Tuesday, March 20, 2018
Monday, March 19, 2018
Five Things You Must Do Following A Motorcycle Accident
Crashing sucks and never more so than when riding a motorcycle. The risk of bodily injury from even a minor accident is far greater than when involved in a similar situation while piloting an automobile.
Protecting yourself begins with proper training and continues with riding practice and acquiring experience. Great advances have been made in the materials and manufacturing of motorcycle apparel regarding both protection and comfort. But none of these are a 100% safeguard against having an accident. If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident (or come upon the scene of one), knowing how to react is the next step in protecting yourself, your passenger and your motorcycle from further harm.
Hopefully this is a list you’ll never have to use.
Remain Calm
Unless you’re cognizant of some impending danger, do not move. Lay there, then – beginning with your toes and finishing with your skull – take a mental inventory of your body parts. Evaluate each for pain and movement. Try to remember that you may be experiencing shock and that adrenalin masks pain, both of which may cloud judgment of your physical condition. Once satisfied you’re uninjured, then begin moving and/or removing riding apparel.
The scene of an accident is inevitably chaotic. If you become anxious, calm yourself by taking deep breaths. Compose yourself because anxiety is infectious and arousing others only complicates matters. You also need a clear head to effectively assess the situation.
Assess the Situation
If you’re carrying a passenger, check on their condition, then check on the condition of others involved in the accident. Instruct everyone to perform the same mental inventory of body parts you did. If necessary, dial 911 and immediately request emergency services. Survey the scene for other present dangers such as fire, leaking hazardous fluids, oncoming traffic, etc. Take any necessary precautions to secure the safety of anyone present. Once you’re satisfied that everyone’s safe and any further dangers have been contained, call the police and report the accident.
Record Details
Use your smartphone to notate details of the accident and take photos/videos, or write notes if pen and paper are available but no smartphone.
Things to record:
1. Date, time, location, weather and road conditions of the accident
2. Your account of the accident including a diagram
3. Injuries and damages
4. Make, model and license plate of any vehicle involved
5. Names, phone numbers and insurance information of all people involved. Be certain to include the names and numbers of willful witnesses.
Things to photo/video:
1. Skid marks
2. Street signs
3. Visual obstructions
4. Road abnormalities
5. Property damage
Contact Insurance Company
Contact your insurance agent as soon as possible. Provide them with all the information you procured and be proactive in assisting them with acquiring any further information. They are there to protect you after the accident, so assist where and when you can to help expedite the process.
Maintain Records
Create a folder, or some other central location, for keeping all your notes and photos of the accident, as well as contact information for everyone including witnesses and police officers. Procure a copy of the police report. Make new notes including names, dates and times of phone conversations with insurance agents or law enforcement officials. Print copies of email exchanges, etc. Save all receipts of costs incurred related to the accident including towing, storage and rental car costs. These records will help support your case if there are any complications.
Read More: http://www.motorcycle.com/insurance/five-things-you-must-do-following-a-motorcycle-accident.html
from Best Insurance Quote https://www.bestinsurancequote.io/five-things-must-following-motorcycle-accident/
Sunday, March 18, 2018
Motorcycle Insurance For Beginners
We were all beginners once, right? Whether it be motorcycles, soccer, ballet, etc., the unknown pitfalls of any new venture can cause excitement and joy or, more often than not, leave you scrambling in a fit of confusion. So let’s take a look at tips for helping new motorcyclists navigate their way through the tricky insurance web of deceit! Motorcycle insurance for beginners, take one.
So you fancy yourself a biker?
Congratulations! Welcome to the fold, brother! So, let’s chat about motorcycles. Have you decided which motorcycle to purchase yet? Are you a new rider, or have you been roosting the other kids at the track since you were knee-high to a Cholla cactus?
These things matter, not only regarding how your general experience will go, but also to your insurance company. Well, actually, the fact that you have been a professional racer since you were 12, does not matter. Sorry. If you’re under 25, and it’s your first bike, you will likely be teetering at the high end of insurance premiums, but there are ways to mitigate your insurance costs.
What kind of motorcycle will you be riding?
First of all, your motorcycle choice makes a huge difference. Are you looking at that shiny new Panigale V4 that Ducati just released onto the scene? Bad choice in terms of insurance. In fact, that might be the costliest choice to a fresh motorcyclist, not to mention being a bad idea for plenty of other reasons. Instead, consider motorcycles that aren’t labeled as sportbikes by most insurance providers. I still chuckle to myself now and then when I think back to registering my first street bike, a 2001 Triumph Speed Triple, and found the insurance to be incredibly affordable because it wasn’t considered a sportbike, although it had more power and performance than some.
