Aug 5

Person driving the vehicle should always remember the following seven tips:

* In UK more than two million people drive without insurance. So, it is the first and foremost thing that a driver should have. It can be anything - Third Party, Third Party Fire and Theft or Fully Comprehensive Insurance.

* The golden rule to follow while purchasing a policy is, to do a comparative study of the policies that are available online. This will give you an understanding as to which one should you buy.

* You should look for whether your policy is covered with breakdown coverage or not. If not, then you should go for it. There are various packages available from as little as 22 pound per month.

* You should inform your insurer if you change your address or if you are caught speeding and points applied to your license or if you are caught driving while using mobile phone.

* Do not modify your car without talking to your insurer because modification could increase your premium. Premium is dependent on various factors. So it is advisable to have an initial chat with your insurer.

* If you do not have a car but you been offered to drive another person’s car then also it is advisable to purchase a policy because at the first year you earn no bonus claim which in turn will reduce your second year premium and the years to come.

* Inform your insurer if you are going to drive outside UK. Drivers with UK driving license are allowed to drive in Europe with minimum legal formalities. So, you can take a green card from your insurer and carry it with you while driving outside UK.

Jul 8

By Paul Gosling

Q. I took out private car insurance with Sureterm Direct in April for a car that we had looked at on the internet, arranging insurance to drive it home. When we went to collect the vehicle it was not as described, so we declined to buy it. Sureterm had also arranged finance with Close Premium Finance. We cancelled the insurance and purchased another vehicle two weeks later. Sureterm again arranged the insurance and advised that a new direct debit would be arranged. Close Premium Finance attempted to apply the direct debit on 16 May, but the direct debit had been cancelled along with the insurance – we presume by the broker, as we had not done this. I received a letter from Close on 19 May, stating that no payment had been received. It said that unless a payment was made by 3 June it would take further action.

Close imposed a charge of £40 for administration. I made a payment of £70.88 within the specified time, but I received a letter dated 17 June claiming the payment had not been received and giving me notice of termination and threatening that my insurance may also be cancelled. I phoned Close, which said I must contact the broker to resolve the matter.

Close accepted that the payment they had requested for £70.88 had been received, but then said the administration fee was imposed because the initial agreement had been terminated. Sureterm were very helpful and said that Close had imposed the charge because the payment had not been made on time. Sureterm also said that a new direct debit mandate would have to be sent out for me to complete, but I have not received this. I have also been charged a cancellation fee by Sureterm of £50, even though I took another policy out with them. DE, Liverpool.

A. Sureterm Direct – a division of Capita – says that the initial insurance policy was never cancelled, but was actually kept in place and the vehicle details changed to those of the car you eventually purchased. The £50 charge was the fee for the change of vehicle details. This was cheaper than cancelling the policy and taking out a new one. Sureterm says that it did not cancel the direct debit and that Close told it that it also did not cancel the arrangement. Both had assumed that the direct debit was cancelled by the bank on your instruction. Your payment of £70.88 was received by Close on 4 June – the day after the deadline it had specified. Sureterm has now reinstated the direct debit, so that future payments can be collected. As a result, there is no need for you to complete another direct debit authorisation. As a gesture of goodwill, Close will refund you its £40 charge. Close declined to discuss your case directly with us, citing client confidentiality – even though we were explicitly acting on your behalf.

Q. My flight from Belfast to Birmingham in April was cancelled by Flybe because of volcanic ash. I chose to return home by other means and requested a refund for the return flight. I was told it could take 28 days to process the refund. But I have not had the refund. FM, Birmingham.

A. Soon after you contacted us Flybe repaid you £47.23. However, you had paid £146.96 for the return journey and wanted to know why you had not received much less than half the cost of the return flight. Flybe explains that the two legs of the journey had been priced differently and the £47.23 represents the amount you paid for the Belfast to Birmingham flight, including taxes.

