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A group representing the insurance regulators has been meeting over the last few days. There have been a number of issues on their agenda, but the most interesting has been whether to adopt a policy for every state to require its local insurance companies to offer pay-as-you-drive policies. These policies have a simple purpose. If motorists drive less, there’s a reduction in the level of greenhouse gas emissions. This is a good thing because it will cut down on the overall damage to the environment. No matter what you believe about climate change, this will improve the health of the many who suffer from skin allergies and asthma caused by the pollution. The insurance companies therefore reduce the premiums for those who drive less. Not only is this environmentally responsible, it’s also good business sense. Lowering premiums attracts more business, but if these drivers reduce the number of miles they drive a year, their risk profile is lower. They should be involved in fewer accidents. This becomes a way of reducing premiums but maintaining profitability. Read the rest of this entry »

The US is justly proud of its reputation as the home of capitalism and has promoted the idea of free markets to countries around the world. The fact that a bubble in the property market fuelled this recession does not change the philosophical power of the US economic model. When it works properly, the free market pushes businesses to compete. This improves the quality of service and keeps down the price. The consumer benefits. All federal government need do is intervene when there is clear evidence of a company abusing its dominant position to damage the consumers’ interests. Unfortunately, under the last administration, antitrust enforcement was scaled back. Worse, there were deeply entrenched monopolies and cartels that could not be investigated or regulated. The leading example of this immunity is enjoyed by the insurance industry. Some sixty-five years ago, it was exempted from federal antitrust laws by the McCarran-Ferguson Act. This is a sad example of corruption in government. Vested interests bought enough votes to get the Act passed. Lobbyists’ money has kept the immunity in place ever since. Read the rest of this entry »

Some of you have probably heard of universal policies used for insuring life. What are they all about and what benefits do universal policies bring to their holders? Well, simply put, universal insurance polices are insurance products that provide coverage for a person’s entire life.

Universal insurance policies are a form of whole life products that most of you are quite common with. Term insurance policies provide coverage only for a specified period of time, whether permanent policies require you to pay premiums for the entire life and respectively provides coverage for as long as you live. It is important to understand this difference, because universal policies can be regarded as a combination of term insurance with some of the investment options provided only with whole life policies. Read the rest of this entry »

When dealing with a car insurance company or agent, never expect the whole truth. Whether they are trying to boost their commission or just sweet-talking you, it’s rarely in their interests to tell you the full story. Always remember what they don’t tell you is probably the thing that could save you money. Things like this:

1. Cancel the collision premium if your car is old.

If your car is 7/8 years old and worth less than $2,500, it’s likely your excess is close to the value of your car. So why pay for comp and collision premiums? A major collision will probably write your car off anyway so it’s wasted money. Read the rest of this entry »