How To Get An Immediate 10% Savings On Your Car Insurance
Insurance can be confusing at the best of times, but here are some of the most common misconceptions about auto insurance coverage. The colour of your car affects your insurance rate. Most people may not know it, but the insurance industry is colour-blind. It doesn't matter if your car is blue, red, silver, white, or black, your insurance rate for that make and model of car will always remain the same. A 2-door car is more expensive to insure than a 4-door. Not true. In fact a 4-door is often more expensive. This is because insurance companies look at the price of the car, repair costs, theft frequency and its previous claims history when determining your rate.
Getting a parking ticket means your insurance rates will go up. If that were the case, we'd all be singing the blues. Parking tickets by themselves do not count against your driving record or your insurance, but unpaid fines could affect your ability to renew your driver's licence or worse result in a licence suspension - which will affect your rate. Getting a speeding ticket means your insurance rates will go up.
Not necessarily. Your first minor speeding ticket (up to 15 mph over the speed limit) will probably not affect your insurance rate. But accumulate two or three convictions and you'll probably be paying more to be insured. A major speeding ticket (more than 15 mph over the speed limit) and your rates go up for sure.
You don't have to pay your deductible if the police said the accident was not your fault. The police may not have deemed you criminally responsible for the accident, but it's your insurance company who has the final decision as to whether you pay your deductible or not. If they investigate the accident and rule that it's not your fault, they have the right to waive your deductible. Until then, you better be prepared to pay...
Cheaper cars cost less to insure and luxury cars more to insure. Not necessarily. The premium you pay for your auto insurance is based on many factors including the price of the car, its repair costs, theft frequency and its previous claims history. When these factors are combined, a cheaper car could cost more to insure than a luxury model. It doesn’t matter which insurance company I have auto insurance with, I’ll end up paying the same rate. Not true. Auto insurance rates vary from company to company - sometimes by hundreds of dollars per year!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Car Cloning don't be a victim
Car Cloning: The Stolen Car Makeover. This is a relatively new phrase for most of us. Find out more about what can happen when your license plates are stolen.
(NAPSI)-If you're shopping for a used car, experts say it's worth remembering the old adage: "If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is."
A growing number of these "deals" turn out to be part of a con involving stolen vehicles and thousands of dollars. This scam-known as "VIN cloning" or "car cloning"-uses a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a legally registered car to mask the identity of a stolen one. Unfortunately, these stolen vehicles often end up in the hands of unsuspecting consumers.
The FBI recently broke up one of the largest car theft rings in the country with the help of CARFAX. Car thieves in Florida, Illinois and Mexico cloned more than 1,000 vehicles worth $25 million.
"Scam artists can make off with as much as $30,000 of your hard-earned money and leave you paying off a loan for a car you no longer own," said Larry Gamache, communications director at CARFAX. "What's worse, you may become part of a criminal investigation as well."
Car thieves obtain VINs by simply swiping the plate or the number from vehicles sitting at dealerships or in parking lots. They then use the counterfeit numbers to alter existing ownership documents using the stolen vehicle identity. Or, they just forge new documents.
The best way to make sure your car is legitimate is with thorough research. A vehicle history report, such as those offered by CARFAX, can be part of the solution to help car buyers avoid becoming victims.
Consumers are also advised to follow these steps to help identify a potential clone:
• Ask the seller to provide the title, service receipts and any other documents for the vehicle. Closely examine each document to make sure the VIN and names all match.
• Tell the seller to show you a CARFAX Vehicle History Report. Pay close attention to where and when the vehicle was registered. Registrations in multiple states over a short time should raise a red flag.
• Check if the mileage readings on all documents are consistent with the current odometer display.
• Have the vehicle inspected by a trusted, professional mechanic prior to purchase.
You can learn more at www.carfax.com.
A vehicle history report could help used-car buyers avoid a scam known as "car cloning."
