How To Protect Your Business And Reduce Insurance Costs
by: Steve Strong
No matter how large your organization security needs to be taken very seriously, a good quality security system can not only prevent an unauthorized act but can also help to reduce insurance payments and protect the workforce. Even if you run a small business it is possible to install and monitor security cameras at a very reasonable price. Many small businesses are now turning to the wireless camera networks for monitoring the inside and outside of the premises. Since new Wireless technology has evolved over the years and has become more accessible and cheaper for everyone. It is now possible to have a state of the art complete monitoring system in place and running within 10 minutes.
What do you need to have a good installation that will protect you? The first and most important part will be the actual cameras, you can get small cameras that will send crystal clear footage to the camera receiver, if you do not want to buy an external viewing monitor then it is possible to display everything on a standard television. Installation could not be more simple, mounting the cameras is a very simple process and can involve as little as two screws, plug it into the standard mains output and the job is near done. All that then remains is to plug the video receiver into the television output and the system is installed. This eliminates any unwanted cabling and the expense involved in running it, the cameras are so good that they can even transmit through doors, floors, ceilings and walls. The cameras can be very small as well which can be useful if you need to monitor staff or if you are monitoring open access areas. The camera systems can even be more sophisticated and offer the ability to have motion detection and infra red should this be needed.
There are so many benefits to having security cameras for small business installed of which some are the theft prevention aspects, insurance benefits, peace or mind and the simplicity of installation. Any small business can benefit from an installation from Restaurants, small shops, professional offices and small warehouses. In terms of the business impact of having security cameras installed this can range from avoiding law suites, ensuring customer and employee safety, preventing theft, evaluating the staffs performance and monitoring the building while you are away. There are so many uses and cases for having a system installed that it could potentially be saving you money and time in the long run. As sated earlier in the article with the simplicity of the monitoring systems and the ease of use virtually every small business should be able to budget for a good quality low cost security system to install in their premises. Whether you choose to install a wireless one or a wired solution, cheap or expensive, the options will be able to provide you with the added security that is need when running a small business and help to prevent loss and safe money.
About The Author
Steve Strong's is an employee with Sun Security which is an innovative and growth oriented company who uses a fresh and new approach to meet the security needs of millions of consumers throughout North America. Visit us at: http://www.sunsecurity.com
Protect Your Lifestyle With Income Protection Insurance
by: Simon Burgess
Income protection insurance can be a valuable product if you have mortgage repayments or credit card or loan repayments to meet each month. No one knows what is around the corner and if you should become unemployed or have an accident or illness then you could be left struggling. If you can get back to work very quickly then savings could get you by; however, if you should need months away from work to get back on your feet then savings would soon run dry.
A far better solution that does not have to be expensive is taking out an insurance policy that covers your income. There has been much bad publicity surrounding payment protection products, of which income protection is one. However, if you stick with a specialist in protection insurances you can be sure that you will be offered a quality product. You can also make good use of the information that an independent specialist will make available on their website. But by far the biggest benefit of going with an independent provider is the low premiums that are charged for cover, which will be based on your age and the amount of your income you wish to cover. A specialist will allow you to insure up to a certain amount of your monthly income.
Income cover would usually begin to pay out tax-free amounts from between day 30 to 90 of being classed as unfit for work or unemployed. The exact cover start day is stated in the terms and conditions of the policy, as is the length of time that the policy will protect you. This can be anything between 12 and 24 months, depending on the individual provider. While in the majority of cases this would be enough time to recover and start earning again, occasionally the policy ends before the policy holder returns to work and this has to be considered.
You also have to be aware that there are certain terms and conditions that could mean income protection would be useless. Exclusions have to be checked thoroughly. Some are common to the majority of polices, while others are included by specific providers, so you have to compare individual terms and conditions that come with quotes when shopping around for the cheapest policy. Working on a part-time basis, working for yourself, being retired or suffering from a pre-existing illness could all stop a policy being suitable. However, exclusions are not clear cut. Those who suffer from a pre-existing condition could be eligible to take out cover if the illness has not occurred within two years. Self-employed individuals who have to stop trading on a permanent basis through involuntary reasons could also benefit.
A specialist provider will give the information in plain English so you can make an informed decision before tying yourself down to something that is not suitable. Income protection insurance can give peace of mind and the financial security of being able to concentrate on getting better or finding a new job, but you do have to buy cover with consideration.
About The Author
Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance (http://www.britishinsurance.com), a specialist provider of low cost income payment protection insurance (PPI), mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) and loan payment protection insurance.