Q. I booked a flight with Virgin Atlantic to fly on 26 March. Unfortunately, due to ill health I had to cancel it, and informed Virgin Atlantic immediately. It promptly refunded the tax, but I need to make a claim for the refund of the flight costs to my insurer, which requires cancellation invoices. I received the necessary cancellation invoice from my tour company in Jodphur by post in nine days, but I am still waiting on this from Virgin, despite many emails and two letters: phoning is pointless as no one can help. Eventually, three weeks ago, I received an email asking for proof of identity and flight details. I sent this immediately by post and a week or so later emailed a copy. But still I have not had a reply. I have received payment from my insurer for the tour, but it will not pay the £600 or so for the flights without the invoice. JW, Leicestershire.

A. Virgin Atlantic apologises, explaining that the volume of refund requests caused by the volcanic ash disruptions has created an administrative backlog. It has taken on more staff to handle these inquiries and has now sent you the invoice paperwork to enable you to submit the balance of your insurance claim.

Q. I read your recent warning (Questions of Cash, 12 June) about fraudulent payments that banks are rejecting responsibility for. My wife and I are concerned at two unexplained debits on my wife’s account with Barclaycard. The charges are quite trivial, but we worry that this may lead to future more significant unauthorised transactions. The first transaction was on 21 February, with Waitrose in Chichester for £8.63. My wife was not in Chichester on that date and has never been to that shop. The second was charged against my supplementary card on the same account on 14 April for £14.95, with a payment to Rewardsfirst. I have never had any dealings with Rewardsfirst. I have written five letters to Barclaycard at their head office. One letter of reply refers to an account with a completely different number that is nothing to do with us. CB, Hampshire.

A. Barclaycard has now made a full refund. It has also provided you and your wife with some personal fraud advice and provided a direct line number in case of further fraudulent activity on the account.

Jun 29

There are many factors to consider in determining your car insurance rate such as your age, marital status, sex, and occupation. But one of the least understood is the power of statistics in determining your rate of your insurance.

Statistics show pattern that help insurance companies decide on which group should be given a higher or lower rate depending on the risk level. A group with a high accident rate is considered as high risk therefore, they have to pay higher premium.

Women are benefiting in lower insurance premium because of the numerical figures presented in statistics. They are better drivers than men because they have been involved in fewer accidents-mostly minor accidents. This is why insurance companies charged them lower because there is no risk involved. Why? Even though they got involved in accidents and file for claims, the insurance company will still gain much because the amount of claims will never surpass the amount of profits.

Low cost car insurance policies have been designed for women drivers in that regard. Blame it to statistics; women are enjoying lower rates than men.

On the other hand, young and adult male drivers are involved in most of the major road accidents. Because of this, they have to pay higher premiums. The situation of women is reversed when it comes to males.

Statistics also show that married couples tend to have less accidents and claims. If you are single then you do not have the privilege of getting lower rates because of that.

The crime rate in your geographical location also determines your insurance premium. If you live in an area with high theft rates with the make and model of your car, then you have to pay higher premium. Why? Because your car is prone to car thieves, vandals and there is a more likelihood that you can be involved in an accident.

Although you belong to a group that is considered as high risk, you can still get affordable insurance. Car insurance companies are competitive entities. You can always find a policy that you want especially now that companies can advertise in the internet. Shop around for policies and compare insurance rates from different companies. The power to choose wisely is literally on the tips of your fingers. In just a few clicks on the keyboard and mouse, you can look for any insurance coverage you want.

Get free auto insurance quotes from different companies through their websites or use the online car insurance calculator to find the policy that fits your budget and needs. Just always put to mind that honesty is the best policy because the rough estimate of your premium is dependent on the data that you provided. Use the available technology for your convenience.

Moreover, belonging into a group that shows higher tendency to be involved in accident or file claims do not mean that you have to bear a higher premium. Maintain a good driving record, and good credit history will earn you the right to have lower insurance rates. Safe driving matters for insurance companies because you are putting them to lower risk.

Apr 27

It is reported that total asset of Singapore insurance industry is about $77,406.4 Million.That was 2003 report.Now it became bigger.I list out here a list of singapore car insurance available.If i missed out some car insurer please add it to the comment area.

