Customer Service: It's All About You

Car insurance. Customer service. Those two things go together when you're a GEICO customer.

At GEICO, we have one priority: YOU! We want to make everything about your car insurance as easy, convenient and pleasant as possible. Here are just a few ways we try to make your life easier:

Online Access to Your Auto Policy

Once you purchase your auto policy, you can sign up for instant, round-the-clock access to it at our Policyholder Service Center. Log in to your account to:

• View your car insurance policy documents
• Change your coverage levels
• Make payments or sign up for auto-pay
• Add or remove vehicles from your policy

24-Hour Assistance - with a real person

Online access is great, but sometimes you need to talk to a real, live person. Call us anytime to speak with a licensed insurance professional. No question is too small. No issue is too complex. We're happy to give you the attention you deserve. Call 1-800-861-8380 to discuss:

• Your policy
• Your coverage levels
• How to file a claim
• Claims handling
• And just about anything else

Got 15 Minutes? Get a Car Insurance Quote.

Maybe you've heard something about saving 15% or more on your car insurance policy. Maybe you've succumbed to the charms of an eloquent little gecko. No matter how you found us, you're in the right place to get a fast, free, and accurate quote on GEICO car insurance.

Get an online auto insurance quote anytime. If you like what you see, you can purchase immediately and start enjoying GEICO's top-notch coverage. Got questions? Contact us 24 hours a day at: 1-800-861-8380.

Go ahead, get a quote. You've got nothing to lose, and a lot to save!

(If you need a policy for a vehicle other than personal auto, we can take care of you. Check out our online information on quotes for: commercial vehicles, recreational vehicles, motorcycles and ATVs). If you have questions or need help, just call us anytime at 1-800-861-8380.

Home equity as a source of a line of credit

If ever you are in need of borrowed funds, one practical and handy source of credit is a home equity line. To begin with, a home equity credit line will offer you a large amount of cash with a comparatively low rate of interest. It also gives you some tax benefits not available with other kinds of loans.

Compare Home Equity Rates

Compare rates from up to 4 lenders for home equity

HELOC and security for the loan

Home equity lines of credit (HELOC) will require property to be pledged as security for the loans. Obviously, this kind of borrowing may jeopardize your home and you, if you default on a loan or even if you are late with your monthly payments.

A loan with a balloon payment, that is a large payment at the end of the loan term, may result in your borrowing more money to pay off the debt. It may also put your home at risk, if in the course of the original loan you are deemed ineligible for refinancing. In the event that you sell your home, the conditions of most loans will require you to pay off all debts on your credit line at that time. While home equity loans provide you with ready cash quite easily, you tend to borrow more freely as well.

Always compare HELOC rates from several lenders to assure that you get the lowest rate possible.

Alternatives to home equity line of credit and home equity loans

It is important to bear in mind that there are many other ways to borrow money besides home equity credit lines. Second mortgage installment loans are one such viable option. Certainly second mortgage plans place an extra future burden on your home or property, in terms of an added mortgage. But the money lent is usually given as a lump sum, not as advances through continuous charges to a card or checking account. Also, a second mortgage generally has a fixed rate and fixed monthly payments.

Another option, preferred to borrowing money outright, is a credit line that does not use your property as security. Under the right conditions, that also might be available to you with a credit card, or an unsecured credit line allowing you to write checks whenever you need the funds. Information about loans for specific items, such as auto purchases or tuition fees, is available at your request.

Five points to consider when choosing a HELOC

A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) works in the same way as a credit card, as in it affords the borrower a revolving credit line, whereby funds are drawn out whenever the borrower wishes to do so, as opposed to one lump-sum.

And just like a credit card, HELOC can be good depending on how you use it. Below are a few points worth considering when considering a Home Equity Line of Credit.

• Watch out for financial penalties - The borrower should be able to pay off the HELOC without fear of any additional costs.
• At closing, all fees related to your HELOC application should be refunded.
• Shop around to find a Home Equity Line of Credit that adjusts quarterly in increments of 0.5% or less.
• Flexibility is important, so find a HELOC loan that is able to convert to a fixed rate loan.
• Outline a worst case scenario with your lender. Try to find a HELOC loan with a lifetime rate cap, whilst ensuring your lender doesn't try to impose any HELOC account maintenance or check writing fees. If your lender attempts this, sever all ties with him!

Tesco Car Insurance

Your Clubcard is the key to better deal on your Car insurance

Did you know that our Clubcard Price Promise means you get a special discount on your policy (subject to minimum premium)?

And you can earn Clubcard Points on your car insurance too. We'll give you 1 point for every £2 of your premium.

Just remember to enter your Clubcard number when you get a quote.

PLUS you can save up to 15% online (new customers only, excludes Value insurance).

