8 Myths About Money
I grew up on a farm in Nebraska. My family had always worked hard for their money, and as a result, I always equated working hard with making money, with no idea that my beliefs could not have been further from truth. As I educated myself on human behavior and financial strategies, I learned that it’s actually the people who make their money work hard for them, rather than the people who work hard for their money, who end up with more of it. Since creating my millionaire-making program, I’ve learned that I was not alone. There are many people who shared this same myth.
Much like our views about many things -- people, relationships, food, and health to name a few -- our beliefs came from our parents, our teachers, and other adults in our lives. And it goes back even further, beyond them, back to the circumstances through which they lived, or what they learned from their parents, what their parents learned from their parents, and so on. These beliefs are ingrained, and because they’re usually subconscious, the cycles are continuous -- until someone breaks them. You can break the cycle. Beliefs about money are many and varied, but in my research, I’ve discovered that there are a few that predominate.
Money is scarce. Several of us have parents or grandparents who lived through the Great Depression, an era that rooted an entire generation in a scarcity mindset. These people passed onto their children the idea that money was in short supply and that when it did surface, spending had to be limited and saving was imperative. If any of the following ever crossed your mind—“A penny saved is a penny earned,” “Don’t dip into savings,” or “We can’t afford it” -- then you have this perspective and rainy days loom ominously. Money doesn’t grow on trees. These threats create a fearful relationship with money.
Money is evil, dirty, or bad. Several of us have parents or grandparents who believe that the road to bad places is lined with green. They’ve only ever seen the drawbacks of the rat race, the downside of the money chase, and the audacity and indulgence of those with too much money. Some even believe that wealthy people are bad people. Novels and films often highlight the idea that it’s the crooked ones who make the money. The meek shall inherit the earth. Such prophecies create a hands-off relationship with money.
Money comes monthly. The most common way to make a living is to be employed, either with a company or as a skilled professional, with a weekly wage or an annual salary. Historically, this provided the safe, sure thing required by heads of households. Yet, that level of risk was usually balanced with an equal level of reward -- low and low. For most, even those who do very well, working for a company or as a skilled professional is a constrained opportunity. Except for the outrageous exceptions, the average CEO of the average company making six figures a year will still experience only a small increase in salary during his or her lifetime. Slow and steady wins the race. Such fables create a cautious relationship to money.
Money is not for me. Some people feel that they don’t deserve to be wealthy or that there is only so much of the millionaire pie to go around. Creating wealth and financial freedom is available to everyone. It is our right to be wealthy, and my hope is that people take their space and know they deserve it. By making money, you are not taking it from someone else; this isn’t Bonnie and Clyde Go to the Bank. By making money, you create a greater capacity to contribute, and it’s your duty to do this. Better them than me. Such adages create a defeated relationship to money.
Money is a man thing. There was a time that men made and managed the household money. That time was not so long ago, and some of you may have grown up with such conditioning. Though there are gender tendencies, for example, men tend to carry more money in their pocket than women and are more likely to invest than women, the reasons behind this are not genetic; they are realities falsely fabricated from years of conditioning. Women and men need to understand that money knows no gender. One of my programs that really resonates with up and coming wealth builders is “Wealth Diva: A Man Is Not a Plan.” This is a must-do seminar for every man and woman, and the daughters and sons they love. Let him bring home the bacon. Such perceptions create an apathetic relationship to money.
Money is good medicine. For some people, retail therapy goes a long way; there’s no difficulty a new blouse can’t cure. At the moment, we live in a culture of consumerism, and many of us use money to fill the unsatisfying holes in our lives. Some people grew up with a sense of entitlement about money, assuming their parents or a trust fund would always pay for everything, and in the process, they became careless about what they had. This is a vicious and unproductive cycle. The new car gets old, the closet fills up with clothes, and the toys pile up in the playroom. This is notto say there aren’t wonderful things to buy and spend our money on; after all, money should be fun. But as with overeating, too much spending on the wrong things can get any of us feeling sluggish and sad. Shop till you drop. Such bombarding messages create a disrespectful or nonchalant relationship to money.
Money is always a menace. For too many of us, money was always a problem. Bills were a hassle, keeping up with the Joneses was exhausting, entrepreneurs were considered nuts, and one’s station in life was, well, stationary. And getting rich would be worse. Money can be such a burden, not to mention all that paperwork and responsibility. These views of money create a perspective that money is actually a problem, not a solution. It’s hard enough just to survive, let alone thrive. Such pessimism creates a negative relationship to money.
Money talk is taboo. Many of us have been brought up to believe that conversations about money are in bad taste. Money and financial success, and failures, are considered personal subjects that shouldn’t be discussed and certainly shouldn’t be taught. Few of us asked our parents how much money they made, and even now, there are people who don’t know their spouse’s salaries. The results have unintended consequences and have created a world where very few people are having real conversations about money and finances, the very conversations they need to learn and succeed. These things are not discussed in polite society, dear. Such a scolding creates an ignorant relationship to money.
In each of these examples, it’s clear that unless your parents made a conscious choice to think and act differently, they conditioned you to have the same mindset as them. If you make a decision to break this cycle, you will have the opportunity to teach your children to have more productive beliefs about, and a more profitable relationship to,money. As you come to understand the beliefs you hold, you will work to change them. Through the action steps in this process, and with the help of mentors and respected friends, you will change your behavior. By sharing your desire for new beliefs and asking your mentors and respected friends to help you spot the subconscious limitations you may be putting on yourself, you will teach your brain to follow your behavior. Begin now by restating your beliefs. For example, if you’ve discovered that you hold any of the above examples as beliefs, you will
1. Change “money is scarce” to “money is abundant” and support a courageous relationship to money.
2. Change “money is evil, dirty, or bad” to “money is good and acceptable” and create a hands-on relationship to money.
3. Change “money comes monthly” to “money comes from a range of sources” and create an opportunistic relationship to money.
4. Change “money is not for me” to “who better than me for money to come to” and create an empowered relationship to money.
5. Change “money is a man thing” to “I can and will know about and understand money,” and create a thoughtful relationship to money.
6. Change “money is good medicine” to “money is a tool to help make my life better” and create a respectful and concerned relationship to money.
7. Change “money is a menace” to “money is a solution” and create a positive relationship to money.
8. Change “money talk is taboo” to “money talk is vital” and create a knowledgeable relationship to money.
You can see how much better it is to be courageous, hands-on, opportunistic, empowered, thoughtful, respectful and concerned, positive, and knowledgeable than to be fearful, hands-off, cautious, defeated, apathetic, disrespectful and nonchalant, negative, and ignorant. The choice is yours and it looks like you’re well on your way. You’ve already taken a huge step by deciding to actually take the first step. By making the decision to start right now, you have created the opportunity to raise your financial consciousness and change your life.
Do You Know Which Loan You Want?
Many people get confused when they hear about the different types of loans available. Here is a helpful loans guide of the most common loans available today.
Bad Credit Personal Loan
A Bad Credit Personal Loan is a loan made for people with a bad credit rating. However created, your past record of County Court Judgments, mortgage or other loan arrears can live on to deny you access to finance that other people regard as normal.
