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Visit the Italian Lakes on a Camping Holiday January 9th, 2012

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I don’t have an expensive taste in most situations but when it comes to holidays I have to confess to enjoying some of the finer things in life. At home I can get by fairly easily with ripped jeans and cheese sandwiches when I have to but when it comes to getting away for a break I tend to prefer to splash out the cash a little bit more.

Part of the reason for this is that I am more interested in expensive types of destination. There is nothing wrong with a Spanish beach but I find myself more intrigued by the thought of cruising to the Antarctic, seeing the wild animals in Africa or soaking up some of the other treasures of planet Earth. Apart from that, I also like to be pretty comfortable while I am far from home, and this rules out budget hotels with leaky taps and friendly cockroaches.

The next place I want to see is Italy, and in particular the Italian Lakes. I have heard so many great things about this region that I am really keen to get over there and see what it is all about. The problem is that I have also heard that it is quite an expensive region, and I don’t really want to live on cheese sandwiches while I am there. It sound to me like to a region which needs to be explored in comfort and with a bit of style. I certainly don’t want to have memories of scraping together coins to buy something to eat in such an awe inspiring setting.

Thankfully a friend of mine is a bit more of a savvy traveller than me, and he told me that the Italian Lakes region is a fantastic place for going camping. This seems like a great way to cut down on costs but will it mean roughing it? Will I end up sleeping in a farmer’s field next to a pile of manure while a ferocious bull eyes up my tent? What if I get lost when I take a leak behind a tree and end up falling in one of the lakes?

Comfort and Style for a Dent Price

It turns out that there are some comfortable campsites in places such as around Lake Garda and Lake Maggiore. I had never thought of this before it sound like a brilliant idea. This means that for about the price of a budget hotel I can enjoy a far more enjoyable experience on a Lake Garda holiday. The best camping sites have a pool and some sports options, and most offer sensational views. The thought of being completely independent and of sleeping safely under the stars sounds really tempting to me.

In fact, this is such a good idea that I am thinking of taking the campsite option on all of my future trips. Now maybe I have finally found an inexpensive way of seeing all those places which I want to travel to. I am not sure that I’ll be taking my tent to the Antarctic with me, though.

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Money Saving Tips for Backpackers September 1st, 2011

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One of the most common ways of travelling the world on a budget is still considered to be backpacking. Highly popular amongst those looking to bridge the gap between leaving school and University or between University and employment, gap years still involve a number of costs however, shrewd saving and a little time spent planning your trip carefully can help save you a lot of money in the long run.

The obvious starting point for many is actually deciding the where they would like to visit and what route they would like to take. Part of this planning requires some thought about what activities you will be undertaking in each country as this will have a significant effect on the specific type of travel insurance is best to cover the trip as you will need to be covered for all eventualities. Although many consider travel insurance to be an expensive extra cost, there are special deals available for backpackers which help reduce costs such as annual travel insurance.

Money can also be saved by searching the internet for cheap one way flights, which is particularly useful if your intended destination is Europe.

Planning your itinerary carefully, particularly in knowing where you’re likely to be on which dates can help you save a fortune on accommodation especially if you decide to sign up to backpacker sites dedicated to couch surfing.

Such sites work on the basis where you are able to submit where and when you want to stay in a particular place, and for what duration, you are then matched up with households in that area which has agreed to provide free beds to travellers on the dates required. These schemes are usually perfect for the nomadic lifestyle of a backpacker as generally for no more than a couple of nights.

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International Travel Insurance Dont Leave Home Without It January 20th, 2011

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Does this sound familiar? Youve saved and saved for that perfect vacation youve always dreamt about. Youre in the travel agents office, youve just purchased your very expensive ticket and shes saying that you should buy some international travel insurance too. You roll your eyes because youre sure all this international travel insurance business is nonsense and shes just trying to get some more of your money. You say no thanks. While on your vacation, you crash your car and get hurt. Guess what? Youve got to foot all the expenses yourself and because you didnt want to get international travel insurance.

