyota where they had to recall over 8 million cars due to some mechanical problems.

Many wonder what the effect of  being recalled does to one’s car insurance since insurance companies do not appreciate customers who are driving faulty or defective cars. But driving a car that is on the recall list isn’t enough for insurance companies to elevate your auto insurance premium costs. According to the Insurance Information Institute, factors affecting your  car insurance rates are your driving history, location of your garaging address, mileage, new cost of car being insured, damage repair costs, and safety ratings of car. As you can see, being recalled is not on the list; thus being on the recalled list doesn’t influence car insurance rates.

Nevertheless, car owners must still be extremely cautious when driving a car that is on a car manufacturers recall list and hasn’t   modified yet. Understand, your car insurance company will not be liable for any accidents caused by car parts that haven’t been modified by the car manufacturer.

In order to know whether your car or a new car you’re eyeballing is on a recall list, go online and check websites listing recalls or preferably the website of your car’s manufacturer. In addition, there is also a large and detailed database on the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s Website where you can search for your cars model and year.

-Mike

Although InsureDirect.com primarily focuses it’s marketing efforts on Online/Direct Car Insurance, Commercial Auto Insurance and Homeowners/Renters Insurance Products; as it’s company’s President and Managing Agent, I feel it’s vital I discuss topics which would be of interest to a broader base of insurance buyers.  This article is a perfect example of this. 

In the latest updates released by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, the  NAIC urged the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to avoid the loophole giving chances to some nation’s largest insurance companies a regulatory advantage over smaller industry player or competitors. The NAIC further expressed concerns about possible potential consumer implications of the new Multi – State Plans offered through the insurance Exchanges if held to different type of standards. 

Beginning in 2014, OPM is charged with contracting with at least two health plans to be automatically sold on every state’s Exchange as “Multi – State Plans.”  It is very clear that the law clearly intend to have these plans operates on a standard level playing field  where language within the law could allow two sets of rules to cater to large Multi – State plans and to everyone else. However, NAIC is concerned with the provision’s identity that it may unintentionally upset state insurance markets that will take away consumer protections. 

In a letter to OPM signed by NAIC President and Iowa Insurance Commissioner Susan Voss stating “Authorities must take every single serious concern about the potential for market disruption and unfavorable selection that would result negative impact on most consumers and health insurance markets which would arise if Multi – State Plans are allowed to operate under different rules than their competitors.” The letter was co – signed by NAIC President – Elect, Vice President and the Secretary – Treasurer. 

All of the concerns raised by the NAIC are in response to OPM’s request for certain details about the guidelines being develop for Multi – State Plans. The remarks/comments provides further details of potential market disruption on Multi – State Plans to cater exemption on the rules governing other plans offered through an Exchange or the over-all insurance market as a whole. 

They noted that separate rules could threaten plan solvency which may lead to market segmentation, consumer confusion and a loss of consumer protections. Thus, NAIC urged OPM to require Multi – State plans to meet all state laws and regulatory requirements to avoid uncertainties over it. Also, the comments being submitted will explain about the second provisions of the rules on the intentions attached in ensuring a level playing field, that could in contradiction overturned state consumer protection laws if Multi – State plans are being exempt from state regulations. Example if there are plans existing plans in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Ohio, Virginia or any of the other 44 states in the United States, they are exempted.

Furthermore, the Congress intended for Multi – State plans to adhere on applicable  regulations as the law is written, if OPM want to exempts a plan from applicable state regulations and by extending it will also exempts all other plans both in and out of an Exchange from those same regulations, thus leaving a regulatory vacuüm.

Keep in mind InsureDirect.com represents all 30 major carriers auto and homeowners insurance carriers in the United States.  Regardless if you have a perfect, preferred driving record or if you have accidents, tickets, violation even a DUI/DWI, my agents can help you with one 10 minute call.

