• Road Traffic Act Only Insurance:  This is the minimum required by law in the UK.  It covers third party liability risks that happen on public roads only.  Third party is anyone but you.  It will pay medical bills for passengers in your vehicle and in the other vehicle, but not your medical bills. It is very hard to find a company that will sell you this very basic insurance and it is not one we would advise taking out.
• Third Party Insurance:  Covers the insured driver on public roads and private roads.  Covers third party claims and provides protection against other legal responsibilities.
• Third Party Fire and Theft:  In addition to the third party coverage, your vehicle is protected against fire, theft, and attempted theft.
• Comprehensive Insurance:  This insurance will cover the cost of repairing or replacing your damaged vehicle.  It pays for serious injuries and death benefits for you and your spouse.  It will also pay for medical bills on other passengers for less severe injuries.  It pays for loss or damage to personal items in the car.

Every time you add one of these insurance coverages to your plan, your premium will go up.  You should consider adding them anyway if you use your vehicle a lot or if you  have a young driver at home, who is more likely to get in an accident .  It is better to pay a little more now then pay a lot later.

When shopping for car insurance do not just consider price.  There are so many insurance companies out there trying to get your money.  Some are trustworthy, reliable companies, while others are just there to take your money.  Shop around and get quotes from several different companies.  When getting quotes always make sure to give them the same information and ask for the same coverage. 

Make sure the company is financially sound.  If you have to file a claim, you want to know the money will be there for you.  Make sure the insurance company gives good customer service, whether needing information or filing a claim, you should be treated fairly and respectfully.  They should make filing a claim as painless as possible.

Ask about discounts.  Most companies will offer discounts in order to save you money on your premium.  Consider what discounts will help you with your insurance when choosing your insurance company.  Some car insurance discounts are:  Anti-theft devices, auto/home packages, good driver, good student, multiple vehicles, and low annual mileage.

Buying car insurance doesn’t have to be a chore if you know what you are doing.  Remember to do your homework before buying from any company and consider more than the lowest price.  Cheap can become expensive.

In the UK people benefit from free healthcare through the National Health System (NHS).  So why take out health insurance?  Health insurance can give you added support, comfort and convenience in the event you get hurt or become ill.

Health insurance is meant to cover acute condition. What this means is that it will cover short-term, curable injury or illness.  The treatment will not cover pre-existing conditions or long-term illnesses that have no cure.

If you rely solely on NHS you may find a long waiting period before you can be seen by a doctor. With health insurance, the process is sped up and you will have a much shorter waiting period, not to mention you get to choose where you get treated and you will be able to experience more comfort such as have a private room with a TV.

5 excellent reasons why you should get health insurance:

1. High Quality Care: You will receive high quality nursing care.
2. Peace of Mind: If you should get ill or injured you have peace of mind that you will have access to private care.
3. Convenience: You are able to plan a surgery to fit your schedule.
4. Speed:  You do not have to wait months to see a specialist or even longer for a bed in a hospital.
5. Choice: You get to choose the hospital.

Health insurance will usually cover things like radiotherapy, chemotherapy, diagnostic treatment, physiotherapy, and it will provide discounts towards annual check-ups, ambulances, and home-nursing.  It is a good idea to check with the insurance agent or read the policy carefully to make sure what is covered.

Elective treatments, are usually excluded.  Elective treatments are treatments you choose to have done that are not necessary.  Cosmetic surgery is a good example of an elective treatment.  Other treatments that are generally excluded are treatment for pregnancy, HIV treatment, fertility treatment, or psychiatric conditions.

The cost of health insurance changes from person to person.  So many factors fall into play.  The age and health of a person are a couple things used in figuring premiums.  If you are lowest risk it is possible to find health insurance for less than 8 pounds a month.  Such low premiums are only available to those who are the lowest risk. Where you live and lifestyle habits such as smoking will also affect the cost of your policy.  Whether or not you have a pre-existing condition may also figure into the cost.  One thing that is for certain is the ease in which the internet has made finding health insurance.  You can get quotes and buy all online.

