It isn't cheap to insure your life while being fat

People usually have the tendency to change in weight during different stages of their lives and even from one year season to another. Gaining some fat during winter is definitely what most of us are accustomed to and from the insurance perspective this won't affect the rates you'll have to pay for insuring own life. Healthy fluctuations in body weight are normal and you can rest assured that your rates won't climb at all. However, if you gone the weight gain route things will get quite different because it's a whole other story.

What's the problem with excessive weight in terms of insurance?

Any healthcare and insurance specialist will tell you that the implication of overweight and obesity are much more serious than it may seem at first. Excessive weight is a very negative health factor that raises the risk of developing such health conditions as diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, arthritis, impotence, depression and even certain types of cancer. All these conditions have a very negative impact on a person's life expectancy and that's the major factor that affects everything related to both health and life insurance.

Let's first look into the definitions of obese and overweight. While some people may think that these are some loose terms used to describe a person who's fat there are actually strict numerical boundaries used by specialists for defining the actual grade of excessive weight within a patient. Specialists use the so-called body mass index (BMI) chart for classifying people according to their body weight. The BMI uses a relation between the person's height and weight, being considered as the standard measure for identifying to what extent a person is over or underweight. There are countless BMI calculators to be found online, so you can easily find out what your BMI is. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 means that the person is officially overweight. A number greater than this range means that the person is clinically obese. Although, some may argue that it's not an accurate measure of how much excessive weight is there in the body, and they are partially right. In specific cases (like heavyweight athletes or bodybuilders) the relation of height and weight can indicate that the person is obese while they have a very low fat percentage in their bodyweight. However, in general this relation very accurately describes the excess weight conditions, that's why it is widely used today.

What can you do to get good life insurance?

If you're looking for cheap life insurance then the obvious solution will be losing weight to a healthy level. A person with significant amounts of excessive weight will always have higher insurance rates than persons with normal weight, both from life and health insurance perspective. However, the main driving force for losing weight should be the interest about own health and safety rather than life insurance quotes. Keep in mind that by losing weight you minimize the risk of developing numerous health problems in the future. That's why there's a good reason for keeping your weight within a healthy range all the time.

Increasing the mandatory minimums

In all but three US states, there are financial responsibility laws to mandate the carrying of insurance. In the at-fault states, these laws set the minimum amount of coverage drivers should have should they cause damage to others by the way they drive. In the no-fault states, this is a requirement to carry a minimum amount to pay for their own vehicle repairs and, in some states, their own medical treatment as well. The justification for these laws is very clear. Whenever you set your wheels on a public road, there's a chance you will be involved in an accident. No matter which legal system applies, you should always be responsible and be able to pay your way should there be expenses. Most of these laws were introduced forty or fifty years ago. They were not controversial. People have always been prepared to accept the mandate on the basis that no one forces them to drive. But if you do buy a vehicle, it stands to reason you should also buy insurance.

Perhaps it may surprise you to learn that very few of these states have reviewed the required amount of coverage. What used to be substantial sums of money half a century ago are not adequate today. Indeed, if we take inflation into account, most of these original amounts would have to be multiplied by seven to recover their original value. Yet, when states today begin the process of debating whether to increase the minimums, most start on the basis that the rates charged by insurance companies are already unaffordable to the average driver. Listening to the lawmakers, you consistently hear the argument that any increase will hurt the poor and force even more drivers to risk driving without insurance. What makes these debates interesting is that the increases are often opposed by the insurance industry. For example, in evidence recently given to the Nevada legislature, the lobbyists said that about 40% of the local drivers had less insurance than the proposed new minimums. They estimated that the proposed increases would force rate rises of between 20 and 50% depending on the age and driving record of each driver. It's always revealing when insurance companies pass on the opportunity to make big increases mandated by the state.

