The Cost of Insurance Fraud

By David John Martin

Their scams had amassed £8 million and involved hundreds of possibly staged crashes, now 25 arrests have been made in Manchester following a three-year investigation into a gang of insurance fraudsters. So is the face of insurance fraud changing? And how much does it cost us?

The methods used have become known as 'crash for cash' scams. By disconnecting the break-lights on their own cars, the fraudsters would drive around as normal until they approached a roundabout or junction where they would break suddenly causing the driver behind to smash into the back of them.

After calmly acquiring each other's insurance details, the thieves, according to The Mirror 'would submit hugely-inflated insurance claims,' even to the point of faking injuries such as whiplash and including additional car damage that hadn't seemingly happened during the collision.

Similar scams have been carried out by fraudsters and are perhaps best well known in the US. So-called 'swoop and squat' scams involve a third car that cuts of the criminal positioned in front of the victim who rarely manages to stop in time. There is also the Panic Stop where a criminal passenger sitting in the rear of a car of scammers keeps an eye on the victim behind until he/she turns on the radio or checks their mobile phone, this is the moment that the fraudsters stop suddenly.

The Manchester Evening Standard reports that Greater Manchester police estimate that the amount made by each 'crash for cash' scams averaged £20,000. Countrywide, this type of insurance fraud is costing the industry £1.6 billion a year which adds an average £40 to each premium. Richard Davies, from the Insurance Fraud Bureau warns that 'this problem is nationwide and it is growing'.

Clearly however, the problem goes far beyond the added expense it adds to car insurance premiums which everyone pays for, there is also a safety issue that should be considered, as luring cars to smash into your own is surely a dangerous business for everyone involved.

However, we all need car insurance and with so many policies and prices to choose from on the web, finding cheap car insurance is easier now than ever.

Car Insurance - Zzzzzz

By David John Martin

For the past week I have been embroiled in the cantankerous struggle of renewing my car insurance. And it's taken its toll.

Until recently, I had always been content with the insomnia-related tradition of counting sheep. To help me get to sleep at night, I would imagine those fluffy blighters in a range of dozy scenarios, maybe a dreamy summer's meadow for instance, or hurdling over a five bar gate in an orderly, soothing, drowsy, manner...It never failed.

But now I can't seem to summon such innocent imagery, especially after a long day spent seeking car insurance advice from brokers, friends, my wife and my two-year-old son - whom all seem to have different, and credible, ideas for how and where I can get a good deal. Now when I'm trying to switch-off, instead of those fluffy harmless icons of springtime, all I can seem to picture is a constant stream of balding men dressed in pin-stripe suits, sitting in small mahogany-panelled offices, and looking back at me with a cold Hercule Poirot stare.

And unlike the gentle baaa-ing and lullaby score I had mastered in my head, all I can hear now is a garbled conversation of statistics, prices, indecipherable jargon and insulting presumptions about my driving capabilities.

But it gets worse. If I try to block it out, or strive to return to the summer meadow; with the buttercups, the babbling brook and the five bar gate - I do manage to succeed for a brief hopeful moment. Then the brokers arrive. It's an invasion. They storm the scene riding in the backs of black cabs, kicking down the gate, climbing out of the ground like the undead, and shooing away my sleep-aids with a quick wave of their canes and stern shouts of "exclusive" offers.

From here there is no escape, and a nightmarish scene of impersonation ensues. The brokers are baaa-ing now. They're not quite on all fours, but they are frolicking around the place, chewing on the grass, jumping the gate...trying to act normal. This once peaceful respite of my soul has been taken over and can never be reclaimed. At least, not until this issue of my car insurance is resolved.

It's beyond a simple irritation now. I've been forced to accept that a decisive best foot forward is needed, and soon. Not only is it an obligation to the laws of this country, as well as all the other good-natured drivers on the road, but also because I owe it to my sense of well-being. And most of all...I owe it to the sheep.

David John Martin escaped his car insurance insomnia by visiting http://www.confused.com/

Van Insurance Discounts and Deals

By David Charlie James

When you need a new van insurance firm, UK insurance is the best way to go. You may need to look though a few firms before you find a special offer or a discount that is really valuable to your company, but the effort is worth it when you save money on your insurance policy. Even though everyone knows that insurance that is cheaper is not always the best insurance, UK dealers have made sure that their policies meet the needs of their customers at an affordable and competitive rate.

