Post Date November 28, 2012 – To hear all the Cable News Pundents on CNN, MSNBC ect – even the White House; electric vehicles or EV’s are so revolutionary they will save the economy and the environment.  Really?? They are continuously praised for all their positive aspects such as being environmental friendly and energy-efficient.  We all know not everything is as advertised.  Not only do these cars and trucks cost more than a standard gasoline vehicle, the words cheap auto insurance for these electric cars is almost impossible to find. The cost of  an accident repair if involved in a car accident costs much more the a standard automobile. Although we do our best to provide cheap auto insurance, I must admit it’s much more difficult for an expensive electric car or truck.

Cheap Auto Insurance for electric cars is hard to find

Aside from the vehicle’s price itself, consumers who wish to buy an electric car will have to bear another burden on its long-term costs.  This includes insuring an electric vehicle. You may think that by having an Electric Vehicle will save you more on gasoline, but here’s a problem – you will have to spend more on auto insurance. There are not any cheap auto insurance premiums for vehicles powered by rechargeable battery packs.  This power source is much more expensive compared to those vehicles being powered with a gasoline powered engine. Electric cars continue to be unpopular because of these disadvantages and the few number in production models on the market today. If an electric cars is involved an accident and the power unit is damaged, there are no used parts on the market.  The cost of new parts to an auto insurance company are very expensive. This makes finding cheap auto insurance difficult.

-Mike 

Michael E. Dortch
President &  Managing Agent
InsureDirect.com
Corporate Home Office
618 South Broad Street
Lansdale, Pennsylvania  19446
(800) 807-0762  ext. 206

Post Date November 27, 2012 –  Although Black Friday sounds like a very ominous and scary day, it also marks the start of the Christmas shopping season. It the day when most shoppers embark on a journey of taking advantage of promotional sales offered by every retailer. Black Friday is the one day of the year millions of shoppers gather at the New Jersey’s malls and  auto accidents and NJ auto insurance claims are sure to happen.

NJ Auto Insurance Claim, not a gift wanted on Black Friday

NJ auto insurance company, Progressive Insurance, has seen an increase in parking lot-related NJ auto insurance claims. As all retail stores in the Garden State’s Malls are packed with holiday shoppers, every parking lot will see a build-up of cars. One of the most common parking lot accidents specifically on Black Friday are rear-end collisions involving a driver baking into a parked vehicle . Another NJ auto insurance claim which happens on Black Friday is  hit-and-run collisions. They most likely to happen when a driver finds him or herself bumping their car when you are not present.  These type of people just don’t care and will just go straight ahead and drive away leaving you to deal with the damage and your NJ auto insurance company. In these collisions, having comprehensive and collision coverage on your NJ auto insurance policy can be very helpful. To avoid parking lot-related collisions, it pays to be a wise driver. You can always avoid accident. So, why not avoid one that can happen in a very crowded parking lot?  That can easily be done. Just park your car a little further away from the mall building  where your can will be less susceptible to unexpected damage.

-Mike

Michael E. Dortch
President &  Managing Agent
InsureDirect.com
Corporate Home Office
618 South Broad Street
Lansdale, Pennsylvania  19446
(800) 807-0762  ext. 206

Post Date November 26, 2012 –  John Bencivengo, Mayor of Hamilton Township, New Jersey was convicted on November 22,  2012 in connection with nearly$13,000 in bribes that he solicited in exchange for his influence for a New Jersey Insurance Agent.  The bribe was in connection to the townships group health insurance contract  with the Hamilton Township School District.  U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey said the jury handed down a guilty verdict against Bencivengo after a week-long trial which was heard before U.S. District Judge Anne E. Thompson in Trenton.

New Jersey Insurance Agent assists in mayor’s conviction 

The charges against Bencivengo resulted in guilty verdicts for two counts of violating the Federal Travel Act, attempted obstruction of commerce by extortion under color of official right and  money laundering.  The  Mayor perpetrated his crimes between the period of May 2011 and July 2011, 2012;  he accepted bribe payments from New Jersey Insurance Agent Marliese Ljuba. In exchange for the bribe, the mayor agreed to use his influence to assist the Ljuba in retaining her as the Hamilton Township School District New Jersey insurance agent.

Bencivengo agreed to speak to a school board member to lobby that Ljuba must be retained as their New Jersey Insurance Agent.   He also agreed that Ljuba will choose the next individual who will replace another school board member if that member will run for the New Jersey Assembly and left the board. Ljuba later turned into a cooperating witness against Bencivengo.  He received the bribe cash in multiple payments.  First through a $5,000 check that the broker passed on to the mayor. The remaining $7,400 was received by the mayor in two cash payments in July 2011. U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman credited the Federal Bureau of Investigations for their investigations that led to the ultimate conviction of the New Jersey Mayor.