The problem may be put simply. Nationally, not less than 20% of all vehicles on our roads are driven without a valid insurance policy. There are also alarming numbers with only the minimum liability cover and they are significantly underinsured. If the mandatory laws were properly enforced, the premium rates for all would fall. The cost of all the vehicle repairs and medical expenses would remain the same, but would be divided among more people. That's always the way with mandatory laws. The more people who pay, the less everyone pays. So all these lawmakers who talk about auto insurance penalizing the poor are spouting rubbish. What penalizes the poor is the failure to prosecute all the middle class scofflaws who could afford to pay for their auto insurance policies but decide not to. The poor often do not vote. The middle class usually do. That's why we see this double standard being applied by lawmakers.

Fraud costs us all money

There's a whole complicated argument about whether there's such a thing as a victimless crime. With drug-taking, for example, people claim the right to damage their own bodies. But when they cannot go to work, the nation's productivity is less so we have to pay more for our goods and services. When they fall ill and have no health insurance, we end up paying their treatment. It's the same with the mandatory insurance to drive. The more people who drive uninsured, the more we have to pay for our insurance. We are punished because they can't or won't pay to insure their vehicles. Then there's a whole new problem coming into focus. Organized crime is turning to fraud. There are some very sophisticated operations with front clinics being set up to write fake medical reports. People are recruited to stage accidents in locations where there are plenty of independent witnesses. They are picked up and taken to these clinics where their injuries are assessed. Claims are made to insurance companies and, when the money comes in, everyone takes their share.

To give you an idea of the scale of the problem, the Insurance Commissioner for New York estimates that, in 2010, there were almost 13,000 fraudulent claims for traffic accidents involving medical expenses. The situation in Florida is worse. The current estimate is that the cost of the fraud represents about $100 a year on the premiums paid by every driver. The National Insurance Crime Bureau agrees that the problem is so severe that it has created a number of special task forces to investigate fraud based on fake medical reports. Why is the problem so bad in Florida? It all comes down to their no-fault insurance system which requires every driver to carry personal injury protection insurance, not only for themselves, but also for their passengers. So, if you stage an accident with two or three passengers in each vehicle, that gives you a small crowd claiming for treatment. The Insurance Commission estimates that, if nothing is done, the cost per driver could rise from the current surcharge of $100 to $170 a year. Indeed, the Florida legislature is likely to reform the law on no-fault as a first step to restoring some control over the problem.

While we all wait for the lawmakers and enforcers to get their act together, you might wonder why little has been done to date. The answer is the insurers' demand for profit. They would have to recruit and train new fraud investigators. It would take some time for these people to pay for themselves by detecting fraud as it happens or recovering money paid out. The state police are also short of money and so devote their resources to violent, high-priority crimes. Fraud is low priority. If you want to see lower car insurance quotes, you must get political. Write your local politicians and indicate your vote will not go their way if they do not protect your interests. This is your hard-earned money being ripped away by career criminals. Act now to pressure lawmakers into reforming the law on car insurance and allocating money for police investigations.

What to Do in Auto Collisions

Follow these rules to get yourself through collisions as safely - in terms of health and finances - as possible.

Rule #1: Be Prepared

Being prepared is about having all the important and necessary items to deal with medical emergencies, law enforcement, and insurance issues. You also need to be mentally ready, and knowing what to do goes a long way. Print off this list and keep in with you in your vehicle for reference.

The items you must have in your vehicle at all times are:

• Mobile phone
• Information regarding special medical needs
• Notepad and pen
• First aid kit
• Seat-belt cutter
• Disposable camera
• Driver's license
• Vehicle registration
• Proof of insurance and coverage information

If any of these confuse you, read on as they are explained below.

Rule #2: Safety First

The first thing to do after a collision is check to see that everybody involved in the collision is safe. Start with yourself, then others in your vehicle, and then other drivers, passengers, and pedestrians who may have been injured, shocked, stressed, or otherwise mentally affected.
If you think someone may have suffered a head or neck injury, do not try to move the person. Simply stabilize their head so that it remains still and resting.

If someone is badly wounded and bleeding, apply pressure to the wound with a clean cloth, gauze, or a clean shirt if need be.
Always call an ambulance or another emergency vehicle for serious injuries.