Life insurance is a form of insurance that pays a monetary value upon the death of the insured covered in the policy.  It is a contract between a person and his insurance company where the insurance company agrees to pay a certain amount of money to the person’s beneficiary upon his death.  Payments must be kept current of course.

Why Do People Get Life Insurance?

People take out insurance for a number of reasons.  The main reason is to provide security to family members when they, the insured, die.  That security falls under different types:

• Making sure children stay in school, whether it be private or a university.
• Providing enough money so spouse can stay home with children or afford childcare.
• Pay off mortgage and other outstanding debts.

What Types of Life Insurance are There?

There are actually several different types of life insurance.  The three most common types are whole life, variable, and term life insurance.

• Whole life–portion of premium pays for insurance and remainder is a tax-free investment.  The premium is set at the beginning of the policy and that does not change throughout the life of the policy.  This policy allows a cash build-up that can be used during the course of the policy or to increase the death benefits.
• Variable–This policy is very similar to whole life policy except cannot use the money during the course of the policy.  Also the policyholder gets to choose the investments.  He is in charge of the various investments.
• Term life–This begins with a low premium during the initial stages of the policy.  The premiums steadily increase as the insured grows older.  There is no cash build-up and no increase in the death benefits.

How Much Does Life Insurance Cost?

There are many variables involved in figuring the cost of life insurance.

• Age–A 25-year-old nonsmoker has cheaper insurance than a 63-year-old smoker.
• Occupation–A skydivers insurance will be much higher than that of a school teacher.
• Health–A 30 year old in good health will pay less than a 28-year-old with hepatitis.

Who Needs Life Insurance?

It is a wise idea for everyone to carry life insurance of some sort and size.  That includes the young and old alike.  Most young people do not think they need it, they just assume it is for the older generation. However young people die every day from disease and accidents.  Life insurance will help pay expenses left behind, such as medical bills, funeral expenses, and any outstanding debts (credit cards). 

Getting life insurance on children may seem unpleasant, but should it is becomming more common. Final  expenses can be very expensive, so can medical bills that could occur from a long illness.  Life insurance is meant for the young and old alike and should be thought about seriously.

• Third Party Cover–This covers medical injuries and property damages to the other person or persons and their property whether it be a car, bike, building, or lawn.
• Third Party, Fire and Theft–Will cover the same as third party only plus it covers you against damge by fire and theft, also damage caused by associated with attempted theft.
• Comprehensive–This consists of third party, fire and theft, and covers damage to your bike in case of an accident(this is subject to exclusions).  It also provides protection against accidental damage, vandalism, medical expenses and more.

Comprehensive offers additional features that may or may not come standard with your policy.  Some of these are:  Breakdown coverage, coverage for equipment, temporary replacement bikes and legal assistance.

How much you pay for your motorcycle insurance depends on many factors.  Insurance companies determine the premiums on the amount of risk they think you may pose.  The higher the risk, the higher the premium.  Other things that influence the price are

• Your claims history–How many times you have made a claim.
• Your annual mileage–The higher the mileage, the higher the premium.  The lower the mileage, the lower the premium.
• How many drivers you may wish to include on the policy and their driving records–The more drivers the higher the premium, the more tickets they have got the higher the premium.
• Your own driving record–A clean driving record means a lower premium.
• Your marital status (you are aconsidered safer if you are married).
• Your occupation
• How you plan to use the bike–If you use it for commuting to work or to school, expect a higher premium
• Your address–If you live in  a high crime neighborhood, you will have a higher premium.
• The bike itself–The age of the bike, security features on the bike and how much it will cost to fix or replace it all factor in to the price of your premium.

There are numerous ways in which you can reduce the premium on your motorcycle.  Insurance companies will offer you discounts if you;

• Use an insurance approved anti theft security device on your bike.
• Park your bike in a garage at night.
• Pay your premiums annually instead of monthly.  This saves on interest related to monthly payments.
• Agree to a mileage limit.  The less time you spend on your motorcycle the less chance of an accident happening.
• Only add experienced riders with clean records to your policy.

When shopping  for an insurance agent for your motorcycle insurance do not shop for price lone.  Make sure they have a solid reputation and can back your claims if the time ever arises.  Pick a company who is available at all hours of the day and night for you to file a claim.  Accidents don’t work on a 9 to 5 schedule.

