It's been
a great year for us at HomeApproved! We have tweeted, posted, blogged,
given away fantastic prizes on Facebook, and updated our friends and
fans over the course of the last year.
As
we approach the start of another year the question in our office is what
are the trends and predictions for UK car insurance in 2013? We take a
look below at a number of topics which are likely to feature high on the
list of many drivers, journalists and industry insiders in the new
year.
Black Box Insurance
We predict a big year in the UK for vehicle smartbox technology! The take-up of blackbox insurance
policies in the UK is now gathering pace and will continue into 2013.
With greater emphasis being placed on reducing premiums, particularly
for young drivers we see this technology coming to the fore and
potentially saving drivers a lot of money on their next motor quote!
EU Gender Directive
This
is not a prediction! It's already here - thanks to the EU! The 'Gender
Directive' came into force on December 21st 2012. In a nutshell this
stipulates that insurers are not allowed to discriminate, when
determining car insurance premiums, by gender. As a consequence young
women drivers are sure to see their next quote rise by as much as 40%!
In addition, rates for young male drivers are not falling by anything
near as much, if at all!
Not More Comparison Websites?!
In
2012 Google entered the fray with the launch of their car insurance
comparison offering. Having previously purchased BeatThatQuote, it
seemed like a natural next step! Motorists in the UK now have a
bewildering choice of where to compare their next motor insurance quote!
Even post Google car insurance we are continually seeing new entrants
into this market. One has to wonder what these new players can really
offer/deliver over and above the established players such as QuoteZone, MoneySupermarket, GoCompare et al.
Investigation into the UK Car Insurance Market
During
September 2012 the Office of Fair Trading announced that it had
referred the UK's private car insurance market to the Competition
Commission for further investigation. The groundswell of opinion was
that motorists in the UK were not getting a fair deal on car insurance
premiums. Even though the OFT has two years to complete the
investigation, reporting back in 2014, we expect that through 2013 the
debate will heat up as to the practices, restrictions and distortions
happening in the motor insurance sector.
Tougher Laws on Drink Driving
Government proposals are paving the way to ensure individuals
who drink and drive are hit harder then ever in 2013. Around this time
of the year we always see an increase in the number of adverts warning
of the dangers of drinking and driving. Just how effective these are is
open to debate. If you are a serial offender you could face the future
prospect of your vehicle being confiscated and even sold! Look out for
other changes which could mean there is no longer a need to prove the
driver was impaired in their ability to drive!
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Tips for getting cheaper car insurance
This is normal as you are seen as more of a risk
on the roads by insurers, but there are some ways to make sure you do
get the best value for your money.
Make sure you get a lot of different quotes and then go through them and make sure that everything you want covered is included, and that you aren't paying for services or cover that you don't need.
It is also better to insure a car that has no modifications on it; as modified cars will increase your car insurance premiums. Getting a certified alarm or immobiliser system installed could save you money on your car insurance premium. But have it installed by a professional or your insurance company might not give you the reduction on your premium.
Where possible park your car in a garage or off the street instead of on the side of the road as this could lower your car insurance premium . If you will also be doing low annual mileage, make sure to inform your insurer as you may be entitled to a low mileage discount.
If you will be driving your parent's cars then you can get yourself added to their insurance policy, but if you own the car you will have to take out a policy in your name.
Lastly keep your licence clean as the loss of points off your license is a one way road to more expensive premiums.
By taking the time to do the research you should be able to find a car insurance policy to suit your pocket.
Make sure you get a lot of different quotes and then go through them and make sure that everything you want covered is included, and that you aren't paying for services or cover that you don't need.
When deciding what car to buy, there are some factors
that could help keep your car insurance premiums down. If you buy a car
with a lower engine capacity then your premium should generally be
cheaper.
Determine what choices you have when it comes to voluntary excess, if
you are willing to pay more excess, make sure that you can afford
whatever the excess you set for yourself!It is also better to insure a car that has no modifications on it; as modified cars will increase your car insurance premiums. Getting a certified alarm or immobiliser system installed could save you money on your car insurance premium. But have it installed by a professional or your insurance company might not give you the reduction on your premium.
Where possible park your car in a garage or off the street instead of on the side of the road as this could lower your car insurance premium . If you will also be doing low annual mileage, make sure to inform your insurer as you may be entitled to a low mileage discount.
If you will be driving your parent's cars then you can get yourself added to their insurance policy, but if you own the car you will have to take out a policy in your name.
Lastly keep your licence clean as the loss of points off your license is a one way road to more expensive premiums.
By taking the time to do the research you should be able to find a car insurance policy to suit your pocket.
Car insurance types - what suits your needs
Here are some hints and advice to help you find the right car insurance policy at the right price for you.