-Mike

Michael E. Dortch
President &  Managing Agent
InsureDirect.com
Corporate Home Office
618 South Broad Street
Lansdale, Pennsylvania  19446
(800) 807-0762  ext. 206

Post Date November 21, 2012 –  Identity theft is the type crime where the perpetrators have become very creative in their craft to prey on unsuspecting victims. If you have been a regular reader of  my Blog, you know I have broached this subject in the past.  Beyond being taken advantage by unlicensed auto insurance websites, today, identity theft can happen easily through exchanging personal information at the scene of a car accident.  It does not matter if  the event is a major accident or just a minor fender bender, identity theft and thieves whom perpetrate it are waiting patiently for you.

Identity theft is an expanding industry

A California-based Identity Theft Resource Center has found  a new scam where identity theft is often occurs during staged auto accidents.  This is not just to make a lucrative false injury claim but to obtain the other driver’s personal information. Drivers are quite vulnerable as auto insurance information is being swapped everyday. Identity thieves will use such information to steal the other driver’s identity. A recent survey conducted by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) showed that many drivers are giving up too much of their personal information after an auto accident. Any driver involved in an auto accident should watch when sharing his or hers auto insurance information. The information you should share needs to be restricted to your auto insurance policy number and that your personal information shall be kept to minimal such as name, address and contact number only. Social Security Number should never be shared. Further, any legitimate person should not ask you for it. license information. Even making a copy of your  drivers license will also expose a driver to identity theft. The best way to keep yourself  out of harm’s way is to call the authorities and provide them what auto insurance information you need to exchange with the other driver.

-Mike 

Michael E. Dortch
President &  Managing Agent
InsureDirect.com
Corporate Home Office
618 South Broad Street
Lansdale, Pennsylvania  19446
(800) 807-0762  ext. 206

Post Date November 20, 2012 – Looking for a new state to move too? Wondering where in the U.S. you could potentially save the most money on your auto insurance? The best rates on car insurance can be found in the State of Ohio.  A recent study indicated among all the U.S  states studied, the best rates on car insurance are still in Ohio. The  study was calculated based on a  40-year-old male with good credit, a clean driving record, driving a 2012 Honda Accord with full coverage.  Among the best rates on car insurance; the highest auto insurance rate for that risk in Ohio could reach up to $970.00;  while the lowest rate he could have would be as little as $425.00. This study indicates a driver with those risk characteristics can save near 60% on his monthly premium policy payments.

Ohio has the best rates on car insurance

On the other side of the same coin is the State of Oklahoma.  For the same driver, car and coverage his auto insurance annual premium may reach as high as $2,000.00 a year. Our research also shows rates for the same risk can be only as cheap as $1,000. Does not sound like any kind of deal to me.  Besides being physically next to Oklahoma, the state of Arizona has the second best auto insurance rates in the country.  For the same risk, car and driver, a good rate can be as high as $950.00 annually and $500 as the cheapest rate.   Although most carriers whom are looking to offer the best rates on car insurance, they each use same factors in rating one’s auto insurance premium. Even though each auto insurance  company use the same exact method in coming up with its premiums, the rate factors need to be such that the carrier can make a profit.

If you are a Ohio resident and you are looking for the best rates on car insurance, call (888) 807-0762.

-Mike

Michael E. Dortch
President &  Managing Agent
InsureDirect.com
Corporate Home Office
618 South Broad Street
Lansdale, Pennsylvania  19446
(800) 807-0762  ext. 206

Post Date November 19, 2012 – The United States Boat Owner’s Association announced last week more than 70,000 power boats, sail boats and jet ski’s were either damaged or sunk when Hurricane Sandy his the east coast two weeks ago. Hurricane Sandy and the winds it brought to New Jersey, New York and the other states hit the boating industry like a sledge-hammer. Insurance industry insiders have described Hurricane Sandy as the single-largest insurance industry loss in nearly 20 years. Watercraft destroyed by Hurricane Sandy have already reached $650 million dollars.

