Insurance Buffs Begins Development of New Webinar Series to Educate Consumers on Buying Insurance

Insurance Buffs Begins Development of New Webinar Series to Educate Consumers on Buying Insurance

The Chief Exec of Insurance Buffs, a provider of multiple types of insurance - including cheap car insurance, recently announced that the company will be producing and publishing a series of free seminars on its website. According to the CEO, “as a proactive move to educate the consumer on the ins and outs of purchasing insurance, were putting together this series of webinars that will be totally free for visitors to our site.”

“This series will focus on all of the finer points of shopping around for insurance, purchasing a policy and knowing when and how to file a claim. Quite a bit of research on consumer habits has shown that most people purchase their insurance policies based solely on what they perceive to be the best marketing efforts. Research also shows that the consumer is likely to purchase their coverage from a company whose message extols the virtue of their cheap car insurance, even when the quality is lacking.”

“We want to show the consumer that there is a way of getting cheap car insurance without sacrificing quality. Our series will show the average man or woman how to get the most quality at the lowest cost, along with all of the other important areas that we often overlook; including what to do when there’s an accident and what steps are necessary when it comes to filing an insurance claim. What our research has shown, is that most people have not bothered to educate themselves on some of these points, because they have never to actually file a claim.”

Insurance90 Publishes Guide for Consumers Looking to Cut Insurance Costs

Insurance90 Publishes Guide for Consumers Looking to Cut Insurance Costs

Insurance 90, a recent entry into theonline car insurance market that specializes in providing the cheapest car insurance, has announced that in an effort to help consumers in their search for the most economic insurance policies available, that they will soon be publishing it consumer guide that provides tips on how to compare the offerings of various insurance companies. “In a time where getting the most bang for your buck is seriously important, the average consumer needs to cut costs wherever possible,” said a spokesman for the company.

“We’re putting together this guide so that the average consumer will not only be able to find the cheapest car insurance, but will also find the policy that matches his or her needs. The guide will offer tips on comparing the advertised options from different insurers as well as educating the consumer on some of the fine print that they should be looking at a bit more carefully.”

“As consumers review this guy, what we want them to take away from the information is that there are lots of insurance companies offering cheap car insurance and supposedly offering good coverage, but it’s very important for the consumer to get down to the nuts and bolts of the policies that reviewing. We want to make sure that no one buys into a policy simply based on price; the finer points of the policy have to be taken into very serious consideration.”

According to inside sources, the new guide should be completed and available on the company’s website during the coming months, “we’re taking our time and putting together the guide because we want to make sure that we cover all of the bases,” added the company spokesman.

Man accused of falsifying insurance claim

Man accused of falsifying insurance claim

A Rome man was arrested Friday afternoon after police said he helped a woman falsify an insurance claim in April 2010, reports stated.

According to Floyd County Jail reports:

Kaylan Kendrell Jones, 18, of 709 Graham St., was charged with felony fraudulent insurance claim. Police said he was in a car wreck and fled the scene on foot before officers arrived. He later helped the woman who owned the car tell the insurance company and police officers that the car was stolen, which resulted in the owner of the car being awarded $13,733.50.

Jones remained in jail Friday night.

Maximized Car Insurance Price from Preferred Provider Network Offered by AGIC

Maximized Car Insurance Price from Preferred Provider Network Offered by AGIC

A Florida Auto Insurance Company, AGIC, currently provides a 50 percent reduction on medical deductibles if medical concerns will be raised within the company’s medical provider. As injuries and health conditions are a serious consideration during car-related accidents, this is a good opportunity for car owners to maximize.

The said coverage uses the facilities of Physicians Group, LLC, which is composed of 47 clinics throughout the state of Florida. As such, patients will be provided comprehensive medical care. Vincent Payne of AGIC Insurance even said that this medical insurance coverage will certainly save them a great deal of money. This will also make them feel that their car insurance price is worth it.

Additionally, other companies partnered up with automotive repair shops to provide lower prices for damages gotten from the car accident. They are offering discounts without sacrificing the quality of service one will receive from them. There are also auto rental shops that are being partnered by the insurance companies to aid in temporary transportation while the vehicle is being fixed.

With these initiatives, car insurance price is evidently reasonable for it already covers both the people and the vehicle which are the main aspects of vehicular accidents.