Rule #3: Call the Police

To protect yourself, you need the police to come. First off, a police report is necessary for insurance claims. Secondly, they will help control the scene of the accident and make sure the involved parties remain calm and the situation stays under control. They are experienced at dealing with these things and a cool head is needed when you're not in the best state of mind.

Rule #4: Document Everything

Once you are sure everything is safe and secure, collect the contact information of everyone involved as well as witnesses. Talk to other drivers and exchange your driver's license information, registration number, and insurance details. Protect yourself from fraud by noting differences between names on each form of information.
Document the damage done to vehicles, yours and others'. Take photos with your disposable camera. Also, photograph the scene of the accident, taking in the position on the road, the vehicle debris, and all property damage.
Only once you have documented things should you move the vehicles from the road-and then only if it is obstructive and dangerous to leave them.

You will be totally prepared to file a successful claim, handle any legal issues, and talk to police.

Rule #5: Keep Your Mouth Shut

Stay calm and polite, but don't reveal anything you don't have to. You do not need to sign anything except the documents provided by police and other municipal workers. Never admit fault to anyone, including police. Report the simple facts accurately and let professionals do their jobs. There is plenty of time for talking later.

Rule #6: Car Insurance Quotes

If rates go up, use car insurance quotes. Car insurance quotes can find you an affordable police right away!

Accident Forgiveness Obsolete - Car Insurance Quotes

I'm sure you've seen the commercials touting accident forgiveness as some kind of auto insurance messiah. The notion that you could cause one collision and not have to pay any more in premiums thereafter sounds like a fairy tale.
Well, according to several consumer advocates, it is.

Saying it chalks up to an advertizing gimmick, and a very good one at that, one advocate interviewed for this article said, "Sure, these clauses exist, but if you can get one for a reasonable price then you probably don't need it."

What is Accident Forgiveness?

After an at-fault collision, most drivers see their insurance rates spike by as much as 40%!!! For many people, that can mean well over $1,000 more in payments a year.

Accident forgiveness is a clause you can tack onto your insurance policy that says your rates will not go up any after your first at-fault collision.

In exchange for this add-on, the insured party has to pay higher premiums from day one.

Who is Eligible for Accident Forgiveness?

First off, accident forgiveness is not available from most insurance companies.

The insurer will need to assess your driving record in order to determine what you should be charged for accident forgiveness, so young and new drivers are not eligible.

People with bad driving records (lots of tickets and a few collisions) will also be excluded from eligibility. If you do qualify for it, it might cost so much in premiums that it is not worth it.
People with stellar driving records do qualify.

Who Can and Cannot Benefit from Accident Forgiveness?

No matter who you are and how good your driving history may be, your premiums will increase with an accident forgiveness clause on your policy.

Teenagers and parents with teenagers on their policy will also not benefit from this because teen rates do not usually go up after their first accident, unless there are criminal circumstances involved (which would not be helped by an accident forgiveness clause). Teens are assumed to be high risk already, and one at-fault collision just confirms this. Simply put, you can save more money without the add-on.

People with bad driving records probably won't be offered the option of accident forgiveness. Even three collisions in the past five/ten years might be enough to disqualify you. Why? It would be bad business for them to offer this clause to people who will probably use it!

People with clean records might benefit from it if they happen to get in an accident within 6 months of signing the policy. However, if you haven't been in a collision ever or in the last ten years, then your rates would probably not go up much anyhow. In fact, the increase in your premiums for adding the clause would likely be higher than the increase in your insurance were you to cause a collision.

How do you save money then?

If you get in a collision and your insurance goes up a lot, try getting car insurance quotes. Finding a better rate is easier with instant, free, and effective car insurance quotes. Compare policy details with online car insurance quotes.