Hurricane Sandy destroys over 70,000 boats

Hurricane Sandy forced thousands of motor boats and sail boats to wash up on beaches, residential areas, streets and highways. Boats which were stored in marinas have become inoperable because of all the debris which washed in to the boats hauls.  Marina’s and Slip Docks in on the coast of New Jersey and Staten Island suffered the greatest amount of damage of all the east coast states. The estimated damage from Hurricane Sandy in the coastal areas New York has now reported the greatest number of watercraft damage. The amount of damaged boats in New York is over 32,000. In second place is the coastal areas of the of New Jersey.  Over 25,000 Sail and Power Boats were lost or damaged in the Garden State.  Hurricane Sandy logged the 3rd largest amount of damaged in Connecticut with 2,500 watercraft lost.

The association through its Marine Insurance Program is looking into the storm’s aftermath as to assess how it had affected recreational boats in order to come up with a much sturdier boat damage prevention measures.  One interesting item revealed an early sign shows that boats being kept on floating docks supported with tall pilings had the best chance of surviving a storm the size and scope of Hurricane Sandy.

-Mike  

Michael E. Dortch
President &  Managing Agent
InsureDirect.com
Corporate Home Office
618 South Broad Street
Lansdale, Pennsylvania  19446
(800) 807-0762  ext. 206

Post Date November 17, 2012 – The amount of Auto Insurance Fraud in the State of Pennsylvania has increased by over 10% so far  in 2012. Insurance-related crime has seen a larger than normal spike within the first 10 months of this year than the previous years of 2011, 2010 and 2009.  Auto insurance fraud is the leading type of insurance related crime in the United States and specifically the Keystone State.  Auto insurance fraud also accounts for over two-thirds the criminal arrests and prosecutions related to auto insurance  fraud in PA.

Auto insurance fraud on the rise in Pennsylvania

The IFPA Executive Director says in addition to auto insurance fraud, homeowners insurance fraud has also seen a “dramatic increase” as well.  This is being followed by insurance in workers compensation, life and health insurance-related crimes which have seen an 18 percent increase in the same period of time.  Filing charges agaist these people and prosecuting auto insurance fraud and other related crimes including  other types of has resulted in over $3 million in restitution, $57,724 in fines, and over $100,000 in civil penalties collected from defendants. The number of insurance crime perpetrators arrested has also increased by 15 % compared to the first three quarters on 2011. The increase on the reported number of  auto insurance fraud-related crimes shows Pennsylvania is very serious about stopping auto insurance fraud. Auto insurance Fraud hurts all insurance consumers in PA since insurance carriers must charge higher prices in order to recoup the amount lost paying illegitimate claims.

I encourage you to report any possible cases of auto insurance fraud to our office or law enforcement.  The faster an investigtion is started, the faster a possible prosecution can commence. Fighting insurance fraud is a crime that everybody should take very, very seriously. Reporting auto insurance fraud is not only the responsibility of the law enforcement agencies, the insurance companies, but as well as  you the consumers.

-Mike

Michael E. Dortch
President &  Managing Agent
InsureDirect.com
Corporate Home Office
618 South Broad Street
Lansdale, Pennsylvania  19446
(800) 807-0762  ext. 206

Post Date November 16, 2012 – Here we go again!  Once again a thieving auto insurance agent which makes me sick.  With all the new auto insurance new auto insurance websites on the world wide web, Insurance customers should be concerned where they buy their insurance policies.  Regardless if it’s for homeowners or or any other insurance need, the auto insurance agent and brokers out there needs to be watched very closely. Most of these brokers never consider the loss of the victims. All that matters to them is how much they can exploit their customer. Before you give dime to an auto insurance agent or broker, contact your state department of insurance to see if they are even licensed.

 Here we go again, thieving auto insurance agent steals from customers

Getting your insurance policies from reliable agents or brokers is a must so as to ensure that you will have your money’s worth.

An auto insurance agent in California  admits to overcharging  celebrities by hundreds of thousands of dollars for their monthly insurance bills.  A U.S. attorney Stephanie in the State of California say’s Auto Insurance Agent Jerry B. Goldman admitted  to being guilty of stealing  the insurance payments of  famous Actors, Musicians and Sports Stars.  Goldman was arrested at his California home.

Goldman is responsible for stealing the insurance premiums of Tom Hanks, Andy Summers, a former guitarist of the rock and roll music group The Police and others for more than $800,000.  Although Goldman stole hundreds of thousands of dollars, he did pay the insurance bills for the celebrities policies.  The auto insurance agent then sent revised invoices to Tom Hanks and the others to hide the amount of the actual bill. Although he was a thief, the auto insurance agent  did provide excellent insurance  coverage – from auto, property, flood, worker’s compensation, fine art, and even “personal employment practices liability”.  Even with all the money this auto insurance agent stole; his defense is being conducted by a Los Angeles public defender. In his official charges, Hanks and Summers where  only identified by their the initials T.H. and A.S., to protect their identities.  However, the LA Prosecutors confirmed their identities. Goldman’s trial date is on Dec. 18.