Finding the Right Company

The van insurance firm in UK that you choose should have all of the qualities that you need, including a fast and friendly customer service program that allows you to ask questions and file claims at any time. For example, if you have a commercial business and need to file a claim, you will want fast services so that your customers do not have to wait needlessly for your claim to be answered.

You will also want a van insurance firm in UK that meets the needs of your company. For example, you may want to look for a company that offers discounts for a company with several vans (and several drivers) so that you do not have to take out a policy on each individual van. This will save you time and money, so that you can devote more of each to your business.

Excellent Driving Records

You will also want to look for a van insurance firm in UK that provides discounts for drivers that have good driving records, especially if you are running a commercial company. Since you will need to have a policy that covers many different drivers and vans, saving a little money on good driving records will help you get more for your money.

Other things, such as so many miles without an accident, can also help you save money on your commercial van insurance. When you are looking for a good deal, there are often many different ways that you can find one. Using an online insurance quote can help you easily find the best deal for your money, without having to spend all day calling the van insurance firms in UK.

Peace of Mind

Having the right policy, and working with the right van insurance firm in UK, can give you the peace of mind that you need to know that your vans and drivers, and the contents that you deliver, are going to be safe. It is very important that you look over your policy carefully, and make sure that you understand all of the clauses and conditions of your coverage. Insurance is more than a piece of paper; it is your peace of mind, as well.

If you have questions about your policy, either before or after you purchase it, then don’t hesitate to ask the van insurance firm in UK. Making sure that all of your questions are answered in a timely manner will help you understand your coverage, and what will happen in any certain circumstances that may occur.

Calculating Your Costs

You can easily use an online calculator to find the commercial van insurance quote in UK that you need to ensure proper coverage of your vehicles. An online calculator often lists the competitive rates of many different companies, but it may not include any special discounts or offers that your commercial business is looking for. It may be best to look through individual van insurance firms in UK, so that you will be able to find the discounts that you are looking for easily.

Van Insurance Firm UK offer you excellent information and help you find great deals for courier insurance, small van insurance and transit van insurance. You may even find some Van Insurance Firm UK Discounts

Van Insurance and Policies

By David Charlie James

When you want van insurance, UK firms are willing are ready to work with you. There are several aspects that you will want to look at before you commit to using a particular firm. Since your insurance is perhaps the most important thing that you have to protect your van, and its occupants, taking the time to talk to your representative is an invaluable part of making sure that you have the coverage that will protect everyone.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Choosing an insurance firm in UK is an awesome option, but you must also ask yourself several questions before you choose the firm that you are going to use. The following questions are just ideas, so make sure that you fully consider all of the uses for your particular situation, as well. Some good questions are:

Does this insurance policy cover all the occupants, and their medical bills in the case of an accident?

Does this van insurance firm cover the goods that I am transporting as well as the occupants of the van?

How much coverage do I need to replace my van in the case of an accident?

Does this firm have quickly accessed customer service representatives that are available twenty four hour a day?

DO I need break down coverage?

When you choose the van insurance firm, UK representatives should be able help you answer all of these questions, and any more that you may have. Once you have decided that you have found a few UK insurance firms that have all of the coverage you need, then you will want to begin looking at the prices.

Finding the Right Price

The van insurance firm in UK that you choose should offer all of their prices for different policies in a convenient, competitive manner so that you can easily access them. For example, you should be able to find an online form that will allow you to compare the prices for several different van insurance firms. UK van insurance is very competitive, but that does not mean that you shouldn’t try to find the best value for you money.

There is one caution, however, that you will want to consider when looking for a van insurance firm. UK dealers may offer the lowest rates, but that does not mean that the policy is what you are looking for. Having the right coverage is far more important than saving a few dollars, and this is especially true if you are looking for commercial van insurance in UK.

Commercial Vans

When you look for your commercial van insurance quote, UK dealers should be able to give you an accurate quote rater quickly. The one point that you should consider, however, is not how much the insurance is but how well the policy covers your vans, its occupants, and the goods that you are carrying. Obviously, if you own a commercial business then you may also carry valuable goods in your van during different times. Making sure that, in the case of an accident, these goods are covered will help your protect your business.