Fraud levels rising

Let's be honest. There's always been a problem with fraud. Most people are easy to trick into parting with their money. But, when you look around, it's often not so easy to get close enough to wealthy individuals. But you have big companies in every city and most of them are also easy to trick. For those with inefficient accounting departments, you just send them invoices that look convincing and, by routine, most will pay. With insurance companies, all you have to do is submit claims supported by documentation that looks reasonable and the money comes back. The fact that all this costs us money is not a factor. Criminals want their life of comfort and we can go hang. Why are we given the bill? Well, when companies look at their overheads, they adjust their prices to cover them and stay in profit. So the more they pay out to fraudsters, the more we pay for those goods and services.

So what do the criminals need to get the best results out of the insurance industry? The answer comes in the staged accident. You set up two drivers with modest vehicles and put passengers inside. Then at a time when there are likely to be a good number of independent witnesses around, you stage an accident. With reliable people to confirm the accident has occurred, we then get into the professional level of crime. The insurance industry in combination with the FBI and other professional investigators have been identifying clinics that issue fake medical reports. Some are just fronts and only process fake claims. The criminals who plan for the longer term set up genuine clinics that put through one or two fake claims a month. These are harder to identify because the doctors could be the victims of deceptions. Some injuries are difficult to verify and, if their patients are convincing enough, they will sign off on neck and back injuries. Everyone with a convincing medical report then claims damages for their injuries and, because it save on court costs, many insurers settle rather than fight.

The problem is worst in Florida where medical expense claims are set to rise to $1.5 billion in the current year ending 2011. This represents about $100 on every driver's auto insurance quotes right now. If the level of fraud continues to rise at this rate, every driver could be facing a surcharge of $170 by the end of the year. Just stop and think about this. If the insurance companies were prepared to recruit fraud investigators, your premium rates could be reduced by at least $50 by the end of 2011. But, of course, this would require the insurers to invest in new staff and their training. In the short term, this would hit their bottom line. Less profit would upset the stockholders. So it's cheaper for the insurers to keep making a profit by passing on the cost of the fraud to us through higher premiums. So this is a real political issue across the US. Everyone's auto insurance rates are being affected by the rising level of fraud. If the insurance industry will not protect consumers, the state should make resources available to investigate fraud.

Things usually excluded from your insurance policy

Sure, it's a very unpleasant surprise to find out that your particular insurance situation is not covered when filing a claim. Exclusions from coverage vary from policy to policy and across providers. Still, there are typical exclusions you will run across in most policies, and knowing them will save you from having a lot of headache when you really need the coverage. Here are some things to look out for:

1. Insuring a teen driver

One of the most common causes for policy holder to get confused is whether or not to include a teen driver if he or she already has a driver's license. Usually, it depends on the insurance providers as some insurers don't require teens younger than 18 to be specifically mentioned in the policy even if they are driving the vehicle. However, the best option is to contact your insurance provider or agent and ask them how to proceed. In most cases, if your teen driver gets into an accident while driving your car and he's not listed in the policy, you will get covered but your policy may ultimately be voided because you didn't mention having a teen driver in your family.

2. Giving your car to a friend

In most cases, when your friend borrows your car for a ride he or she will be covered. And if they end up in an accident your car will be covered, too. However, it depends on how often this happens. If your friend uses your car on occasion, it's OK with the insurance company. But if they are using it on a regular basis and aren't living in your household, then they should be included into your insurance policy for your car to be covered in times when they are driving it.

3. Injuries to pets during accidents

In case your pet is injured or killer during the accident caused by you, the expenses won't be covered by your policy. Even in case you have collision coverage, which pays for damages to your vehicle when you're at fault, most policies have exclusion when it comes to personal property in the car, and pets are considered as personal property by the law. Still, if your pet gets hurt or killed in an accident when the other party is at fault, you may file a third-party liability claim for reimbursing the medical bills or the market value of your pet.

4. Accidents made by drivers who are not listed in the policy

Some policyholders choose to exclude a particular family member from the insurance policy because they may cause high car insurance quotes. For example teens usually have higher car insurance quotes and raise the policy's premiums when included. Family members with DUI convictions also influence the premiums negatively. However, if such a family member or any other person who is intentionally excluded from the policy and has access to your car ends up in an accident, your insurer won't pay a penny in coverage. It's your total responsibility.