Firstly, make sure that you are not paying more than you should be for your car's make and model by getting a couple of different quotes. This should give you a reasonable idea of what you should be paying. Also ensure that your car insurance policy reflects your true mileage every year. This is very important and simply checking that this is correct could save you a lot of money for minimal effort.
Also if you add your spouse or partner to your car insurance policy it may bring your premiums down further. By adding a named driver you could also help them build up a no claims history that they could use to gain a discount if they were to take out Tesco car insurance in their own name.
If you are over 50 and need to hire a car but the company says that they can't insure you, however if you already have insurance on your car then your current car insurer might allow you to extend your policy to cover your hire car as well. You may be asked to pay a fee towards this, but you could get away with not having to pay separate car insurance on you hire car. We hope these tips will help you to happy and cheap car insurance!
Firstly, make sure that you are not paying more than you should be for your car's make and model by getting a couple of different quotes. This should give you a reasonable idea of what you should be paying. Also ensure that your car insurance policy reflects your true mileage every year. This is very important and simply checking that this is correct could save you a lot of money for minimal effort.
Also if you add your spouse or partner to your car insurance policy it may bring your premiums down further. By adding a named driver you could also help them build up a no claims history that they could use to gain a discount if they were to take out Tesco car insurance in their own name.
If you are over 50 and need to hire a car but the company says that they can't insure you, however if you already have insurance on your car then your current car insurer might allow you to extend your policy to cover your hire car as well. You may be asked to pay a fee towards this, but you could get away with not having to pay separate car insurance on you hire car. We hope these tips will help you to happy and cheap car insurance!
Friday, April 26, 2013
after accident
A car accident is a frightening and sometimes even traumatic event
which can have serious consequences for all parties involved. Depending
on the severity of the incident,
the results could be as minor as a broken headlight or a dented fender,
or vehicles can be totally destroyed, and drivers or passengers may be
critically injured or, worse, even killed.
Aside from the immediate concerns of damage to your vehicle, physical and emotional trauma and financial losses due to lost work hours, you also have to deal with the complex process of navigating through the legal system once the matter becomes a case in a court. In order to successfully defend yourself should you be sued after a car accident, you must invest time and effort into careful preparation in order to prevail in court should it come to that.
Once you know that you are the defendant in a legal proceeding related to the accident, you should first consider retaining legal counsel. A car accident lawyer can help you understand the legal proceedings you are going to face and can help you negotiate an out-of-court settlement or if the case has to go to court, help you through the process.
You or your legal representative should contact the plaintiff and try to reach an amicable agreement, but keep in mind that an attorney has more in-depth understanding about civil cases involving automobile accidents and is qualified to negotiate on your behalf. Working out the dispute informally is preferable to having to go to court, and in many cases plaintiffs and defendants agree to settle without resorting to a judge to make a legal decision.
However, there are instances where no agreement can be mutually agreed to and the matter is sent to a civil court judge. To help your legal adviser prepare your defense, you need to take proactive steps to gather all the evidence that is needed in court should your case go that far
First, collect all the necessary documentation and evidence that will be needed in your case. Gather all the photographs of the accident, written repair estimates or damage reports, the police report about your incident, and any insurance or medical information. Your attorney is also entitled by law to examine the documentation and other evidence that the plaintiff possesses, while at the same time extending the same right to the opposing side’s counsel.
Second, be mentally and emotionally prepared for the legal proceedings themselves. Make sure that you and your legal counsel have interviewed witnesses and that they are ready to present their testimony in court. Additionally, if you plan to present any exhibits to present evidence or to explain the particulars of the case to the presiding judge, keep them to a minimal amount and make sure that they are concise, clear, and are not confusing. If asked to testify, do not get overly emotional, rant, or exhibit signs of uncertainty while speaking. Be factual and use clear, unequivocal phrases.
Aside from the immediate concerns of damage to your vehicle, physical and emotional trauma and financial losses due to lost work hours, you also have to deal with the complex process of navigating through the legal system once the matter becomes a case in a court. In order to successfully defend yourself should you be sued after a car accident, you must invest time and effort into careful preparation in order to prevail in court should it come to that.
Once you know that you are the defendant in a legal proceeding related to the accident, you should first consider retaining legal counsel. A car accident lawyer can help you understand the legal proceedings you are going to face and can help you negotiate an out-of-court settlement or if the case has to go to court, help you through the process.
You or your legal representative should contact the plaintiff and try to reach an amicable agreement, but keep in mind that an attorney has more in-depth understanding about civil cases involving automobile accidents and is qualified to negotiate on your behalf. Working out the dispute informally is preferable to having to go to court, and in many cases plaintiffs and defendants agree to settle without resorting to a judge to make a legal decision.