-Mike

The Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA) which review and approve the insurance company rate filings for Auto Insurance Rate Quotes,and Homeowners Insurance Rate Quotes is set to review the increase of the health insurance rates in line with the new federal regulations spelled out in the Affordable Care Act. The review will be conducted in accordance to the Effective Rate Review Program. The decision to review was arrived at by The Center of Consumer Information and Insurance Oversight (CCIIO), a faction of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

 CCIIO will adopt MIA’s findings and recommendations regarding the small-business and individual health insurance within the region wholesale, and will not carry out an independent study on the proposed insurance rates hike in Maryland.  Therese M. Goldsmith, who is the Insurance Commissioner, said “The MIA is committed to protecting consumers against unreasonable increases in health insurance rates,” she further stated “We are pleased with the federal government’s assessment of the effectiveness of our rate review process, and will continue to improve that process and to make it more transparent to consumers.” 

The MIA hired Oliver Wyman Actuarial Consulting Inc., using grant monies from HHS, to come up with suggestions on how the agency could better carry out its health insurance rates review. The MIA is thought to be reviewing the recommendations together with suggestions from the public which were received during a recently held public hearing, a public brain storming session that sort ways of making the process more transparent, improve accountability, and give it oversight. 

Maryland’s $26 billion insurance industry is regulated by the MIA, an independent state organization founded in 1872 as the Maryland Insurance Division. From its offices in downtown Baltimore, it exerts control over 110,000 producers and about 1,500 insurance carriers. Other than licensing the producers, it serves as a consumer watchdog, sets the insurance rates, audit and oversees the operations of the carriers including determining the solvency of an insurance firm and educates the public across the states on insurance matters.

In the State of Pennsylvania, InsureDirect.com’s home state and location of their Corporate Office; has a similar regulatory body as the Maryland Insurance Administration.  The Pennsylvania Department of Insurance also watches over all the Insurance Carriers doing business is PA and is responsible for reviewing and approving all types of insurance products and rate quotes.  Regardless of the state you live; there is a similar insurance regulatory body which insures the auto insurance rate quote you pay is reasonable and fair.  InsureDirect.com maintains an insurance license in every state we market and has been approved by your state’s regulatory body to legally offer you all types of insurance products including auto insurance, homeowners insurance, renters insurance, motorcycle insurance and commercial truck Insurance.  You can also instantly bind Health Insurance for both families and individuals through our website www.insuredirect.com or call us nationwide (800) 807-0762.

As the owner  and managing agent of InsureDirect.com for the last 20 years, I can certainly tell you Worker’s Compensation Insurance  and its monthly payment is an expense I wish could be alot less.   InsureDirect.com like other Auto Insurance Companies and general business through out the United States must defray this insurance expense when you use any staff.

Business owners in the state of Michigan now have every reason to smile starting from August 4^th they will pay about 8% percent less in pure premium advisory rates for workers’ insurance. The announcement was made by Steven H. Hilfinger, the director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA). The decision to cut the rates came on the back of declining number of claims in Michigan, and it is thought the move will ultimately benefit not only the business community but also their employees and those seeking employment.  When a business has more money to spend, employees will always benefit.

Hilfinger said, “The decline in the state’s pure premium rate for worker’s compensation is great news for Michigan employers and ultimately employees and job seekers.” He further added, “We are working very hard to create a positive environment for creating business in Michigan.”
LARA has over the years been at the forefront in the field of regulation and licensing with the hopes of enriching the lives of Michigan residents with their insurance slogan: “Customer Driven, Business Minded.” Kevin Elsenheimer, the director of Workers’ Compensation Agency, attributed the decrease in the rates to enhanced workplace safety measures which have resulted in fewer workplace related injuries and consequently fewer claims being made. He also cited efficient management of the medical costs resulting from these injuries through a fees schedule as another reason that led to the reduction. The fee schedule is revised every year by The Workers’ Compensation Agency, a department of the Michigan Department of Licensing & Regulatory Affairs (LARA). LARA is leading from the front by creating customer and business friendly regulations and licensing policies.

Director Elsenheimer said, “Our worker’s compensation program is doing an effective job of cost containment,” He further stated “Reducing workers’ compensation rates helps businesses cut their operating costs, making it easier to do business in our state and potentially lead to economic growth and creating jobs for Michigan workers.”
The lower rates were given a thumps up by the state’s quasi-public Data Collection Agency Board on July 27, 2011 and will become active from the first day of 2012. Private insurance firms use this annual results to adjust their worker’s compensation coverage accordingly. The pure premium rates are worked out from historical loss data provided by the insurance carriers for each job group. Data analysts then analyze the data to find out how legislations and court rulings are bound to affect the numbers year-to-year.