Make Sure Payment Protection Insurance Is Right For You Before You Buy
by: Simon Burgess
While payment protection insurance can be a valuable asset if you have loan or credit card repayments to make each month, it is not suitable for everyone. Some individuals would not benefit from taking out the cover because of the exclusions found in a policy.
The majority of payment protection policies have exclusions. Being in part-time employment, suffering from a pre-existing illness, or being retired or self-employed could all mean cover is not suitable. Providers can also add in other exclusions to the small print and reading the key facts of a policy is a necessity. If you shop with a specialist provider for your cover then the provider should give you all the facts you need to know before you buy. This means you can ensure that the product is right for your circumstances.
A payment protection plan pays out a tax-free sum of money each month after you have been out of work for a set period of time. The start date for payment varies from provider to provider but is normally within 30 to 90 days of being unable to attend your job. This could be due to suffering an accident, being ill or finding yourself unemployed through no fault of your own. Redundancy, for example, is one reason you could claim.
Once the policy holder has started to receive an income then they continue to do so for between 12 and 24 months, again depending on the provider. This means they have to worry less about being able to afford financial commitments or credit card or loan repayments.
When taking out a loan from the high street lender payment protection is usually offered at the time of borrowing. In the majority of cases this is not the ideal way to buy protection. High street lenders are known to charge high premiums for the luxury of having peace of mind. Even worse, in some cases they ‘push’ cover alongside the borrowing to those who would not be eligible for a pay-out should they make a claim.
When an investigation by the Office of Fair Trading revealed that mis-selling of payment protection products was rife among high street lenders, people lost faith in the product. The Office of Fair Trading highlighted the fact that lenders were not making it clear that people could shop around for a policy. Some lenders were misleading the consumer into believing that the application for the loan depended on them taking out a policy. At the same time, the lenders often give out very little information, which made understanding and comparing cover almost impossible.
Payment protection insurance taken with a standalone specialist provider removes the confusion associated with a policy. Providers do this by giving the facts in plain English. A specialist will also provide a quality product that can save you as much as 80% in comparison to the high-end quotes offered by some high street lenders. It is essential when comparing protection that you also compare the key facts because this is where you will find vital information regarding the cover you are taking out.
About The Author
Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance (http://www.britishinsurance.com), a specialist provider of low cost income payment protection insurance (PPI), mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) and loan payment protection insurance.
Redundancy Insurance Can Give You A Financial Lifeline
by: Simon Burgess
No one likes to think about losing their job, but preparation is the best form of defence in financial matters. This is especially the case if you have monthly mortgage repayments to pay, or have loan repayments or credit card debts. Redundancy insurance could give you a lifeline if you found yourself unemployed.
Jobs are not safe today and sadly you could become a statistic. However, by having a policy to fall back on you could receive a tax-free income that allows you to continue financing your debt repayments. Payment protection can be taken out in the form of mortgage payment protection, loan payment protection or income protection. All these policies cover against being made redundant and for an extra premium you can also include being unable to work due to an accident or illness. You need to consider carefully which type of policy most suits your needs. Once you have read the terms and conditions and have determined the most suitable policy you can compare quotes for the cheapest premiums.
When looking at cover you need to be aware that all policies have exclusions that can stop you from being eligible to claim. The exclusions can differ slightly from provider to provider but there are some present in all policies. People who are in part time employment, are self-employed, or are suffering from a pre-existing medical condition or who are retired would probably not benefit from holding a policy.
Just as the policy details vary, so does the cost of payment protection insurance. A policy can be offered at the time of borrowing from the high street lender. However, often this can cost up to five times more than buying cover independently. If you can benefit from taking out a policy then get quotes from specialist providers. The quote a specialist provider gives will be based upon how much you wish to insure each month and your age. Quotes are given immediately and you have all the information needed to make an informed decision there and then.
If you have mortgage repayments to make then mortgage payment protection can give you peace of mind. It would allow you to receive a tax-free income once you had been out of work for between 30 to 90 days. Cover would then continue, providing you with enough to cover your mortgage repayments and related outgoings such as insurance for between 12 to 24 months. The income could stop you from getting into arrears with your mortgage and losing your home.
For peace of mind when it comes to loan or credit card repayments then loan payment protection can be taken. This would allow you to continue repaying any credit card repayments or loan repayments each month without the worry of getting into debt. Income protection would protect your income in general and provide you with a percentage of your monthly income. This would allow you to continue living your lifestyle without having to make drastic changes or struggle to find the money each month to pay your outgoings.