For those of you who arent familiar with it, international travel insurance is a must have if you intend to travel out of your own country. Since youre not familiar, right about now youre probably asking what international travel insurance is. Simply put, it is a temporary insurance policy which you buy before you leave on your trip. Typically, coverage lasts the full duration of your trip but, depending on who youre insured with, your international travel insurance can be extended for up to 12 months.

A lot of people couldnt be bothered with the added expense but there is always the small possibility that something can happen. A good international travel insurance policy will provide three things: good coverage at a reasonable price, readily available emergency assistance and efficient claims processing. It should also cover most circumstances. Your international travel insurance isnt adequate if it doesnt cover medical expenses, medical evacuation, travel cancellation and deferment costs, loss of luggage, rental vehicle expenses, death expenses, personal liability and legal expenses.

There is most often a need for international travel health insurance, to cover medical expenses. This can include hospital stays, medication and doctors fees. However, international travel health insurance is a godsend in more critical situations as it also covers ambulance services and emergency-related travel expenses, which is especially important in third world countries where supplies are limited and you may need to be transported to another country.

While you may not think that the cost of such international travel health insurance coverage is justified for a short, weekend trip, if youre going to be hiking through malaria infested forests over those two days, you might want to think again. Use your discretion. Its much better to be prepared for a possible emergency than to fall ill or get injured and not have any international travel health insurance coverage.

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Insurance News UK Ex-Smokers Reportedly Paying Too Much For January 10th, 2011

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Insurance News UK Ex-Smokers Reportedly Paying Too Much For Life Insurance.

According to recent life assurance research by Sainsburys Bank, many ex-smokers may be paying too much for their life insurance. They assert that during the past 5 years approximately 6.78 million people have given up smoking, however only a quarter of these people have informed their life insurance company.

Time requirements differ between insurers; however, many companies consider a person to no longer be classed as a smoker after one year following quitting. By contacting their insurance provider former-smokers can get themselves re-classed as a ‘non-smoker’ and potentially saving thousands of pounds over the term of their policy.

According to their estimates, this means that there are up to 2.2 million ex-smokers who could be wasting at least 126.72 million simply by not reviewing their life insurance requirements to show their healthier status and reflect that they are no longer a smoker.

David Picket, the life insurance manager of Sainsburys Bank said, “The health benefits of giving up are well known, and with a packet of cigarettes now costing over 5, the financial savings can also be substantial. However, once youve successfully quit, you could also make a saving in your annual life insurance premiums if you review your requirements.”

Most policies require ex-smokers to have given up permanently and it is possible that even a couple of cigarettes in the pub on a Saturday night can consequently invalidate cover; however there can be big savings available (over 30%) for those who have completely quit. But despite the potential savings that are available, most people do not think to update their life insurance policies and so lose out.

Over the last few years, increases in the level of competition, has lead to large reductions for potential policy holders, with basic term life insurance policies now costing as little as 5 per month for a young and healthy non-smoker.

Life insurance comparison site Moneynet has good news for existing policy holders too, If you have existing Life Insurance Policies which were taken out some time ago it could be worth considering a change. Most Life Companies have considerably reduced their premiums over the last few years to take account of longer life expectancy and the advances in medicine.

The costs of life insurance can vary significantly depending upon age, lifestyle and occupation, as well as between different life insurance providers, as not all providers evaluate the levels of risk to be insured in the same way. The ease with which it is possible to check the difference in insurance premiums between providers through the financial information site The Motley Fool, Moneynet, or countless others which have sprung up in recent years, has also lead to increases in public knowledge and competition within the industry further driving down the costs.

While the news seems to be good all round for consumers it must be noted that as with all financial decisions, changing insurance cover can be complex as the number of providers and different products increases and the costs of making the wrong decision could prove serious. It should be noted that levels of cover can vary widely and therefore a professional independent financial advisor should be sought if in any doubt regarding a products suitability.

Disclaimer:

All information contained in this article, is for general information purposes only and should not be construed as advice under the Financial Services Act 1986.

You are strongly advised to take appropriate professional and legal advice before entering into any binding contracts.

