Wednesday 23 May 2012

If you have bad eyes, Insurance coverage might change.

If you have an accident and it's found that you'd failed to keep your car roadworthy, for example excessively worn tyres, and that was a contributory factor in the accident, your insurer will probably refuse to pay up. And the police may also show an interest too! Quite reasonable many of you will say. But what if it's you that's un-roadworthy?


How many driving accidents are accompanied by the comment "I didn't see the other vehicle"? And what happens if the problem was your eyesight? Has it deteriorated to a dangerous extent?


Well all of us clearly know if we have an eyesight problem but there are opticians to help on every high street. Remember, if you need contact lenses or glasses for driving then you must wear them and if your eyesight deteriorates you should get a new prescription. It's the legal responsibility of all drivers to ensure that they're safe to drive.


Only last week I drew up alongside an elderly driver who was clearly having trouble reading the junction signs. He was leaning forward trying to read the signs indicating towards Leeds and rolling forward at 10 mph - all this at traffic lights that by this time had turned red - and he clearly hadn't seen those! He was lucky that the cars coming across from the right saw him early. I'm not even sure he saw them either!


The law is quite straightforward - it states that any driving licence holder who cannot meet the minimum level of eyesight must not drive. They are also required to surrender their licence.


The eyesight test for drivers' states that you must be able to read a number plate containing letters and figures 50 mm wide and 79mm high (that's a legal number plate) from a distance of 20 meters. But you can use your driving glasses.


Having said that there's no legal obligation for you to have regular eyesight tests but you are required to tell the DVLA if you develop any medical problem that affects your fitness to drive. If you don't tell them, it's a criminal offence.


In some American states drivers have to take an eye test every five years but not in the UK. Here, driver aged 70 and over must complete a medical form every three years confirming their fitness to drive and the definition of "fitness" includes eyesight. If theses drivers fail to send in their medical form, they lose their driving licence. (I wonder what that elderly gentleman at the traffic lights said on his?)


On the insurance front, if you are involved in an accident where your defective eyesight was a contributory factor, your insurance company may well argue that you were negligent and refuse to pay out. This could be simply because you needed glasses to drive but weren't wearing them at the time.


So drive carefully, and keep your eyes peeled - elderly gentleman in Leeds please take note!

Friday 13 April 2012

How To Get The Best Car Insurance


One way - and probably the best and easiest way to get the best car insurance - is to talk to a specialist car insurance broker who will be able to search the market for the right car insurance at a price that is not only cheap but probably the cheapest available. This will save you a lot of time, effort and wasted money. Once you and your broker have decided what type of car insurance cover you need it will not be long before your broker has got you up and running while making a huge saving.

There are certain factors that could have an impact on the cost of your car insurance, for example the number of years no claims bonus you have, the size and value of your car, the average mileage a year that you drive and the extra security features your car has been installed with. Someone who drives a smaller car, with a smaller engine and who has a low average annual mileage will get a better car insurance deal than someone who has got a big car and has got a high annual mileage.

If you have a car that is equipped with enhanced security features recommended by insurance dealers like a car alarm, tracker or immobiliser you will get cheaper car insurance simply because your car will be safer and less likely to stolen when parked and left unattended, in the same way by parking your car overnight in a garage or on a driveway this will also help to reduce the cost of your car insurance.

Every year when the renewal for your car insurance is due do not just renew your car insurance before you talk to a car insurance broker. They will ensure that you get the best car insurance deal again this year. Never take it for granted that the insurance deal you got last year will still be the cheapest this year.

Online Brokers Give You The Cheapest Way Of Buying Your Car Insurance


Buying your car insurance online from a specialist broker is by far the cheapest way of insuring your car, car insurance quotes do vary vastly depending on where you choose to get the insurance from and a specialist online broker will be able to find you the cheapest car insurance in the shortest time possible.