(NAPSI)-If you're shopping for a used car, experts say it's worth remembering the old adage: "If a deal is too good to be true, it probably is."
A growing number of these "deals" turn out to be part of a con involving stolen vehicles and thousands of dollars. This scam-known as "VIN cloning" or "car cloning"-uses a vehicle identification number (VIN) from a legally registered car to mask the identity of a stolen one. Unfortunately, these stolen vehicles often end up in the hands of unsuspecting consumers.
The FBI recently broke up one of the largest car theft rings in the country with the help of CARFAX. Car thieves in Florida, Illinois and Mexico cloned more than 1,000 vehicles worth $25 million.
"Scam artists can make off with as much as $30,000 of your hard-earned money and leave you paying off a loan for a car you no longer own," said Larry Gamache, communications director at CARFAX. "What's worse, you may become part of a criminal investigation as well."
Car thieves obtain VINs by simply swiping the plate or the number from vehicles sitting at dealerships or in parking lots. They then use the counterfeit numbers to alter existing ownership documents using the stolen vehicle identity. Or, they just forge new documents.
The best way to make sure your car is legitimate is with thorough research. A vehicle history report, such as those offered by CARFAX, can be part of the solution to help car buyers avoid becoming victims.
Consumers are also advised to follow these steps to help identify a potential clone:
• Ask the seller to provide the title, service receipts and any other documents for the vehicle. Closely examine each document to make sure the VIN and names all match.
• Tell the seller to show you a CARFAX Vehicle History Report. Pay close attention to where and when the vehicle was registered. Registrations in multiple states over a short time should raise a red flag.
• Check if the mileage readings on all documents are consistent with the current odometer display.
• Have the vehicle inspected by a trusted, professional mechanic prior to purchase.
You can learn more at www.carfax.com.
A vehicle history report could help used-car buyers avoid a scam known as "car cloning."
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
9 Things That Make Allergies Worse
With Allergy season upon us, we here at Sav-On found these findings a wealth of information for our readers. Keep healthy!
1.Stressful work deadlines
Researchers at Ohio State University College of Medicine found that allergy sufferers had more symptoms after they took an anxiety-inducing test, compared with when they performed a task that did not make them tense. Stress hormones may stimulate the production of IgE, blood proteins that cause allergic reactions, says study author Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, PhD. If you’re under stress, get enough sleep. A sleep deficit can worsen both allergy symptoms and stress, she says.
2. An extra glass of wine with dinner
Alcohol can raise the risk of perennial allergic rhinitis by 3% for every additional alcoholic beverage consumed each week, Danish researchers found. One potential reason: Bacteria and yeast in the alcohol produce histamines, chemicals that cause telltale allergy symptoms like stuffy nose and itchy eyes. Avoid alcohol when your symptoms are acting up, says Richard F. Lockey, MD, director of the division of and immunology at the University of South Florida College of Medicine.
3. Waiting too long to take meds
Medications that block histamines work best before you’re even exposed to allergens, says allergist James Sublett, MD, a spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Start medication a couple of weeks before the season commences or before you’ll be around allergens (if you react to grass, before a golf game, for example).
4. A not-hot-enough washing machine
If you find yourself sniffling in bed, crank your washing machine to the hottest setting. In a South Korean study, laundering cotton sheets at 140°F killed 100% of dust mites, while a warm 104°F wash destroyed just 6.5%. A machine's "sanitize" setting is likely hot enough; check the manual if your model lacks this option. Some units heat water internally, but others use what flows through the pipes, so you may need to boost your water heater. (Caution: This temp can scald in 5 seconds.)
5. Houseplants that make you sneeze
Your innocent orchid could bring tears to your eyes. More than 75% of hay fever sufferers are allergic to at least one common houseplant, found a Belgian study. Allergens in plant sap can diffuse into the air and set off your sniffling. Though any potted greens can be trouble, researchers found that ficus, yucca, ivy, palm, orchid, and fern varieties are most irritating to allergy-prone people.