Insurance Overview

Insurance is something that almost all of us will need sometime, and it is worth understanding it before buying it.
Various types of insurance include motor insurance, which includes automobile, motorcycle, and boat insurance, health insurance, life insurance, home insurance, travel insurance, personal property insurance, keyman insurance, dental insurance, rental insurance, and more.
Often, insurance is required - especially in the cases of motor insurance. Other times, it is a safeguard. Insurance is a form of risk-management which spreads risk of many people in exchange for small payments from each. Specifically, insurance transfers some type of risk (accident, theft, natural disaster, illness, etc) from one person or group to a more financially-sound entity in exchange for a payment (also known as a premium). Premiums are often annual or monthly, but depending on the type of insurance they can be at other intervals.
For example, a consumer can pay a certain amount to an insurer each year to insure that person's car. This sum represents the insurance company's assessment of the likelihood that the car will be damaged or wrecked. These data are normally taken from historical figures relating to the age, sex, profession, driving record, and accident history of the insured, as well as statistics concerning make and model of the car and its accident record, as well as the engine size, number of passengers, and even color of the vehicle.
Statistically, if the make and model of the vehicle in question, and/or its driver have been in numerous accidents, the insurance company will charge a higher premium in order to hedge expected losses. As the risk increases, so too do the premiums. In fact, sometimes, insurance companies will not even insure certain people and/or vehicles as the chance of them having to make a payout (in the event of an accident) will be almost guaranteed.
Types of Insurance 1.Motor insurance
This includes automobile, truck, motorcycle, aircraft, boat, or any other form of motorized transportation. It is perhaps the most common type of insurance, and is required by law in many countries. Motor insurance covers the insured party against financial loss that he may incur to repair his vehicle or a third party’s in the event of an accident. In return for annual or semi-annual premiums, the insurance company is bound to pay any losses as described in the policy. Such a policy may include property, liability or third party, and medical coverage. Property coverage insures damage to or theft of a vehicle; liability covers bodily injury or property damage that may occur as a result of the insured’s actions, and medical coverage pays any fees necessary for bodily injuries, rehabilitation and in some cases foregone wages and funeral costs. In many countries, all of these types of automovile insurance are required of vehicle owners. In some countries, or states, only third party is required. However, in the case of new vehicles, any banks which may be financing the vehicle may require full insurance as a condition of financing. 2.Health insurance
Most developed nations have government-funded health care which means that most or all citizens have access to medical facilities and treatment, as well as health insurance.
For example, the National health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom pays for citizens’ medical needs. However, in the US, there is no government-funded health policy – whether for insurance or treatment. As a result, US citizens and residents must be insured or risk facing astronomical medical bills, garnishing of wages, and bankruptcy. Often, medical insurance (both health and dental) is included in employee benefit packages in the US and other countries. Nevertheless, the issue of affordable health insurance and treatment in the US is one of the most controversial and heated, as many cannot afford either.
3.Disability insurance
This form of insurance protects workers from injuries and illnesses which prevent them from doing their jobs. It can pay for existing commitments the policyholders may have such as outstanding bills, mortgages, utilities, and more.
Workers’ compensation is common in the US, and pays a worker his wages and medical expenses in the event of an injury on the job.
Permanent disability which prevents a worker from ever working again is covered by total permanent disability insurance. This provides the disabled employee with benefits for the rest of his or her life, or according to the terms specified in the policy. Companies can purchase a similar type of insurance, called, disability overhead insurance. This pays for ongoing overhead costs of a business while the owners are not able to work. 4.Property insurance
This type of insurance typically covers things like homes, machinery, crops, valuable goods, shipped cargo, rented property (homes or apartments), and more.
It can cover damages as a result of various activities including acts of God (earthquakes, floods, storms, hurricanes, etc), vandalism, terrorism, fraud, and more.
5.Liability insurance
This covers negligent acts of an insured party with reference to a vehicle or a home. It protects the insured against legal claims and indemnification.There are various types of liability insurance such as professional indemnity insurance Environmental liability insurance and Prize indemnity insurance .
Professional indemnity insurance protects employees from malpractice suits (as in the medical profession), errors and omissions (by appraisers, home inspectors, realtors, insurance agents, notaries, and others), and other acts of unintentional workplace negligence.
6.Credit insurance
This is taken by lenders who need coverage against the people that have credit with them (borrow money). In the event of their inability to pay it back (usually due to unemployment, disability, or death), this insurance protects the lender.
There are many other kinds of insuance, and even each of the major categories mentioned above has dozens of variations and types. They differ depending on the markets, the understanding of risk and availability of historical data, government regulation and law, cultural perceptions and expectations, and more.