If you are a homeowner with equity in your property, a Bad Credit Personal Loan can bring that normality back to your life. Secured on your home, a Bad Credit Personal Loan can give you the freedom, for example, to do the home improvements or buy the new car you want.
With a Bad Credit Personal Loan you can borrow up to 125% of your property value in some cases.
Bridging Loan
A bridging loan is a kind of loan used to "bridge" the financial gap between monies required for your new property completion prior to your existing property having been sold.
Bridging loans are short-term loans arranged when you need to purchase a house but are can't arrange the mortgage for some reason, such as there is a delay in selling your current home.
The beauty of bridging loans is that a bridging loan can be used to cover the financial gap when buying one property before the existing one is sold
A bridging loan can also be used to raise capital pending the sale of a property.
Bridging loans can be arranged for any sum and can be borrowed for periods from a week to up to six months.
A bridging loan is similar to a mortgage where the amount borrowed is secured on your home, but the advantage of a mortgage is that it attracts a lower interest rate.
While bridging loans are convenient, the truth is that the interest rates can be very high.
Business Loan
A business loan is designed for a wide range of small, medium and startup business needs including the purchase, refinance, expansion of a business, development loans or any type of commercial investment.
Business loans are generally available at really competitive interest rates from leading commercial loan lenders.
A business loan can be secured by all types of business property, commercial and residential properties.
Business Loans can offer up to 79% LTV (Loan to Valuation) with variable rates, depending on status and how long the term is.
Business loans are normally offered on Freehold and long Leasehold properties with Bricks and Mortar valuations required. Legal and valuation fees are payable by the client.
Car Loan
The basic types of car loans available are Hire Purchase and Manufacturer's schemes. Hire purchase car finance is arranged by a car dealership, and in essence means that you are hiring the car from the dealer until the final payment on the loan has been paid, when ownership of the vehicle is transferred to you.
A Manufacturers' scheme is a type of loan that is put together and advertised by the car manufacturer and can be arranged directly with them or through a local car dealership. You will not own the car until you pay back the loan in full. The car would be repossessed if you default on repayments.
Cash Loan
Cash Loans are also known as Payday Loans, and these loans are arranged for people in employment who find themselves in a situation where they are short of immediate funds.
A Cash Loan can assist you in this situation with short term loans.
Loans are repayable on your next payday, although it is possible to renew your loan until further paydays down the road.
To apply for a Cash Loan you must be in employment and have a bank account with a checkbook. A poor credit rating or debt history is initially not a problem.
Debt Consolidation Loan
Debt consolidation loans can give you a fresh start, allowing you to consolidate all of your loans into one simple loan, which will give you just one easy-to-manage payment, and in most cases, at a lower rate of interest.
Secured on your home, these debt consolidation loans can sweep away the pile of repayments to your credit and store cards, HP, loans and replace them with one, low cost, monthly payment that is calculated to be well within your means.
With a Debt Consolidation Loan, you can borrow up to 125% of your property value in some cases.
It can reduce BOTH your interest costs AND your monthly repayments, putting you back in control of the life you want to lead.
Home Loan
A Home Loan is a loan secured on your home. You can unlock the value tied up in your property with a secured Home loan, and many people choose to do so with this kind of loan.
The loan can be used for any purpose, and is available to anyone who owns their home. Home loans can be used for any purpose such as, home improvements, buying a new car, taking a vacation, paying of credit cards and debt consolidation.
Home Improvement Loan
A Home Improvement Loan is a low interest loan secured on your property.
With a Home Improvement Loan you can borrow money with low monthly repayments.
The loan can be repaid over any term between 5 and 25 years, depending on your available income and the amount of equity in the property that is to provide the security for the loan. You need to talk to your lender about that.
A Home Improvement Loan can help you with installing a new kitchen, bathroom, extension, loft conversion, conservatory, landscaping your garden or purchasing new furniture. You can even use it on non-house expenditure like a new car or repaying credit card or other debts, which makes it convenient and useful for multi purposes.
Home Owner Loan
A Home Owner Loan is a loan secured on your home that you own. You can unlock the value tied up in your property with a secured Home Owner loan. The loan can be used for any purpose, and is available to anyone who owns their home. Home owner loans can be used for any purpose such as, home improvements, new car, luxury holiday, pay of store card or credit card debt and debt consolidation.
Payday Loan
Payday Loans also known as Cash Loans are arranged for people in employment who find themselves in a situation where they are short of immediate funds.
A Payday Loan can assist you in this situation with short term loans to help you get through tough financial times.
Loans are repayable on your next payday, although it is possible to renew your loan until subsequent paydays. To apply for a loan you must be in employment and have a bank account with a checkbook. A poor credit rating or debt history is initially not a problem.
Personal Loan
There are two categories of personal loans: secured personal loans and unsecured personal loans - See individual titles below. Homeowners can apply for a Secured personal loan (using their property as security), whereas tenants only have the option of an unsecured personal loan.
Remortgage Loan
A remortgage is changing your mortgage without moving your home. Remortgaging is the process of switching your mortgage to another lender that is offering a better deal than your current lender. This process is done to help you save money. A remortgage can also be used to raise additional finances by releasing equity in your property.
You can borrow money and rates are variable, depending on status.
Secured Loan
A secured loan is a loan that uses your home as security against the loan. Secured loans are suitable for when you are trying to raise a large amount; are having difficulty getting an unsecured loan; or, have a poor credit history. Lenders can be more flexible when it comes to secured loans, making a secured loan possible when you may have been turned down for an unsecured loan. Secured loans are also worth considering if you need a new car, or need to make home improvements, or take that luxury holiday of a lifetime. You can borrow any amount of money and repay it over any period from 5 to 25 years. You simply select a monthly payment that fits in your current circumstances.
Secured Personal Loan
A Secured Personal Loan is a loan that is secured against property. Secured personal loans are suitable for when you are trying to raise a large amount; are having difficulty getting an unsecured personal loan; or, have a poor credit history. Lenders can be more flexible when it comes to Secured personal loans, making a Secured personal loan possible when you may have been turned down for an unsecured personal loan. Secured personal loans are also worth considering if you need a new car, or need to make home improvements, or take that luxury holiday of a lifetime.
You can borrow any amount you need and repay it over any period from 5 to 25 years.
Student Loan
A student loan is way of borrowing money to help with the cost of your education. Applications are made through your Local Education Authority or the government. A student loan is a way of receiving money to help with your living costs when you're attending college. You start paying back the loan once you have finished studying, provided your income has reached a certain level.
Tenant Loan
A tenant loan is an unsecured loan granted to those that do not own their own property. A tenant loan is always unsecured because in most cases, if you are renting your accommodation, you do not have an asset against which you can secure your loan. Tenants sometimes find that some loan companies will only lend money to homeowners. If you are a tenant you need to look for a company, bank or building society willing to give you an unsecured loan.
Unsecured Loan
An unsecured loan is a personal loan where the lender has no claim on a homeowner's property should they fail to repay. Instead, the lender is relying solely on the ability of a borrower to meet their loan borrowing repayments. Because you not securing the money you are borrowing, lenders tend to limit the value of unsecured loans.
