Motorists have a lot to choose from and some important decisions to make when looking to insure their vehicles, themselves and their assets and in some cases it can become a bit confusing. There are many options that are available and offered by insurance providers and while choosing which types of protection can be beneficial in the event of a loss, consumers must also take their budget into consideration; so the most important issue a motorist faces when purchasing an automobile policy is getting properly insured at an affordable rate.

Most states make auto insurance coverage mandatory, but in many cases the mandated minimums may just not be enough. Of course, the first step to obtaining the right protection from perils is to satisfy the law, but consumers must determine whether or not the legal requirements will adequately cover losses resulting from an accident.

States generally require liability, whether for bodily injury, physical damage or both and in some states the required limits are high, but in others they are significantly low, especially when compared to the cost of medical care and the value of certain automobiles. Making the right choice in options when purchasing vehicle policies can be crucial and being covered more adequately can be worth paying a little extra.

Choosing the Right Insurance Coverage – Particular states only require motorists to purchase liability policies which only cover the losses caused by the policyholder to another party and at very low limits. For example, according to the California Department of Insurance, motorists are only required to carry a liability policy with minimum limits of $15,000 for bodily injury to one person, $30,000 for bodily injury per accident and $5,000 for property damage.

Anybody who knows what a weekend in a hospital costs is well aware that $15,000 will probably not cover the costs; purchasing higher limits can protect policyholders from being held liable and/or sued for any amount that exceeds the policy limits. States such as Florida require motorists to maintain Personal Injury Protection (PIP) in the amount of $10,000 which covers the injuries of the insured regardless of who is at fault for causing the traffic accident; just as mentioned, this amount can easily be exhausted which can lead to the policyholder left with big medical bills that may only be recovered through litigation.

Higher limits can be purchased and may be worthwhile following a serious injury. This type of coverage is voluntary in many states and could be beneficial, especially to those who do not have a healthcare plan. Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist coverage is not made mandatory in many states and some states will require insurance providers to offer this protection, but give consumers the right to waive it. Unfortunately, many motorists do choose to waive it in order to save a few dollars on their premiums, but this is a valuable option on a policy.

If a motorist is struck by a driver who is uninsured, does not have coverage or if victim of a hit and run then this protection will kick in and compensate the policyholder which can give good peace of mind following an accident. Although paying as little as possible is tempting when purchasing a policy, choosing less protection can end up being far more costly.

Finding the Best Insurance Policy — The first step to finding ideal policies is to determine the amount of coverage that is needed; although some motorists may be in need of some pretty extensive amounts of protection, opting not to purchase an adequate amount can end up being a lot more costly in the long run.

For example, if an individual owns a luxury vehicle and decides not to purchase comprehensive and collision, the cost to repair or replace it can be extremely expensive and in some cases the premium to insure it would have been a fraction of what would be needed to cover the loss out of pocket. On the other hand, some pay for this type of coverage on vehicles with a low value which would not be beneficial and may not end up with any compensation after a loss; therefore it is extremely important to understand the coverage needed.

Once the necessary coverage is determined, it is time to shop around to see which company can offer the protection at the most affordable rate. When comparison shopping it is vital to make sure that the same amount of protection is being compared with each company; failure to do so would lead to an ineffective comparison and quotes would be based on different products which would be inconclusive. In addition, never jump on the cheapest rate without looking into the insurer who is offering it; of course it is great to find the best deal, but it is worthwhile to make sure the carrier is reputable and licensed.

Hold on to a few of the most attractive rates and check with the state; for example, the California Department of Insurance will let an inquiring resident know whether or not a company is licensed in the state and if they are in good standing. The best policies come down to much more than price, by understanding what coverage is needed, shopping around and making an insurer is reliable, consumers can get properly insured.

The Lone Star state mandates that all motorists are able to pay for any injuries and/or damages that may cause as a result of a traffic collision; this law is enforced by the majority of the United States and is known as the Financial Responsibility Law.