However, there are instances where no agreement can be mutually agreed to and the matter is sent to a civil court judge. To help your legal adviser prepare your defense, you need to take proactive steps to gather all the evidence that is needed in court should your case go that far
First, collect all the necessary documentation and evidence that will be needed in your case. Gather all the photographs of the accident, written repair estimates or damage reports, the police report about your incident, and any insurance or medical information. Your attorney is also entitled by law to examine the documentation and other evidence that the plaintiff possesses, while at the same time extending the same right to the opposing side’s counsel.
Second, be mentally and emotionally prepared for the legal proceedings themselves. Make sure that you and your legal counsel have interviewed witnesses and that they are ready to present their testimony in court. Additionally, if you plan to present any exhibits to present evidence or to explain the particulars of the case to the presiding judge, keep them to a minimal amount and make sure that they are concise, clear, and are not confusing. If asked to testify, do not get overly emotional, rant, or exhibit signs of uncertainty while speaking. Be factual and use clear, unequivocal phrases.
Car Accidents: How to Prepare and Act
According to the U.S. Bureau of Transportation, the average American
motorist drives about 12,500 miles per year. The chances are high that
you will be involved in an automobile accident at some time or another.
The following is what you should do to be prepared for an accident and
what actions you should take in the event of an accident.
In case of an accident, you should have the following in your car:
In case of an accident, you should have the following in your car:
- Your insurance card and vehicle registration.
- A camera.
- A first-aid kit.
- A flashlight.
- Jumper cables.
- Tools to change a tire.
- A card with both your medical information and emergency contact information.
- Stop immediately after the accident; leaving the scene of an accident is illegal.
- Make sure that you and anyone else involved in the accident are not injured.
- Call 9-1-1 immediately if anyone appears injured.
- Move your car somewhere safe and away from traffic; but again, be sure not to leave the scene of the accident.
- Contact the police. They may or may not come to the accident site.
- Remain calm.
- Try to think logically. It is important that you remember everything that is happening. If you have the means, take a video or audio recording of the events following the accident;
- Communicate with others involved in the accident, police, and/or emergency personnel as calmly as possible. Being angry or hysterical will only make the process of clearing the area longer;
- Regardless of who is at fault, do not discuss the accident with anyone who was involved in it.
- When speaking with a police officer:
- Do not admit fault. Simply recount the events of the accident truthfully.
- Get the contact information of people at the accident scene, including:
- Witnesses;
- Police officers.
- Gather information about everyone actually involved in the accident;
usually if there is a police officer present, they will have a form
that you can fill out that specifies which information you need. If
not, you will need the following information from everyone involved in
the accident:
- Car make, model, and year;
- Insurance carrier name and policy number;
- License plate number;
- Address and phone number.
- Take a lot of pictures of:
- All vehicles involved, damage or not.
- The surrounding area.
- Call a tow truck if it is obvious that your car is not drivable; tow trucks can take time to arrive at an accident scene.
- If a police officer was not present at your accident, you need to file a state vehicle accident report at a police station in the area where the accident occurred.
- Go to the doctor and get checked out. Many times, adrenaline, shock, and other things can prevent you from realizing that you are hurt.
- Write down as many details of the accident as you can. Draw diagrams of how you remember the accident happening to refresh your memory later.
- Contact your insurance company to notify them of the accident.
- Keep all of your accident information (i.e. accident report, bills, contact information, pictures, etc.) in one place that is easy for you to remember and locate.
- Contact the DMV if any property, yours or another’s, was damaged.
- You need to sue and/or are being sued:
- Find a lawyer who has experience with car accident cases;
- Make sure to bring all accident related materials and receipts of any bills you incurred as a result of the accident.
- You are unsure of your rights:
- For example, some insurance companies will ask you to consent to a recorded recount of the events. You need to protect yourself and many of us are not fully aware of what rights we do and do not have.
- Remember, if you or a loved one has been in a car accident, you’ll need an experienced car accident lawyer to represent you in the court of law for the best chances at getting the maximum financial compensation that you deserve.
Taxi Accidents
The traffic on our city streets is often so congested that taxi
accidents are a frequent occurrence. When an accident takes place
because of the negligence or careless driving
of a taxi cab driver and you were a passenger at the time, you can put
in a claim for compensation through a lawyer for any loss or suffering
that you have incurred.
Taxi drivers tend to be in more of a hurry to reach their destination than the average driver of an automobile, as their income is determined by the number of trips they make. This sort of situation may encourage negligent driving behavior that could cause an accident.
Typical risks taxi cab drivers might take
Additionally, taxi companies normally have sufficient insurance coverage, which makes reaching a settlement far less complicated and, of course, the whole procedure is far faster as well.
Injuries that result from a taxi cab accident can be anything from cuts and bruises, which normally don’t take long to heal, to broken bones and head and neck injuries such as whiplash. Any injury that entails rest and recovery time places pressure financially and often involves extra care provision from your family and friends. These are the sorts of things that are covered by a compensation payment.