Women’s Car Insurance to be Lower than Men

Women’s Car Insurance to be Lower than Men

With car-related accidents being lower for women, an official proposed having cheap women’s car insurance to be rewarded to these drivers. There are currently discussions with the European courts being done relating to this matter as Peter Staddon, head of technical services at the British Insurance Brokers’ Association confirmed.With car-related accidents being lower for women, an official proposed having cheap women’s car insurance to be rewarded to these drivers.

This will then be reflected on insurance premium rates being set for both men and women. This standard based on gender is currently under investigation so that all possible considerations and details will be taken into account. Despite the fact that women are proven to be better drivers as supported by statistics on car accidents, still, other matters need to be weighed accordingly.

Mr. Staddon even confirmed that the grant on these premiums will be based on the results of data available. Once regulation is passed and credit is given to females, according to Daily Mail Reports, an increase in women’s car insurance premiums will be significantly evident for drivers.

Car Insurance Coverage: A Protection to All

Car Insurance Coverage: A Protection to All

Minimum car insurance coverage is the only requirement for motorists in North Carolina as mandated by the law. However, taking a look at severe injuries relating to car accidents, this coverage will not suffice for all the expenses and financial compensation to be incurred during these incidents.

If this is the case, one can utilize the use of uninsured-underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy. Uninsured coverage provides coverage, such as medical expenses, lost wages, and injuries, for those without car insurance coverage. The Underinsured Coverage, on the other hand, will equipped a driver whose current car insurance coverage is not enough to compensate for the damages incurred.

The purchase of this uninsured-underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy is still based on the driver’s capacity to pay as some may use this abusively in order to save more money. One should always remember that life and safety are important for every driver and one should take necessary actions to safeguard it at all times by all means possible.

Optional auto insurance helps motorists with car damage from pot holes and other winter hazards

You drive across what seems to be the Grand Canyon of pot holes seriously damaging your car's front end. Does your insurance policy cover the cost of the repairs?

That's just one question being asked as consumers from Buffalo to New York City see their cars take a beating this winter. Pot hole-scarred streets, fallen tree limbs and other snow-related situations have taken a toll on many consumers' vehicles.

"Consumers can help themselves by understanding what their policy covers and what is excluded from coverage. They should also know that they can turn to the Insurance Department if they need help with an automobile insurance issue they cannot resolve themselves," Insurance Superintendent James Wrynn said.

Mandatory no-fault, liability and uninsured motorist coverages do not apply to damages to your own vehicle. Claims related to losses to your vehicle can generally be covered by optional collision and comprehensive coverages.

Here are some common ways that insurance can help motorists when winter gets the best of their cars:

• Pot holes – Damage caused by pot holes is covered under the collision portion of an automobile insurance policy. However, since collision coverage is optional, don't look to your insurer to help you pay for damage caused by rough roads unless you've already purchased that option.
• Falling objects – Damage caused by falling objects, like ice, tree limbs or hail, is covered if your policy contains comprehensive physical damage coverage, which again is an optional form of coverage. Under comprehensive coverage, your insurer pays you, without regard to fault, for damage to your car from all causes, other than a collision. Besides protecting you from losses due to falling objects, comprehensive coverage protects against theft, fire, flood, windstorm, glass breakage or vandalism.
• Hitting a deer – Deer and other animals are often harder to see during winter's shorter daytime hours. Damage caused by hitting or being hit by a deer or other kind of animal would be covered by your comprehensive physical damage coverage.
• Your parked car is hit by another vehicle – Your collision coverage would cover damages to your car. You may also be able to file a claim against the driver of the other vehicle.

Consumers will need to pay any deductibles that apply when filing claims for losses that are insured under the collision or comprehensive physical damage provisions of their policies.

Daphne man wins $5 million lawsuit against insurance company over car crash

A Daphne man who was badly injured in a traffic accident in Washington County more than two years ago has won a $5 million civil verdict.

A Washington County jury earlier this month awarded the damages after trial that pitted Frank Shepard Jr. against the insurance company of his employer, Shred-It.

Shepard argued that Auto-Owners Insurance should cover his medical costs, mental anguish, and pain and suffering.

“He can use this money to get his life back together,” plaintiff’s lawyer Mike Windom said last week. “If anybody ever deserved it, it was this kid.”

Because Shepard, 28, reached a settlement with the estate of the other driver, the maximum amount of that driver’s insurance — $2.25 million — will be deducted from the verdict. Thus, Auto-Owners Insurance would be responsible for paying him $2.75 million.

Ed Bowron, a lawyer for Auto-Owners Insurance, said that it would seek to reduce the damage award.