The repayment period will range from anywhere between six months and ten years. Unsecured loans are offered by traditional financial institutions like building societies and banks but also recently by the larger supermarkets chains.
An unsecured loan can be used for almost anything - a luxury holiday, a new car, a wedding, or home improvements.
An unsecured loan is good for people who are not homeowners and cannot obtain a secured loan for example; a tenant living in rented accommodation.
Unsecured Personal Loan
An Unsecured personal loan is a personal loan where the lender has no claim on a homeowner's property should they fail to repay. Instead, the lender is relying solely on the ability of a borrower to meet their loan borrowing repayments.
The amount you are able to borrow varies. The repayment period will range from anywhere between six months and ten years. An Unsecured personal loan can be used for almost anything - a luxury holiday, a new car, a wedding, or home improvements.
An Unsecured personal loan is good for people who are not homeowners and cannot get a secured loan. For example, this is a good program for renters.
Bad Credit Personal Loan
A Bad Credit Personal Loan is a loan made for people with a bad credit rating. However created, your past record of County Court Judgments, mortgage or other loan arrears can live on to deny you access to finance that other people regard as normal.
If you are a homeowner with equity in your property, a Bad Credit Personal Loan can bring that normality back to your life. Secured on your home, a Bad Credit Personal Loan can give you the freedom, for example, to do the home improvements or buy the new car you want.
With a Bad Credit Personal Loan you can borrow up to 125% of your property value in some cases.
Bridging Loan
A bridging loan is a kind of loan used to "bridge" the financial gap between monies required for your new property completion prior to your existing property having been sold.
Bridging loans are short-term loans arranged when you need to purchase a house but are can't arrange the mortgage for some reason, such as there is a delay in selling your current home.
The beauty of bridging loans is that a bridging loan can be used to cover the financial gap when buying one property before the existing one is sold
A bridging loan can also be used to raise capital pending the sale of a property.
Bridging loans can be arranged for any sum and can be borrowed for periods from a week to up to six months.
A bridging loan is similar to a mortgage where the amount borrowed is secured on your home, but the advantage of a mortgage is that it attracts a lower interest rate.
While bridging loans are convenient, the truth is that the interest rates can be very high.
Business Loan
A business loan is designed for a wide range of small, medium and startup business needs including the purchase, refinance, expansion of a business, development loans or any type of commercial investment.
Business loans are generally available at really competitive interest rates from leading commercial loan lenders.
A business loan can be secured by all types of business property, commercial and residential properties.
Business Loans can offer up to 79% LTV (Loan to Valuation) with variable rates, depending on status and how long the term is.
Business loans are normally offered on Freehold and long Leasehold properties with Bricks and Mortar valuations required. Legal and valuation fees are payable by the client.
Car Loan
The basic types of car loans available are Hire Purchase and Manufacturer's schemes. Hire purchase car finance is arranged by a car dealership, and in essence means that you are hiring the car from the dealer until the final payment on the loan has been paid, when ownership of the vehicle is transferred to you.
A Manufacturers' scheme is a type of loan that is put together and advertised by the car manufacturer and can be arranged directly with them or through a local car dealership. You will not own the car until you pay back the loan in full. The car would be repossessed if you default on repayments.
Cash Loan
Cash Loans are also known as Payday Loans, and these loans are arranged for people in employment who find themselves in a situation where they are short of immediate funds.
A Cash Loan can assist you in this situation with short term loans.
Loans are repayable on your next payday, although it is possible to renew your loan until further paydays down the road.
To apply for a Cash Loan you must be in employment and have a bank account with a checkbook. A poor credit rating or debt history is initially not a problem.
Debt Consolidation Loan
Debt consolidation loans can give you a fresh start, allowing you to consolidate all of your loans into one simple loan, which will give you just one easy-to-manage payment, and in most cases, at a lower rate of interest.
Secured on your home, these debt consolidation loans can sweep away the pile of repayments to your credit and store cards, HP, loans and replace them with one, low cost, monthly payment that is calculated to be well within your means.
With a Debt Consolidation Loan, you can borrow up to 125% of your property value in some cases.
It can reduce BOTH your interest costs AND your monthly repayments, putting you back in control of the life you want to lead.
Home Loan
A Home Loan is a loan secured on your home. You can unlock the value tied up in your property with a secured Home loan, and many people choose to do so with this kind of loan.
The loan can be used for any purpose, and is available to anyone who owns their home. Home loans can be used for any purpose such as, home improvements, buying a new car, taking a vacation, paying of credit cards and debt consolidation.
Home Improvement Loan
A Home Improvement Loan is a low interest loan secured on your property.
With a Home Improvement Loan you can borrow money with low monthly repayments.
The loan can be repaid over any term between 5 and 25 years, depending on your available income and the amount of equity in the property that is to provide the security for the loan. You need to talk to your lender about that.
A Home Improvement Loan can help you with installing a new kitchen, bathroom, extension, loft conversion, conservatory, landscaping your garden or purchasing new furniture. You can even use it on non-house expenditure like a new car or repaying credit card or other debts, which makes it convenient and useful for multi purposes.
Home Owner Loan
A Home Owner Loan is a loan secured on your home that you own. You can unlock the value tied up in your property with a secured Home Owner loan. The loan can be used for any purpose, and is available to anyone who owns their home. Home owner loans can be used for any purpose such as, home improvements, new car, luxury holiday, pay of store card or credit card debt and debt consolidation.
Payday Loan
Payday Loans also known as Cash Loans are arranged for people in employment who find themselves in a situation where they are short of immediate funds.
A Payday Loan can assist you in this situation with short term loans to help you get through tough financial times.
Loans are repayable on your next payday, although it is possible to renew your loan until subsequent paydays. To apply for a loan you must be in employment and have a bank account with a checkbook. A poor credit rating or debt history is initially not a problem.
Personal Loan
There are two categories of personal loans: secured personal loans and unsecured personal loans - See individual titles below. Homeowners can apply for a Secured personal loan (using their property as security), whereas tenants only have the option of an unsecured personal loan.
Remortgage Loan
A remortgage is changing your mortgage without moving your home. Remortgaging is the process of switching your mortgage to another lender that is offering a better deal than your current lender. This process is done to help you save money. A remortgage can also be used to raise additional finances by releasing equity in your property.
You can borrow money and rates are variable, depending on status.
Secured Loan
A secured loan is a loan that uses your home as security against the loan. Secured loans are suitable for when you are trying to raise a large amount; are having difficulty getting an unsecured loan; or, have a poor credit history. Lenders can be more flexible when it comes to secured loans, making a secured loan possible when you may have been turned down for an unsecured loan. Secured loans are also worth considering if you need a new car, or need to make home improvements, or take that luxury holiday of a lifetime. You can borrow any amount of money and repay it over any period from 5 to 25 years. You simply select a monthly payment that fits in your current circumstances.
Secured Personal Loan
A Secured Personal Loan is a loan that is secured against property. Secured personal loans are suitable for when you are trying to raise a large amount; are having difficulty getting an unsecured personal loan; or, have a poor credit history. Lenders can be more flexible when it comes to Secured personal loans, making a Secured personal loan possible when you may have been turned down for an unsecured personal loan. Secured personal loans are also worth considering if you need a new car, or need to make home improvements, or take that luxury holiday of a lifetime.