Allianz Insurance Co of Singapore Pte Ltd
American Home Assurance Co – S’pore
AXA Insurance Singapore Pte Ltd
China Insurance Co (Singapore) Pte Ltd
EQ Insurance Company Ltd
HSBC Insurance (Singapore) Pte Ltd
India International Insurance Pte Ltd
Liberty Insurance Pte Ltd
Lonpac Insurance Bhd
Mayban General Assurance Bhd
Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance (Singapore) Pte Ltd
MSIG Insurance (Singapore) Pte Ltd (formally Aviva General Insurance Pte Ltd)
Nipponkoa Insurance Co Ltd
Nippon Fire Marine Car Insurance
NTUC Income Insurance Co Ltd
Overseas Assurance Corporation Ltd
Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Plc
SHC Capital Ltd
Tenet Insurance Co Ltd
TM Asia Insurance Singapore Ltd
Tokio Marine Insurance

Identify the best car insurer available at your place,which benefits you the best.My advice,collect all their quotes and policy before make any decision.

Apr 10

Car insurance policyholders who dream of hitting the road in a high-powered sports car are likely to be very interested in a new limited-edition model from Ferrari.

Photos and information about the 599 GTO - the manufacturer’s fastest-ever road vehicle - have been unveiled at www.ferrari.com, providing potential buyers with appetite-whetting visuals and tasters of what the model is like.

However, only 599 units will be available after it makes its global debut at the Beijing International Motor Show later this month.

The 599 GTO is a V12 berlinetta model inspired by a production vehicle and incorporating various technological advances currently included in racing cars.

“[It] is equipped with the latest, second-generation carbon-ceramic brakes which are lighter and offer better performance,” Ferrari explained.

Although the motor will only be made available to a specific amount of customers, any new car needs - by law - to be insured with a suitable amount of cover.

By David Leonard

Feb 19

What is car insurance?Well, perhaps that sounds odd to some of you.But many young drivers not really know and bother to know about it.Auto Insurance, or Car Insurance, or Automobile Insurance is insurance which protects the insured against losses involving the use of automobiles. Various coverages may be bought depending on the desires of the insured. Such coverages include the liability coverages of bodily injury, property damage, and medical payments, and the physical damage coverages of collision and comprehensive.

Compare instant quotes from top companies at Insurance.com. You could save up to $600 or more* today! Get Quotes.

The most important thing to do when you are looking for the best auto insurance is to visit and check out at least 3 different auto insurance sites. Then you can easily compare their various rates and services.

Just doing this simple comparison of at least 3 different auto insurance sites can save you thousands of dollars. Don’t be lazy. Take the time and you can make a huge saving!

21st Century Insurance Company states “Our new customers report average savings of $200 on car insurance! Click here!”. Try them out and see if you can lower your monthly payments!

Jan 21

Tyres condition is a very vital area to check on your car before travel.No matter how far the destination is, tyre is a must too look out for and manage well before you can start driving.Preventive is always effective before the problem occurs. So, keep in mind that, you must Keep your car tyres in top condition for safe driving.Tyres are one of the most crucial parts of your car in terms of safety, and as your only contact with the road, it’s vital they’re kept in the best condition at all times.


Getting to grips with your tyres
Sidewalls: This is the side of the tyre, between the wheel and the tread where the tyre name and size details are stamped. Sidewalls are crucial to the structure of the tyre.

Although they can’t go bald, sidewalls are susceptible to parking damage: scuff them against the kerb and you can cause significant harm, enough to cause rapid deflation.

Tread: This is the most crucial part of the tyre and directly affects how your car performs.

The tread transmits the car’s power from the engine to the road, provides grip, and disperses water when driving in the wet. As the tread wears down, the tyres’ ability to effectively and safely do all these things is diminished.

Top tips for maintaining your tyres
1. Tyre pressure

The right tyre pressure will not only keep you safe, it’ll also save you money through reduced fuel usage. For optimum safety and performance, check your tyre pressure weekly or every time you fill up. Always take care not to under or over-inflate car tyres.