The type of motorcycle, engine displacement, price, and year, among other factors, will affect your premiums, keep that in mind.
What can I do to lower my premium?
I thought you’d never ask. Besides carefully choosing your preference of iron steed, you can take a motorcycle safety class. Completing motorcycle safety training, whether it be a beginner course or an experienced rider course, can save you money on your premiums. Planning to stick with the same insurance provider as your automotive policy? Most companies offer group discounts for bundling vehicles as well.
Some things you can’t change
Unfortunately, your age and location will factor in and those are things that you cannot change. So, consider some of these general best practices so you just don’t need to use your insurance: Use a motorcycle lock of some sort. I used a caliper lock for a few years and a massive chain lock at one point as well to help deter opportunistic thieves. Other things that will help you from needing to contact your insurance provider are as easy as being extremely careful and vigilant at intersections of every type and practicing your emergency maneuvering skills in a safe area until it is all muscle memory. Check out our man Brent’s practice tips here.
Be sure you and your motorcycle are covered
The most important point regarding insurance is to make sure you understand your coverage. The worst possible feeling is paying your premium month in and month out only to find out after an accident that you’re not fully covered or that your deductible is as much as that used motorcycle that you bought. Let me define a few insurance terms that can leave the uninformed or first-time insurance buyer, in a state of confusion:
Deductible: Is the amount you must pay to your insurance company before they begin paying for the rest. If you bought a $1,500 motorcycle, you don’t want a $2,000 deductible.
Liability: Liability insurance covers you in the event of an accident in which you were at fault. This is generally the state minimum.
Collision: Collision pays to repair your motorcycle in the event of an accident, regardless who is at fault.
Comprehensive: Comprehensive coverage pays for damage to your motorcycle that is not the result of an accident such as theft, vandalism, or natural disaster. Of note, comprehensive coverage will pay the market value. So, say your bike is stolen, market value of the motorcycle is $6000 but you owe the bank $8,000 on your loan, comprehensive will only pay you the market value of $6,000. This is where…
Gap Insurance: …Gap insurance comes into play. Gap insurance covers the difference between what you owe to the bank or finance company on your bike, and what your insurance company will pay out as the market value or your motorcycle.
Uninsured/Underinsured Coverage: Uninsured/Underinsured coverage covers you in the event that an at-fault driver hits you and they can’t pay for the resulting damage whether it be motorcycle damage, bodily injury, or pain and suffering.
Read More: http://www.motorcycle.com/features/motorcycle-insurance-for-beginners.html
from Best Insurance Quote https://www.bestinsurancequote.io/motorcycle-insurance-beginners/
Friday, March 16, 2018
How to get cash for your life insurance policy
Dear Savvy Senior,
I have a life insurance policy that I’ve been paying on for years that I really don’t need any longer. I’ve been thinking about letting it lapse, but I’ve heard that I can actually sell it for a nice payout. What can you tell me about this?
– Interested In Selling
Dear Interested,
Selling a life insurance policy, even a term life policy that you don’t want or need any longer – a transaction known as a “life settlement” – has become a popular option among retirees in recent years that could use some extra cash. Here’s how it works.
A life settlement is the sale of an existing life insurance policy to a third party company for cash. Life settlements are typically best suited for people over age 65 who own a policy with a face value of $100,000 or more or someone younger who has experienced a significant change in health.
Historically, if an owner of a life insurance policy decided they no longer needed it, they would either let the policy lapse or turn it in for a meager cash surrender value. But now, with the life settlement option, you can actually sell your policy for more than the cash surrender value would be, but less than its net death benefit.
Once you sell it, the life settlement company then becomes the new owner of the policy, pays the future premiums and collects the death benefit.
How much money you can expect to get with a life settlement will depend on your age, health and life expectancy, the type of insurance policy, the premium costs and the cash value of your policy. You may be able to receive four to eight times more than the policy cash surrender value.
If you’re interested in a life settlement here are some things you should know:
Shop around: Because payout can vary, to ensure you get the best price for your policy get quotes from several companies. Also, find out what broker and transaction fees you’ll be required to pay. Coventry, the nation’s first and largest provider of life settlements, offers some of the highest cash payouts for life insurance policies. To get started, visit CoventryDirect.com or call 888-858-9344. To search for other providers or brokers, the Life Insurance Settlement Association provides a directory at LISA.org.