• 24 Hour Cover Support (what use it if your insurer only operate 9–5).
• Replacement like for like sized van should yours be off the road.
• In transit tool and equipment cover.
• Is breakdown cover included if you are stranded miles from home.
• No claims protection.
• Windscreen repair and replacement cover.
• New van replacement should yours be written off.
• Do you require public liability insurance to be included.

The above are a few of the questions that I know are important from personal experience and in my opinion they are all must haves.  One company that offers all the above and discounts should you not require any of the options above are MORE TH>N VAN INSURANCE.

MORE TH>N cover all your needs, they cover vans for business as well as van insurance for pleasure purposes only, maybe you have a dog and a van is an easy option to take your trusty companion out and about. They even have limited period insurance policies for those requiring a few months cover.

Policy types may include medical expenses, emergency evacuation, trip cancellation,  overseas funeral expenses, return of a minor child, injury or disablement benefits, curtailment, loss, theft or damage to personal possessions or money, delayed departure, delayed baggage or lost baggage, legal assistance, personal liability and rental car damage excess.  Here is a closer look at some of the most common features:

• Trip cancellation:  Will reimburse the policyholder who is unable to take his/her holiday due to illness or death (of self or family member), weather, airline strikes, becoming unemployed, bankruptcy, terrorism or jury duty.
• Medical/health:  Will pay for any medical or dental costs that arise while on holiday.  The policyholder must pay the medical facility, then the insurance company will pay the policyholder.
• Baggage loss:  The policyholder is reimbursed for lost, damaged, or stolen personal items.  Some policies will place a limit on certain items.  These items include sporting goods, laptops, and jewelry.
• Rental car damage:  If rental car is stolen or damaged the insurance company will reimburse the policyholder.  This way the policyholder only has to purchase liability insurance from the rental car company.
• Travel delay:  If a flight is delayed the insurance company will reimburse the policyholder for hotel, clothing, and food expenses.

Anyone who is traveling whether in your country or in another, should consider getting travel insurance.  Regardless of whether traveling alone or with their family, whether for business or pleasure there are never guarantees the trip will be 100% successful.  Flight cancellations, lost luggage, illness, and theft are all very real possibilities.  There are travel policies designed to meet everyone’s needs.

Today it is possible to find insurance companies that offer discounts and low prices because of the increasing competition.  Some insurance companies offer senior discounts, small business discounts and group discounts.

Group travel insurance is perfect for many organizations.  School bands and choirs, church groups, business groups, tour groups, and social clubs can all benefit from a discounted price.  It usually means a certain number of people have to sign up for the insurance through a group plan.  The best places to find group travel insurance discounts is through the travel agent who planned the trip, an insurance broker who is familiar with several different insurance companies, or by contacting companies yourself one by one.  The world wide web makes doing it yourself much easier to do now then what it used to be.

 Trying to estimate an average cost for travel insurance is difficult.  Everyone will want different packages.  Travel insurance is broken down into so many categories for people to choose from that trying to decide what a standard package may be is next to impossible.  If planning a trip and travel insurance is something you are thinking about, shop online and get a few different quotes.  Remember to find a package that fits your needs.

Pet insurance is health coverage for your pets, regardless of what type of pets you own.  It has existed for nearly a century.  Pet health insurance works in the same manner as human health insurance.  You pay a monthly premium, and depending on the coverage, you pay a co-pay when your pet goes to the veterinarian.  For people with multiple pets, this insurance can be a true lifesaver.  You can start your pet on this insurance at about 6 to 8 weeks of age.  There usually is no age limit as the animal grows old.

What it Covers

Shots, medical procedures, annual check-ups, tests, screenings, spay and neutering, surgeries, emergency visits, and hospitalization are covered by pet insurance.  Some insurance plans cover the cost of euthanization and cremation.

Pre-existing Conditions

A pre-existing condition is a medical condition that the pet has when you want to start them on insurance.  Sometimes pre-existing conditions are covered by the insurance plan, but there will be certain stipulations.  Some policies will cover pre-existing conditions after a waiting period.  Other policies will cover the condition as soon as your pet is stable.