•Under-inflated tyres: You’ll see excess wear on the shoulders of the tyre while the centre remains less worn. This can cause the tyre to overheat and fail. It also creates extra drag, which reduces fuel economy.
• Over-inflated tyres: You’ll get heavy wear in the centre of the tread and not on the shoulders. This is even more dangerous as it reduces the size of the contact patch (the area of tyre which actually touches the road), which can dramatically reduce the grip your tyres have on the road.
2. Tread depth
The legal tread depth is 1.6mm. If you have less than this across three-quarters of your tyre’s width, it’s illegal.

If you’re caught without enough tread you can get a fixed penalty and three points – possibly more if you have more than one illegal tyre. This will affect your car insurance premium. Measure the tread depth with a tyre gauge, available from most car accessory shops.

Top tip: Many modern tyres have wear indicators - little blocks in the grooves of the tyre. When the surround tread is level or close to these blocks, it’s time to change.

3. Tracking
Check your tracking, or wheel alignment. Every car has specific settings to ensure the best handling and braking performance, but general driving, and the odd kerb nudge, can put your wheels out of alignment.

You’ll notice your wheels are out if the car pulls to one side, or the steering wheel doesn’t line up when you’re driving in a straight line. If your wheels are out of alignment you can wear through them very quickly. It’ll also decrease the amount of grip and stability you have.

Top tip: Get your wheel alignment checked by a garage every few months – particularly after fitting new tyres.

4. Spare Tyre
Last but not least, always keep a spare tyre in your boot in case of accident, plus the appropriate tools to fit them. And don’t forget breakdown cover so you’re not left stranded on the hard shoulder.

Apart from all tips that i listed above, there were much more other information you can get towards safety driving.Tyres is one of it,beside engine condition, brake and others.The thing is, we need to regularly check our car.It would be much benificial for our safety and also at the same time save our money for serious car damage.

Dec 16

Here are some Top things to know about auto insurance.When talking about auto insurance or car insurance, we can never be sure that we already know it all.Sometimes we tend to overlook what we had in policy that we already signed.The best thing is, look at these ideas.

1. You’re a statistic.

To an insurer, you’re not a person, you’re a set of risks. An insurer bases its premium (or its decision to insure you at all) on your “risk factors,” including some things that may seem unrelated to driving a car, including your occupation, who you are and how you live.

2. Insurers differ.

As with anything else you buy, what seems to be the same product can have different prices, depending on the company. You can save money by comparison shopping.

3. Don’t just look at price.

A low price is no bargain if an insurer takes forever to service your claim. Research the insurer’s record for claims service, as well as its financial stability.

4. Go beyond the basics.

Most states require only a minimum of auto-insurance liability coverage, but you should look for more coverage than that.

5. Demand discounts.

Insurers provide discounts to reward behavior that reduces risk. However, Americans waste some $300 billion a year because they forget to ask for them!

6. Ask for the real thing.

Insurers cut costs by paying only for car parts made by companies other than the car’s manufacturer. These parts can be inferior. Demand parts by the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).

7. At claims time, your insurer isn’t necessarily your friend.

Your idea of fair compensation may not match your insurer’s. Your insurer’s job is to restore you financially. Your job is to prove your losses so you get what you need.

8. Prepare before you have to file a claim.

Keep your policy updated, and re-read it before you file a claim so there are no surprises.

Dec 3

Choose the type of insurance is perhaps the biggest dilemma that is presented to the owner of a car. Although no one agrees to this effect, there are some common patterns. Insurers are advised that the criteria are set according to seniority of the car. In this way, a safe ‘all risks’ would be advisable to 5 or 6 years old the first vehicle. Since then, suggest a reduction in coverage with a safe third parties combined. ”

The insurance ‘to all franchise risk’ is recommended when the vehicle is parked in garage. The reason is that there is less risk that these cars are damaged plate with small strokes.
The truth is that if the driver uses his car constantly, the best thing is to secure ‘all risks’, as if working a necessary tool in question. If you want to keep the vehicle in perfect condition, this is the best way to achieve this. Any small problem, however insignificant, can lead to great expense to your pocket.

Prices.

