3 Ways to Make the Most of Your Insurance without a Major Accident

Many drivers will unfortunately be involved in a couple of major accidents at various points throughout their lives, but these incidents may be spread out across many years or even decades in some cases. 

During this time in between major car accidents, you may pay your auto insurance premium regularly without getting substantial benefit from it. The reality is that you do not need to be involved in a major accident to take advantage of some of your coverage benefits. 

In fact, these are some of the car insurance perks that you may have access to and that you may not be using when the opportunity arises.

Towing Service

Most people think about using towing service reimbursement through their auto insurance policy when they are in an accident and their car can no longer be driven. 



However, towing service may be available through some policies for other needs as well. For example, depending o the wording in your coverage, you may be able to use towing service if your car breaks down and is no longer able to be driven because of a serious repair issue. 

The availability of this coverage varies, so you should read the fine print in your policy.

Roadside Assistance

Many auto insurance policies include roadside assistance service as well. You may not think about turning to your auto insurance coverage when you need help changing a tire or when you need a jump for a dead battery. 

However, roadside assistance may be available to you around the clock in any location. More than that, it may be free of additional cost through your coverage, and it may be an easy solution to stressful situations that may be overlooked by many drivers.

Personal Property Coverage

Some drivers have paid for optional personal property coverage. This is coverage that reimburses you if items inside the vehicle are damaged or stolen. For example, if someone breaks into your car and steals your laptop and other expensive items, you can file a personal property insurance claim to be reimbursed for your loss. 

Some insurers like Crowel Agency, Inc. offer these coverages for home in addition to auto.

Getting reimbursed for expenses associated with a major car accident is one of the most common reasons why drivers file an auto insurance claim, but this is not the only reason to file a claim. 

Each insurance policy may have different types of coverage as well as varying limits, deductible amounts and more. By reviewing and understanding your coverage now, you can take advantage of its many benefits when the ability arises to do so.

5 Financial Facts to Know Concerning Divorce

It may seem crass or calculating to focus on the financial aspects when you are getting a divorce. However, it is necessary because money matters become complicated when two people are married. 

As a first in the process of untangling the financial issues, you should immediately begin to monitor expenses and gather financial documents like account statements, deeds, titles and tax returns. 

Your divorce lawyer and the judge in the divorce proceedings will need this information.

Your Financial Situation Will Change

Going into the divorce process, you are not likely to anticipate all of the financial changes that will occur. You may have to plan on paying the full cost of rent, health insurance, utilities and a host of other expenses that you now share or leave to your spouse. 


The best course is to avoid making big changes in your financial life that are not immediately necessary. Keep a tight rein on expenses, and try to accumulate a cash reserve.

Tax Implications

When property is divided up in a divorce, there are generally no tax implications. Alimony is another matter. The spouse who pays alimony can deduct it on his or her taxes. For the recipient, alimony is taxable income. 

If you are awarded alimony payments, you must report them each quarter by filing an estimated tax return with the IRS. A divorce attorney from a firm like Kelm & Reuter, P.A. might be able to help you with this as well.

Retirement Account Issues

In some cases, the only thing you need to do with IRAs, 401(k)s and other retirement accounts is change the beneficiary. 

However, a judge can order funds to be shifted to balance retirement savings between the spouses. In this situation, you should retain a qualified domestic relations officer to implement the court’s instructions.

The Financial Facts of Children and Divorce

Ultimately, the court decides issues of child custody and child support. However, you will strengthen your position on these issues if you provide complete records of current expenses related to caring for children. 

When assets like 529 college savings plans are an issue, you, your spouse and the court must decide who will administer fund accounts. It will also be necessary to determine which parent is entitled to claim children as dependents for tax purposes.

Estate Issues

Change in estate arrangements are necessary when a couple splits up. You should make a new will, and you may need to change the trustees and beneficiaries of life insurance policies and trusts. 

In addition, you should create a new living will and designate someone other than your spouse to hold your power of attorney.

Important Tips for Buying New Driver Auto Insurance with No Hassles

Car insurance costs for teenagers and new drivers are the arguably the highest. The eagerness of finally being able to drive is somewhat dampened by high premiums. 

Teenagers getting their driving license are excited to get behind the wheel. A state issued card is one way of gaining attention in their circle. A driving license is a great way to enjoy a little more freedom right away. 

On the other hand, parents are rightly concerned over car insurance for a new driver in the family. Adults and grownups are worried over their children’s or near and dear one’s safety.

Online Insurance Quotes

Online resources help with free online quotes when you shop for new driver auto insurance policies. It is apparent that newly licensed drivers do not have any experience especially teenagers. 

