What to do if you are in an automobile accident?
It’s never a good time. You’ve just been in an automobile accident; you’re still shaken up and confused. Just like any other emergency situation, you need to understand what to do before it happens, so you can be prepared when it happens. Keep a list clipped to your insurance card in your glove compartment. You do have your insurance card in your car, don’t you? Even though many states don’t require this any more since considerable of this is computerized, you need your auto and medical insurance info with you in case of emergencies. Keep calm and follow these five steps any time you are in an automobile accident.
1. Is anyone hurt? In hospitals they call this triage. Assess the dwelling and pick of the most important first. Are you or anyone involved in the accident injured in any way – even a minor injury? Shock has a plan of minimizing pain and injury. Make sure no one is injured or call for medical assistance immediately.
2. Call the Police. It doesn’t matter whose fault it is. You need a police picture to file with your insurance company. Do not be talked into not calling the police by the other party. No matter what they say, if you fail to get a police report, you may be giving up any and all rights you have to recover damages to your vehicle, contents, or yourself.
3. Trade information with the other drivers. This should include driver’s license numbers, tag numbers, contact information, and information from insurance cards. If anyone involved doesn’t have a valid driver’s license or insurance, don’t bag confrontational. Wait for the police to arrive and let them include this information in their report. If anyone tries to leave the scene before the police arrive, again don’t try to conclude them. Attempt to get the effect number and manufacture and model of the vehicle and wait for the police to handle it.
4. Consume some pictures. Got a cell phone? Get some pictures of the vehicles and the environment. If this ends up going to court, the person who is the best prepared usually wins the case. Take pictures of the damage to your vehicle, the site of the vehicles, and any skid marks or other indications of what happened.
5. Look around for any witnesses. See if anyone who may have seen the accident is willing to wait for the police to arrive, or at the very least, give you their contact information. If the case ends up going to court, having an look witness that can verify your account may be the difference in winning.
Filed under Automobile Insurance Information by on Mar 14th, 2011. Comment. 
The one thing most people really must have but hate to buy is car insurance. Affordable car insurance is only appreciated when it is needed after an accident or damage from a natural disaster. The problem is that affordable car insurance is hard to find unless you have that perfect mix of a clean driving record, good credit and insurance scores, live in the right area, be in the right age range, and drive a low risk car. For the rest of us, we may claim to have affordable car insurance, but we have to work awfully hard to effect the premiums.
Drawing from personal experience and some tricky work on the internet, a list of companies that offer competitively priced if not affordable car insurance. When shopping for insurance of any type, make obvious that you shop. Try as much as possible to compare apples to apples.
Insurance agents like to build in things to drive the price up to earn bigger commissions. Online agents do the reverse and may leave some key items out to build certain that they offer you the most affordable car insurance, but it may not always be the best for you. Here is a list of five companies that for the most part are well known and respected. For comparison purposes, I have former an aging mini-van and not-quite-new Dodge Intrepid for test purposes.
The only discounts considered are for safe driver and multiple vehicle coverage. Several of these companies give discounts for membership in some professional, governmental, and civic organizations. Because there are hundreds of these, I recommend that you check with your company or agent for such discounts.
Safeco Insurance Company is one that I have recent personal experience as an insurance carrier. For the two vehicles mentioned, the six month premium paid for monthly by bank draft costs $84 per month. For this amount, both vehicles carry both liability that is required by law in most states and collision. The collision deductible is $250 per incident and comprehensive is at zero deductible. The liability limits are above the minimum at $100,000/$300,000. The policy does not include towing or rental car at this price. It does include underinsured and uninsured motorist coverage. Medical coverage is limited to $5,000.
The Hartford Insurance Company is another excellent insurer that was considered. For the same two vehicles, the cost was quoted at $68 per month via bank draft. While the notice was lower than Safeco, there were some differences in the policy. The two major changes were that the collision deductible was raised to $500 per incident. The comprehensive was not available at a zero cost deductible. The quoted price included a $250 deductible on comprehensive. At this level, a no-deductible on windshield glass that can be repaired is offered. Liability and medical coverage was the same level as Safeco. Uninsured and underinsured motorist, no towing, and no rental car are also the same.