The wreck occurred Dec. 3, 2008, near Fruitdale as Shepard was driving on U.S. 45 on his way to Waynesboro, Miss., to meet a Shred-It customer.

A Cadillac driven by Beverly King Johnson appeared from behind a hill, in the wrong lane, and collided head-on with Shepard’s truck. Johnson was fatally injured.

No one contested Johnson’s fault, Windom said. Instead, the issue was how much compensation that Shepard deserved.

Windom said the crash broke his client’s leg in two places, fractured his foot, shattered his jaw and broke or damaged 24 of his 28 teeth. The impact was so powerful, Windom said, that some of Shepard’s teeth went through his jaw and into his neck.

The lawyer said Shepard has made good progress but has a long recovery ahead of him. He already has had three surgeries on his jaw and will need multiple dental procedures.

“It’s two years later, and he’s still having surgeries,” Windom said.

Windom and his law partner, Desi Tobias, tried the case. The Mobile lawyers also had help from lawyer Tom Baxter, a former Washington County Circuit Court judge. “He was key,” Windom said.

Behind the Faces in All Those Car Insurance Ads

Flo, Mayhem ... "The World's Greatest Spokesperson"? Can't remember which car insurer those characters pitch for, or which insurer has the catchy (or grating, depending on your point of view) jingle or tagline? Want to know which is the biggest ad spender? This breakdown of the marketing that props up the nation's top nine insurers will clear things up.

STATE FARM

Here's all you need to know about where State Farm is headed: The 89-year-old insurer founded by a retired farmer recently had rock band Weezer cut a version of its iconic "Like a Good Neighbor" jingle, originally written in 1971 by Barry Manilow. You can find it on their "State Farm Nation" Facebook page, launched late last year.

These are among the ideas springing from the Illinois heartland, where State Farm marketers plot their next ad moves in a massive, cubicle-filled headquarters in the city of Bloomington, two hours south of Chicago. The "magic jingle" campaign, launched last year by New York-based Translation, seeks to get younger consumers to realize the importance of the company's 18,000 agents. (The company sells policies online, in person and by phone but still assigns every customer an agent.) Ads feature agents who magically appear when summoned by young drivers and apartment dwellers who need insurance help, including one spot with LeBron James that debuted Saturday.

Meanwhile, the company plans to revamp a separate TV campaign launched about a year ago by DraftFCB that instructs users to visit a special website to check for discounts of up to 40%. The new effort, to be led by roster agency DDB, will put less of a focus on discounts and more on the company's multiple insurance lines, including homeowners and life -- partly an appeal to millennials, who will need more products as they age. "This campaign will evolve to a bigger message to cover all the needs a customer may have," said Pam El, VP-marketing. The insurer spent $300 million on its auto business in the 11 months of 2010, up from the $174 million it spent in all of 2009, according to estimates from Kantar Media.

ALLSTATE

Allstate, based in suburban Chicago, is moving full-speed ahead on its "Mayhem" campaign. "It's working. If you look at our quotes and our new business, it's way up," President-CEO Thomas Wilson said on a recent earnings call. Mayhem even has a cousin -- a character named "Mala Suerte" (bad luck) aimed at Hispanic consumers. And the insurer is still running ads with longtime pitchman Dennis Haysbert, who offers a trusted voice.

Mayhem "has become the villain to [the] Dennis Haysbert hero," said Lisa Cochrane, VP-integrated-marketing communications.

Still, Allstate continues to lose market share. It dropped to 9.96% in third quarter 2010, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Analysts pin some of the blame on rate increases in some big states to improve profitability, especially in homeowners, which could have a spillover effect into auto for those who bundle insurance. Allstate spent $202 million in measured media in the first 11 months of 2010 on auto, up from $178 million for full year 2009, according to Kantar.

GEICO

Geico, the category's biggest ad spender, is watching its competitors closely but "we think our approach ... will eventually win out," said CMO Ted Ward. That approach, in a nutshell, is positioning insurance as a commodity-like product where price trumps all. The company, based just outside Washington, runs multiple campaigns by Martin Agency -- with the gecko as the centerpiece to keep people's attention as it spreads a very simple message that "15 minutes can save you 15% or more."

And it's working: From 1999 to 2009, Geico more than doubled its market share to 8.21%, according to the Insurance Information Institute, and its share is growing more this year to 8.29% through third quarter. In the first 11 months of 2010, Geico spent $535 million on measured media on its auto-insurance business, outpacing 2009's total of $477 million and double what it spent in 2006, according to Kantar Media.