Be prudent: Life settlements are regulated in most states. Find out from your state insurance commissioner (see NAIC.org for contact information) if the life settlement company you’re interested in is properly licensed.
Protect your privacy: When you sell your life insurance policy, you will have to sign a waiver authorizing the release of medical and other personal information so that the buyer can determine how much to offer for your policy. Before accepting any offer, make sure that the company has procedures in place to protect the confidentiality of your information.
Understand the tax implications: The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act recently updated the tax treatment of a life settlement to be treated the same as the surrender of a policy back to the insurance company. This can be complicated, so be sure to consult a tax advisor.
from Best Insurance Quote https://www.bestinsurancequote.io/get-cash-life-insurance-policy/
If you work at home and don’t have this insurance, you could be at risk
There are several types of policies, depending on the nature of your work and who visits.
When Regina Mohr started her home-based business, Caliber Meetings and Events, she knew she needed insurance. “Luckily I have good relationships with all my clients,” Mohr said, “but if something were to happen, I don’t have a huge company to fall back on and a huge pocketbook.”
Being a meeting planner does not sound very risky, but Mohr points out she could be held liable if a drunk conventioneer were to damage a venue or if somebody were to trip overequipment that had been left out and get hurt. For situations like that, she knew she needed liability insurance, but she was not sure if she needed other kinds of insurance as well.
Fortunately, Mohr’s insurance agent, Mark Ahart of Ahart, Frinzi and Smith Insurance in Alexandria, Virginia, asked her a series of questions. Did she have employees? No. Did she meet with clients in her home? No. And so on.
Why was he so adamant about determining the correct insurance needs of her home-based business? “There have been cases where homeowners insurance carriers have denied liability claims because it was a business claim rather than a homeowner’s claim,” he explained. That could leave you hanging out to dry and paying big bucks out of your own pocket. “It’s huge peace of mind, knowing that I am covered, if something should happen,” said Mohr, “especially given how litigious people are these days.”
from Best Insurance Quote https://www.bestinsurancequote.io/work-home-dont-insurance-risk/
Thursday, March 15, 2018
U.S. Insurance Companies Underwrite Fossil Fuels, Deny Homeowners
U.S. insurance companies are trying to have it both ways on climate change, underwriting and investing in fossil fuel companies but raising premiums or denying coverage to homeowners impacted by increased floods and wildfires, Jacques Leslie wrote in an Op-Ed for The Los Angeles Times Tuesday.
Leslie pointed to a December 2017 study by California’s Department of Insurance which showed that instances in which insurance companies refused to renew coverage to homeowners in fire-prone counties increased by about 15 percent between 2015 and 2016.
“Insurers are increasingly using computer models to assess the risk of fires for individual homes and deciding that homes in some areas face too high a risk,” Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones said in a press releaseabout the study.
Jones recommended legislation that would ensure Californians living in high-fire-risk areas could continue to insure their homes.
Meanwhile, a 2014 Ceres study found that the investment portfolios of the 40 largest U.S. insurance companies contained a higher proportion of oil and gas bonds than average, Leslie wrote.
The attitude of U.S. insurance companies is particularly striking because, internationally, insurers are waking up to the real risks posed by fossil fuels.
An insurance scorecard published in November 2017 by Unfriend Coal, which Leslie cited, found that 15 insurance companies are divesting $20 billion from coal companies and declining to underwrite coal projects.
“The shift of insurers away from coal is now gathering momentum and may be approaching a tipping point,” the scorecard’s executive summary said.
However, that shift hasn’t reached the U.S. “So far, no American insurer has taken meaningful action on coal and climate change, and even industry giants such as Berkshire Hathaway, AIG and Liberty Mutual have remained completely silent about the catastrophic climate risks affecting their clients,” the summary continued.
Leslie suggested the U.S. insurance industry could pay financially for its selective denial about fossil-fuel risks. If climate-related lawsuits against fossil fuel companies, such as the suit brought by Oakland and San Francisco against Chevron, ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, BP and Royal Dutch Shell, succeed, then insurers might have to pay up on behalf of their clients.
The choices of insurance companies are important, because they have the power to stop new or existing fossil fuel projects by denying coverage.
Read More: https://www.ecowatch.com/insurance-companies-climate-change-2547518560.html
from Best Insurance Quote https://www.bestinsurancequote.io/u-s-insurance-companies-underwrite-fossil-fuels-deny-homeowners/
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
4 Best Bets to Invest in Top-Ranked Life Insurance Industry
The insurance industry seems well-poised for growth on the back of favorable operating conditions. Life insurers largely benefit from an improving rate environment owing to sensitivity to interest rates.