– Mike

At present, many State Governments are taking a more rigid approach when it comes to the limitations imposed in handing over every learner’s permits and youthful driver’s licenses.  However in New Jersey and Pennsylvania;, Student Drivers do not like the restrictions the government has instituted for the sake of the safety of all travelers on both states.

These two (2) states have their own jurisdictions in handling car insurances. In some states, young and inexperienced drivers are allowed to drive to school or in work and vice versa without any official certifications issued by the government, except for a parent’s/legal guardian’s authorization document. 

It is time to face the truth that auto insurance is more expensive for teens and young aspirant drivers. Even though not all teens  considered dangerous drivers, they happen to be victims of statistics. For according to the Department of Transportation of both NJ and PA, car accidents among drivers below the age of 25 make up the highest number of irresponsible drivers in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

On the brighter side, there are some unknown secrets to lower auto insurance costs for students and young aspirant drivers. One of them is Good Grades Discounts. Maintaining grade point average of 3.0 (that’s a B for those of you without kids) a sufficient proof to impress many of the auto insurance companies represented by InsureDirect.com.  Good grades will earn you real and reasonable discounts. Another thing student drivers could do is taking driving lessons through Defensive Driving Courses. There are many  schools throughout the states of both NJ and PA.  With the added knowledge on how to drive safely and therefore reducing odds of causing an accident, insurance companies will lower your premium even further.

In addition, installing an electronic device that will check one’s driving status will also allow insurance companies to check a driver’s habits like speeding and using mobile phones for texting/calling while driving. Safeco Insurance Company and Progressive Insurance Company are two of the many companies who offer the installation of these electronic devices to watch a driver’s performances along the road. Take a tour and shop around to find the lowest premiums using online tools that have the ability to give real-time prices and limited offers regarding insurance quotes from many sites at once. These tools are free; thus, there’s nothing to lose in the utilization of their services.

Finally, to get the best rates and best coverage, call an independent insurance agency that only gives out the quotes and doesn’t take any sides. There are many agencies like this, but there’s only one InsureDirect.com. InsureDirect.com represents all 30 major car insurance carriers. We can find you the best quote for your situation in 10 minutes.  Call (800) 807-0762 for the best auto insurance rate quote.

-Mike

Health Insurance for both individuals and business has become a difficult subject for many in the Delaware Valley. As a Business Owner in the  State of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware; I can tell you the price Business Employee Group Health Insurance has gone through the roof leaving many businesses to stop defraying the cost of this expensive insurance coverage for their employees. An unfortunate reality is 2011 is just the beginning.  If Obama Care is not struck down by the US  Supreme Court next year, hard-working business people and individuals.

New Jersey Protect coverage offers extreme health benefits that cost less than any comparable individual health insurance. This is to insure uninsured residents in New Jersey that has less income and those who  need but can’t afford to get health insurance policies. Since it is federally subsidized, pre-existing medical conditions and preventive care will be covered at very affordable rate to the policy holder as of the day a policy takes effect.

What are the requirements?

The federal law established eligibility requirements for those who want to get NJ Protect. You must:

–      You must be a U.S. citizen, national or lawfully present in US.

–      You must be a New Jersey resident

–      You must have been without any creditable coverage for at least 6 months; and

–      You must have a pre-existing medical condition;

Note: You should remember that you must be able to present legal documents of the abovementioned requirements to confirm you are legible for the insurance policy.

How to prove that you are a United States citizen?

For you to prove that you are a legitimate citizen, you should be able to any of the following:

– a copy of your birth certificate

– your passport information

– a certificate of citizenship

– a copy of your naturalization certificate

 How to prove you are a New Jersey resident?

You would need to have a New Jersey driver’s license, utility bills, mortgage or rent bills, and bank statements.

How to prove that you are a non-citizen national?

You would need to present a copy of a U.S. passport that shows your national status.