6. Skipping medication in the evening
One time not to forget your allergy med? Before bed—so the medication will be circulating in your bloodstream early the next day. Symptoms such as sneezing, weepy eyes, and runny nose peak in morning, says Richard J. Martin, MD, chair of the department of medicine at National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver. Choose regular (instead of nondrowsy formulas) for extra help falling asleep promptly.
7. Water workouts in an indoor pool
Chlorine-filled lap lanes can wreak havoc on your system. Used to disinfect, chlorine is highly irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, says Prevention advisor Andrew Weil, MD. And a recent study in the journal Pediatrics found that teens who log more than 100 hours in a chlorinated pool have a 3 to 7 times higher risk of developing hay fever, compared with swimmers who dunk in chlorine-free pools.
8. Friends who smoke
Cigarettes—with their numerous toxic chemicals and irritants—are nasty for everyone, but allergy sufferers may be especially sensitive, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. In fact, one Japanese study of teenage students found that more than 80% of those who came from homes where family members smoked heavily showed signs of nasal allergies.
Even if you don’t hang around smoky bars or other areas, particles on the clothing of smoking friends or coworkers can pollute the air in your home or office
9. Showering in the AM only
Hay fever sufferers would benefit from a quick rinse as soon as they get home from work or after being outside for a while, says allergist Stanley Fineman, MD, a physician at the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Clinic. That’s because hidden pollen particles can get trapped on your body, hair, clothes, and shoes—continuing to trigger symptoms after you’ve returned indoors.
If you’re prone to pollen allergies, slip off your shoes, throw your clothes in the hamper, and shower as soon as you get home to avoid dragging particles all over your home.
1.Stressful work deadlines
Researchers at Ohio State University College of Medicine found that allergy sufferers had more symptoms after they took an anxiety-inducing test, compared with when they performed a task that did not make them tense. Stress hormones may stimulate the production of IgE, blood proteins that cause allergic reactions, says study author Janice Kiecolt-Glaser, PhD. If you’re under stress, get enough sleep. A sleep deficit can worsen both allergy symptoms and stress, she says.
2. An extra glass of wine with dinner
Alcohol can raise the risk of perennial allergic rhinitis by 3% for every additional alcoholic beverage consumed each week, Danish researchers found. One potential reason: Bacteria and yeast in the alcohol produce histamines, chemicals that cause telltale allergy symptoms like stuffy nose and itchy eyes. Avoid alcohol when your symptoms are acting up, says Richard F. Lockey, MD, director of the division of and immunology at the University of South Florida College of Medicine.
3. Waiting too long to take meds
Medications that block histamines work best before you’re even exposed to allergens, says allergist James Sublett, MD, a spokesperson for the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Start medication a couple of weeks before the season commences or before you’ll be around allergens (if you react to grass, before a golf game, for example).
4. A not-hot-enough washing machine
If you find yourself sniffling in bed, crank your washing machine to the hottest setting. In a South Korean study, laundering cotton sheets at 140°F killed 100% of dust mites, while a warm 104°F wash destroyed just 6.5%. A machine's "sanitize" setting is likely hot enough; check the manual if your model lacks this option. Some units heat water internally, but others use what flows through the pipes, so you may need to boost your water heater. (Caution: This temp can scald in 5 seconds.)
5. Houseplants that make you sneeze
Your innocent orchid could bring tears to your eyes. More than 75% of hay fever sufferers are allergic to at least one common houseplant, found a Belgian study. Allergens in plant sap can diffuse into the air and set off your sniffling. Though any potted greens can be trouble, researchers found that ficus, yucca, ivy, palm, orchid, and fern varieties are most irritating to allergy-prone people.