PROGRESSIVE

Progressive, based in a Cleveland suburb, has made similar market gains, jumping from 4.7% in 1999 to 7.6% in third quarter 2010. Much of the credit goes to Flo. She is the star of the "Superstore" campaign, by agency-of-record Arnold Worldwide, Boston, which is meant to turn insurance into something "you can touch and feel," said Jeff Charney, chief marketing officer for Progressive.

While Flo is designed to close the deal with consumers who are already in the market, Progressive's new character, called the Messenger, is meant to get more people thinking about insurance. In ads, the mustachioed, leather-jacket-wearing man lurks in places -- such as a mattress store -- where he sneaks up on customers, pitching them on discounts. "Flo helps when you shop, he reminds you that you should shop," Mr. Charney said. For 2010, measured media spending on auto through November was $364 million, up from $291 million in full-year 2009.

FARMERS

Los Angles-based Farmers is seeking attention by going back to school. The "We Are Farmers" campaign, launched in September by Santa Monica, Calif., indie shop RPA, is set in a fictional university, modeled after the real-life University of Farmers employee-training program. A character named "Professor Burke" guides agents though over-the-top scenarios meant to sell the insurers multiple insurance lines, such as one ad showing a jet ski caught in a tree. The effort replaces the touchy-feely "True Stories" campaign by Farmers' former agency, Richards Group, which showcased real customers.

The ads tested well, but "in the living room it just wasn't cutting through," said Chief Marketing Officer Kevin Kelso. "We needed something that was a little bit more entertaining."

Measured media spending on auto in 2010's first 11 months was $47 million, down from $54 million in all of 2009, according to Kantar.

ESURANCE

San Francisco-based Esurance launched in 1999 during the dot-com boom as an online play and is now working to broaden its message. The animated pink-haired "Erin Esurance" has been sidelined in favor of "The Saver," an actor who plays a customer-service agent who reminds consumers they can talk to "people when you want them." The campaign is by Duncan/Channon, San Francisco. "The internet-shopping population had moved very mass market ... we wanted to more appropriately direct our messaging," said CMO John Swigart.

Esurance, which commands less than 1% of the market, through November of 2010 spent an astounding $80.9 million on measured media on auto, according to Kantar Media.

NATIONWIDE INSURANCE

Columbus, Ohio-based Nationwide Insurance has also introduced a character, a pitchman called the "The World's Greatest Spokesperson in the World," who in one ad stars alongside zookeeper Jack Hanna and three parrots. The spokesperson is "an icon that represents Nationwide and being an advocate for the consumer ... showing how we can help them in their everyday life," said Jennifer Hanley, senior VP-marketing for the insurer, which has 3,300 agents and 5,200 storefronts. Nationwide's agency is indie shop McKinney, Durham, N.C. The insurer spent $49 million in measured media on auto in the first 11 months of 2011, compared with $52.9 million for full year 2009, according to Kantar.

LIBERTY MUTUAL

With so many light-hearted campaigns running, some insurers think the way to break through is to get serious. Liberty Mutual, of Boston, touts car-replacement coverage in an ad by Hill Holliday, Boston, where a car is rear-ended, shattered and then magically put back together as somber piano music plays. Consumers "want more than a chuckle when they see an ad," said Greg Gordon, senior VP-consumer marketing for the insurer, whose measured media spending on auto has jumped from $35 million in 2009 to nearly $50 million through November 2010, according to Kantar.

AMERICAN FAMILY INSURANCE

American Family Insurance, of Madison, Wis., is touting emergency roadside service in an ad where a young woman runs into car trouble only to be bailed out by a friendly tow-truck driver. The insurer and agency of record Ogilvy & Mather, Chicago, are prepping a new TV campaign set for debut in the spring that will be more "breakthrough," said Telisa Yancy, the insurer's director-advertising.

But don't look for any cartoonish characters. The insurer would rather avoid such over-the-top appeals, which Ms. Yancy called the "white ocean with a lot of activity and a lot of blood in the water." According to estimates from Kantar, the insurer spent $7 million on measured media on auto in the first 11 months of 2010, about what it spent in 2009.

No proof of insurance can result in getting towed

Q: Riverside resident Charles Kolb said he believes that if a driver is stopped by police in California and cannot show proof of car insurance, the driver gets a ticket -- but the vehicle won't be towed.

"The state and police departments will say California is a compulsory insurance state," Kolb wrote in an e-mail. "Not true. Compulsory means two things: mandated and enforced ... No other state that I know of says they are 'compulsory,' yet allows (uninsured people) to continue to drive."