Useful resources:

Life insurance comparisons – Moneynet ( http://www.moneynet.co.uk/insurance/index.shtml )
Financial information – The Motley Fool ( http://www.fool.co.uk/insurance/insurance.htm )

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Insurance Brokers December 30th, 2010

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Did you know there are publications that have been created to serve the needs of every agent and broker? Insurance is a huge industry and trying to keep on top of all the latest news and regulations is a job in and of itself. One such magazine, American Agent and Broker, has a wonderful website located at www.agentandbroker.com. Check out this month’s issue, which features articles on how to build your insurance business with boat and yacht insurance. You can read about the upcoming highlights for April’s issue as well. In the UK you can access this site, www.insurancenewspapers.com for free insurance press public information.

Marketing yourself and deciding how to advertise your business can be a daunting task. There are so many avenues available to brokers. Insurance is something everyone needs from infant to ancient. Brokers need to be well versed in as many areas of insurance as they can. Life, auto, home, health and disability are just a few. How is a broker supposed to get the word out that he is in business? Everyone familiar with sales knows the phrase ‘circle of influence’ or your ‘warm market’. These terms refer to the people you know best, your friends, family and colleagues. Let them go to work for you with referrals and word of mouth advertising. Take the top ten from your list and offer gift certificates for every person they refer that you write a policy for. It’s a nice way to say thank you and show how much you appreciate their loyalty.

Check out other brokers and their websites, advertising efforts and community involvement. Take their best secrets and tweak them to fit you and your way of doing business. Don’t discount becoming involved with your community. When you are out there working for the common good the common good is coming to you for their insurance needs.

Try and think back to the first time you purchased insurance from a broker. You can make a niche for yourself by going after the newest drivers, homeowners and start up businesses. Share your wealth of knowledge with them and they will remain loyal customers for all their insurance requirements.

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Insurance December 20th, 2010

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Insurance provides a way you can protect yourself against unpredictable risks, and therefore it can be very beneficial to you. Accidents, injuries, and old age can deprive you of physical health. Also natural disasters, robberies, or a whole host of different things can cause you to lose your possessions.

Nobody wants to think that unexpected things will happen, but sometimes they do. Insurance is an easy way of protecting yourself against financial losses caused by these problems. With good, comprehensive insurance, you don’t have to worry about the unexpected financial burdens that may be caused by these things.

If you’re just starting to think about insurance coverage, it can all seem a little confusing. There are so many different types of insurance available, and an even bigger variety in the types of policies you can get. The biggest challenge in finding the right insurance policy can be in figuring out what you really need.

A few types of insurance are required by law if you own a car, for example, the law requires you to have auto insurance. One reason this is important is because if you cause an accident, you are liable for the injury and property damage of other people involved in the accident.

Many other types of insurance, such as life, renters, and travel insurance, are optional. Two common types of insurance are health insurance and home insurance.

Shopping around for insurance is much the same as any other type of shopping. You can compare products and prices, and look at the types of benefits you’re getting for your money. There are a few important things to consider when you’re shopping around for insurance coverage.

First, it’s good to consider whether or not the insurance policy meets your needs. What risks, items, and events does it cover? How much will be paid out if you make a claim will it be the full cost of the item, or will you get less money as the item depreciates? What isn’t included in the policy? For example, if you insure your home contents, are you covered if you leave the house unlocked?

A second thing to consider is cost what can you afford, and what will you get for your money? Will you save money with a direct debit payment? Will it cost more to pay monthly than if you pay yearly? Is your premium cost fixed, or is it subject to change?

It’s also very important to look at the flexibility of your policy. What happens if you miss a payment? Does coverage stop immediately, or will you have a “grace” period to give you time to make the payment? Will you receive any money back if you cancel the insurance policy?

Also, if you switch to a new insurer, will you lose coverage for existing problems? This last question is particularly important if you’re considering health insurance, as companies will charge higher premiums if you have an existing health problem.

Finally, remember to review your policy each time you renew it. This can be a very important point since it’s important that your insurance policy continues to meet your needs for as long as you have it.