American Family was the next company viewed for affordable car insurance. The quote on the two vehicles came in at about $65 per month on bank draft. No changes were noted in the liability coverage. Medical, underinsured, and uninsured motorist were included in the premium amount. Both vehicles were covered for collision at a $500 deductible. The comprehensive was set at a $250 deductible with repairable windshield pain excluded from the deductible. The quote was obtained without towing or rental vehicle coverage.
Because of their lizard and heavy TV advertising, Geico is the next company considered for affordable car insurance. They quoted these vehicles at about $105 per month with several differences in coverage. The liabilities, underinsured, uninsured motorist coverage was the same level. The mini-van was quoted in this offer without collision or comprehensive coverage. Also, the comprehensive and collision on the Valiant were both set at $500 per incident. Both vehicles were again quoted without towing or rental vehicle.
The final company in this list is Allstate. Having used this company a few times in the past, I have found them to be competitive when looking for affordable car insurance. However, for the quote on these vehicles, the monthly premium on a bank draft was $91. The coverage was the same as most of the other companies. Both vehicles were quoted with liability, comprehensive, and collision. The comprehensive and collision both carry a $500 deductible with the exception for windshield repair. Uninsured and underinsured motorist and medical coverage was included. Again, a rental replacement vehicle was not offered nor road hazard with towing.
Four out of the five of these quotes were obtained directly from agents. The fifth, Geico, was handled online only. There was no real inequity in the clarity of the quotes with the exception that it is handy to have a live person to answer questions immediately. Geico’s website is fast and easy to use. I was able to get a quote within three minutes from the time that I started the form until the quote was offered. The agents that I dealt with in searching for possible new coverage for vehicles, were efficient, helpful, and responded within a reasonable time frame.
It is possible to find the most affordable car insurance with a moderate amount of effort. You honest need to be diligent to ask for the right or desired coverage so that the quotes are able to be compared. If you change your mind about deductible amounts or liability limits during the process, be sure to go back and be comely to earlier agents by allowing them to quote their premium amounts with the same terms.
Filed under Cheap Automobile Insurance by on Feb 26th, 2011. Comment.
No Medical Insurance, No Medical Care!
Why is it a big secret that if you don’t have good medical insurance, a doctor won’t see you? This is somthing that’s very conclude to home for me and I’m sure for others who have experenced the same thing I have. It wound to call to try make an appointment for a doctor because you are sick and they asked, “What Insurance Do You Have? ” If it’s not Blue Cross, Aetna, Humana or some well known insurance, they tell you; “NO”!
I knew for a long time now that doctor’s don’t want to except Medicaid (Site Government Insurance For Coarse Income) because they say they don’t get paid; and if they do receive a payment, it’s penny’s on a dollar. But now it’s Medicare too!
I am on Disibility and have had Medicare for years now. I also have Medicaid as my secondary insurance. I have never really had a problem with Medicare; I have had problems with Medicaid in the past before I was eligible for Medicare. It hurts when you go to a doctor and they tell you that they haven’t received a payment in 1 year; they next time I approach in, can I bring at least $400 dollars to form toward my account? I’ve been there and this was what was asked of me!
So now, they just won’t except Medicaid period! What is it to do when there is NO doctor in your area you can see when you’re sick? Doctor’s get mad if you go to the ER for a cold or something that could have been taken care of with a doctor’s appointment!
Recently I’ve been very sick; I can’t get my blood pressure down. I called all over Joliet to try get into a doctor! I went down the list in the Yellow Pages, I couldn’t find one doctor that would except Medicare! Medicare? WOW! And the only one that did except it, they told me since I had Medicaid as 2ndry, they couldn’t take me. I CRIED LIKE A BABY! My GYN doctor told me last month that they stopped taking patients with Medicare as well due to non-payment!
I’m can’t see a GYN for female issues anymore and can’t find a Internal Med doctor for other issues! What are we to do? We can’t get out to other places; Maywood or Chicago.
