X

What is your car insurance actually insuring? Although you're buying a single insurance policy covering a specific vehicle, a number of components make up the final cost:
Bodily injury liability: Covers injury and death claims against you, and legal costs, if your car injures or kills someone.
Property damage liability: Covers claims for property that your car damages in an accident. Because liability coverage protects the other party, it is required in all but three states.
Medical payments: Pays for injuries to yourself and to occupants of your car. This is optional in some states. In "no-fault" states, personal injury protection replaces medical payments as part of the basic coverage.
Uninsured motorist protection: Covers injuries caused to you or the occupants of your car by uninsured or hit-and-run drivers. "Under-insured" coverage also is available, to cover claims you may make against a driver who has inadequate insurance. In some states, as many as 30 percent of drivers are uninsured.
Collision coverage: Covers damage to your car up to its book value . Collision coverage carries a deductible, which is the amount per claim you have to pay before the insurance takes effect. The lower the deductible, the higher the premium. While it is legally optional, a lending institution or leasing company usually requires collision coverage.
Comprehensive (physical damage): Covers damage to your car from theft, vandalism, fire, wind, flood, and other non-accident causes. Comprehensive also carries a deduc tible.

5 Essential Tips for Buying Life Insurance Tips for first time life insurance shoppers When it comes to buying life insurance to protect your family, you have a lot of choices to make. Everything from selecting the right amount of coverage to choosing a reputable life insurance company to buy your policy from can make the process feel overwhelming. The good news is that once you get started, you may discover that the process of buying life insurance really isn't that complicated. If you're a first time life insurance shopper, a good place to start is by getting a rough estimate of how much life insurance you should be purchasing to protect your family. For a quick and easy way to calculate your needs, try using Protective Life's Needs Calculator . Next, get an understanding of the difference between term and permanent* life insurance so you'll have a good sense of what direction you should take when it comes to these two basic policy types. You can read more about term and permanent life insurance in our article, Term vs Permanent Life: What to Consider . Finally, before you go shopping for your first life insurance policy, here are a few “good to know” tips for finding the right policy at an affordable price: For more tips on buying life insurance, or shopping for a life insurance company when you have existing health issues , visit the Protective Learning Center . *Provided required premium payments are timely made. If necessary, take advantage of the “free look” period. Even after your policy issues, you'll typically have what is called a free look period. During this time, you'll have a certain number of days in which to make changes to your policy, or even reject it altogether. Be sure to ask your company representative how long your free look period is and when it begins. If for some reason you don't feel the policy is right for you, this is the time when you can change your mind with no financial obligation. Read more about the free look period . 1. Compare apples to apples. When getting price quotes on life insurance, be sure that you are comparing similar products. Because term life generally has lower premiums than a permanent life policy, there can be a big price difference for a $50,000 term policy compared to a $50,000 permanent policy. Depending on your coverage needs, it's important to look at every angle, not just the monthly premium. 2. Understand that life insurance is designed for protection. Your main purpose for getting life insurance should be to protect your beneficiaries financially in the event of your death. While permanent life insurance policies have the potential to earn cash value over time, they are not meant as investment vehicles. 3. Enhance your coverage with policy riders if necessary. When you select a policy, ask your company representative about the types of policy riders that may be available to you. Riders or endorsements are ways in which you can customize your policy to meet your needs and budget. 4. Buy from a reputable life insurance company. Your life insurance policy is meant to financially protect the people you love when you are no longer here to do so yourself. Do some homework on the life insurance company that you are considering buying from and learn more about how to select a reliable life insurance company.

Shopping for life insurance can become an overwhelming task. The good news is once you have mastered a few basics and follow a few simple tips, the process becomes much less complicated. Read on to learn about 5 simple tips for buying life insurance, especially if it's your first time.

Tips for Buying Life Insurance: What First Time Life Insurance Shoppers Need to Know

5 best insurance tips for millennials

If you’re a millennial, you know this definition all too well. You’ve reached the age where you may be taking out student loans, buying or renting a place to live, having kids and, ultimately, purchasing insurance. These major life events for millennials make it extremely important to have a financial security net. And that’s exactly what insurance is: a financial security net. So it’s troubling that a survey from Princeton Survey Research Associates International named millennials the most underinsured generation.
There are many reasons why people of all generations avoid purchasing insurance. It‘s often seen as a big investment, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s an expensive one. In fact, insurance probably costs less than you think. For instance, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), millennials overestimated the cost of renters insurance by more than five times its actual cost per year.
Also, the complicated terms can make finding a policy a puzzling experience and the subject matter can be tough to digest. No one wants to think about being in a car accident, experiencing a break in, losing everything in an apartment fire or any other sort of bad, unexpected event. But these things can happen, so you’ll want to be prepared.
And don’t let any initial confusion or preconceived notions drive you away. You’re a millennial, after all! Your generation is always tackling new challenges and expanding the way the world works, oftentimes in brilliant ways.
Insurance provides essential financial protection for your future, so now’s the time to start “adulting” and take that first step.
Here are five tips for buying insurance:
1. Shop smart. When looking for insurance, your No. 1 priority should be to find adequate coverage. Price is important, but you’ll want to determine what kind of coverage you need first. Then you can fit that coverage into your budget and determine which carrier can provide you with the most comprehensive policy for your situation. You may be tempted to choose insurance with the lowest price tag, but if you don’t have enough coverage (or the right kind of coverage), you will see less financial benefit when it comes time to file a claim.
2. Look for discounts. Once you evaluate your coverage needs, factor in your budget and find ways to save. Ask your insurance agent if there are any discounts on your coverage. Often, carriers offer discounts for things like paying your policy in full, staying auto accident-free or, if you’re in school, getting good grades. You also can save money by “bundling” multiple policies, such as purchasing a home and auto policy from the same carrier.
3. Fill in the gaps. An average policy will cover the basics, but you may need to add extra coverage to meet your unique needs. For instance, you may have items like electronics or a nice piece of jewelry that would be financially difficult to replace, even with the assistance of your average renters or homeowners policy. You may want to add additional coverage for these items.
4. Purchase life insurance—you aren’t too young. Life insurance is essential, no matter how young or old you are. And for millennials, buying now may be a smart move because it’s cheaper to buy a life insurance policy when you’re young and healthy. This kind of insurance can help your family cover unexpected costs in your absence, including student loan debt or a mortgage, in addition to end-of-life costs. And if you have kids, a life insurance policy can also support their education or childcare expenses. Additionally, every millennial should consider long-term disability coverage, which helps you stay afloat financially if an accident happens and you become disabled and unable to work.
5. Talk to an independent agent. An independent insurance agent is an essential resource when purchasing insurance—especially if this is your first time. An independent agent works with multiple different carriers, which is different from captive agents who can only sell insurance from the carrier they work for. Working with an independent agent can help make sure that you are getting the best coverage, for the best price. You’ll also benefit from independent agents’ insurance knowledge; they know how to talk you through your options and actually explain what each policy includes. An independent agent will make sure all of your assets are covered, help you find discounts or other ways to save, and be a valuable resource as your life changes and your insurance needs ch ange, too.