Auto insurance companies have to be on guard with new driver customers they are taking on board for the first time. Even when full care is taken to mitigate losses, a driver making claims due to any reason whatsoever is never far from possibilities. 

New drivers and under 25 drivers have to bear the brunt, so to speak, for a major portion of the pay-out’s by insurers. 





Auto insurance companies and car insurance carriers want to be on the safe side. They charge higher premiums because they anticipate the likelihood of new teenage and other drivers getting into more accidents within the first year. 

It is also important to note that new drivers are more likely to cause damage to others’ property. Looking for very cheap car insurance for new drivers may seem quite an impossible target and a difficult task. 

Driving without insurance is out of question. Lowering car insurance costs is of prime concern to those with limited financial budgets. Drivers who find driving around necessary as well as important need to fit their insurance premiums in their monthly budget.

Online Competitive Market

Online resources help consumers connect with multiple service providers through a single online application form. Online competitive market place is a great way to explore possibilities of buying cheapest new driver car insurance without much hassle. 

Online competitive rates help consumers win and fit their auto insurance policies costs into their monthly budget. Online resources make shopping around easier than ever before.

On the other hand, drivers can bring down car insurance costs with conscious efforts. After buying a policy and beginning to enjoy the newfound freedom of driving around it is time for ensuring affordable premiums. 

Keep up those good grades without letting your freedom dent them. Insurers view a high grade point average favourably. Let your teenage drivers have a vehicle much cheaper and easier to drive around as compared to your family car. 

This will bring down the risks of theft especially if they are going to visit less safe areas. This is a good time to develop good driving habits. Having telematics, insurance coverage means insurers will encourage new drivers to have a clean driving record. 

Get more use full information and competitive quotes within minutes from MonthToMonthCarsInsurance.

Your Quick Guide To Going For Growth In 2018

There’s no doubt about it, this last year has been one of the strangest of all with a new President, unrest in the world and the continuing saga of the UK’s plans to leave the EU.

So now it’s time to start questioning what 2018 holds in store for us and how we can all start to make our hard-earned cash work even harder for us. A good place to start would be to look at what we can say about the way the economy will be headed in 2018, or what we may be able to predict.

The first thing to say would be that already the Federal Reserve has indicated that interest rates may be raised up to four times over the next 12 months. While it’s all but impossible to predict what this will mean in actual terms it is fairly safe to say that, for many, this will place an extra burden on their finances while also making savings rates a little more favourable.

It’s also important to look at exactly why rates may have to rise and the reasons are far from bad. In fact, it’s that the economy is on the up, unemployment’s going down and even globally there are the early stirrings of other countries’ economies coming back to life. So it all adds up to the fact that we’ll be going into 2018 on a strong economic wave.




We also know the stock market will start 2018 at near historic highs as the S&P 500 is currently running a Shiller price-to-earnings ratio of 32, which is nearly double the long-term. average. What this means is that to really maximise your returns and take full advantage of the situation, you’ll have to be extra vigilant about where you invest.

It’s also worth noting that it seems like neither pronouncements from President Trump or the risk of conflict in North Korea have had any effect on the markets over 2017, but that’s not to say that these factors won’t come into play in 2018.

So let’s take a look at some of the investments that could pay off for you over the next year. It’s in no way intended to be definite guidance but it should certainly give you plenty to think about.

Your 401(k) Plan is a great investment - especially for the over 50s

If you thought that tax shelters were only for the super-rich it might be a big surprise for you to learn that you’re sitting on one right now, whatever the level of your wealth, and it’s called the 401(k).

Now you may also have thought that the 401(k) plan is, at best, some far from impressive mutual funds which also have high fees attached to them. But, in fact, it’s a very good and tax-efficient place for your money.

For example, if you currently pay 25% tax then for every dollar you invest it’s an extra 25 cents of your investment that’s compounding, and this, over time, is of huge benefit to you. The fact that next year the IRS is going to increase the annual contribution limit on 401(k) plans to $18,500, excluding employer matching, is good news PLUS if you’re 50 or older, you can add another $6,000 per year making $24,500.

So, even if you’re nervous about where the market may be heading, you really should try to maximize your 401(k) plan, especially as there are money market and stable value funds to invest in with minimal risks.

Consider alternative investments too

While there is plenty to recommend the stock market both as a tried and trusted method of increasing wealth, at least during the good times, as well as being a way to own a stake in the US economy, it’s not necessarily always the very best place to invest.