-Mike 

Michael E. Dortch
President &  Managing Agent
InsureDirect.com
Corporate Home Office
618 South Broad Street
Lansdale, Pennsylvania  19446
(800) 807-0762  ext. 206

Post Date November 13, 2013 – Driving speeds of 85 to 100 miles per hours on america’s highways is nothing new. I remember when I was in the United States Air Force stationed in San Antonio, my friends and I would would drive to Mexico at least twice a month.  The speed limit on the open roads in the deep southern portions of the state were marked with a Speed Limit Sign stating  “WITH IN REASON” .  Now keep in mid this was  30 years ago in 1982. Texas changed these speed limit laws toward the end of that decade. I’m confident the amount of serious accidents and auto insurance claims associated with them was higher.   Texas has just completed a new highway which will allow motorists to travel at a high rate of speed between two highly traveled cities in the state. In fact; Texas will permit a speed limit which is 30 Miles Per Hour higher than the national highway speed of 55 MPH.  Of course any time your have cars traveling at a high rate of speed, auto insurance claims will follow.

Auto insurance claims may increase with speed.

The State of Texas‘s Highway 130 is highest speed limit in the entire United States.  The highway is 41 miles long with will decongest the high amount of traffic around Austin, Texas.  Along with the higher speed limits, drivers will go faster and there is a bigger chance for more people to die. Of course this will result in more auto insurance claims will be filed. By setting the highway’s speed limit at 85 mph will have motorist going over 90 mph.  Texas drivers are used to driving above speed limits, going 80 mph on highways with 75 or 80 mph limits is not uncommon. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that showed many motorists using limited access highways going over the speed limit. Statistics show a higher accident rate and auto insurance claims on these roadways.  It’s important to point out going over a highway’s speed limit does not mean a driver is at a greater risk for accident. The truth is getting  caught for speeding  happens a lot more often. A citation will impact the cost of your auto insurance policy.

-Mike

Michael E. Dortch
President &  Managing Agent
InsureDirect.com
Corporate Home Office
618 South Broad Street
Lansdale, Pennsylvania  19446
(800) 807-0762  ext. 206

Post Date November 12, 2012 –  Hurricane Sandy was the most devastating storm to hit the east coast in 60 years. Both Homeowners and Auto Insurance Carriers have been adjusting thousands of claims compensating those for Flood Damaged cars and homes.  Two states out of the 9 effected by the storm had the highest number of flood damaged cars and homes.  Both New York and New Jersey had homes and cars/trucks submerged in water. You may or may not know a car which has been through a flood event must be totaled by the car insurance carrier.  Flood damaged cars can not ever be resold. Sadly;  flood damaged cars might be finding their way to the automotive marketplace and purchase by those unsuspecting new and used car buyers.

Shady operators sell flood damaged cars to unsuspecting buyers 

It’s very important for everyone to be conscious when shopping for a new or used car.  It is very easy to be duped into purchasing flood damaged cars and trucks if you don’t do your research.  It’s that research which will help you from paying for previously flood damaged cars.  Soap and water and other cleaning supplies can easily clean up a flood damaged car. The key to that research is a Vehicle Identification Number Check.   The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) determines whether a car had been flooded by utilizing a VIN Check system that maintains a log of all cars which were declared as salvage vehicles.  This includes flood damaged cars. Dishonest car dealers, salvage operators even auto junk years sometimes conceal a car has been totaled by an auto insurance carrier.  They in turn will sell a salvaged car from a natural disaster. Flood damaged cars vehicles can be cleaned up and sold.

Flood damaged cars which are resold are a danger to both operators and passengers. This is more of a problem today than in the past.  Flood damaged cars and trucks now maintain on-board computers, electrical wiring and fiber optic strands.  The flood causes electric shock to both the drivers and passenger and in some cases, fire to the vehicle.  There are a number of retail reports available to you – the consumer. CarFax is one service which a car dealer should voluntarily make available to you.  A Car Fax report will be able to instantly tell you if an auto insurance company has totaled a car as a result of a flood.

-Mike

Michael E. Dortch
President &  Managing Agent
InsureDirect.com
Corporate Home Office
618 South Broad Street
Lansdale, Pennsylvania  19446
(800) 807-0762  ext. 206