The main goal behind this law is to help ensure that compensation is in place for individual who have been involved in a traffic collision; it is also intended to help protect residents from uninsured motorists by adapting strict penalties for those who are caught operating an automobile without the proper coverage.

According to the Texas Department of Insurance, there are approximately 4 million registered vehicles that are potentially uninsured. To help keep uninsured motorists off of the roadways the state has developed a system called TexasSure, the “financial responsibility verification program” which allow designated departments to electronically confirm whether or not a vehicle has a valid Texas car insurance policy; for example, a law enforcement officer will be able to verify policy status electronically on a routine traffic stop or at the scene of an accident.

As of spring of 2010, the owner of any automobile without coverage will be sent a notification from TexasSure which will contain vehicle registration information and details on how to comply with the state’s requirements.

Central Contractor Registration (CCR) is the primary registrant database for the U.S. Federal Government. CCR collects, validates, stores, and disseminates data in support of agency acquisition missions, including Federal agency contract and assistance awards. Please note that the term “assistance awards” includes grants, cooperative agreements and other forms of federal assistance. Whether applying for assistance awards, contracts, or other business opportunities, all entities are considered “registrants”.

Both current and potential federal government registrants are required to register in CCR in order to be awarded contracts by the federal government. Registrants are required to complete a one-time registration to provide basic information relevant to procurement and financial transactions. Registrants must update or renew their registration at least once per year to maintain an active status. In addition, entities (private non-profits, educational organizations, state and regional agencies, etc.) that apply for assistance awards from the Federal Government through Grants.gov must now register with CCR as well. However, registration in no way guarantees that a contract or assistance award will be awarded.

CCR validates the registrant information and electronically shares the secure and encrypted data with the federal agencies’ finance offices to facilitate paperless payments through electronic funds transfer (EFT). Additionally, CCR shares the data with federal government procurement and electronic business systems.

Please note that any information provided in your registration may be shared with authorized federal government offices. However, registration does not guarantee business with the federal government.

See for additional information: http://www.mbda.gov/?section_id=4&bucket_id=156&content_id=3676&well=entire_page

Insurance might not be the first thing someone thinks about when running a business, but it should be an important consideration. Handyman insurance is another requirement if you are thinking about starting a handyman business.  Handyman insurance includes several types of coverage; each one offers a specific kind of protection for your business.

Find the best Handyman insurance quotes from some of the finest and solid insurance companies who compare liability coverages based upon your own personal choices.  This website provides important insurance information on Handyman Insurance Coverage and quotes.  Handyman insurance includes several types of coverage; each one offers a specific kind of protection for your business.

If your business as a Handyman employs any staff (including part-time, trainees or sub-contractors), Employers liability insurance cover is a legal requirement. Employers liability insurance provides protection against your legal liabilities to pay compensation in respect of injury sustained by your employees in the course of your business as a Handyman. The other purpose of workers compensation insurance is to protect employers from potential lawsuits from injured employees.

Employers Liability Insurance for handyman work: This type of insurance would cover payment of legal fees and damages in the event that an employee was injured or killed while doing work for you. Our Handyman Insurance Program gives our policyholder comprehensive coverage for their businesses, and the program is designed for Handymen who: Are hired to do a variety of miscellaneous work that would be found in a residential household environment;.

The handyman must comply with Worker Compensation Insurance Laws and provide payment for employee medical treatment and part of any income lost while recovering from an on the job illness or injury. Workers compensation insurance is an insurance policy carried by businesses that covers the medical costs and a portion of lost wages for an employee who is injured on the job.

Comparing business auto insurance in the Sunshine State should be taken very seriously since the state’s residents pay some of the highest premiums in the country; conducting an effective comparison can be crucial in finding the most affordable policies. One should be sure to take the time to locate as many quotes from as many insurers before making a purchase to ensure that they have located a carrier that can offer the product needed at a rate that is within their budget. This may take a little bit of time, but if a cheap policy is found than the time invested would be well spent.