You only have to look at the 13 years between 1968 to 1981 when the Dow Jones Industrial Average actually lost money when inflation was taken into account. But over the same period commodities and gold did far better, especially in the case of the latter whose value rocketed by 2,000% between 1971 to 1980. So the moral of this story is not just to buy gold to think about diversifying in order to not be just relying on the market.

A word of caution, though. When you’re thinking about investing in alternatives you need to be aware that it’s far less regulated than the stocks and bonds markets so a little more diligence is needed. You should also never invest in something you never fully understand. We only have to look back as far as 2008/9 to see exactly where that can lead.

The Bitcoin bubble?

One example of understanding what you’re getting into before you make the leap is the Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.

Throughout the year Bitcoin has been hitting the headlines as its value has gradually increased, finally hitting the symbolic $10,000 mark in November. There are also many stories about the people who got in at the earliest days and now are finding that they are multi-millionaires, on paper at least. But, even in the light of these huge gains in value, there’s also increasing disquiet amongst banks and economists that this is showing all the signs of a classic bubble, and we all know what happens when they burst.

The fact is that Bitcoin’s key strength and point of difference in the eyes of some – its independence from governments and financial institutions – is also its biggest weakness. The facts behind this expressed very succinctly by Rodney Johnson, the head of the highly respected economic forecasting firm Dent Research who has pronounced that “If a company or commodity has no assets, no returns and no backing, what’s it worth? In a word, ‘priceless.’ Some will see zero value, others infinite value”. So it very much depends on how you stand on this point which will dictate your attitude to jumping on the Bitcoin bandwagon.

When asked more precisely about his attitudes to investing in a cryptocurrency Johnson was also quoted as saying. “I wouldn’t risk any significant portion of my wealth on such a thing. But I might put a few dollars in, like buying an investment lottery ticket.”

So, in terms of gambles, you might well be better off trying your luck at any of the many online casinos that offer you the chance to take up free spins and bonuses and play without putting up a single cent of your own money, in a fiat currency, of course!

Go for value stocks

So now we’ve covered off these areas, it’s time to take a look at the sorts of stocks that could prove to be a good investment throughout 2018 and beyond.

There’s a simple reason why we’ve left this to last and that’s because your first priority should always to be making your definite savings decisions first before seeing what cash is left over for more speculative investments.

Assuming you go have a pot to invest, it could well be worth following the advice given by many market observers who have been advising that we should be looking for value rather than growth. Now this may sound counterintuitive at the end of a year in which the Russell 1000 Growth Index outgunned the Russell 1000 Value Index by showing returns of over 100% more but the tide may be beginning to turn. So talk to your financial advisor and keep a close eye on the financial pages to spot the value opportunities as and when they arise.

As to what all of our financial situations will be at this point next year, only time will tell. But what is certain is that we’ll all be a year older - but hopefully also a little wiser and richer too - and ready to take on all of the challenges that 2019 may have in store for us.

I’m a Senior Over 60 with No Life Insurance - Where Do I Start?

Before starting your search for life insurance for seniors over 60 it’s best to figure out in advance an approximate amount of coverage that you’ll need for final expenses. Include things like funeral costs and any outstanding bills. Once you’ve arrived at an amount, that number will help you choose the type of coverage you should purchase.

Start Small

Starting with smaller amounts, say anything up to $25,000 in coverage, will limit you to simplified issue policies that do not require a paramedic exam. This is the easiest way to purchase life insurance for seniors over 60. 

There are about a dozen insurance companies that offer this type of life insurance. If you can answer all the medical questions asked with a no, then the carrier will issue the policy after examining various databases that will check your medications for the accuracy of your answers. 

If everything is in order, your coverage will start immediately upon payment of the first month’s premium. 

If you have certain health conditions that prevent immediate coverage, you may qualify for a “graded benefit.” 



Policies differ on this coverage with some paying for death for medical reasons after a two-year waiting period while others pay a percentage of the death benefit during the first two or three policy years. (These policies cover accidental death on day one.)

If you are healthy, your decision of which carrier to choose can be based on the cost and quality of the company. If you have health issues, you may qualify with one carrier and not another. 

From your standpoint as a consumer, the best advice as to which insurer to use should come from an experienced independent agent. They know how the questions differ and can help you to choose the right company for your situation.

Guaranteed Issue Coverage

If you are unable to qualify medically for life insurance, you still can purchase “guaranteed issue” coverage. This policy type is available to most people as long as they can sign the application. 

Applicants must be 85 years old or younger. In a few states, 80 is the maximum age. Unlike other coverage, this policy has a two-year wait before the death benefit takes effect. 