The Fed kept its promise of three interest rate hikes in 2017 and announced three more in 2018 as well as two in 2019. These moves reflect President Trump’s bias for higher interest rates and the central bank’s confidence in improving U.S. economy.
Though the rate is improving, it is still low and the magnitude is not enough to considerably benefit insurers. The life insurers have lowered exposure to interest-sensitive product lines and shifted to riskier asset like equities only to fetch in more returns from the policyholders’ claims. Nonetheless, improving investment income raises optimism in the stocks.
Gradual increase in interest rate will tend to lower hedging costs and coupled with control over underwriting expenses might further margin expansion.
Life insurers have redesigned and re-priced products, which should help write higher premiums.
Improving GDP (Fed predicts GDP to grow at 2.5% in 2018 and at 23.1% in 2019) and lowered unemployment rate (Fed expects it to decline to 3.9% both in 2018 and in 2019) among others indicate more disposable income with people opting for more insurance coverages.
On a positive note, the Life Insurance industry is ranked at #26, representing the top 11% of the Zacks Industry Ranks , having scaled by a notch from last week. This upswing was likely as there were three positive estimate revisions and none negative.
With respective to price performance, the industry has underperformed the S&P 500 index’s 18.6% rally in a year, registering 7% gain quarter to date. Nonetheless, the industry is undervalued at present.
Looking at its price-to-book ratio – the best multiple for valuing life insurers because of fluctuations in quarterly earnings – the industry has a trailing 12-month P/B ratio of 2.13, lower than the S&P 500’s 3.84. It is also trading near the low end of 1-year traded range of 2.10-2.40.
This seems the right time to invest in life insurance industry given its strong fundamentals, a favorable macro backdrop and undervaluation.
Assured Picks
It might be a daunting task to pick the right stocks for greater investment returns. Here comes our handy Zacks Stock Screener to help identify the best bets.
We shortlisted four stocks backed by a bullish Zacks Rank, a solid Value Score and northbound estimates in the past 60 days. Shares of these companies have also outperformed the industry in a year.
Primerica, Inc . PRI distributes financial products to middle-income households in the United States as well as Canada. The stock sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) and has a favorable Value Score of B. The stock has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings being revised 19.3% upward and moved 21.9% north for 2019 over the last 60 days.
Primerica also outpaced expectations in three of the last four quarters and has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 10%. Shares gained 24.2%, outperforming the industry’s increase of 7% in a year. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here .
Reinsurance Group of America, Inc. RGA engages in reinsurance business. The stock carries a Zacks Rank #2 and has an impressive Value Score of A. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 bottom line has moved up 10.9% and 10.3% north for the metric in 2019 over the last 60 days.
Reinsurance Group exceeded estimates in two of the last four quarters and has an 11% expected long-term earnings growth rate. Shares gained 25.5%, outperforming the industry’s increase in a year.
Sun Life Financial Inc. SLF provides protection and wealth products and services to individuals, businesses and institutions worldwide. The stock carries a Zacks Rank of 2 (Buy) and has a solid Value Score of A. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2018 has been raised 6.4% and moved 8.2% north for 2019 over the last 60 days.
Sun Life surpassed estimates in two of the last four quarters and has an expected long-term earnings growth rate of 7%. Shares gained 20.6%, outperforming the industry’s increase in a year.
American Equity Investment Life Holding Co. AEL develops and sells fixed index and fixed rate annuity products in the United States. The company is a Zacks #2 Ranked player, carrying a Value Score of A. The consensus mark for both 2018 and 2019 has been increased 11.5% over the last 60 days. American Equity Investment also outshined expectations in the trailing four quarters.Shares gained 20.6%, outperforming the industry’s increase in a year.
Don’t Even Think About Buying Bitcoin Until You Read This
The most popular cryptocurrency skyrocketed last year, giving some investors the chance to bank 20X returns or even more. Those gains, however, came with serious volatility and risk. Bitcoin sank 25% or more 3 times in 2017.
Zacks has just released a new Special Report to help readers capitalize on the explosive profit potential of Bitcoin and the other cryptocurrencies with significantly less volatility than buying them directly.
Read More: https://www.nasdaq.com/article/4-best-bets-to-invest-in-top-ranked-life-insurance-industry-cm932853
from Best Insurance Quote https://www.bestinsurancequote.io/4-best-bets-invest-top-ranked-life-insurance-industry/