They wonder why we are die’n at an early age! We can’t get the exams that’s needed to Dx problems like Breast Cancer, Cervical Cancer, Prostate Cancer, and other major things.
We realize that rich people could care less about us! They don’t have a problem getting treatment because all they have to do is perambulate in and pay.
There is no No Middle class anymore. You either have it or you don’t!
Another example of not having medical insurance is: I had a baby premature 3 years ago; 6 months/3 weeks. Instead them flying him to Children’s Memorial Hospital from Joliet; in the middle of rush hour, they send by ambulance. They next morning, when I called ot see how my baby was doing, I was told he needed a blood transfusion. I gave them the okay but asked why was it needed. I was told that he could be bleeding on the brain or he just may have low blood. They didn’t take him in for a MRI till Monday morning. My son bleed on the brain from Saturday to Monday; it was too leisurely for him. When I got them call to reach in, they had to talk to me; it was a very cold/not caring squawk over the phone. I have never been on the Northside of Chicago; I had to find someone to drive me there. They told me it would be best to just let him die; he would be no good to me or himself in life. I had to make the hardest decision in my life to pull the race on my son. A day I will never forget.
I went in the hospital that Friday and had to have an emergency C-section. No one came to change me or my covers; I kept asking for pads, nothing. I had to call a friend from far away to have her bring me pads; but by that time it was Sunday; I had to push myself out of bed and try clean myself up.
I had another baby last year that died as well; I couldn’t/or they wouldn’t give me proper medical care till it was too late!
I could tell you more but I will leave it alone.
This subject should be an open peek to the government!
Medicaid, Kid Care, Medicare; Doctor’s Don’t Want To Except!
HELP
Filed under Progressive Insurance by on Feb 24th, 2011. Comment.
Are you a senior citizen looking for the best auto insurance? Have you been with the same auto insurance company for several years and not sure whether you are getting the best coverage for a low price? Maybe you are looking for lower rates for your parents. Here you will find tips on how to take the first steps in finding a lower rate for car insurance, and a review of the best auto insurance companies and their websites.
First, survey for a driving refresher course for yourself or your senior parent, because these courses can lower your auto insurance rate. They may be listed as Senior Honorable Driving Courses or Driver Safety Course, but these classes can also help you on the road.
Since seniors, in most cases, have had continuous coverage for several years, they can qualify for the continuous coverage discount. Even if you plan to stay with the same auto insurance company, you can also ask your current auto insurance company for a list of available discounts you can qualify for, like putting all of your insurance needs into one company and one bill. Putting your auto, home, and life insurance policies into one, can also save you time, and money.
If you have not filed any claims against your auto insurance companies, or have had very few claims in the several years you have been insured, you can receive a discount for being a safe driver. Even if you have the right age, the right car, having a large amount of insurance claims can wound your monthly auto insurance payments.
Some auto insurance companies also offer discounts for purchasing their auto insurance online. In some cases, seniors are not computer savvy and may need assistance, so I suggest asking a relative to help, visit your local library or visit your local senior care center.
Below you will score a review of my top three choices for auto insurance for seniors. By purchasing your premium and paying the full payment at once, you will also save money, instead of paying monthly.
Esurance
For standard coverage for a 55 year old senior couple driving a 2008 Chevy Cobalt, with no accidents in the past 3 to 5 years, minimum Ohio state coverage for liability, $100 deductibles for comprehension and collision, towing up to &75, and rental reimbursement of $30 per day up to $900, is about $65 per month or $400 for 6 months of auto insurance coverage. This estimate gives you a small look at what you would be paying through Esurance. They offer like a flash and easy payment options online at www.esurance.com, where you can download and print a copy of your auto insurance cards immediately after your payment is processed.