Car insurance quotes are calculated and based on your circumstances and there are some things you can do to help yourself while others, such as your age you don't have much control over. Younger drivers are often faced with hefty car insurance because they are seen as a bigger risk than the more mature driver, however younger drivers can take advantage of a insurers that specialise in young peoples' car insurance. While there isn't much a young driver can do about their age other than wait and build up no claims bonus, there are other ways you can take steps to reduce your car insurance.

If you make your car more secure then it is seen a less of a risk of being stolen, so install the best security devices you can afford before applying for your insurance quotes as this is taken into account. For example you can shave some cost off the premiums by putting in a good car alarm, immobiliser or tracking device in your vehicle.

Your no claims bonus will also help to reduce your motor insurance costs and taking advanced driving lessons will do the same. If you keep your car in a garage or a carport at the side of your home rather than parking it on the street this will also reduce your premiums a little.

Never be tempted to just keep on renewing your car insurance year after year and don't be tempted to take out your insurance from high street lenders without first getting your broker to shop around for you. A specialist online broker will always get you the cheapest premiums for your car insurance.

Shop Around For Cheap Motor Insurance


Whatever you are buying you should shop around for it and when it comes to getting cheap motor insurance then it is essential that you get several quotes for the cover if you want to get the cheapest insurance. Going to a specialist online broker and letting them secure the cheapest deal for you is always the best option and not only saves you a great deal of money but also time.

Insuring your car can be expensive but there are ways you can save money besides shopping around for the cover and best deal possible. There are several ways you can help to reduce the cost of your motor insurance when getting the quotes as the provider will determine the quote based on several factors and one of the most important ways is having the full 60% no claims bonus.

This is excellent for those who have been driving and have built up no claims bonus but for such as the young driver getting cheap motor insurance can almost seem like impossible. It is possible however for the young driver to still be able to make savings if they go with a specialist online broker. All drivers can help to reduce the cost of their motor insurance by ensuring that their car is as safe as possible, this can be done simply by installing advanced security features such as car alarms and trackers.

The quote you get for the premiums for the car insurance will depend on such as the area that you live in, your age, your sex and of course the valuable no claims bonus. You could take advanced driving lessons if you want to reduce your premiums and of course keeping a clean driving record is essential as even one point on your licence can boost up your premiums.

Always go with a specialist broker and let them shop around for the cheapest quotes on your behalf, this is one of the quickest and best ways to get cheap car insurance.

Insurance Policies Provide That Helping Hand


I do not want to say evil things, but most people instinctively think of themselves as immortal. But in reality, we all know that this could happen. Let us not delude ourselves. Accidents are quite common. And if it did come to pass, how would your family survive? Have you ever thought of that? Well, most of us are usually so busy going about our day to day activities that we tend to overlook even the possibility of such happenings. Yet, we can never be sure of what sudden surprises or shocks fate has in store for us. For people who are worried about their family's welfare after their passing on or who would like to take care of their vehicles or valuables while they are still around, insurance is the only sensible option available. If you want a policy, go to a certified agent. This would be a great way of gaining protection and assuring oneself that one's near and dear ones will be taken care of in the event of some terrible event. Theft, accidents, fires - these are just some of the eventualities that you can insure against.

Insurance is all about being prepared for the unexpected. There are some who believe that they do not need a policy. They seem to live with the attitude that nothing will happen. However, what if something terrible does to take place? People who live in a fool's paradise will then be affected badly.

With the present pace of life, you cannot do without insurance. It is most definitely not just a luxury anymore. Every individual should have an insurance policy. Having a life insurance policy is certainly essential. Such a policy will prove to be a great help to them when they or their close family members fall ill or meet with an accident. In order to be able to bear the costs, such people will require external help. And this is exactly what the insurance companies are here for. In some cases, the company will reimburse the costs incurred, whereas in others, they will provide support right away without any delay. When things go wrong, as they sometimes will, you should be able to lean on insurance companies.

Some people are very prone to buying insurance. They value the cover a lot. Then there are other people who regard insurance as an unforgivable expense. Where do you lie on this spectrum? Like with everything else, it is probably wisest to be somewhere in the middle and balance both objectives. Do you not agree? I certainly do.

