online auto insurance

Insurance.com, the largest online auto insurance agency in the United States, encourages all motorists to drive safely during the upcoming 4th of July celebrations. But by following basic concepts such as obeying speed limits, and never drinking and driving, we can all do our part to increase road safety

Cleveland, OH (PRWEB) June 21, 2007 — Insurance.com, the largest online auto insurance agency in the United States, encourages all motorists to drive safely during the upcoming 4th of July celebrations.

A recent article published on Insurance.com, “Top Ten 4th of July Driving Tips”, outlines a selection of safety suggestions intended to keep drivers and pedestrians safe this holiday.

“July 3rd and 4th are two of the most dangerous days on the roads, and statistically we see a spike in auto-related injuries and deaths,” said Dave Roush, CEO of Insurance.com, in reference to data provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (previously featured in the Insurance.com article, “Deadliest Days to Drive.”)

“But by following basic concepts such as obeying speed limits, and never drinking and driving, we can all do our part to increase road safety,” said Roush. “This is especially true during the 4th of July holiday. Families are out on the road together, viewing fireworks, attending parties and get-togethers and Insurance.com wants everyone to enjoy this great time of year safely.”

Tips for safe driving on the 4th of July include never drinking and driving, making sure everyone in a vehicle is wearing seat belts, and being aware of your surroundings when driving at night, especially when traveling to and from firework displays.

Insurance.com features a wide range of helpful articles relating to driving safety, along with articles on many aspects of car insurance and other insurance-related topics.

About Insurance.com
Insurance.com, based in Solon, Ohio, is owned and operated by Insurance.com, Inc, a ComparisonMarket Company. Insurance.com enables consumers to instantly compare and buy competitive auto insurance quotes directly from more than a dozen leading insurance companies. When ready to purchase, users have the option of completing the transaction online or talking directly to an unbiased licensed agent. Other products include life, health and home insurance as well as travel, dental and pet health insurance. Insurance.com also operates 4insurance.com.

In addition to Insurance.com, the company provides private labeled auto insurance solutions to financial institutions, affinity groups and online marketplaces to offer their customers real choice and savings opportunities on auto insurance rates.

You lost some valuable belongings to theft or a fire destroyed part of your home. So, you file a home insurance claim.

Now comes the hard part – dealing with an adjuster hired by the company.

You think your loss is worth more and the adjuster thinks it’s worth less. You can’t agree on the dollar value of your claim.

What’s the next step if you exhaust the normal avenues of complaint?

Hiring a lawyer to negotiate with your insurance company is costly and can drag on for years.

Here’s another option: Tell your insurance company you want an appraisal under the Insurance Act of Ontario.

You hire an expert and the insurer hires an expert. Each side pays its own costs. The two experts decide on the value of your claim. And if they don’t see eye to eye, an umpire chosen by the appraisers is called in.

An appraisal clause is written into every homeowner’s insurance policy sold in Ontario.

“You have no right to an appraisal until a specific demand is made in writing. It has to come from the policyholder,” says Rowena McDougall, a spokesperson for the financial services commission.

This is a quasi-judicial process, binding on both you and the insurance company. There’s no appeal to the courts afterward.

To find an appraiser, use the Yellow Pages or search the Internet. Many companies and individuals do this work.

Steve Sobel was an independent insurance adjuster for 30 years. He delivered bad news on behalf of insurers to people who had no idea how to interpret what they had purchased, he says.

His new company, Insurance Intelligence International Inc., helps businesses look for gaps in their coverage. He helps “test drive” policies to make sure they stand up if there’s ever a claim.

Sobel charges $200 an hour when he’s hired for an Insurance Act appraisal.

“If you’re dealing with a fairly sizable loss, it could be two weeks,” he says about the process.

It’s not worth going for an appraisal unless there’s $25,000 or more at stake. That’s not the amount of the claim, but the difference between what you want and what the insurer offers.

“You could pay $2,500 in fees,” he says.

“Still, it’s a lot cheaper than a court case, which could cost you $60,000.”

Here are some tips he offers to boost your success in getting claims paid:

Save your receipts. You have to document the cost of everything you want replaced.

Keep the instruction manuals for gifts, which may be covered under your home insurance policy. However, some companies insist you also supply an invoice.

Don’t lie about the cost. This is considered fraud. If the company can prove you inflated one item, your entire claim may be turned down.

Know the limits on what you can claim for certain items. These include jewellery, silverware, bicycles, stereos, TVs, computers, stamps, coins and golf clubs.

Get your valuables appraised and, if needed, pay for extra coverage under the policy.

Tell your insurance broker or insurance company if you’re doing a large renovation to your house. Get the insurance company’s approval in writing before you proceed.

Make sure your policy covers you for municipal bylaw problems if you have to rebuild.

Don’t leave your home unattended in cold weather. Find someone to check the house every day. If you’re going away for a month or two, shut off the water supply and drain the pipes before you go. Otherwise, you won’t be covered if your pipes freeze and burst.
Next Sunday, we’ll take a look at how to get the best coverage when buying an automobile insurance policy.

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