While you might think you would be able to live on the money received from being made redundant, this would soon dwindle away if you had to take care of your mortgage. Some individuals believe the State would step in and help if you lost your income. But to receive support from the State you have to qualify, and even then you receive very little help and usually have to wait for many months before seeing any benefit.
A specialist provider will always be able to give you the cheapest quotes for redundancy insurance but more importantly they will provide the key facts of the policies they sell so that you can make a suitable choice.
About The Author
Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance (http://www.britishinsurance.com), a specialist provider of low cost income payment protection insurance (PPI), mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) and loan payment protection insurance.
Think Carefully Before Paying Out For Unemployment Insurance
by: Simon Burgess
Unemployment insurance can be a godsend to those whose circumstances mean they would be eligible. The key point to bear in mind when choosing a policy is to check the terms and conditions and, in particular, the exclusions. Frequent exclusions include being of retirement age, only working part time, being self-employed or suffering an ongoing illness.
Providers can put in other exclusion as well, so the terms and conditions of any policies you are considering must be compared along with quotes.
If you go with a specialist provider for quotes then you will get access to some of the cheapest premiums to be found. Certainly by choosing to buy your cover independently as opposed to taking a policy alongside the borrowing you can save a great deal. Along with making savings you will be able to find the right policy to suit your circumstances. An ethical provider will give you the information needed, cutting out the technical jargon to make payment protection more transparent.
Getting a quote online is quick and easy. First you have to decide which type of protection insurance you need. If you have mortgage repayments to meet each month then consider taking out mortgage payment protection. Loan payment protection will safeguard any loan or credit card repayments, and income protection will cover your monthly income. Once you have chosen the policy you simply supply the amount you wish to cover each month and your age.
All protection policies provide you with unemployment cover in case you should be made redundant sometime in the future. For an extra fee they can also protect against you becoming unable to work if you should have an accident or suffer from an illness. The majority of policies would begin to payout a tax-free income from between day 30 to 90 of being continuously incapacitated. You would then continue to receive a payout for between 12 to 24 months.
Some homeowners think that the state would help with such outgoings as monthly mortgage repayments, but many could find themselves at risk of losing their home by relying on this state support. In order to qualify for state help you have to meet certain terms and conditions. For example, if you have savings of over £8,000 or have a partner in full-time work you would not be eligible to claim any help. Those who are fortunate enough to qualify would only get help with the interest part of their mortgage. Even then, if you have taken your mortgage after October 1995 you would have to wait nine months for any benefit to begin.
Getting behind on your mortgage repayments could in the worst case lead to you losing your home and would cause a great deal of anxiety during the time you were looking for work. Payment protection products that safeguard against the cost implications of unemployment are worthwhile considering, as long as your circumstances meet those defined by the provider.
There has been much confusion surrounding unemployment insurance products and faith in them has been lost since the Office of Fair Trading began investigating in 2005. It is worthwhile remembering that it is the poor selling techniques of high street banks and lenders and ignorance of what a policy can and cannot do that has caused the bad reputation of policies. A policy can fulfil its intended purpose when taken out correctly, sold by a professional standalone provider.
About The Author
Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance (http://www.britishinsurance.com), a specialist provider of low cost income payment protection insurance (PPI), mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) and loan payment protection insurance.
Mortgage Payment Insurance Can Protect Your Home From Repossession
by: Simon Burgess
If you should find yourself unable to work and lose your income then finding the money needed each month to continue making your mortgage repayments could be a struggle. In the worst case scenario the situation could lead to you getting behind on your loan and ultimately losing the roof over your head. Mortgage payment insurance can protect your home from repossession, providing you ensure that the policy is suitable for your needs.
There are certain exclusions that can habitually be found in a policy. Being retired or self-employed, suffering an ongoing illness or only working part time as opposed to full time can all mean you would not benefit from cover. However, this is just a guideline and the exclusions are not set in stone: all policies vary. For example, you could benefit from mortgage payment cover if the illness has not reoccurred during the last two years. And if you are self-employed and you find yourself having to cease trading through no fault of your own, then a policy could pay out. It is essential that you read the terms and conditions fully before taking on the cover.
Finding information on the exclusions in a policy can be hard. Often, very little information is given when buying the cover alongside borrowing from the high street lender. Also, sales techniques at high street lenders have been known to be poor, with staff having very little training in selling payment protection products. A better way to make sure you get your hands on the vital information needed is to choose to buy a policy independently. By going to a specialist provider of payment protection you can also get the cheapest quotes. This could mean you save up to 40% on your mortgage cover.