Taking the time to make sure that you have the right insurance policy for your business is absolutely vital to maintain your business in the case of an accident. When you look for a van insurance firm, UK policies are very comprehensive, so that you can have the coverage that you need without having to look around for weeks and weeks. You should be able to find a policy with little effort, so that you can begin driving the very next day.

Van Insurance Firm UK offer you excellent information and help you find great deals for UK courier insurance, small van insurance and transit van insurance.

Size Matters For Young Motorists

By Alex Gregory

Research by a comparison website shows that the majority of young drivers are trying to insure cars with engine sizes greater than 1250cc, which in turn means they are missing out on large savings on their car insurance premiums. A whopping 63 per cent are researching quotes for vehicles with an engine size above the 1250cc threshold.

The boy racer stereotype among 17- to 21-year-old drivers is penalised heavily by car insurance providers. Cars with higher performance potential are generally involved in a higher number of road accidents and this can send premiums to astronomical levels for inexperienced motorists with 18-year-olds typically involved in three times as many road accidents as drivers in their fifties.

Generally the lower the engine capacity, the lower the premium - so young drivers should think about their car insurance expenses when searching for a new car. It's also worth looking out for vehicles that haven't been modified away from the standard manufacture as this too will cause premiums to rise.

There are other ways for young drivers to save money on car insurance including taking a Pass Plus course as soon as they pass their driving test. This gives them additional driving experience and normally entitles them to a reduction in premiums - sometimes as high as 35 per cent.

Security is also a vital factor for young drivers. Many new motorists are students and live in high crime areas which can push up their premiums. However, by parking in a garage at night and fitting an alarm or immobiliser to the vehicle these costs can be slashed.

The most important step towards cheap car insurance however, is to shop around. Fortunately on this front it appears young drivers are getting the message - the comparison website reports that most of its car insurance customers are aged 17 to 21.

It's a Great Time For a New Car and New Car Insurance

By Stephen Sikes

The recession has led to a number of things going on. The first is that many businesses are struggling. The reason for this is that most people are holding on to all of their money right now. Instead of spending like they usually would, the recession has a lot of people uncomfortable. They are noticing that the prices of most things are going up while their wages are going down or are just staying the same.

Things are tight and most people will not even consider a big money purchase at this time. This means car dealerships are struggling. Some have gone out of business. Others are trying anything they can to sell cars and keep their doors open.

If you are in the market for a car, or were even thinking about being in the market, this is the time you want to do some buying.

Take a stroll around the dealerships and see what you are interested in, but don't buy yet. Instead take note of the vehicles you are interested in and find out what the insurance will cost.

While you may be able to get a great deal on the insurance, you also want to make sure you get a great deal on your auto insurance or you could be paying more than you want to be every month.

Shop around before you move forward on this plan. Go to an online auto insurance comparison website and find out just what you will pay to have that car covered.

Since all car insurance companies have different rates and qualifications, it is best to go to a comparison company in order to make sure you find the lowest rates for the coverage that best suits your needs. Using a car insurance comparison website will have all of the rates sent to you through an e-mail and you can pick and choose the one that is best for you.

Once you know what insurance will cost, it's time to head back to the dealership. Don't seem too anxious. If they think you know what you are there for and are willing to buy, they are not going to be as open with deals. Instead, you should seem like you don't know if you really want to buy. You will be amazed to see how much wheeling and dealing they are willing to do if they think you may be willing to walk away from the lot without making a buy.

Steve Sikes is an MBA and writes articles on insurance and other financial products. To read other educational articles on insurance at the InsuredItAll Learning Center or to get free insurance quotes for auto, home, health, life or long term care insurance, you will want to visit http://www.InsuredItAll.com

Fleet Insurance For Courier Vans

By Stanley Headley

For people who own vans that are used to run courier services in the UK, picking the right kind of insurance is of utmost importance. As a courier van owner, you must know that there is a difference between regular fleet insurance policies made for vans and fleet insurance policies made specifically for vans used in courier services. Fleet insurance for courier vans gives you the opportunity to have all your courier vans insured under one policy.

Since fleet insurance policies for courier vans are different from regular fleet insurances for vans, they have been designed keeping in mind the wide range of services that courier vans offer on an everyday basis. Since running a courier company involves transporting goods that belong to different people, specific insurance covers that look into this aspect need to be looked for.