For more information, see Make-Getting-Insurance-Easy.com

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Individual Dental Insurance 101 December 14th, 2010

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Finding providers who offer individual dental insurance plans may be difficult but not impossible. So do not let this minor point stop you from finding an insurance provider, because having dental insurance fulfills two great benefits:

Excellent Oral Health
ADA studies have shown that cleanings and regular dental check ups is one of the best ways to keep ones teeth and gums healthy, and safe from diseases. Many plans provide and pay for the insured to go for regular dental check ups.

Relief From Costly Dental Bills
Cavities, root canals, crowns and teeth extraction are an unpleasant reality. Without dental insurance, these simple procedures can become expensive. Many dental insurance providers offer plans where they pay for a bigger percentage or pay for the entire dental procedure.

What To Consider In The Search For Individual Dental Insurance Providers

Short or no waiting period
Some dental insurance providers impose a waiting period, to ensure that the old problems from the previous provider are not carried over to the new plan. This can be a problem for you if you need to undergo a procedure, but the new dental insurance has a waiting period of 6 to 8 months before you can avail of the coverage. You will end up paying for this treatment out of your pocket. So, do not delay your search for a dental insurance plan.

Buyer Plans or referral plans
Consider third party companies, which offer referral plans. Under this arrangement, the individual pays a monthly fee to a third party to gain access to dentists who have agreed to a reduced fee schedule. The third partys services involve securing individuals to dentists. The individual pays the discounted dental fee directly to the dentist.

Independent insurance carriers
You can easily find these carriers on the net or the yellow pages. The better ones offer a flexible dental insurance plan, which can be written as stand-alone coverage or as a part of your present dental insurance plan.

Some of these carriers provide plans with the following benefits:
The flexibility to seek treatment from your preferred dentist, but they will offer you bigger discounted fees if you choose a dentist from their network.
Inform you what the contracted rate is for the treatment before you undergo this.
Provide you complete coverage from preventive services such as check ups to major procedures like full dentures.

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How To Pay Less On Home And Contents Insurance December 8th, 2010

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Buildings Insurance went up again last year, costing homeowners another 1% a year, taking the average to just over 205 for a year’s insurance. Contents insurance also went up, this time by 2% – now it costs the average homeowner 151 a year. However, some lenders are hiking prices even higher than that Norwich Union for example, raised its prices by a whopping 6% last year.

The question is – why? There’s so much competition out there, you’d expect prices to be falling, not increasing but there are other forces at work, as we go on to discuss.

No 1 the cost of having a house repaired or rebuilt

Labour and building materials are getting more costly, so when the insurance company calculates how much it would cost to rebuild your house, prices are higher. This is due to inflation, and the same thing affects the insurance company and its own operating costs. Wages, bills, office rental all these costs are increasing year on year so of course insurers have to factor these in.

No 2 the weather

The British weather is getting more and more tempestuous, whether it’s due to global warming we are not qualified to say, but it’s a fact that we have been experiencing a lot of extreme weather in the past few years. The 1987 hurricane was a freak occurrence, but flash floods such as the incident in Boscastle, Cornwall, Helmsley in North Yorkshire, and Carlisle are making the headlines on a regular basis. The Association of British Insurers has stated that the average insurance claim due to flood damage could be anything from 15,000 to 30,000, making huge dents into the insurance industry’s profits. In fact, floods cost insurance companies millions every year.

No 3 – Burglary

Claims due to burglary have been going up, now average at around 1,400. The 2 main causes are:

From digital cameras to laptops, game consoles to ipods our houses are full of electronic gadgets with a high value bought new, and a high value resold. Burglars are after these items and it’s hitting the insurance industry where it hurts their pocket.

Burglars pick posh neighbourhoods to ensure they get away with the best items – with expensive items like jewellery for the taking, the value of these kind of claims is increasing.

Insurance companies use statistics relating to a postcode area to calculate premiums for everyone in that area. If your neighbours have suffered subsidence, or your area is near a river which has been known to flood you will have to pay higher premiums. Similarly, if people in your area have been broken into, then it will be assumed that you are at a higher risk of making a burglary claim too.

Having a no-claims discount is a help when it comes to offsetting the annual rise in premiums, but insurance companies cap these discounts once you have 5 years no claims, so you will not get any further discounts.