You can borrow any amount you need and repay it over any period from 5 to 25 years.
Student Loan
A student loan is way of borrowing money to help with the cost of your education. Applications are made through your Local Education Authority or the government. A student loan is a way of receiving money to help with your living costs when you're attending college. You start paying back the loan once you have finished studying, provided your income has reached a certain level.
Tenant Loan
A tenant loan is an unsecured loan granted to those that do not own their own property. A tenant loan is always unsecured because in most cases, if you are renting your accommodation, you do not have an asset against which you can secure your loan. Tenants sometimes find that some loan companies will only lend money to homeowners. If you are a tenant you need to look for a company, bank or building society willing to give you an unsecured loan.
Unsecured Loan
An unsecured loan is a personal loan where the lender has no claim on a homeowner's property should they fail to repay. Instead, the lender is relying solely on the ability of a borrower to meet their loan borrowing repayments. Because you not securing the money you are borrowing, lenders tend to limit the value of unsecured loans.
The repayment period will range from anywhere between six months and ten years. Unsecured loans are offered by traditional financial institutions like building societies and banks but also recently by the larger supermarkets chains.
An unsecured loan can be used for almost anything - a luxury holiday, a new car, a wedding, or home improvements.
An unsecured loan is good for people who are not homeowners and cannot obtain a secured loan for example; a tenant living in rented accommodation.
Unsecured Personal Loan
An Unsecured personal loan is a personal loan where the lender has no claim on a homeowner's property should they fail to repay. Instead, the lender is relying solely on the ability of a borrower to meet their loan borrowing repayments.
The amount you are able to borrow varies. The repayment period will range from anywhere between six months and ten years. An Unsecured personal loan can be used for almost anything - a luxury holiday, a new car, a wedding, or home improvements.
An Unsecured personal loan is good for people who are not homeowners and cannot get a secured loan. For example, this is a good program for renters.
5 Tips To Save Big On Your Next Car Loan
If you think about it, the most grueling part of the car-buying process, after agreeing on a price, is acquiring the right kind of loan for your new or used car. Most consumers enter the car dealership completely unprepared for the loan application process, and that lack of knowledge and planning is costing them millions of dollars every year.
If you want to create a win-win situation for you and the car dealership you purchase your car from, there are five steps to take before you sit down at the negotiation table: get your credit report, surf before buying, go local, speak the language and be prepared to negotiate.
1.) Get Your Credit Report
You can’t pick up a personal finance article, magazine or book that does not refer to the importance of knowing what is on your credit report. Despite the fact that modern media has been beating us over the head with this advice for the past couple of decades, most people do not know their credit score or check their credit report on a regular basis. You can get a copy of your report by directly contacting the three credit bureaus: <a href="http://www.equifax.com/" target="_blank">Equifax</a>, <a href="http://www.transunion.com/" target="_blank">TransUnion</a> and <a href="http://www.experian.com/" target="_blank">Experian</a> (formerly TRW).
Not knowing your credit score and the details of your credit report before applying for a car loan is a monumental mistake. You want to have any blemishes on your report resolved before you apply for a car loan, because the results of your lender’s credit inquiry directly impact your interest rate.
Your credit report includes: basic information about you – name, address, social security number, etc.; your late payments, any outstanding debts you have, the amount of credit available to you; any public records on you such as judgments and bankruptcies; and inquiries into your credit from potential employers or lenders.
And just because you have caught up late payments, cleared outstanding debts or cleared up any judgments does not mean these blemishes are automatically removed from your credit report. Sometimes, you need to follow up with the creditors to make sure they report your reconciliation of debt to all three credit bureaus.
In addition, identity theft and/or fraud can result in false, unfavorable records on your credit report. In January 2006, the Federal Trade Commission reported that more than 686,000 people reported identity theft and fraud complaints in 2005. Stolen identity and fraud can result in major credit report issues.
2.) Surf Before Buying
You’ll be far less tempted to impulse buy, driving away from the car dealership with a car you can’t afford if you have established boundaries in your mind before you begin.
You can save big money on your car loan if you have a budget and type of car in mind before you go shopping. One easy way to accomplish this is to go online and check out different car dealership websites.
You can compare and contrast vehicle makes, models, styles, features and pricing.
3.) Go Local
There are many national auto websites, but did you know that many local car dealerships are now online as well? The advantage of working with a local car dealership can outweigh working with the manufacturer or a national website when you want the best in quality customer service, a relationship for the lifetime of your car and the best deal on your auto loan.
The advantages of getting a loan through a local dealership is similar to the reason every town in America has a locally-owned restaurant that has regulars: local businesses have a sincere investment in the community. That interest often leads to better customer service, a more customized approach to selling, and the ability to get you a better loan than you will receive from a lender who doesn’t know – or care – who you are.
Lastly, the local dealership may have more than one location, increasing your options for finding the car you need but offering the same uniform auto financing options. For example, <a href="http://www.conklincarssalina.com/" target="_blank">Conklin Cars Salina</a>, a car dealer in Kansas, is also a <a href="http://www.conklincarshutchinson.com/" target="_blank">Hutchinson car dealer</a> and a <a href="http://www.conklincarsnewton.com/" target="_blank">Newton car dealer</a>. So, if a customer goes to one dealership and does not find what they need, they can visit another location and expect the same quality customer service.
4.) Speak the Language
There’s nothing more frustrating than going through the entire car-buying process, thinking you have a good deal, and learning down the road that you were taken advantage of – simply because you had no idea what your sales rep was talking about.
From <a href="http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/auto/20020909b.asp" target="_blank">dealer holdback to Rule of 78s </a>, make sure you have an understanding of some of the basic industry terms that could be thrown at you during your transaction. With this knowledge, you won’t misunderstand the details or find yourself being signing a contract or paperwork that you don’t understand.
5.) Be Prepared to Negotiate
If you’ve followed the four previous steps in this article, you will be armed with the necessary tools to negotiate the best rate possible for your car loan. There’s nothing wrong with shopping around and checking with other lenders to see what kind of rate they can offer you, but you must remember that numerous inquiries into your credit report may go against you.
And, when you go through the dealer for your auto loan, the sales rep wants a long-term relationship with you. This motivates them to work harder to get the best rate possible for you. In contrast, an online or off-site lender’s interests begin and end with the loan – but the car dealer wants you to: come back and have your car serviced, return when you want to purchase your next car, and tell your friends about them, further strengthening the dealership’s reputation in the community and increasing business.
Before you sit down to get your next auto loan, take the time to do a little homework so that you can feel confident about securing the best deal for your auto loan. Investing a little time and effort before making the deal can go a long way in creating a win-win situation for you and the car dealership.
If you want to create a win-win situation for you and the car dealership you purchase your car from, there are five steps to take before you sit down at the negotiation table: get your credit report, surf before buying, go local, speak the language and be prepared to negotiate.