6. Skipping medication in the evening
One time not to forget your allergy med? Before bed—so the medication will be circulating in your bloodstream early the next day. Symptoms such as sneezing, weepy eyes, and runny nose peak in morning, says Richard J. Martin, MD, chair of the department of medicine at National Jewish Medical and Research Center in Denver. Choose regular (instead of nondrowsy formulas) for extra help falling asleep promptly.
7. Water workouts in an indoor pool
Chlorine-filled lap lanes can wreak havoc on your system. Used to disinfect, chlorine is highly irritating to the skin, eyes, and respiratory tract, says Prevention advisor Andrew Weil, MD. And a recent study in the journal Pediatrics found that teens who log more than 100 hours in a chlorinated pool have a 3 to 7 times higher risk of developing hay fever, compared with swimmers who dunk in chlorine-free pools.
8. Friends who smoke
Cigarettes—with their numerous toxic chemicals and irritants—are nasty for everyone, but allergy sufferers may be especially sensitive, according to the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. In fact, one Japanese study of teenage students found that more than 80% of those who came from homes where family members smoked heavily showed signs of nasal allergies.
Even if you don’t hang around smoky bars or other areas, particles on the clothing of smoking friends or coworkers can pollute the air in your home or office
9. Showering in the AM only
Hay fever sufferers would benefit from a quick rinse as soon as they get home from work or after being outside for a while, says allergist Stanley Fineman, MD, a physician at the Atlanta Allergy and Asthma Clinic. That’s because hidden pollen particles can get trapped on your body, hair, clothes, and shoes—continuing to trigger symptoms after you’ve returned indoors.
If you’re prone to pollen allergies, slip off your shoes, throw your clothes in the hamper, and shower as soon as you get home to avoid dragging particles all over your home.
Monday, April 5, 2010
A personal message from one of our agents at Sav-on Insurance
This week, we here at Sav-On wanted to share the thoughts of one of our Insurance agents, Evelyn Morales. Evelyn works in our Des Moines Office and very recently was informed of a tragedy in her family, involving her cousin's seven year old daughter.
The following was sent via email to all the staff here at Sav-On, please read and pass it on!
Hello everyone, I just wanted to ask everyone of you, that if you are ever driving or riding with children under 10, and they cry b-cuz, they don't want to be in their car seats, or they don't want the seat belt on,, pleaseeeeeee,, please don't let them get away it, don't think that by giving in, you're been cool, or saving your selves a headache,, I was just inform that one of my cousin's daughter lost her life, in a horrible car accident. Her life could have been saved if she was in a car seat. She was 7yrs old and she had only a lap seat belt on. The SUV rolled over 4 times & because she wasn't in the appropriate car seat, she was not able to survive her injuries. Her parents were not allowed to see her because her fatal injuries were so unimaginable. So the next time your child or children in your car are whining,crying or complaining about being a car seat, think about life without them.
I just thought I share this with all of you, b-cuz,, we all have a lil ones that we love so much, it's either our niece, nephew, daughter, son, grandkids, or a lil friend who looks up to us... take care of them by being responsible..
The following was sent via email to all the staff here at Sav-On, please read and pass it on!
Hello everyone, I just wanted to ask everyone of you, that if you are ever driving or riding with children under 10, and they cry b-cuz, they don't want to be in their car seats, or they don't want the seat belt on,, pleaseeeeeee,, please don't let them get away it, don't think that by giving in, you're been cool, or saving your selves a headache,, I was just inform that one of my cousin's daughter lost her life, in a horrible car accident. Her life could have been saved if she was in a car seat. She was 7yrs old and she had only a lap seat belt on. The SUV rolled over 4 times & because she wasn't in the appropriate car seat, she was not able to survive her injuries. Her parents were not allowed to see her because her fatal injuries were so unimaginable. So the next time your child or children in your car are whining,crying or complaining about being a car seat, think about life without them.
I just thought I share this with all of you, b-cuz,, we all have a lil ones that we love so much, it's either our niece, nephew, daughter, son, grandkids, or a lil friend who looks up to us... take care of them by being responsible..
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