– Mike

With Hurricane Irene fast approaching the east coast of the United States, we all have a tendency to wonder about our Homeowners Insurance coverage and if we have enough.  It was a very interesting day in the  Pennsylvania offices of InsureDirect.com.  Normally the calls are mostly for auto insurance quotes throughout the country. Today; our switchboard was jammed with calls from Homeowners on the east coast wanting to buy  a new homeowners insurance policy or increase the property and liability limits on their existing policies.  There was only one problem; prior to any major weather event, both car insurance and homeowners insurance carriers restrict both binding new risks and increasing their exposure on existing risks. It is during times like these when the actuaries at  insurance carriers look at the risks the have and how much premium they are collecting to protect these exposures.  Homeowner Insurance Carriers in North Carolina recently made some observations and requested rates increases for some of their products.

On dwelling fire and extended coverage policies: A raise from 7% to 25% (has about an average of 20.9 percent statewide) for 2011 was requested by North Carolina Insurers. There would be about 570,000 policy holders that will be greatly affected once these higher rates are approved. The biggest increases will be on those which are in coastal territories of North Carolina. “The dwelling fire and extended coverage rate filing received by the insurance department was from the North Carolina Rate Bureau,” said Insurance Commissioner Wayne Goodwin, one who was assigned to approve any increases. North Carolina Rate Bureau, which is not affiliated with the DOI, is the representative of the property insurance companies who are writing business in the state.

Dwelling fire policies are sold to non-owner occupied residences which include investment properties, rental properties, and some other properties that are not used and occupied full-time by the property owner. Dwelling and extended coverage policies generally cover perils that extend beyond fire and lightning, these could be damage to physical dwelling due to hail, smoke, typhoon, civil commotion, riots, and aircraft or vehicle damage.

The rating process was taken from the 2008 and 2009 data. Regulators from the DOI made several objections to the filing including that it is based on old data. Although the 2008 and 2009 data was available, the rate bureau failed to compile the data and used it in the file. There was a public comment session spearheaded by Goodwin last January 24 after more than 800 policyholders issued protests against the rate increase. Written comments from the people were also finalized last January 31. Goodwin scheduled the hearing last June 21, but he did not indicate when his last ruling on the rate filing might be ready.

-Mike

 Today, nothing in the world is certain. For as we start everything in our life and we might think it has become standard in our everyday doings like going to work everyday then going back home the same afternoon but for just a split second, everything could instantly change.

There is no way to prepare for the unknown. On the brighter side, there is one way to secure ourselves even just for the financial aspect and this is through Car Insurance.

 When certain things happens in the form of an  auto accident, being insufficiently or totally uninsured is a nightmare for every car owner as he or she’ll be the one to pay 100% of the damages, including the medical bills of not only himself but also with other party. Besides the traumatic condition incurred by the car owner, the auto accident will then also leave a huge hollow in your savings, if not bankrupt you. Thus, your state government has made it illegal for anyone to drive a car without the state’s minimum liability insurance coverage.

Various potential car owners do not adhere to this auto insurance requirement because they think that the high cost of auto insurance fits into their budget. Because of intense competition, prices have greatly decreased and cheap car insurance has become the trend in today’s economically-challenged world. So how can you find cheap insurance deals?

 The answer is: through the world’s largest database of information, the Internet.

Go online and you’ll find a huge range of car insurance quotes that will give you the best coverage for the most affordable price. However, keep in mind that there are certain factors that companies keep an eye on like the price of the car you are driving, it’s safety features (e.g. airbags, car alarms and similar devices), the mileage you make, and your driving record. The better these are, the more discounts you’ll get.

 As you can see, with given time and diligence, you can greatly reduce the price of your car insurance quotes while even getting some added bonus benefits! Just remember to use the internet cautiously, as this will surely cover as many companies as possible. Don’t forget to apply some of the tips mentioned above. Within a short time, you’ll definitely be able to save more while making some minor changes to your car insurance.

-Mike

U.S. Troops and those who are members of the armed services are often deployed on short notice, giving them less time to face their personal and business affairs. Auto insurance, home insurance and other insurance product issues, as a subject, is often affected when someone moves out of the state or spends an extended period away from home. Now before purchasing any car insurance policy, it is always the best idea to ask your prospective insurer or broker some specific questions about how the company will handle issues related to the deployment of their policyholders who are in the military service.