1.) Get Your Credit Report
You can’t pick up a personal finance article, magazine or book that does not refer to the importance of knowing what is on your credit report. Despite the fact that modern media has been beating us over the head with this advice for the past couple of decades, most people do not know their credit score or check their credit report on a regular basis. You can get a copy of your report by directly contacting the three credit bureaus: <a href="http://www.equifax.com/" target="_blank">Equifax</a>, <a href="http://www.transunion.com/" target="_blank">TransUnion</a> and <a href="http://www.experian.com/" target="_blank">Experian</a> (formerly TRW).
Not knowing your credit score and the details of your credit report before applying for a car loan is a monumental mistake. You want to have any blemishes on your report resolved before you apply for a car loan, because the results of your lender’s credit inquiry directly impact your interest rate.
Your credit report includes: basic information about you – name, address, social security number, etc.; your late payments, any outstanding debts you have, the amount of credit available to you; any public records on you such as judgments and bankruptcies; and inquiries into your credit from potential employers or lenders.
And just because you have caught up late payments, cleared outstanding debts or cleared up any judgments does not mean these blemishes are automatically removed from your credit report. Sometimes, you need to follow up with the creditors to make sure they report your reconciliation of debt to all three credit bureaus.
In addition, identity theft and/or fraud can result in false, unfavorable records on your credit report. In January 2006, the Federal Trade Commission reported that more than 686,000 people reported identity theft and fraud complaints in 2005. Stolen identity and fraud can result in major credit report issues.
2.) Surf Before Buying
You’ll be far less tempted to impulse buy, driving away from the car dealership with a car you can’t afford if you have established boundaries in your mind before you begin.
You can save big money on your car loan if you have a budget and type of car in mind before you go shopping. One easy way to accomplish this is to go online and check out different car dealership websites.
You can compare and contrast vehicle makes, models, styles, features and pricing.
3.) Go Local
There are many national auto websites, but did you know that many local car dealerships are now online as well? The advantage of working with a local car dealership can outweigh working with the manufacturer or a national website when you want the best in quality customer service, a relationship for the lifetime of your car and the best deal on your auto loan.
The advantages of getting a loan through a local dealership is similar to the reason every town in America has a locally-owned restaurant that has regulars: local businesses have a sincere investment in the community. That interest often leads to better customer service, a more customized approach to selling, and the ability to get you a better loan than you will receive from a lender who doesn’t know – or care – who you are.
Lastly, the local dealership may have more than one location, increasing your options for finding the car you need but offering the same uniform auto financing options. For example, <a href="http://www.conklincarssalina.com/" target="_blank">Conklin Cars Salina</a>, a car dealer in Kansas, is also a <a href="http://www.conklincarshutchinson.com/" target="_blank">Hutchinson car dealer</a> and a <a href="http://www.conklincarsnewton.com/" target="_blank">Newton car dealer</a>. So, if a customer goes to one dealership and does not find what they need, they can visit another location and expect the same quality customer service.
4.) Speak the Language
There’s nothing more frustrating than going through the entire car-buying process, thinking you have a good deal, and learning down the road that you were taken advantage of – simply because you had no idea what your sales rep was talking about.
From <a href="http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/auto/20020909b.asp" target="_blank">dealer holdback to Rule of 78s </a>, make sure you have an understanding of some of the basic industry terms that could be thrown at you during your transaction. With this knowledge, you won’t misunderstand the details or find yourself being signing a contract or paperwork that you don’t understand.
5.) Be Prepared to Negotiate
If you’ve followed the four previous steps in this article, you will be armed with the necessary tools to negotiate the best rate possible for your car loan. There’s nothing wrong with shopping around and checking with other lenders to see what kind of rate they can offer you, but you must remember that numerous inquiries into your credit report may go against you.
And, when you go through the dealer for your auto loan, the sales rep wants a long-term relationship with you. This motivates them to work harder to get the best rate possible for you. In contrast, an online or off-site lender’s interests begin and end with the loan – but the car dealer wants you to: come back and have your car serviced, return when you want to purchase your next car, and tell your friends about them, further strengthening the dealership’s reputation in the community and increasing business.
Before you sit down to get your next auto loan, take the time to do a little homework so that you can feel confident about securing the best deal for your auto loan. Investing a little time and effort before making the deal can go a long way in creating a win-win situation for you and the car dealership.
Using car donation as a tax deduction
A lot of people find that with car donation they are able to get rid of some older cars, but also they are able to get a tax deduction from the donation. The best way to save your some cash is to donate the car. Keep in mind that you are donating the car for a good cause (most of the time to benefit a cause).
When it comes to giving the car away for charity, you’ll want to make sure that the car has good tires, but it doesn’t have to be a working car. You’ll want to keep in mind that when you give away a useless car, they will be able to sell the spare parts or use it for scrap metal. You’ll want to keep in mind that sometimes the smaller charities do require that you give them a decent car, however, most of the time the charities will take anything.
For those who are thinking about donating you’ll want to subtract the car expenses if you are giving it to charity. You’ll need to apply for t donation option, but all you need to do is file a 503-c3 or a donation form and then you’ll be able to get a tax break from the simple act of generosity.
The reason why many charities will take on this role is because they are able to give back to the local community with the fund. You’ll want to keep in mind that once they sell the car, they will let you know what the price is. You’ll need to make sure that you do everything that you can to keep close ties with the car donation charity. This way you’ll be able to get the proper amount of tax deductions that you deserve.
When it comes to giving the car away for charity, you’ll want to make sure that the car has good tires, but it doesn’t have to be a working car. You’ll want to keep in mind that when you give away a useless car, they will be able to sell the spare parts or use it for scrap metal. You’ll want to keep in mind that sometimes the smaller charities do require that you give them a decent car, however, most of the time the charities will take anything.
For those who are thinking about donating you’ll want to subtract the car expenses if you are giving it to charity. You’ll need to apply for t donation option, but all you need to do is file a 503-c3 or a donation form and then you’ll be able to get a tax break from the simple act of generosity.
The reason why many charities will take on this role is because they are able to give back to the local community with the fund. You’ll want to keep in mind that once they sell the car, they will let you know what the price is. You’ll need to make sure that you do everything that you can to keep close ties with the car donation charity. This way you’ll be able to get the proper amount of tax deductions that you deserve.
How Much Car Insurance Do You Need?
Your auto insurance is a collection of different policies that cover you in different ways. Here’s how they break down:
• Liability coverage – These policies help cover liability and expenses when you’re at fault in and accident. The money will go to the people you hit, but it won’t cover the people in your car.
• Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) – This policy pays for the medical expenses of people injured in a crash in which you’re at fault. You’ll often see BIL policies described as a “20/50” policy or a “100/300” policy. These numbers describe the maximum dollar amount the policy will pay for a single person’s injuries and the maximum for all the injuries sustained by all the occupants of the other car. For example, a 20/50 policy will pay a maximum of $20,000 for a single person’s injuries, and up to $50,000 total for the injuries of everyone in the car you hit.
• Property Damage Liability – This policy pays for damage done to the other car if you’re at fault in an accident. Property liability is sometimes referred to alongside BIL as a third number, so a 20/50/10 liability package will cover up to $10,000 for damages to the other car.
