Car Insurance Shopping Online Saves You Time And Money

 (Photo credit: West Midlands Police)

These days many more people are using the Internet to research large purchases. With so many car insurance companies competing for our insurance dollars, competition has driven down the costs and it is of great benefit for consumers. The Internet has made it easy to find car insurance quotes online.

A recent poll by the American Automobile Association (AAA) has found that, sixty-two percent of people shopping for auto insurance, start their search on the Internet. Most car insurance shoppers go to at least two online insurers websites prior to arriving at a decision.

Before doing some online shopping take time to do some research.

1. Collect all your important documents together. Your going to need your drivers license. If you had any accidents, have that information ready. Also have your address and social security number ready. You will need the year, make, model, license plate, mileage, and VIN (vehicle identification number) from your car.

2. Use your computer to search for "discount insurance quotes." When you see your search results first check out aany companies you are already familiar with. Also find insurers that will show quotes from many car insurance companies. Some companies represent a lot of different insurance companies. They can compare reates for you and deliver the cheapsest one to you.

3. Choose the kind of coverage you need. It depends on the state you reside in what our options are for what required insurance you need to have. The website will know and walk you through the specifics of your states car insurance requirements.

4. Input all necesary information and get your free quote. There are too many insurance companies that offer free quotes, stay away from websites that require a deposit, credit card number, or any kind of fee.

5. Compare the rates and coverage along with the costs. When you feel comfortable about your selection you can pay with a credit card. You will be able to print out a temporary insurance I.D. car and later a formal one will be mailed to you.

My Car is in Storage Does it Need Insurance?

A car crash on Jagtvej in Copenhagen, Denmark. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

We all know that having a good insurance policy for your car when your out and about not only protects your car but it also protects the people injured in the accident. What if your car is damaged while in your driveway and your not even driving it? How does your insurance coverage work. What's is covered then?

If your involved in an accident and your car is damaged you may put your car in storage  waiting for repairs. Do you need to carry insurance? You may have a second car that you drive very little or not at all. Should you still have insurance for it? The answer to all these questions is yes and you need to find some discount insurance quotes.

For any period of time where your car is not going to be on the road you still need insurance because your car can be subject to collisions, vandalism, or theft. You should make sure you have the correct car insurance coverage by contacting your insurance provider and inquiring what insurance is available for your particular situation.

Your rates for storage insurance could be much lower than your regular car insurance coverage. You should also check with your states insurance commission and see if you are even required to carry regular auto insurance.

This also applies to vehicles you only drive at certain times of the year like RV's, motorcycles, and other seasonal vehicles. 

Your insurer may only say you should carry your comprehensive coverage because it covers theft, fire, and other damage that does not result from driving the vehicle. 

Consider a Home Exchange for a Money Saving Vacation

Poniente Beach's sight in Benidorm, Alicante (Spain) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

It's time again for summer vacations with the family. But with people having a smaller budget for vacations a way to save money is needed. One of the major costs of a vacation is your accommodations. If there was a way to save money on that expense, you could make the trip fit into your budget. A way to save some money is to use your home and exchange it for a home in a destination you would like to travel to.

A home exchange often called “house-swapping” is a great vacation idea that’s been around for a long time. With everyone feeling the economic squeeze, some exchanges are more popular than ever before. With home swapping you can afford to take great trips to Aspen's mountains, Mexico's beach's, London's countryside, and Spain's Benidorm holidays

How it works. 

The idea of a home exchange is that 2 families agree to live in each other’s home (usually at the same time) at no cost. People find one another from home exchange website that give detailed lists of homes available. Exchanges take place within the United States or internationally, and the length of stay is whatever the parties agree upon. Exchangers typically do not meet in person but get acquainted via phone calls and emails before the exchange happens. Details, including pets, the use of a car, and cleaning are all agreed upon ahead of time, usually in a written contract provided by the website.

Is my home a good exchange?

Home exchangers are looking for location, location, location. They want to explore attractions in your area, attend an event, or visit family. A beachfront house in California is highly desirable, as is a condo in an exciting city—and even a home in the suburbs will appeal to the right travelers. Because swappers are primarily looking for a convenient jumping-off point for their adventures, your home’s age, floor plan, and furnishings don’t matter too much, as long as it’s clean, comfortable, and accommodating.

What"s a perfect swap home?

If it’s a rustic cottage on a secluded fishing lake or a condo at a popular ski area, a second home is ideal for exchanges. Logistically, you don’t have to vacate your primary residence, and you have more flexibility as to when the swap can happen.  For this reason, many retirees—who often own second homes and enjoy freer schedules—find home exchanges especially appealing.

How do I list my Home?

Start by exploring a few websites where you can view a lot of information for free. Home exchange websites typically charge an annual membership fee of $50 to $100 to list your home. If you decide to join a service, you’ll provide several photos and a detailed description of your home. You’ll also post your desired destinations and travel dates, and you’ll be able to peruse the homes that meet your criteria. It’s common to trade information with several homeowners before finding just the right match, and the process may take several months.

Is my home attractive or good enough for a home swap?

A clean, clutter-free home is universally appealing, and comfortable mattresses and attractive bedding are a must. Your kitchen should be well organized, and Internet access is a big plus. Your guests know they’re staying in someone’s home, so don’t worry about scuffed baseboards and well-worn furniture.  Likewise, don’t expect five-star accommodations when you step into your host’s home.

The tipping point for a home swapper is can you take the thought of strangers sleeping in your bed and using your home while you are far away. Do you fear coming back to seeing your home trashed? This sort of thing rarely happens. But if you are worried, you are not a good candidate for home swapping. But if you want to save some money and you have a sense of adventure why not give it a try.

When Student Loans are in Default - There are Options

Student loan default is a growing problem in the U.S. today. As much as a quarter of all student loan borrowers are one to two months behind on their monthly payment according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. 

Add to that millions of federal student loan borrowers have already defaulted on their loans.

A lack of jobs is one of the reasons for this happening. The unemployment rate for college students that have recently graduated is more than twice that of the regular workforce. 

Because of this, one-third of college students under age 25 have jobs that do not use their recently acquired degree.

Over the past decade, student debt has grown to an average of over $22,000 for graduates of public colleges and universities and over $28,000 for private school grads. 

That’s a 20% increase. A growing number of borrowers – greater than one in eight – have debts of $50,000 or more. For too many, this grim economic reality makes making each loan payment in-full and on-time a monthly struggle.

Student Loan Debt Collection

These college students, who are in default, do not realize there can be thousands of dollars of fees and penalties they are liable to pay. 

Their credit will be damaged for many years to come and it will keep them from acquiring new debt like consumer loans, car loans, and mortgages. They have no choice but to refinance student loan programs and take control of their student loans.

The worse part they do not realize is that even through bankruptcy you can not discharge a student loan. The debt you have acquired will be with you until you pay it off.

The only good point to being in default is you cannot qualify for income-based repayment, an alternative payment plan can have a monthly payment as low as zero for extremely low income borrowers.

If you’ve fallen behind on your loans, check out the new web tool, available on ConsumerFinance.gov and at the new StudentAid.gov, launched by the U.S. Department of Education.