Motorists have a few ways to compare Florida auto insurance rates and while each one can be just as effective, some methods of comparing quotes can be much more time consuming than others. Individuals have the choice of visiting offices and negotiating terms and prices with agents in person, grabbing the phone book and calling as many companies as they wish until a rate that is reasonable has been found or they could shop around online either by visiting the individual websites of each insurer or using a comparison website which can provide the quotes of numerous carriers in one place. Which ever method a person prefers, it is necessary to compare in order to find the right product and the best deals.

The nation has 8.6 million children who lack public or private health insurance and 1.3 million of them are in California, Families USA, a Washington-based advocate for expanded health access, says in a report based on new census data.

California, the nation’s most populous state, is just behind Texas in the numbered of medically uninsured children, Families USA says, and at 12.5 percent has the nation’s 12th highest rate. Texas is No. 1 at 20.5 percent.

Families USA, confirming previous reports, says that 88.2 percent of uninsured children come from families with at least one working adult. Families without earned income usually qualify for one of the public medical plans such as Medi-Cal. It’s been estimated that more than 6 million of the state’s 38 million residents lack health insurance.

Last year, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger tried and failed to gain legislative approval of a plan to cover virtually all of California’s uninsured residents. The full Families USA report is available here.

When it comes to health care reform in America, there is a relatively simple solution that will cover everyone’s basic health care, control costs and save businesses, most people and the country a lot of money.

It’s called a single-payer health plan, where the government collects taxes to finance national health insurance. The government, which is the “single payer,” covers all citizens and pays the bills when they visit private (or public) doctors, hospitals and other facilities for medical care.

All would have basic coverage, regardless of whether they have a job, or where they work. Nobody gets billed for basic care. No-body goes broke because of medical bills.

Yet this option has been declared “off the table” by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., who’s among those leading the charge for health care reform in America.

Top Democrats who will be deciding policy in America in 2009, including Baucus and President-elect Barack Obama, say single-payer is “not politically feasible,” because the public won’t strongly support it.

What they really mean is that when it comes to health care reform, they don’t want a political fight with some of the nation’s most powerful financial interests, which have the resources and the motivation to turn public opinion against meaningful reforms.

These interests include the health insurance industry, pharmaceutical drug companies, some hospitals, highly paid medical specialists, medical suppliers and others who now profit handsomely from our current system – and who could no longer command those profits under a single-payer system or an alternative form of a national health plan.

Additional Ways to Reduce MI Car Insurance Rates

Consumers looking to find lower premiums should become knowledgeable about auto insurance and how rates are affected and why it is important to shop around. First of all, according to the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth there are approximately 65 licensed insurers in the state and each one is competing against each other in order to acquire new business; with competition comes the chance of finding an insurer with cheaper rates.

Although carriers determine their own rates, they are regulated by the state law which prevents for premiums from being excessively high and insurers are prohibited from communicating with one another in regards to the rates that they are setting. Therefore, each company will have a different pricing schedule which makes comparison shopping that much more important.

In addition to shopping around for a company that can offer the lowest rate, it is important that motorists shop diligently and wisely. When obtaining quotes from various companies be sure to address any and all discounts which may be applicable to your situation; a discount can reduce premiums significantly and combined with other discounts the savings can be substantial.

Determining if you need commercial auto insurance can be confusing as the decision-making process contains a large amount of variables.  These are questions you will come across when searching for a company to purchase your commercial auto insurance.

Most personal auto policies exclude from coverage the use of a vehicle for commercial purposes.  The last thing you will want to do is argue with your insurer over whether your automobile was used more for personal use or business use.  In my opinion, the risk of a serious auto accident wiping out a small business far exceeds the premiums paid for the coverage and this is not the place to save premiums. Purchasing business auto insurance is usually the safe route to follow.