The following policies cover you and your card in an accident:
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – This covers your and your passengers’ medical expenses after an accident. If you lose time at work because of your injuries, this policy may also cover lost wages.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage – This helps cover costs if you are hit by someone without insurance, or minimal coverage.
• Collision – This policy covers repairs to your car after an accident.
• Comprehensive – This policy covers costs if your car is stolen or damaged outside of an accident.
Nearly every state requires car owners to carry auto insurance, and most states have required minimum values for different policies. If you don’t carry insurance, the state can impound your vehicle. To find out what your state’s minimums are, check out the Web
Minimum coverage isn’t necessarily all you should have. New Jersey, for example, requires car owners to carry a 15/30/5 liability package. If you’re involved in a serious accident, it’s possible that an individual’s medical expenses could exceed $15,000, or a group’s expenses could total more than $30,000. In addition, $5,000 for car repairs isn’t a lot, considering that the average car now costs a little more than $20,000.
You’re on the hook when costs exceed your coverage limits. That’s why many people opt for policies that cover more than required minimums, particularly if they have assets that can be seized to pay for repairs and medical care.
A good rule of thumb: Make sure you’re covered for an amount equal to the total value of your assets (Add up the dollar values of your house, your car, savings and investments).
How much insurance do you need for yourself?
You probably don’t need to spend a lot of money on a Personal Injury Protection policy. You should be covered if you have health insurance and disability insurance through your employer. Just buy the required minimum.
You do need to make sure you have adequate coverage against uninsured and under-insured drivers. It’s relatively inexpensive in most states (something like $40 a year for $100,000 worth of coverage) and if you are in a collision with an uninsured driver, will help cover costs your health insurance won’t. If you’ve decided to carry BIL for $100,000/$300,000, do the same for yourself.
Collision and comprehensive coverage is worth having if you would want to repair or replace your car after an accident. These policies have a deductible (the amount you have to pay out-of-pocket before coverage kicks in), and they pay out based on the current value of your car, not what you paid for it.
Choose the highest deductible you can afford, because a higher deductible will significantly lower your premium. You’re seeking coverage for major damages to your car, not for every little thing that can go wrong. It’s better to spend $500 of your own money on minor repairs every so often than pay an extra $50 a month whether you need repairs or not. Save collision insurance for when you have car repairs that cost thousands, not hundreds. Remember, if you submit a claim for every little thing, your premium will increase.
A handful of states require car owners to carry no-fault insurance, policies that pay out no matter which driver is at fault in an accident and limit your ability to sue other drivers.
Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Utah and Puerto Rico requires car owners to carry this protection, though the rules around how these policies work vary by state. These policies tend to be expensive, so be sure to shop around for the best deal if you live in a no-fault state.
How to Shop for Car Insurance
Once you’ve decided how much car insurance you need, it’s time to begin shopping. Auto insurance policies vary widely depending on your car, your driving record and your credit, so it’s wise to do some research.
Go to insweb.com and Insurance.com and fill out the application form. After a short time, you’ll receive comparable quotes from several insurers. There are three kinds of insurers:
Direct sellers – You’re likely familiar with these brand names, such as GEICOs andProgressive. These companies sell coverage directly to you, bypassing traditional insurance agents. Since there’s no agent, there’s no commission; theoretically the savings are passed on to you. But these insurers accept only the best drivers, so you may have trouble qualifying for coverage if you have a history of accidents or moving violations.
Large national brands – Allstate and State Farm are better equipped for drivers with a bit of a blotchy past, and their rates are usually pretty good (they may even be able to match some of the offers from the direct sellers). These companies sell through local agents, but their agents are exclusive—a State Farm agent sells State Farm coverage and nothing else, so you’ll have to do your own comparison shopping.
Independent insurance agents – These sellers offer all kinds of insurance from many different companies. If you have any issues affecting your ability to get coverage (such as a patchy driving record or a teenage driver in your house) independent agents can usually find you better coverage at better prices than what you’d find on your own. Ask friends and family whether they have an insurance agent they would recommend.
A few tips for negotiating with an insurer:
Ask about all available discounts – There is almost always a way to save money. You may get a discount if your car has anti-lock brakes, if you don’t drive your car that often or that far, and so on. Request a list of all possible discounts to see if you qualify.
Skip towing insurance – It’s better to take that extra money and join an auto club (such as AAA) instead. In addition to towing, you’ll have roadside assistance when you need it.
Consider glass insurance – You can chip a windshield at any time, and auto glass is expensive to replace. Just make sure that glass is part of your comprehensive coverage, and not as a separate policy, which can be costly.
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• Liability coverage – These policies help cover liability and expenses when you’re at fault in and accident. The money will go to the people you hit, but it won’t cover the people in your car.
• Bodily Injury Liability (BIL) – This policy pays for the medical expenses of people injured in a crash in which you’re at fault. You’ll often see BIL policies described as a “20/50” policy or a “100/300” policy. These numbers describe the maximum dollar amount the policy will pay for a single person’s injuries and the maximum for all the injuries sustained by all the occupants of the other car. For example, a 20/50 policy will pay a maximum of $20,000 for a single person’s injuries, and up to $50,000 total for the injuries of everyone in the car you hit.
• Property Damage Liability – This policy pays for damage done to the other car if you’re at fault in an accident. Property liability is sometimes referred to alongside BIL as a third number, so a 20/50/10 liability package will cover up to $10,000 for damages to the other car.
The following policies cover you and your card in an accident:
• Personal Injury Protection (PIP) – This covers your and your passengers’ medical expenses after an accident. If you lose time at work because of your injuries, this policy may also cover lost wages.
• Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage – This helps cover costs if you are hit by someone without insurance, or minimal coverage.
• Collision – This policy covers repairs to your car after an accident.
• Comprehensive – This policy covers costs if your car is stolen or damaged outside of an accident.
Nearly every state requires car owners to carry auto insurance, and most states have required minimum values for different policies. If you don’t carry insurance, the state can impound your vehicle. To find out what your state’s minimums are, check out the Web
Minimum coverage isn’t necessarily all you should have. New Jersey, for example, requires car owners to carry a 15/30/5 liability package. If you’re involved in a serious accident, it’s possible that an individual’s medical expenses could exceed $15,000, or a group’s expenses could total more than $30,000. In addition, $5,000 for car repairs isn’t a lot, considering that the average car now costs a little more than $20,000.
You’re on the hook when costs exceed your coverage limits. That’s why many people opt for policies that cover more than required minimums, particularly if they have assets that can be seized to pay for repairs and medical care.
A good rule of thumb: Make sure you’re covered for an amount equal to the total value of your assets (Add up the dollar values of your house, your car, savings and investments).
How much insurance do you need for yourself?
You probably don’t need to spend a lot of money on a Personal Injury Protection policy. You should be covered if you have health insurance and disability insurance through your employer. Just buy the required minimum.
You do need to make sure you have adequate coverage against uninsured and under-insured drivers. It’s relatively inexpensive in most states (something like $40 a year for $100,000 worth of coverage) and if you are in a collision with an uninsured driver, will help cover costs your health insurance won’t. If you’ve decided to carry BIL for $100,000/$300,000, do the same for yourself.