Quality cover from an ethical provider would give you a tax-free payout after being unable to work for between 30 to 90 continuous days. The income you gain from the policy would mean you can relax and not worry about money. This allows you to concentrate on getting well or to find another job.
Those individuals who assume the state would help in their time of need can find themselves unpleasantly surprised. You have to qualify for help from the state, and having savings of more than £8,000 would mean you were not entitled to receive anything. If your partner works full time this would also exclude you. In addition, if your mortgage was taken out after 1995 then you would have to wait for a period of nine months before you would see any money. Even when you started receiving benefit, it would only be for the interest part of your mortgage, and then for up to the first £100,000 only.
While mortgage payment insurance has a bad name along with the rest of the family of protection policies, it can be a worthwhile buy. The product itself has never been an issue; the problems lie with the way it has been sold. Buying from a specialist provider does away with the problems associated with poor selling because an ethical provider will give you the information needed to ensure a policy works for you.
About The Author
Simon Burgess is Managing Director of the award-winning British Insurance (http://www.britishinsurance.com), a specialist provider of low cost income payment protection insurance (PPI), mortgage payment protection insurance (MPPI) and loan payment protection insurance.
Top 5 ways to save on car insurance
by: David Lynes - Loans4
Car insurance is a type of cover that can be quite costly depending on your needs and circumstances, but this is a type of cover that is a legal requirement for drivers in the UK so no matter what the expense you have to get this cover if you wish to take your vehicle on the road. It is important to remember that there are ways and means of lowering your insurance premiums on car cover, however, so with a little thought and research you could save yourself a small fortune.
Below are some of the top ways in which you can save money on the cost of insurance cover:
1. Don't go for the first quote. Never assume that the first quote you get is going to be representative of all other quotes, as the cost of cover can vary widely from one provider to another. Make sure that you get at least three quotes from different providers before you make any decision – don’t feel tempted to rush into taking cover with the first insurance company that sends you details.
2. Remember that price comparison sites may not cover all providers. Many people have started to use price comparison sites to find their insurance cover, but you should bear in mind that these sites only cover a portion of the market and not all providers are on their databases. You should therefore be mindful that there may be a cheaper and more suitable policy available that is not on the price comparison site, so it may be worth checking individual providers to get your price down further.
3. Go for the most appropriate level of cover. If you have a new or expensive vehicle then you should opt for the top level of cover, which is fully comp. However, if you have an old car that has a low value then you can get away with taking out a lower level of cover, which will enable you to keep the cost of cover down whilst still fulfilling the legal requirement of having insurance.
4. Increase your excess. The amount of excess that you choose on your policy will make a difference to your premiums. If you choose to have a higher level of excess on your policy you can knock down your premiums significantly in some cases – just make sure that you do have enough money put aside to cover the excess in case you do need to make a claim.
5. Take the pass plus test if you have recently passed. New and younger drivers often find the cost of cover crippling. However, you can save a considerable amount on the cost of cover if you take the advances pass plus test after passing your standard test, with some insurers offering up to 35% off if you have passed this advanced course.
About The Author
David Lynes
Loans4 provide homeowner loan solutions for homeowners. Please visit http://www.loans4.co.uk for the latest finance related news.
The Fine Print on Long-Term Care Insurance
by: Steve Dahl
"If I would have known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself!" That funny line isn't so funny when you're facing a health crisis without the funds to deal with it. Health care costs go up as we age but fortunately we now have some financial tools to help. Now we can make those golden years more comfortable; both physically and financially. Here's one vehicle... Long-term care insurance (LTCI). But don't hop on this insurance product until you really understand what you're getting into. Like any insurance policy, we learn how well it works when we really need it. Here are some of the fine-print considerations to examine if you are looking at any form of long-term care insurance (LTCI).
Long-term care is often considered an issue exclusively for elders. Not so. A person who requires continuous care because they are unable to independently perform basic daily living activities such as dressing, bathing, or eating due to an injury, illness or in some cases, cognitive disorders may be a long-term care candidate. Being able to afford long-term care is something that concerns many of us. One way to deal with the unpredictability of long-term care costs may be long-term care insurance (LTCI).
Hopefully you'll live a long and prosperous life and health or money issues won't cloud your golden years. But, if you want to be prepared, consider how to make long-term care insurance work to your advantage. Don't count on Medicaid. It does cover a bit of your long-term care expenses but you've got to be dang near death or flat broke or a combination of the two to qualify. Then there's your friendly neighborhood HMOs, Medicare, and Medigap but guess what. Right. They don't help much either.
Here are three things you can do to get over your anxiety about this whole not-so-fun question of "How long will I live and can I afford it if I do?"