However, if the insured dies within that two-year timeframe, all premiums paid plus interest are returned to the beneficiary.

Seniors also have the ability to buy a fully underwritten policy that requires a paramedic exam and medical records. Depending on where you live, it is possible to purchase $25,000 or more of life insurance. (Some states require a minimum face amount of $50,000.) 

Because the insurance company will have more information with which to make a decision, the cost of coverage is less, in some cases significantly. Because of this, a potential applicant who wants or needs $15,000 of “final expense” coverage may wish to compare premiums to a $25,000 policy that is fully underwritten. 

Although many seniors are not comfortable with having blood drawn, often having another family member present will alleviate that concern.

Term Insurance for Seniors

A word about term insurance for seniors. Although term coverage is available for purchase well into the ’70s for many people, there are many differences between buying term vs. permanent coverage at older ages. 

 While term is less expensive than permanent coverage at younger ages, that is not as much the case when you’re older. Also, there is the real risk of having term coverage end while you are still living. 

What’s important here is the purpose of the coverage. While most seniors purchase coverage to protect their family having to pay final expenses including funeral and other obligations, some seniors only need insurance for a short time to cover a mortgage or some other temporary need. In this case, it is reasonable to consider term insurance.

While this article is intended to acquaint you with the various options available when buying seniors life insurance over age 60, each applicant may have unique health issues which can impact the choices available to you. 

Therefore, while the information in this article will help you to understand the various types of life insurance, there is no substitute for an experienced independent life insurance agent. 

Not only can an agent help you to finalize the appropriate coverage for you, but the agent can also give advice based on your current health and compare premium prices to ensure you get the best value for your money.

For additional information on senior life insurance, visit Life Insurance Guide to Policies & Companies.

Know About 5 Challenges of Bad Credit Borrowers

No one plans to accumulate debts and invite the credit hassles. But sometimes, personal or financial emergencies cripple your life plans. Be it insufficient income source or excessive expenses, as you struggle to repay loans, missing a loan instalment would hurt your credit score. Besides, living in the state of stalemate is never good for your financial health.

Bad Credit Borrowers

Lenders, such as banks and credit card companies, use credit scores to evaluate the potential risk posed by lending money to consumers and to mitigate losses due to bad debt. 

Lenders use credit scores to determine who qualifies for a loan, at what interest rate, and what credit limits. Lenders also use credit scores to determine which customers are likely to bring in the most revenue. 

The use of credit or identity scoring prior to authorizing access or granting credit is an implementation of a trusted system.

It is better to take charge of your life as early as possible and search for viable funding options such as swift short term loans or debt consolidation loans in UK. 

The choice would entirely depend on your credit health. Factors such as required loan amount, loan purpose and your credit affordability would help you make a better decision.

Bad Credit Loans

Searching for bad credit loans would not be a cakewalk, and only persistent efforts in the direction would help your cause. 

To make things convenient you may consider using services of an experienced loan broker in the UK. You can contact an FCA authorised broker and avail hassle free access to deals according to your credit situation. 



Most brokers share tailored loan advice free of cost to borrowers and there is no upfront fee involved. You also save a lot of time and headache required for searching a deal.

Now before you contact a loan broker for bad credit loans without guarantor, it is important to understand following points about bad credit borrowing:

1. Cost of bad credit loans

With low credit score, your loan eligibility is low. Your loan application is marked risky and most lenders would cost high interest rate. 

Whether you need instant payday loans or instalment loans for bad credit, you would get expensive loan with higher processing fees. Thus you should be prepared to shell out more from your pocket with poor credit rating.

2. Do not borrow more than what you need

Contacting a loan broker you are likely to get access to available bad credit loans. However before you choose any of the deals made available to you, make sure you restrict yourself to the amount you compulsively need. 
Do not borrow more than what you need. For borrowing more than your requirement could make it difficult for you to manage your repayments later on.

3. Always check the credentials before availing a deal

Also it is important to ensure that you make a transparent deal with a reliable lender. It is recommended to deal with registered loan partners only. 

Herein you must also know that it is illegal to lend in the UK without a license. Check all the credentials and read documents carefully.

4. Have a repayment plan

While choosing the loan for your situation, make sure you pick a loan that has affordable monthly instalment. 

When you borrow according to your repayment capacity, you are more likely to succeed at the loan repayment. You could peacefully repay the loan and build good history.

5. Impact of bad credit loans on score

When you borrow despite poor rating, it certainly brings on red flag on your report. However repaying the loan on time you build good history and improve your credit score. 

In fact, with rightful planning and discipline you can use instalment loans to mend your credit score.