Collision and comprehensive coverage is worth having if you would want to repair or replace your car after an accident. These policies have a deductible (the amount you have to pay out-of-pocket before coverage kicks in), and they pay out based on the current value of your car, not what you paid for it.
Choose the highest deductible you can afford, because a higher deductible will significantly lower your premium. You’re seeking coverage for major damages to your car, not for every little thing that can go wrong. It’s better to spend $500 of your own money on minor repairs every so often than pay an extra $50 a month whether you need repairs or not. Save collision insurance for when you have car repairs that cost thousands, not hundreds. Remember, if you submit a claim for every little thing, your premium will increase.
A handful of states require car owners to carry no-fault insurance, policies that pay out no matter which driver is at fault in an accident and limit your ability to sue other drivers.
Florida, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Utah and Puerto Rico requires car owners to carry this protection, though the rules around how these policies work vary by state. These policies tend to be expensive, so be sure to shop around for the best deal if you live in a no-fault state.
How to Shop for Car Insurance
Once you’ve decided how much car insurance you need, it’s time to begin shopping. Auto insurance policies vary widely depending on your car, your driving record and your credit, so it’s wise to do some research.
Go to insweb.com and Insurance.com and fill out the application form. After a short time, you’ll receive comparable quotes from several insurers. There are three kinds of insurers:
Direct sellers – You’re likely familiar with these brand names, such as GEICOs andProgressive. These companies sell coverage directly to you, bypassing traditional insurance agents. Since there’s no agent, there’s no commission; theoretically the savings are passed on to you. But these insurers accept only the best drivers, so you may have trouble qualifying for coverage if you have a history of accidents or moving violations.
Large national brands – Allstate and State Farm are better equipped for drivers with a bit of a blotchy past, and their rates are usually pretty good (they may even be able to match some of the offers from the direct sellers). These companies sell through local agents, but their agents are exclusive—a State Farm agent sells State Farm coverage and nothing else, so you’ll have to do your own comparison shopping.
Independent insurance agents – These sellers offer all kinds of insurance from many different companies. If you have any issues affecting your ability to get coverage (such as a patchy driving record or a teenage driver in your house) independent agents can usually find you better coverage at better prices than what you’d find on your own. Ask friends and family whether they have an insurance agent they would recommend.
A few tips for negotiating with an insurer:
Ask about all available discounts – There is almost always a way to save money. You may get a discount if your car has anti-lock brakes, if you don’t drive your car that often or that far, and so on. Request a list of all possible discounts to see if you qualify.
Skip towing insurance – It’s better to take that extra money and join an auto club (such as AAA) instead. In addition to towing, you’ll have roadside assistance when you need it.
Consider glass insurance – You can chip a windshield at any time, and auto glass is expensive to replace. Just make sure that glass is part of your comprehensive coverage, and not as a separate policy, which can be costly.
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Top Tips For Cheaper, Better Car Insurance
The Basic Types of Coverage
Protecting your assets and your health are two of the primary benefits of car insurance. Getting the proper coverage is the first step in the process. These are the basic types of coverage with which most people are familiar:
-Liability: This coverage pays for third-party personal injury and death-related claims, as well as any damage to another person’s property that occurs as a result of your automobile accident. Liability coverage is required in all but a few states.
-Collision: This coverage pays to repair your car after an accident. It is required if you have a loan against your vehicle because the car isn’t really yours – it belongs to the bank, which wants to avoid getting stuck with a wrecked car.
-Comprehensive: This coverage pays for damage incurred as a result of theft, vandalism, fire, water, etc. If you paid cash for your car or paid off your car loan, you may not need collision or comprehensive coverage, particularly if the blue book value of your car is less than $5,000.(For additional reading, see Pros And Cons Of Leasing Vs Buying A Vehicle.)
Additional Coverage
In addition to the coverage listed above, other optional coverage types include the following:
-Full Tort/Limited Tort: You can reduce your insurance bill by a few dollars if you give up your right to sue in the event of an accident. However, giving up your rights is rarely a smart financial move.
-Medical Payments/Personal Injury Protection: Personal injury protection pays the cost of medical bills for the policyholder and passengers. If you have good health insurance coverage, this may not be necessary. (For additional reading, check out Fighting The High Costs Of Healthcare.)
-Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage: This option provides for medical and property damage coverage if you are involved in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist.
-Towing: Towing coverage pays for a tow if your vehicle cannot be driven after an accident. If you are a member of an automobile service, or if your vehicle comes with roadside assistance provided by the manufacturer, this coverage is unnecessary.
-Glass Breakage: Some companies do not cover broken glass under their collision or comprehensive policies. In general, this coverage is not worth the long-term cost.
-Rental: This insurance option covers the cost of a rental car, but rental cars are so inexpensive that it may not be worth paying for this coverage.
-Gap: If you demolish that $35,000 sport utility vehicle 10 minutes after you drive it off the lot, the amount the insurance company pays is likely to leave you with no vehicle and a big bill. The same thing applies if your new set of wheels gets stolen. Gap insurance pays the difference between the blue book value of a vehicle and the amount of money still owed on the car. If you are leasing a vehicle or purchasing a vehicle with a low, or no, down payment, gap insurance is a great idea.
Factors That Impact Your Rates
In addition to the specific coverage options that you select, other factors that affect your auto insurance rates include the following:
-Deductible: This is the amount of money that you pay out of your own pocket if you get in an accident. The higher your deductible, the lower your insurance bill. In general, a deductible of at least $500 is worth considering, as damage to your vehicle that comes in at less than $500 can often be paid without filing an insurance claim.
-Age: Younger, less experienced drivers have higher insurance rates.
-Gender: Men have higher rates than women.
-Demographics: People living in high-crime areas pay more than those living in low-crime areas.
-Claims: Accident-prone drivers pay more. If you want to keep your rates low, keep the number of claims that you file to a minimum.
-Moving Violations: Speeding and other moving violations all have a negative impact on your insurance bill. Obey the law to help keep your rates from rising.
-Vehicle Choice: Sports cars cost more to insure than sedans, and expensive cars cost more to insure than cheap ones do. Looking into the cost of insurance before you purchase that new car could help you save a bundle on your car insurance.
-Driving Habits: The number of miles that you drive, whether or not you use your car for work, and the distance between your home and work all play a role in determining your rates.
-Theft Deterrent Systems: If you have an alarm on your car, you’ll pay less to insure your vehicle.
-Safety Devices: Air bags and anti-lock brakes both work in your favor by keeping you safer and lowering your insurance bill.
-Accident Prevention Training: Some companies offer discounts if you take a driver’s education training course.
-Multiple Policies: If you have more than one car and/or also have homeowner or renter’s insurance, keep in mind that many insurance companies offer discounts based on the number of policies that you have with them.
-Payment Plan: Some insurance companies offer discounts based on your payment plan. Paying your entire yearly bill at one time, instead of in installments, may lead to a discount.
-Credit Score: Good credit lowers your car insurance rates. Bad credit increases them. (To learn more about this process, see Insight Into Insurance Scoring and The Importance Of Your Credit Rating.)