In 1981, I volunteered and entered the United States Air Force. After Basic Training at Lackland Air Force in San Antonio, Texas, I was reassigned to Kessler Air Force Base in Biloxi, Mississippi to attend technical school and learn my AFSC or what you would refer to as my primary career responsibilities.  After completion, I was permitted toi return home for a few weeks before reporting to my permanent duty station.  There were many issues I had to discuss including shopping for new car insurance in the new state where I would be assigned.

Your car insurance coverage would depend on what state you belong and what company you have applied to. They have their own specific guidelines for this. By simply make a call or typing few clicks on the internet, you may be able to find insurers and agents who offers these specialized needs of military service members into their account. 

Now it would be very hard for you to balance your time and handle a routine business like paying car insurance premiums from time to time or renewing your policies when you’re in service. Talk to your insurer to settle the matter before you leave for deployment, learn more about your auto insurance policy and when it is up for renewal try to set arrangements on how to pay your premiums. You may able to pay or renew your auto and home insurance policy via automated bank draft. Other insurance companies might even allow you to suspend a certain coverage while you’re away from your state. Payment history and continuity of coverage are two major factors of how insurance companies determine their rates and eligibility standards. Keep in mind that when your insurance expires while you’re away, insurers are unwilling to insure you or be willing to do so at a higher cost.

Who Needs Life Insurance?

The need for life insurance will differ depending on your age and responsibilities. The members from the armed services may consider their life insurance needs all throughout out their military career. You might want to consider this as a major financial planning. There are many reasons why you should get a life insurance. Life insurance would always protect the dependents from debts when there is a need to replace lost income when after the death of the policy holder. You would always want to insure your dependents that they would not be harmed by these significant debts. Life insurance will be their partner in keeping your assets against selling them to pay bills and taxes. However, you should also consider that most military men automatically receive $400,000 of life insurance coverage, unless there are specific requests to opt it out. There are many things to consider when you are in military service. These can be: 

• Financial help when the surviving family members try to secure their employment.
• The medical bills before the death, burial expenses and estate taxes in excess of amounts that would be covered by the military.
• Ongoing monthly bills and expenses, daily costs, college tuition and even the retirement of surviving family members; or
• A policy has exclusions for death while performing military duties. 

When you are in military service, it is very important that you would understand and check your policies and look for exclusions in the coverage as many life insurance policies indicates “war exclusion” provision that means benefits will not be provided if the death is a result of war or in the event of action of a military force. Moreover, there are many life insurance policies that contain exclusions when travelling on any non-commercial aircraft.

 The best way to get good auto insurance in Ohio is by carrying out some due diligence online. This gives you the chance of comparing different auto insurers and choosing the most suitable. If you are not satisfied with what is on offered online, call an agent like InsureDirect.com who will offer the relevant information. It is important though to have a grasp of the legal requirements in your state. 

Ohio applies the law of tort in case of car crashes. This requires a guilty party in case of a collision. The person who caused the crash is held liable to pay all medical expenses and repair costs. This burden is obviously passed on to the provider who holds the policy of the offending party. This brings up the issue of premiums and how they are computed in Ohio. The average premium you can expect to pay is about $1400 a year. But remember to compare charges before making any commitments. 

 Younger drivers can expect to pay a little higher premium. This might have to do with the fact that they are viewed as probable candidates for risky driving. One quirky bit about Ohio is proof of financial responsibility. You do not have to buy auto insurance if you can prove to be financially responsible.  To do this, you have to deposit $30,000 dollars and obtain a certificate from the state treasurer. 

You can also provide proof of financial responsibility by obtaining a surety bond certificate from a surety company. Though the above ways are possible, the easiest way is to buy insurance liability. This is pegged at a minimum of $12,500 per accident victim and $25,000 to cover for entire accident fatalities. It is advisable to avoid going for minimum coverage. If you see it as a cheap way to get auto insurance, you get exposed to possible financial ruin. You can be forced to sell your property to meet the costs that are not covered by your provider. 

Full liability coverage will take care of injuries to persons as well as damage to property. This takes care of hospital bills and pays legal bills in case of a court case. Remember to offer the correct information to your insurer to avoid having your application rejected.