The General
The General auto insurance company offers low rates on almost every insurance policy they sell, which makes them one of my favorite auto insurance companies. For about $56 per month or $280 for 6 months, or $550 per year, a senior couple ages 55 will receive the Ohio state minimums for liability, $250 deductibles for comprehension and collision, rental reimbursement of $25 per day up to $750, and towing up to $75 for a 2008 Chevy Cobalt. The only downfall of The General auto insurance is that the lowest deductible for comprehension and collision is $250 each, and they pay lower amounts toward rental reimbursements. You can go to www.thegeneral.com to receive a free quote. If you choose their rates, you can purchase your policy online with a credit or debit card and download and print your insurance cards at home after your payment is processed in minutes.
Progressive
Out of these three auto insurance companies, Progressive offers the lowest rate of auto insurance with the better package deals for a 55 year old senior driving a 2008 Chevy Cobalt. For about $47 per month or $255 for a 6 month premium, you will receive the highest liability coverage, $100 deductibles for comprehension and collision, rental car reimbursement of $50 per day up to $1500, roadside assistance that pays for the cost of service and or reimbursement, loan or lease payoff, and enrolls you into the Myrate plan that saves you 25% off your renewal. Progressive auto insurance is an obedient choice for seniors, simply because they offer ease and convenience. For auto insurance claims, you can call their 1-800 number, and an agent will come to you. You can get your free quote at www.progressive.com. Progressive also offers fast and convenience policy payments online, and you can download and print your auto insurance cards at home immediately after your payment has processed in minutes.
Filed under State Farm Auto Insurance by on Feb 22nd, 2011. Comment.
These days, it seems as though there are just two types of people in the world- those who will assume online and those who collected prefer to hand their cash to a staunch, live person. There are two perspectives of this, the determination of whether to prefer auto insurance online or catch it in person. One of these is just how much you really trust your computer, and the other is how noteworthy human interaction you really need to buy an auto insurance policy.
The security issue of doing business online is peaceful a tricky one; a problem which in all honesty is one which has not yet been fully resolved. If this is your reasoning for not wanting to commit yourself to purchasing auto insurance online, keep one thing in mind: even if you go to visit your friendly local insurance agent to purchase your auto insurance, they’re going to have to send your personal info (including your credit card number) into the limbo that is the internet from there, too. The put a question to then becomes: how much upselling are you willing to put up with for that peace of mind?
Laying aside the threat of identity theft, purchasing auto insurance over the internet is a fast, safe, and painless process that can grasp less time than it takes to finish your morning cup of coffee. You’ll receive a no obligation quote (so long as you are dealing with a reputable company) and should you settle to purchase, you’ll often be able to print out your insurance card, or at least a temporary one, immediately. The other benefit to buying auto insurance online is that you can mercurial check quotes from as many different insurers as you want, making comparison shopping equally painless. So, to review the positives for buying car insurance online:
1. It’s a quick, easy painless process
2. You can often print a temporary insurance card immediately
3. You can compare multiple quotes from several sources quickly
And the negatives:
1. Potential for identity theft
Purchasing from a flesh-and-blood insurance agent also has its benefits, however. You can always do your comparison shopping online and then go to an agent if you feel at all confused about your coverage. The internet, while uniquely agreeable to providing information, falls woefully short of acceptable in appropriate information. Skeptical? Try typing “auto insurance” into your search bar. If you’ve hit upon this article, than you’ve done well. There are so many insurance companies out there that rifling through them for information of a non-biased sort is going to be practically impossible to accumulate. This is where an agent can step in and clear the air, so to speak.
Your auto insurance agent is uniquely suited to provide the right information at the right time. If you have questions concerning coverage, an agent is the one to ask. If you have questions about discounts, an agent is the one to ask. Be willing to spend some time with them to really understand what coverage you’re getting and under what circumstances you’ll be covered, and what circumstances you won’t. Be aware, though, that first and foremost, your insurance agent is a salesperson, and that it is their job to sell you the farm. Be aware of what you don’t need, and don’t let them talk you into something you don’t understand.
Both methods have their positives, buying car insurance online and in person, and by and large, it comes down to which method you’re most comfortable with. If you’re comfortable with the internet, by all means, use it. If you have your doubts, however, and still prefer that handshake before you leave the office, then there’s someone there to take care of you, too.
Filed under Automobile Insurance Information by on Feb 20th, 2011. Comment.