1. Eat your dang vegetables! Your mother was right. They are good for you and they keep you healthy. In other words, get with a fitness plan, clean up your diet, kick the smokes, and see if you can't add a few more healthy years to your life before long-term care insurance becomes a really big issue.
2. Make a ton of money. Yeah, yeah, yeah, your mother told you to start saving early. If you did as mama advised and got yourself some of that thar financial plannin' stuff then yer in dang good shape. If not, it's never too late to start with some basic planning and investing.
3. Buy some long-term care insurance. Nobody likes paying those insurance premiums but the right kind of long-term care insurance could make a huge difference when the going gets tough.
Eat your veggies, make some money, and buy some long-term care insurance. The first two are relatively easy; the last one has a few complexities to be aware of. Get with an agent you trust. Get a referral from someone in the legal or financial fields. Here is some of the even finer print to watch for when it gets down to the nitty gritty of policy comparison:
1. Elimination Complication... Or, in the insurance industry words, Elimination Period: This is the period of time before your insurance policy will actually begin paying out benefits. They typical options range from 20 to 100 days. This is also referred to as a waiting period. Make sure and ask your agent to clarify what your elimination period is and have him explain the cost/benefit considerations of making it longer or shorter.
2. Time Crunch... Or, as the insurance lingo goes, Duration of Benefits: The ceiling or limits placed on the benefits a policy holder will receive. This may be limits such as a set amount of money or a time limit of two years, etc. Again, it's important to compare these benefits to other financial capabilities and resources available to you.
3. Daily Bread... Or, as the insurance industry feeds it to you: Daily Benefit: This is the amount of coverage you choose as your benefit on a daily basis. This usually ranges from about $50 to as much as $350 each day. Also keep in mind the cost of living in your neighborhood. Health care in a small town in Wisconsin may be less costly than downtown San Diego. Your agent should be able to give you some guidance on this.
4. Easy Rider... Or as our insurance friends call it, Optional Inflation Rider: The term used to describe the method of protection against inflation.
5. Done-Got-That-Bug Before Or, affectionately known as Pre-existing Conditions and we-aint-gonna-cover-your-tail-for-that-one-for-a-while rule. The insurance provider will require a waiting period (in some cases 6 or months or more) before full coverage goes into effect on treatment for pre-existing conditions. This will vary from company to company.
6. Home on the Range... Or, our insurance folks refer to this as Range of Care: In other words, coverage may vary for different levels of care. Some care may be at a skilled level, intermediate level, or a custodial level. The facility will also have a range-of-care definition that the insurance agent should thoroughly explain. The nursing home is one price. The assisted living facility is another. And of course, the home care is still another price. Maybe a little complicated but this each of these services has different costs and various levels of service. Therefore they all have their own unique price tag. Ask for clarification on this.
7. Jacking Premiums... Or, also known as Premium Increases: Your policy will have terms in it that explain if, how, and when your premiums will increase. Reality check here. There is rarely an "if" but almost certainly a "when." Of course your costs will go up, just make sure you know how much and if you have any options when they do. Can you reduce the type of coverage you have if your premiums increase or are you locked in? Ask your agent.
8. To Know me is to Renew me... Or more commonly referred to as: Guaranteed Renewability: This is a policy agreement in long-term care insurance policies that allows you to renew it and maintain coverage even though you may have had changes in your health.
9. Amazing Grace Period... Or in less poetic terms, Grace Period for Late Payment: If you slip up and you're a little late on your payment, this is how much time the company will allow before they do something nasty like cancel your policy. It is wise that you don't put your grace period to the test. They may not always have the same warped sense of humor that certain article writers do.
10. No Debate Rebate... This is a fun one for a change, Return of Premium: This is the little clause that says you may get some of your money back if you haven't used your policy for a certain number of years. Remember, we did say "may get some of your money back."
11. Bed Pan Ally... Better known as Prior Hospitalization: This is the tiny little clause that indicates whether or not you must stay in a hospital before you qualify for long-term care insurance benefits.
It's obvious there's a lot to know about long-term care insurance so do your homework early. Make sure and check with a financial planner, attorney or accountant to get some guidance on this complicated topic. Not everyone needs or qualifies for long-term care insurance so ask a lot of questions and don't forget to eat your dang vegetables!
About The Author
Steve Dahl is a freelance writer and marketing consultant in sunny Carlsbad, Ca.
Visit http://www.GuranteeYourMoney.com to learn how to earn a fixed rates of return of 7%, 8%, 9 % interest or more. Call 888-777-3805 and ask for Glenn Duggins.