History

Pet insurance actually started in Sweden.  Today the United Kingdom has the largest pet insurance market in the world.

• In 1924 the first pet insurance policy was written in Sweden.  The pet was a dog.
• In 1947 the first pet insurance policy was sold in Great Britain.  Pet insurance took off wildly.   Today, over 18% of UK’s pets are covered by pet health insurance.
• 1982 was the year the first policy was sold in the United States.  The policy covered TV’s famous dog, Lassie.

Costs

Pet insurance costs will be different depending on several circumstances.  The company writing the policy, which policy is chosen, how comprehensive the coverage is, and how many animals will be covered by the policy are all deciding factors and all affect the price.  Many companies offer a discount if multiple animals are on the policy or if you buy the insurance online.  As a rule,  pet insurance should cost just a few pounds a month to have.

How to Get Insurance

The best ways to get pet insurance are to

• Pick a level of coverage:  If you do not know what you should carry on your pet, talk to your vet.  He will know your pet just about as well as you do.
• Get a quote:  this is especially easy now, with the internet.  No phone calls needed.  Just a few clicks of the mouse.
• Enroll at your convenience:  Find the insurance company you wish to do business with and enroll.  This is done on the internet too.

Pet insurance has come a long way since it first started back in 1924.  Now you can buy a policy that will deal with just minor incidents, to major problems like cancer or car trauma.  It is designed to help save you money and that is what it will do.

Home building insurance provides coverage for the structure of your home, permanent fixtures and fittings such as toilets, baths, and fitted kitchens.  Policies will usually cover garages, sheds, and greenhouses.  Not to mention fences, gates, boundary walls, drives, paths, and an outdoor swimming pool.  Most policies pay for accidental damages done to glass in doors, windows, underground pipes and cables, baths, toilets, and basins.

The ‘sum amount’ is the amount of money which your home is covered for and is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay out no matter what.  It is also the amount it would cost to rebuild your home.  Some insurance companies offer unlimited coverage while other insurers will base their premiums on where your home is located,  the size of your home, how old it is, and what type house you have.  Premiums can be paid annually or monthly.

If your home is in an area known for subsidence, the increased risk means higher premiums.  Even if your home has been affected by subsidence, you should still be able to get coverage as long as the damage was repaired by a professional.

Home building insurance is not something you have to carry in most of the world.  The United States is one of the few Countries that insists on its residents having home building insurance.  Many mortgage lenders will insist that you carry building insurance.  They are looking out for their investment and yours.

Buying Home Building Insurance is pretty simple now with the aid of the internet.  It is best to shop around though.  With so many companies advertising on the internet it is best to choose 3 or 4 of the top companies and ask them for a quote.  Make sure you give all of them the same information in order to get an accurate comparison.  Once you have decided on the company you can do your buying there too.  Do not be afraid to ask questions while comparison shopping.

Home Content Insurance will protect your hard earned valuables in case of fire, flood, theft, or any other catastrophic loss.  How much insurance you will need to purchase depends on how many possessions you have to cover.  You will need to document what you own and its value for the insurance agent or broker.

One of the contributing factors as to the cost of your insurance policy will be the total cost to replace everything should your home and all its contents burn to the ground. Some insurance policies go by the depreciated value of the item (what it’s value was on the day of the loss) instead of new replacement value. It is also important to check if you are being offered accidental damage cover and it is always important to compare  like for like cover when obtaining a quote.

Another factor in the price of home contentsinsurance is location.  If you live in a high crime neighborhood your insurance is going to cost more than if you live in a low crime area. You might have heard of the term ‘riders’ that you might wish to consider adding to your policy. If for example you own a lot of computer equipment or run a small business out of your home or if you own things like expensive jewelry, antiques, Oriental rugs, and furs.  Riders will cost you extra, but at least you have the satisfaction of knowing you are protected.

In the event of a claim one top tip is to ensure you have documented or even video taped or photographed all which you have insured and keep all receipts in a small folder. Although having home content insurance is not a necessity, it is a wise investment.  If something terrible did happen could you afford to replace all of your possessions on your own?  The cost of Home Content Insurance is well worth it just in peace of mind alone.