A: California Highway Patrol spokesman Mario Lopez replied that an officer can "issue a citation to a driver who fails to provide evidence of financial responsibility in accordance with California vehicle code section 16028(a)."

In effect, that section requires drivers to provide proof of insurance on the spot if an officer asks for it.

Section 16029 explains the penalties (fines) for not being able to show proof of financial responsibility, but it also allows courts to impound a car in addition to levying a fine, Lopez said.

Q: Mike Novak-Smith, a Moreno Valley real estate broker, e-mailed to ask, "How much driving experience does a 16-year-old driver need to have before the newly licensed driver can drive non-family members under the age of 18?" He said he has heard varying opinions on the issue.

A: Like other states, California has a graduated licensing program. The idea is to grant teenage drivers -- who get into more traffic collisions than any other age group -- privileges that increase over time.

Youths can obtain a learner's permit at age 15½. It allows practice driving, driving only with a parent or guardian, an instructor or another adult at least 25 years old who has a valid California license. The teen must get 50 hours of this practice driving, at least 10 of them at night, and must take at least six hours of a driver-training class.

Teens should be aware that the state has a zero-tolerance policy on teen drinking and driving, and also bans drivers younger than 18 from using any electronic device while driving. That means cell phones, laptops, pagers, texting devices, etc.

At 16, a youth who has passed the state's driving test can get a provisional license. For the first 12 months of that license, or until the driver turns 18, they cannot carry passengers younger than 20 unless accompanied by a licensed driver who is at least 25. For the same time period, the new driver must be accompanied by a driver at least 25 years old if driving between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m.

There are exceptions to this nighttime-driving ban. The Department of Motor Vehicles' website has details on this rule and provisional licenses in general:http://www.dmv.ca.gov/dl/dl_info.htm#PERMINOR .

After the 12-month provisional license, the teen gets a full-privilege license, one that is free of time or passenger restrictions, assuming he or she hasn't earned any DMV- or court-ordered restrictions or suspensions.

Of course, this is what state law allows. Ultimately parents must decide for themselves, after their teen has satisfied the state's legal requirements, whether that youth is a mature and safe enough driver to ferry young passengers.

WI Car Insurance Roll-Back on Fast Track

If Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature have their way, big changes are on the way when it comes to auto insurance. The state Senate has already passed a measure that rolls back reforms enacted in 2009, and the Assembly could take up the matter as early as this week.

Those opposed to the rollback say one provision that hurts consumers is the so-called "reducing clause." They say it would allow insurers to insert fine print into complex auto insurance policies to limit total coverage when two or more policies are involved.

Daniel Plumb testified at a hearing on the matter. He says the elimination of the reducing clause saved his father from bankruptcy after he was hit in Sheboygan County while riding his motorcycle. Had the rollback been in place, Plumb says his father would have only collected a fraction of his medical expenses.

"He has over $1 million in medical bills. He would have only been able to collect $250,000 from the gentleman who ran into him with his truck."

The Property Casualty Insurers Association of America says the rollback will lead to lower costs for consumers. However, Plumb says policies with the reducing clause leave people with a false sense of security, when they think they have more coverage than they really do.

"What the reducing clause does, is it sets an upper limit. If your number was $300,000 for bodily injury and the guy that hit you was at $250,000, that means your insurance only gives you $50,000 more."

The Wisconsin Association for Justice, which opposes the rollback, says consumers should be able to collect the full value of all policies when they are injured.

Car production up 8.9% in January

Car production up 8.9% in January

Car insurance companies will be pleased to know that UK car production rose 8.9% year-on-year to 110,179 units in January.

According to new figures released by theSociety of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), commercial vehicle production also increased 8.9% year-on-year last month.

A total of 9,967 commercial vehicles were manufactured in January, while UK engine output rose 12%.

Paul Everitt, chief executive of SMMT, said: "UK automotive manufacturing made a flying start to 2011 despite tough economic conditions.

"The encouraging figures demonstrate ongoing growth in global demand for the high-quality vehicles and engines manufactured in the UK at some of the world's leading sites.

"Automotive is leading the manufacturing revival, but to ensure this positive trend continues, the Government must prioritise UK manufacturing, through a supportive tax system, plus sustained investment in skills, research and development (R&D) and capital equipment.

"Ahead of the Budget in March, SMMT is urging the Chancellor to provide R&D tax credits for small and large companies, to increase capital allowances and to reflect the sector's importance through the business rates system."