So is there any way to avoid the rising cost of home and contents insurance?

The first thing you can do is look around for the best deal. Try the Internet for the best deals, because most insurance companies offer a discount, often 10%, for customers that buy online. You will also save if you pay by direct debit. It’s tempting to accept your current insurer’s renewal quote but don’t be fooled the small amount of effort it will take to shop around will pay good dividends. One of the reasons for this is because insurers always offer their best deals to new customers, existing customers are virtually penalised for showing loyalty!

Improving your home security is another good way to reduce premiums while giving you essential peace of mind. Neighbourhood watch schemes, external security lighting, a burglar alarm, security locks on windows, and industry-recognised locks on external doors will make a difference. Obviously these things cost money to install, but they pay for themselves in the long run.

Play the insurance company game and you will always win shop around, be prepared to move insurance company every year, and don’t accept any high prices. There’s always a better deal out there!

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How to Get Cheap Auto Insurance December 2nd, 2010

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There is no secret that auto insurance prices are on the rise and have been that way for a good many years. There is something that makes us all cringe in response to paying for something that we may very well never use and at great expense to us. So we are all in search of the cheap auto insurance. This can be a game that takes a good long time to play but in the end it should be well worth it. Of course this is not something that will happen over night and there is several matters that go into the whole thing. Auto insurance is tricky business and the companies not only want to protect you, but also their bottom line in the end. So if you are in search of the cheap auto insurance then you should follow a few general rules.

The best way to get cheap auto insurance is to be a good driver. That is really a common fact that many people over look these days. Insurance companies reward those drivers that have had no accidents, and no tickets. Of course this may be easier said than done to be honest considering even accidents that are not your fault look bad on your record. The tickets thing is what really matters most. Just one ticket for speeding can raise your auto insurance rates by over thirty percent a year. So you can see that it is best to obey the traffic laws at all costs no matter what. This will give you the very best cheap auto insurance with most companies.

There is the matter of shopping around for cheap auto insurance as well. The one mistake that people often make is to think that the company they have been with since they were young is giving them the best rate. This is the farthest thing from the truth in all actuality. You will find that with the vast array of auto insurance companies that sprinkle the country side that the prices will vary greatly. Many times you can save hundreds of dollars in premiums by going with another company.

Finally, cheap auto insurance is given to those that have easily insurable cars. This is no secret, but you should have a car that has a good safety rating with the insurance companies in order to maintain the best rates on the insurance. The auto insurance companies do not like those little sports cars that move at top speeds as they can be the ingredient for disaster and much expense.

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How To Buy Term Life Insurance November 24th, 2010

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Life is uncertain. Death, illnesses and accidents can strike anybody at any time without warning. To handle these unforeseen situations, it has become mandatory for one and all to purchase a life insurance policy. Whole life insurance is very expensive and very few can afford it. But for people who would like to insure themselves at a nominal cost, opting for a term insurance policy is the solution.

If you are interested in buying a term life insurance policy, here are some guidelines to help you choose the right one.

What is term insurance?

Term insurance policy is a policy which covers you for a certain period. Once the term is over, you need to renew the policy. When the policy is in force, it pays a predetermined sum to your dependents on your death. There are no deductions for any government taxes. In return, you pay a certain sum as a premium to the insurance company till the policy term expires. There is no investment involved in this type of insurance.

Who can get lower premium quotes?

If you are young, in good health, a non-smoker and are in the correct weight range appropriate for your height and gender, you are entitled to lower premiums. Taking additional coverage will slightly increase the quote, but it is advisable to do so. But do not go for the riders like accidental death or waiver of premium as they can increase the quote steeply. Opt for paying your premium annually because many insurers ask for higher monthly payments. Ask many insurers for their quotes on various time periods. If you think that the quote charged is very high, negotiate with the insurer to lower the premium.

When can I avoid purchasing insurance?

If you have no dependents, then life insurance is unnecessary. But if you choose to buy one, select the term favorable to you. The term should be the time when there are no people depending on you. This may be because you are single, your children have started earning or you are enjoying the post-retirement benefits available after 65 years.

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