Life and Health Insurance companies in USA

MetLife
Prudential Financial
New York Life Insurance
TIAA-CREF
Mass. Mutual Life Insurance
Northwestern Mutual
AFLAC
UnumProvident
Principal Financial
Assurant
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans
Lincoln National
Pacific Life
Conseco
Jefferson-Pilot
Mutual of Omaha Insurance
Western & Southern Financial
Torchmark
Unitrin

Auto Insurance In USAAuto

Insurance in US follows the points as given below.
Liability coverage insures you against the cost of injury and damage you cause to another in an automobile accident. It is made up of two policies like bodily injury liability and property damage liability. Auto liability insurance is required in virtually every state. Auto insurance regulations vary greatly from state to state depending upon the place of living, purchasing types and coverage.
Bodily Injury Coverage is the part of liability coverage that insures you against the injury you cause to others in an auto accident. It consists of two figures. One limits the cost of injury coverage per person injured, and the second limits the total dollar amount of injury coverage (for everyone injured.) This is a very important policy.
Property damage coverage is the part of liability coverage that insures you against the cost of damage to another's property caused by you in an automobile accident. Here "Property" includes other cars, houses, fences, telephone poles, etc.
Medical payment coverage pays the medical bills of the covered driver, family members, and passengers when injured in an accident, regardless of who was at fault. This coverage is required in some states, but not in others
Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is similar to medical payments coverage, only it usually covers a broader range of events, including medical bills, lost wages, loss of services, etc.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage policy covers the cost of injury or damage caused by another driver who is not insured. It covers the policy holder, authorized drivers, and any passengers. It usually consists of separate limits for bodily injury and property damage. This policy is required in some states.
Collision Coverage policy helps to pay for repairs or fair market replacement cost if your car is damaged in an accident caused by you or an authorized driver. This policy is always optional.
Comprehensive Coverage policy covers the cost of repairs to or replacement of your vehicle should it be stolen, vandalized, struck in a hit-and-run, or damaged by an "act of God." Covered events vary from policy to policy but usually include fire, flood, and falling objects. This policy is always optional.

Travel Insurance In USA

Medical care is excellent in most parts of the US, but it can be very expensive and even astronomical for cases of critical illness. Many travelers purchase supplementary international medical insurance or travel insurance to avoid the staggering costs that might result from serious sickness or injury on trips.Travel insurance takes the shape of following types.
Many people are familiar with flight accident insurance, which pays a large sum of money if you are killed or seriously injured in an air accident. This type of insurance policy normally does not cover any medical expenses resulting from illness or other types of accidents while traveling.
Travel agencies frequently offer travel protection plans or trip cancellation insurance. These usually cover the cost of travel expenses should you be forced to cancel your vacation due to accident, illness or certain other causes. They often cover travel assistance services, protection for lost or damaged baggage and limited medical coverage. There may or may not be a deductible or co-pay for covered medical expenses.

Recent Study On Health Insurance

A recent study states that for the first time the dollar impact on private health insurance premiums when doctors and hospitals provide health care to uninsured people. In 2005, premium costs for family health insurance coverage provided by private employers will include an extra $922 in premiums due to the cost of care for the uninsured.Premiums for individual coverage will cost an extra $341.
Nearly 48 million Americans will be uninsured for the entire year in 2005. What happens when some of these 48 million Americans get sick? Research has shown that the uninsured often put off getting care for health problems or forgo care altogether. When the symptoms can no longer be ignored, the uninsured do see doctors and go to hospitals. Without insurance to pay the tab, the uninsured struggle to pay as much as they can. More than one-third (35 percent) of the total cost of health care services provided to people without health insurance is paid out-of-pocket by the uninsured themselves.

Ocean Marine Insurance

Coverage of all types of vessels and watercraft, for property damage to the vessel and cargo, including such risks as piracy and the jettisoning of cargo to save other property. Coverage for marine-related liabilities. War is excluded from basic policies, but can be bought back.

Inland Marine Insurance

This broad type of coverage was developed for shipments that do not involve ocean transport. Covers articles in transit by all forms of land and air transportation as well as bridges, tunnels and other means of transportation and communication. Floaters that cover expensive personal items such as fine art and jewelry are included in this category.

Marine Insurance

Marine Insurance and marine cargo insurance cover the loss or damage of ships at sea or on inland waterways, and of the cargo that may be on them. When the owner of the cargo and the carrier are separate corporations, marine cargo insurance typically compensates the owner of cargo for losses sustained from fire, shipwreck, etc., but excludes losses that can be recovered from the carrier or the carrier's insurance. Many marine insurance underwriters will include "time element" coverage in such policies, which extends the indemnity to cover loss of profit and other business expenses attributable to the delay caused by a covered loss.

MOTOR

Motor Insurance (also known as Vehicle Insurance, auto insurance, car insurance) is insurance purchased for cars, trucks and other vehicles. It is primarily use to provide protection against losses incurred as a result of traffic accidents and against liability that could be incurred in an accident.
Coverage LevelsMotor Insurance can cover some or all of the following items:
The insured party
The insured vehicle
Third parties (car and people)
Different policies specify the circumstances under which each item is covered. For example, a vehicle can be insured against theft, fire damage, or accident damage independently.