One thing to remember is that not all companies that provide van insurance deal with courier van insurance, and not all van insurance covers would take care of specific courier van insurance needs.

Despite not all insurance providers catering to courier vans, there still are a large number of insurance providers who do cater to these needs. Also, there are a number of policy types to suit individual needs. One of the most important things to keep in mind when opting for fleet insurance for vans is to get adequate cover for the goods that will need to be transported.

Insurance covers include 'hire and reward' covers, 'haulage' covers, third party insurance, theft insurance, third party fire insurance, besides comprehensive insurance covers. You could have the policy designed in such a way so that the entire organisation is covered, or have specific people listed on the courier vans' fleet insurance.

Since there are a considerable number of insurance companies that provide fleet insurance for courier vans, as many companies as possible must be approached for quotes on their policies. This is because while the first company you approach might offer you discounts and claim to have the best rates in the market, the only way you will know for sure is when you actually venture into the market. Different providers of fleet insurance for couriers are known to offer different pricing, and the discounts offered also vary from company to company.

Relatively newer insurance companies are known to offer discounts to get a firm hold in the market. People with good driving records are often eligible for discounts on insurance covers, and if you present considerable volumes of business to any insurance provider, discounts fall into place almost naturally.

Looking for providers of fleet insurance for courier vans is much easier now than it was not so long back, thanks to the internet. You can go though a large number of web sites that the insurance providers have in place. These insurance providers are known to offer free quotes for insurance covers online rather fast. Another option is to go through the local yellow pages and make a few phone calls.

Irrespective of the kind of cover you want included in your courier vans fleet insurance, do make sure you research the market properly before deciding which insurance company you wish to deal with.

Staveley Head provides fleet insurance for courier businesses looking to insure several vehicles and avoid any financial loss due to an accident.

Cheap Courier Insurance - Is it Possible?

By Stanley Headley

Courier insurance is one of the most important cost factors of a courier business. There is no doubt that courier insurance provides protection against many unwanted things that could happen during a courier business's operations, and such protections are priceless indeed. However, the cost of getting proper courier insurance can be relatively high, and not all courier companies can afford that amount of expense.

Small and medium courier companies are trying hard to reduce their insurance expenses, but in doing so they also reduce the amount of protection at the same time. There are methods you can utilise to reduce the cost of courier insurance for your courier business while still enjoying the maximum amount of benefits, and we are going to discuss these methods in this article.

As we all know, there are three common types of courier insurance: vehicle insurance, goods in transit insurance, and public liability insurance. Each type has its own system of quotes and fees, which makes the cost of getting full coverage relatively high. What you can do is get bundled quotes for all three insurances. You can do this if you are getting all three (or any possible combination of two) types of courier insurances from a single insurance company. They will be more than glad to assist you in getting the best possible quote for your courier insurance package, and in the end you will get a rather cheaper courier insurance quote suitable for your budget. Some insurance companies even offer discounts for such bundling, enabling you to pay even lower fees for the same amount of protection. The key is to be open with your insurance company and let them know exactly how much you are willing to spend on insurance.

Another way to reduce courier insurance cost is to let the insurance company know your available budget, and have them tailor a courier insurance scheme for your company. This way, you will get quotes you can afford and gain the best possible protection from the given premiums. Insurance companies will be glad to offer you assistance on this matter, guiding you through the entire process of selecting insurance schemes you need at an affordable price. For instance, you might not need public liability insurance. The insurance company will advise you to use only vehicle and goods-in-transit insurances for lower premiums. You still get the best protection you need, without having to pay unnecessary premiums.

Last, you can design your own payments term to cope with your cash flow. Yearly payments will probably be cheaper, since some insurance companies give additional discounts for customers paying premiums in full each year, but it might not be suitable for courier companies with tight budgets. Monthly payments can help you manage your cash flow in a better manner, but it will most likely be slightly more expensive compared to yearly payments. You can even pay for more than one year in advance, should your budget enable you to do so, and get even bigger discounts on your insurance fees.

Getting cheap courier insurance is not an impossible task to complete. It is all about finding the right solution to suit your budget. Don't forget to compare quotes and do some research before making any decision on the best courier insurance quotes.