The prices of any auto insurance depends on many factors. Each company has its own tables, but there are features that are common to almost all of them: driver’s sex (women tend to pay less money in the safe) vehicle color (red white and paid less than the gray or brown colors ) main circulation province (home of the insured), age and length of regular driver’s license, vehicle power, which is intended to use the car (private or public), standard and optional equipment included in the car, and profession the driver.
Lack of course the most important factor when assessing the price of the insurance policy: the selling price of the vehicle on the market that is shrinking every year as a proportion similar to the policy.
In the accompanying table identifying three-car models of three different ranges, and indicates the money to be paid in the first and third installments. Comparing the two can be seen that, as a rule, the price of insurance ‘third’ is almost three times lower than the amount to be paid annually by insurance ‘all risks’, as the latter claims covering is much greater.
Of the four companies surveyed, only Insurance Hotline includes ‘all risks’ with an excess of 30,000 pesetas in the model of the BMW brand. The table is only indicative, and the fact that insurance is cheaper than another does not mean it is better, because they may offer fewer services.

Claims.
The driver may be helped or hurt by this. Most insurers reward-in the form of bonuses-good customer records. For example, from first to second year, the price of a car insurance can be reduced by more than 50% if the driver does not give a single part of accident or if you have had, not guilty of the same.
Some insurers prefer to set a limit of parts per year, from which the driver will no longer be a customer. This applies Automobile Mutua Madrilena.

Other companies such as Phoenix Direct or Direct Line Insurance, have no fixed rule on this point. Choose to analyze each case individually, assessing the causes of the accident (bad luck, reckless driving, attempted fraud …). Thus there may be a client who has given five parts of an accident and nothing happens to him, and another with only one to be expelled from the company.
Not all insurance companies behave the same way. While some are accessed through the usual system of ‘red tape’ and information offices, others are much faster telephone services. In cases such as Phoenix Direct Line Insurance Direct or the possibility of contracting the insurance directly via phone, saving time and gaining comfort. With just one call, the company takes very little time in learning about the incident and implement mechanisms to resolve any problem.

Practical Advice
If possible, it is essential to know what or who supports the company with which your insurance contract in order to meet its solvency. Do not be misled by the succulent companies offer deals that nobody knows: as fast as they appear, also vanish.

It is convenient to analyze, as thoroughly as possible, the specific needs of insurance coverage. Take it as a reference for vehicle use, its characteristics and driving experience.

When prices look set not only on what you will pay the first year. Notice also be paid in subsequent years. There are companies that, although in the first year are cheaper, then prices drop very little. In other insurers opposite phenomenon occurs: the first year are much more expensive, but discounts on subsequent annuities are very interesting.

Read it all contract terms before signing with the insurer. There may be clauses that you do not know who then imparts some grief.

Although the rates are set with tables, if it takes more than a year on your insurance and your record is exemplary, do not forget to remind him. May receive a higher bonus.

Learn well the procedure followed by your company to fix the car wrecks. Most have arrived in some workshops that can make repairs. If you go to others, do not pay the invoice amount.

Dec 3

Agreement between employers and unions with the Agreement of Mutual Insurance and Accident
Unions CCOO, UGT and employers Unesp Amat and have managed to reach a preliminary agreement on the process of negotiating the Collective Agreement State Mutual Insurance Companies and Workers’ Compensation Board.

The Convention will affect 60,000 workers in Spain and is valid for the next four years (2008-2011). Among the objectives to be achieved with this deal highlights the fact ensure the purchasing power of salaries with the addition of increments equal to the CPI, with a wage revision clause for each d the four years of validity.

In addition, the agreement establishes a single payment, not bound, attributed to the third year of the same, based on a fixed amount for each professional group consisting of 215 euros for the group I, 50 euros for group II and 115 euros for Group III and IV.

Moreover, thanks to the agreement will be available one more day of vacation from 2009 and ensure equality plan companies, improving also, certain rights and permissions for the reconciliation of work and personal life.

The management said the concenio Unesp affects a sector of workers defined by the quality and stability of employment, which has contributed to agree on certain extensions in recruitment and trial period.

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