A commercial auto policy does the same thing as your personal auto policy.   While the types of coverage provided by personal and commercial auto insurance policies are essentially the same, there are important distinctions. Typically, commercial auto insurance policies have higher liability limits, for example $1 million.  If you are relying on either a personal auto insurance or personal umbrella liability policy to provide you with protection for your company’s use of vehicles, look closely at the provisions, as business-related liability may be excluded.

Commercial vehicle insurance policies offers much more coverage options much more relevant towards the needs of a business.  Your personal auto policy will exclude coverage for commercial uses of your vehicle.   Many small-business owners believe that if their car is in their personal name then commercial coverage is not necessary and their personal auto policy will cover the auto.

Insuring your homebased business is easier than ever.  Optional Home Business Insurance Coverages  For an extra premium, you can beef up your Home based Business insurance policy by adding: Umbrella Liability protects your business against the costs of catastrophic lawsuits.  Therefore, you may need home based business insurance.

There are a few different home based business insurance options available for you to consider.  If you own a home business, your home based business insurance will be tax deductible.  Therefore, depending on the type of business that you run, you may need a home based business insurance policy. You may want to consider liability insurance for your business if there is a chance that your product may injure someone or if someone could become injured while visiting your home business.

They are the experts and they can point you in the right direction as far as home based business insurance.  Several home-based business owners own their own homes, and presume that their home based business insurance also covers their home-based business activities.  Not only is this not true, but your home based business insurance activities can annulled your home insurance.  While several home based business insurance owners rely on their home insurance to wrap damage, loss and theft of possessions, all home-based businesses should have contents insurance as well to the contents and or possessions insurance offered by the owner’s house insurance.

Here are some common types of business insurance: Business Property Insurance: Coverage against loss or damage to your business property or contents. Business Liability Insurance: Coverage against a claim by others that your business caused them a loss Commercial Auto Insurance: Coverage for vehicles used by your business.  If you produce goods, you may want to look into purchasing product liability insurance.

This goes beyond general liability because it protects you in case your products, once out there in the world, cause injury to customers.  General liability insurance is a type of business insurance that covers any issues that arise concerning you business, such as accidents, injuries and negligence.  If your company manufactures goods, wholesales or retail sales goods, product liability insurance can help protect you in issues concerning the safety of those goods.

There are several types of handyman insurance coverages available.  The type of coverage required depends on the business and state that you operate.  Each business has separate needs.  As you will see, there are many business insurance coverage options available.  This article will provide you with business insurance types and descriptions.

Business owners providing services should consider having professional liability insurance (also known as errors and omissions insurance).  However, homeowners policies only go so far in covering home-based businesses and you may need to purchase additional policies to cover other risks, such as general and professional liability.  A BOP is a package that bundles property and liability insurance together through one affordable premium.

These exposures could include liability arising out of accidents resulting from the premises or the operations of an insured, products sold by the insured, operations completed by the insured, and contractual liability.  The most common types of commercial insurance are property, liability and workers’ compensation.  In general, property insurance covers damages to your business property; liability insurance covers damages to third parties; and workers’ compensation insurance covers on-the-job injuries to your employees.  If someone sues you for personal injuries or property damage, the cost of defending and resolving the suit would be covered by your liability insurance policy.

Malpractice insurance, or professional liability insurance, pays for losses resulting from injuries to third parties when a professional’s conduct falls below the profession’s standard of care.  Then you should consider getting product liability insurance to protect your business from liability resulting from the product’s nonperformance.  Professional liability insurance protects both you and your clients.  “Property and Liability insurance are essential for all small businesses, but Business Interruption, Key People, or Disability insurance can also make the difference between having to close down and being able to carry on.

HandymanInsurance.com started a new blog in late April 2010 to help provide a community forum and discussion for the needs of small business contractors and the handyman construction industry. We hope you will share your experiences – good and bad with us.