Staveley Head provides insurance to courier businesses to prevent them from suffering any financial loss. They provide insurance policies such as courier insurance, goods in transit insurance and public liability insurance.

How to Attract Commercial Auto Insurance Leads

By Peter Ryan

Within minutes I'll show you a proven method for attracting a never ending supply of commercial auto insurance leads.

Slice numero uno.

#1. Find out which of your carriers have great rates on auto insurance and for what niches. One niche I wrote tons of commercial auto insurance for was plumbing contractors. For me Nationwide had great rates for plumbing contractors auto insurance, so I marketed to them. Hard. So once you've identified what that niche (or niches) are going to be hot, you move to slice 2.

Slice numero dos.

#2. Find a list broker who can sell you a list of companies in your chosen niche. Base it on number of employees. The number of employee's that a company has will tell you if it's likely that they have a commercial auto policy or not. More often than not, a commercial auto lead will have several employee's and several trucks. A small company with only 1 or 2 employee's might not have a commercial auto policy. On the flip side, you don't want to have a big list of people who have tons of employee's. Between 5 and 50 employee's is a good place to start. Of course you also have to know what you are doing. Take an hour or two, call your favorite underwriter and ask them to help you put together a list of questions to ask the leads when they call in. You don't want to look like a newbie. So make sure you are prepared and don't have to go back and ask a bunch of stupid questions. So take a few hours, learn what commercial auto coverages these clients should have, and now you're the expert, not a rookie.

Slice numero tres.

#3. Mail them a personal, well written letter, and encourage them to call you. Your letter needs to have a good headline, personal voice (don't write like a machine or an attorney). In order to get commercial auto insurance leads you've got to have a good postcard or letter. Make it focused on them, demonstrate how much you are going to save them. Show them the proof with stats and testimonials. Getting tons of insurance leads is easy if you know the direct marketing insurance tips we share. Most people don't know how to write a good direct marketing insurance letter. Just write like you are talking to a friend. And above all, focus on the benefits the reader will recieve, not on how great you are.

For free videos and tools on "Direct Marketing Insurance" for insurance leads generation go to http://www.insurancemaverick.com and learn how to generate qualified insurance leads at insurancemarketingmaverick.com

What is the Best Way to Compare Auto Insurance Quotes?

By Kian Chew Chong

As we enter an economic crunch, one of the easiest ways to save is often overlooked by the consumer: our auto insurance coverage. Rates are often largely different among different companies, yet most consumers avoid finding a better rate. Many people think you have to call your agent or visit an office to get a quote. Well, as the world has changed, insurance companies have kept up with the pace and made it possible to get low cost auto insurance.

Auto insurance coverage rates are available online for people to shop around easily on insurance comparison websites. All you will need to do this are a few pieces of information, access to a computer, and a few minutes. When you go on the site, you will be asked for certain information such as your address, car's make/model, the safety features, the amount of coverage you want, your driving record and your driving habits (miles to work, etc). Once you have entered this information on the insurance comparison website, it will run your information through multiple insurance offerings and give you the best results from lowest price to highest.

The great thing about these sites is you only have to enter your information one time for all of the companies. This is a great time saver compared to contacting multiple agents and waiting on a response. Many of these sites have professionals from the industry available to answer your questions, so you are not giving up service to save money. Once you have received your offers and selected the auto insurance coverage that is best for you, the online process gets even better.

With quotes available, these sites will link you to the company that you have selected, and you can finish purchasing auto insurance online without ever having to make a phone call or leaving home. If customer service is important to you as much as price, you still have the option of calling the agent to finish out the process and feel the company's level of customer service out before committing to a policy.

So, what are you waiting for? This could save you several hundred dollars a year. Now that's a good return for your time, since you only invest a few minutes of your time. Now who wouldn't want to lower their car insurance premium by purchasing auto insurance online? It's so simple to save, you will be amazed with the results... and in the worst case scenario you might find out you have been paying the lowest rates available all along.

Kian Chew is a car insurance expert and owner of Car Insurance Hot Zone. Car Insurance Hot Zone helps those who wish to lower their car insurance cost for life by using a few basic rules and some strategies which few people know. You can instantly view the secrets by visiting http://www.CarInsuranceHotZone.com