Caring for Your Classic Car: A Guide to Car Covers

When you own a classic car, you have to treat it with extra care. If you take good care of a classic car, it is an investment that will appreciate in value each passing year. One of the most important parts of caring for an antique car is keeping it covered whenever it is not in use. You have to make sure that you invest in a quality car cover that will keep your vehicle safe. Here are some things that classic car enthusiasts need to know to pick out the right car covers.
1. What Are the Benefits of Classic Car Covers?
First of all, they keep other people from putting their grubby fingers on your car. This is especially important if you have kids. Covers will prevent your antique car from being accidentally dinged, scratched, or dented. They protect a car from the elements when it is outside. They also keep dust from piling up when your car is in storage.
2. When Do You Need to Use a Car Cover?
Many people think that car covers are only useful when they park their vehicles outside. However, they are actually just as useful when you have your car parked in a garage. They keep your car safe from damage whether your car is parked inside or outside. You need to cover up your antique car with a car cover whenever you are not actively using it. Even if you are only going to be away from your car for a few hours, it is a good idea to keep it protected with a cover to be on the safe side.
3. What Material Is Best for Your Car Cover?
There are many different materials that are ideal for car covers. WeatherShield is a polyester-based fabric that is a very good choice for those who will be using their car covers outside frequently.
Noah is a car cover fabric made from polyurethane. It is designed to repel moisture, and this makes it is one of the best fabrics to protect a classic car from precipitation. The Noah fabric is also lightweight, which makes it easy to handle.
Sunbrealla is a car cover material made with acrylic fibers. It has been designed to give a car maximum protection from UV radiation, making it the perfect choice for people who live in sunny areas like the Southwest.
4. Custom Fit Is the Best
If you want to get the best car cover for your classic car, you should get one that has been custom fitted for your vehicle. A car cover with a custom fit will be easy to get on and off your car. It will also fit perfectly snugly against your car, ensuring that few outside elements can touch your car. Although you will have to pay a little more to get a car cover that has been custom fitted for your car, it is well worth it to keep your classic car  protected.

How to repair your car ac

How to Diagnose and Repair Your car's Ac

There aren’t many things as satisfying as the cool breeze from your car’s air conditioning. On the flip side, a faulty A/C during an unforgiving heat wave can ruin a driver’s experience. Here’s some advice for finding out the problem with your A/C and fixing it up.
Of course, the most telling sign of a bad A/C is one that doesn’t blow out cold air or has a weak air flow. However, even if your A/C is blowing just fine, it can still turn out to be broken. You can tell its bad if you hear a rattling or screeching upon turning it on. This can be from a bad bearing in the compressor pulley. You can check parts under the hood as well. Signs of malfunctioning include: a belt that drives the compressor which has fallen off or slips on the compressor pulley, a dirty condenser (sheet of tubing in front of the radiator), or a dirty cabin air filter.
A/Cs typically stop working because of a leak. The refrigerant, that runs through the system drains out through the leak and results in a low refrigerant level. You can verify this by testing the pressure using gauges that connect to the test/load valves (located near the compressor), or going to an auto shop for a pressure diagnostic. If you have a different issue with your A/C, you might have other nonworking components.
To see if you have a leak, you can take your car to the auto shop for a pressure diagnostic and leak evaluation, costing around $80 – $150. It’s wise to have professionals refill the system with coolant or refrigerant because often it’s difficult to tell when there’s too little or too much. A legitimate fill up can cost around $100. Before looking for a leak, take time to check under the hood. Simply replacing the cabin air filter (located behind the glove box) can fix the air conditioner efficiency. Since the filter catches all the junk you don’t want to breathe, often it’ll clog and block the air flow. A dirty condenser can also prevent the A/C working at its top efficiency. This is like the outside part of your home air conditioner and get clogged with dead bugs and dirt and grime. You can clean this best using the pressure washer at the car wash.
You can also test the compressor. With the hood up and someone turning on the A/C, you should hear a click and feel a load on the engine as the compressor comes on. This will cause the engine idle to go up. If you can locate the pressure switch on the A/C dryer metal canister, unplug it, reconnect it, and retest. If you still can’t figure out why your A/C won’t work, take it to an auto shop. It’s better to seek help and pay for service than potentially damage your vehicle.