Do we not spend thousands on getting a great automobile? Surely we want to safeguard it. Thus, getting an insurance policy would become essential. Make sure to read and follow the fine print. If the vehicle gets into an accident, the insurance company will cover it to the extent they promised. And if the person involved in the car accident has health insurance, his injuries will also be taken care of. Insurance is now an integral part of life.

Affordable Car Insurance - It All Depends On You


Affordable car insurance is difficult to find these days. But if you are patient and diligent enough to scour the horizon for that perfect car insurance, you might just be lucky enough to find one.

You will have to do your homework though: canvassing, weighing the options, considering how much premium you can afford to pay and how protected you want to be.

Once you have decided which among the offers you have considered is most responsive to your needs and capability to pay, then that should be what is "affordable" for you. Remember that the term is relative. Thus, an affordable car insurance is only so, based on what you are able and willing to shell out and risk.

Affordable Car Insurance - Weighing the Options

The spirit behind insuring is to buy protection even before you need it. Insurance should give you peace of mind (and this commodity does not come cheap most of the time) so that when you need help, you are assured to get it. Car insurance is required in 47 states. This gives you an idea how important it really is.

Laws vary across the country as to how much protection you should get. It is wise to check your state's minimum requirements. Then if you can afford, you might want to consider optional coverage for extra protection.

You have to consider several factors when deciding which affordable car insurance you want to get. Know that your driving records affect the premium insurance companies will offer you.

If your car is equipped with better, more sophisticated security and safety features, that can also affect the worth of your policy. Of course, the most important consideration is how much you are willing to pay. You will be able to determine this if you read at the fine print, so to speak, of the policies you are being offered.

The insurance packages you will most likely find vary in the protection they offer from mere liability, to collision and on to comprehensive. There are even policies that include medical expenses in case you get hurt in an accident, and help with your car in case an uninsured or underinsured motorist causes the damage.

Affordable Car Insurance - Making the final decision

It is ideal that you get comprehensive coverage for your car insurance. After all, if you want protection, why not go for the most complete? There are comprehensive insurance policies out there that will not bust your pocket. Again, you should be patient and should know where to look.

There are also some insurance companies that offer discount packages if you get both your home and car insurance from them. If you have more than one car to your name, look out also for multi-car discounts.

Do not forget the real reason why you are looking for an affordable car insurance - to save money. But if you are too keen on penny pinching without giving due consideration to what might happen if you are under-insured, you are needlessly putting yourself in a financial risk. Again, an affordable car insurance is only so, based on what you are able and willing to shell out and risk.

New Driver Car Insurance - Tips To Save Money With Your New Driver


As a new driver, expect to pay more for your car insurance than you would if you were an older more experienced driver. All is not lost, however, there are things you can do to take the sting out of the cost of insurance and lower your rate.

1.Vehicle: Stay away from brand new, very expensive, very fast, sport cars. Expensive cars cost more to insure, the more horse power, the higher and the premium. Go for something that is older, with many safety features. Companies offer discounts for features like automatic seatbelts, airbags and anti-lock brakes.

2.Drivers Education: As a new driver, it will help your insurance rate if you take an approved drivers safety course. Chat with your insurance agent before taking the course. You want to make sure that they recognize and approve of the institution offering the class. Aside from getting good driving information, you do want to get the insurance premium discount so make sure that it is one accepted by your insurance carrier.

3.Sober Driving: This is a no brainer, but needs to be said. Driving while under the influence is not only dangerous, but costly in more ways than one. If you are stopped with a DUI, not only will your insurance rates increase, if you are under aged, it is illegal and your insurance company may void your coverage.

4.Student Drivers: If you're a new young driver that is still in school, maintaining good grades (B average or above) may earn a discount of up to 25% of your insurance premium.

5.Talk to your agent. Your insurance agent is aware of various discounts offered by the insurance company. You might qualify for some of them, but you won't know unless you ask.

6.Compare: Get quotes from more than one company. Shop around.

Hang in there. You're only new once; rates will go down with driving experience.