The aim is to minimize the recovery period and ensure that you and your family are not financially disadvantaged by an accident that was not your fault. Anaccident lawyer knows how to negotiate a generous claim for compensation and only takes on cases that have a good chance of success. This does not give any false hopes to victims like yourself, and also ensures that no excessive legal fees have to be paid either
If you or a family member has been a victim of a taxi accident and you have sustained injuries that mean you are in pain and are suffering financially then you should not delay contacting an accident attorney and discuss your case for compensation. You can be assured of getting a far more generous amount if you use an attorney and do not undertake negotiations on your own. Insurance companies have a habit of watering down just compensation payments by offering on the spot payments to those victims who deal with them directly.
Taxi drivers tend to be in more of a hurry to reach their destination than the average driver of an automobile, as their income is determined by the number of trips they make. This sort of situation may encourage negligent driving behavior that could cause an accident.
Typical risks taxi cab drivers might take
- Running a red light
- Not keeping a safe distance
- Driving too fast
- Driving in bad weather
- Poor maintenance of taxi cab e.g. brakes
Additionally, taxi companies normally have sufficient insurance coverage, which makes reaching a settlement far less complicated and, of course, the whole procedure is far faster as well.
Injuries that result from a taxi cab accident can be anything from cuts and bruises, which normally don’t take long to heal, to broken bones and head and neck injuries such as whiplash. Any injury that entails rest and recovery time places pressure financially and often involves extra care provision from your family and friends. These are the sorts of things that are covered by a compensation payment.
The aim is to minimize the recovery period and ensure that you and your family are not financially disadvantaged by an accident that was not your fault. Anaccident lawyer knows how to negotiate a generous claim for compensation and only takes on cases that have a good chance of success. This does not give any false hopes to victims like yourself, and also ensures that no excessive legal fees have to be paid either
If you or a family member has been a victim of a taxi accident and you have sustained injuries that mean you are in pain and are suffering financially then you should not delay contacting an accident attorney and discuss your case for compensation. You can be assured of getting a far more generous amount if you use an attorney and do not undertake negotiations on your own. Insurance companies have a habit of watering down just compensation payments by offering on the spot payments to those victims who deal with them directly.
How Car Accident Lawyers are Different than Other Lawyers
Because the legal profession is tasked to deal with so many complex
aspects of society and the law that, like the world of science and
medicine, it works best when its practitioners specialize in one
particular area of expertise. For example, lawyers who work for
corporations are well versed in the arcane details of business and financial laws,
while attorneys who work in the criminal justice system are trained to
prosecute or defend defendants who are accused of committing crimes.
While all lawyers are taught the same basic principles of law early on in their legal education, they generally choose specializations in the latter stages of their training. This entails, among other things, becoming familiar with all aspects of their chosen area of expertise, and car accident-related civil law is no exception.
Generally speaking, a car accident attorney is a lawyer who practices civil law related to cases involving vehicular accidents and personal injuries that result from them. Because most cases of this nature almost always deal with injuries suffered by their prospective clients, car accident attorneys are also referred to as personal injury lawyers and are well-versed in how to deal with insurance companies, the ins and outs of medical issues, and the concepts of no-fault law, culpable negligence, and personal liability.
This type of specialized knowledge is an important determinant that sets car accident attorneys apart from other lawyers. While it is true that any attorney can handle a case given enough time and resources, car accident lawyers have the training and skill sets required to ensure that their clients get financial compensation for medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, and – in extreme cases – wrongful death. They know how to gather the proper evidence and documentation, the sometimes-difficult process of negotiation with insurance companies and their lawyers, and how to properly present a case in court should negotiations fail to get results without going to a judge or jury.
Retaining an experienced car accident attorney is vital to your case.
While all lawyers are taught the same basic principles of law early on in their legal education, they generally choose specializations in the latter stages of their training. This entails, among other things, becoming familiar with all aspects of their chosen area of expertise, and car accident-related civil law is no exception.
Generally speaking, a car accident attorney is a lawyer who practices civil law related to cases involving vehicular accidents and personal injuries that result from them. Because most cases of this nature almost always deal with injuries suffered by their prospective clients, car accident attorneys are also referred to as personal injury lawyers and are well-versed in how to deal with insurance companies, the ins and outs of medical issues, and the concepts of no-fault law, culpable negligence, and personal liability.
This type of specialized knowledge is an important determinant that sets car accident attorneys apart from other lawyers. While it is true that any attorney can handle a case given enough time and resources, car accident lawyers have the training and skill sets required to ensure that their clients get financial compensation for medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, and – in extreme cases – wrongful death. They know how to gather the proper evidence and documentation, the sometimes-difficult process of negotiation with insurance companies and their lawyers, and how to properly present a case in court should negotiations fail to get results without going to a judge or jury.
Retaining an experienced car accident attorney is vital to your case.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)