Shopping Tips
When you’re in the market for car insurance, careful shopping is a must. Prices, features and benefits vary widely from company to company. Minimum coverage requirements vary too. In Florida, for instance, the minimum coverage requirements are $10,000 for personal injury protection and $10,000 for property damage.
In the personal injury department, $10,000 dollars doesn’t buy much in the way of medical services should an operation or prolonged stay in the hospital be required. The same is true when it comes to personal property, as there are many sport utility vehicles and luxury cars that are priced well above $30,000. Therefore, protecting your financial assets in the event of an accident is likely to require far more coverage.
Comparison shopping is always a smart thing to do, and there are many websites designed to help consumers compare insurance policy prices. Insurance agents can help too. Independent agents often offer policies from multiple carriers and can help you find the policy best suited to your needs. Before you eschew an agent in favor of an online provider, think carefully about who you are going to call after you have an accident. Your agent has an incentive, in the form of your repeat business, to provide good service, while an online service may come up short.
Before you buy a policy, research your policy provider – regardless of who it is. Numerous firms rate the financial health of insurance companies, and your state also has an insurance website that rates firms based on the number of complaints they have received. (For a comprehensive list of state insurance regulators, visit the Federal Citizen Information Center.)
Conclusion
Shopping wisely can help you protect your health, your assets and your wallet, so put forth the effort to determine the type and amount of coverage that you need. Also make sure that you review and understand your policy before you sign on the dotted line. If you plan well, you’ll be pleased with the results, should you ever find the need to put your policy to the test by making a claim.
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How to: get cheaper car insurance
Having bought a car at the weekend, I also needed to arrange car insurance. The law in Britain now requires all cars that are used on public roads to have a valid insurance policy; if you don’t, then you must park the car off-road and submit a SORN. If your car is found on a public road, parked or moving, then you can be fined. So I needed to have a policy in place before I would be able to drive the car away.
Like many things, buying car insurance can be simple and quick, but if you’re prepared to put some effort in, you can bring your premiums down significantly. I can wholeheartedly recommend the advice on MoneySavingExpert.com which gives some tips on how to reduce your premiums by tweaking the information you provide. I would advise you to read the whole article, but here are the things I tried that worked for me.
It’s worth trying multiple sites, as different sites work with different insurers. I got different results from each. You can also usually get cashback if you click through to a price comparison web site from a cashback site like Quidco (referral link) or Topcashback (referral link). I got about £2 from them, just for getting a quote.
It’s also worth checking Aviva and Direct Line, who do not advertise their policies on price comparison web sites. As it happens, both gave me unaffordable quotes that were nearly double the cheapest that I could find, but, worth a try.
Sometimes, opting for third-party insurance can be cheaper, but it covers less than fully comprehensive insurance which could leave you out of pocket in the event of an accident. And, again bizarrely, sometimes comprehensive cover is cheaper than third-party because of risk factors.
And if you have another type of policy with an insurance firm (say home or travel insurance), some insurers may give you a discount if you take out more than one policy from the same firm. Our home insurance was arranged via a broker when we got our mortgage so I wasn’t able to approach them for a car insurance quote on this occasion.
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Like many things, buying car insurance can be simple and quick, but if you’re prepared to put some effort in, you can bring your premiums down significantly. I can wholeheartedly recommend the advice on MoneySavingExpert.com which gives some tips on how to reduce your premiums by tweaking the information you provide. I would advise you to read the whole article, but here are the things I tried that worked for me.
1. Trying multiple price comparison web sites
It’s hard to avoid the various price comparison web sites that advertise nowadays. Whether it’s the one with the meerkats, talking robots or annoying opera singer, these sites are well-advertised. They work by taking your details, and obtaining quotes from a range of insurers on your behalf, which are then ranked to show you the cheapest. The sites make their money from the referral fees that insurers pay when you take up a policy. Considering how much these sites advertise, they must make a lot of money from these referral fees.It’s worth trying multiple sites, as different sites work with different insurers. I got different results from each. You can also usually get cashback if you click through to a price comparison web site from a cashback site like Quidco (referral link) or Topcashback (referral link). I got about £2 from them, just for getting a quote.
2. Go direct to insurance companies
Once I’d found the cheapest insurer – and the three comparison sites I tried all gave the same company – I also tried to get a cheaper quote by visiting their site directly. Again, going via a cashback site may net you cashback as well. Remember those referral fees? Cashback sites pay those to you.It’s also worth checking Aviva and Direct Line, who do not advertise their policies on price comparison web sites. As it happens, both gave me unaffordable quotes that were nearly double the cheapest that I could find, but, worth a try.
3. Tweak your job description
I have a rather unique job title of ‘Student Recruitment and Data Officer’, which isn’t on the selection lists that insurers ask for. Originally I put it through as ‘Recruitment Consultant’ working in state education, but I found changing it to ‘Administrative Officer’ in the university sector lowered my premiums significantly (by about 20% in my case). As long as the title still accurately reflects your job role, you should be fine.4. Add another driver
As Christine hasn’t passed her test yet, it was going to just be me on the car’s insurance policy. However, we found that adding another family member to the policy, as a secondary driver, reduced my quote by another 10%. To be effective, this must be someone that would realistically be likely to drive the car, and who has a good driving record with no penalty points or recent insurance claims. Adding an irresponsible or inexperienced second driver may increase premiums, but it’s worth trying. 5. Include some business use
If you think adding another driver is a bizarre way to reduce your premiums, here’s one that seemed even weirder. I will need to drive for work from time to time (I reckoned no more than 1000 miles per year) and so I included this in the policy. This means that I won’t need to arrange a hire car, so my employer also saves money too. After getting quotes with this included, I tried taking it out and stating that the care would only be for ‘leisure’ use (no commuting and no work-related activities). That actually pushed the premiums up by about 10%, so I put it back in.Plus the things that I didn’t try
I didn’t try everything. I could have got an even cheaper policy if I had opted in to a ‘black box’ insurance policy. This involves the fitting of a recording device to your car that monitors your location and how you drive – and if you drive safely, you’ll save money. InsureTheBox is one of the better known firms that offers this (a friend works for them), but it’s available from a variety of insurers.Sometimes, opting for third-party insurance can be cheaper, but it covers less than fully comprehensive insurance which could leave you out of pocket in the event of an accident. And, again bizarrely, sometimes comprehensive cover is cheaper than third-party because of risk factors.
And if you have another type of policy with an insurance firm (say home or travel insurance), some insurers may give you a discount if you take out more than one policy from the same firm. Our home insurance was arranged via a broker when we got our mortgage so I wasn’t able to approach them for a car insurance quote on this occasion.
In the end
As it happened, the cheapest quote I got was via Confused.com, for Diamond insurance – a company that historically only covered female drivers. Both are owned by Admiral Group, incidentally. Overall, the policy ended up being about £200/year cheaper than when I started, which isn’t bad for a couple of hours spent entering information into various web sites. Insurance for new drivers is always expensive and I’m hoping that, should I continue to drive like Captain Slow, my premiums should come down in future years.Atanumme Group ( car insurance )
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