by Lynn Fugaro
According to statistics, a person will die in a vehicle crash every 12 seconds in the United States. Statistics also show that vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Americans age 35 and younger, and 98% of reported accidents involve a single distracted driver.
Distractions include rubbernecking (watching other drivers and accidents), driver fatigue, looking at scenery, passenger- or child-related distractions, adjusting the radio, and cell phone use. In fact, a new study confirms that the reaction time of cell phone users slows dramatically, increasing the risk of accidents and tying up traffic in general.
The Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association reports that in 1990, approximately 4.3 million people subscribed to wireless communication devices such as cell phones; in May 2007, that number was 236 million. With increased reliance on cell phones, the number of people using them while driving has naturally increased. There are predominantly two dangers associated with driving while using cell phones: drivers must take their eyes off the road to dial and people become so absorbed in their conversations that their ability to concentrate on driving is impaired.
University of Utah psychology professor David Strayer, in a study on cell phone use and auto accidents, said, "If you put a 20-year-old driver behind the wheel with a cell phone, their reaction times are the same as a 70-year-old who is not using a cell phone." Strayer's study was published in the quarterly journal Human Factors.
Each year, cell phone distraction while driving causes approximately 2,600 deaths and 330,000 injuries in the United States. Because data on cell phone use is somewhat limited, the actual numbers of deaths and injuries may be much higher. Strayer and his colleagues have found that even hands-free cell phone use distracts drivers. They explain that the drivers are looking but they're not really seeing because they are distracted by the conversation they are engaged in.
According to this study, scientists found that motorists talking on cell phones while driving are less adept than drunk drivers with blood alcohol levels beyond the legal limit of .08. The cell phone users' impaired reactions involved seconds, not just fractions of seconds, so stopping distances increased by car-lengths, not feet.
Motorists who use cell phones while driving are four times as likely to get into crashes serious enough to injure themselves, according to a study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The July 2005 study suggested that banning hand-held cell phone use wouldn't improve safety if drivers simply switch to hands-free phones and continue to talk and be distracted. The study concluded that crash and injury risk did not vary with type of cell phone used. In 2001, New York passed the first law banning hand-held cell phone use while driving prompting a national debate on the extent of the danger cell phone use while driving poses.
In May 2007, Washington state became the first state to ban the practice of text messaging while driving; the fine for DWT (driving while texting) is $101, but it is a secondary offense, meaning the driver must be pulled over for some other infraction before the DWT penalty can be imposed.
While cell phones play an integral role in our society, the convenience they offer may be coming at a very high price.
วันพุธที่ 11 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2550
High Risk Auto Insurance - How to Get the Best Rate
by Brian Stevens
Have your been classified as a high risk driver? Are you looking for auto insurance that won't cost you an arm and a leg? Here's how to get high risk auto insurance at the best rate possible.
High Risk Auto Insurance
High risk auto insurance is a type of insurance issued to:
* People with bad driving records
* Teenage boys and girls
* Drivers who own expensive sports cars or "muscle" cars
* People who live in a high-crime areas
Getting Cheap High Risk Auto Insurance
If you've been classified as a high risk driver you're going to pay more for your insurance than the average driver, but you can still bring your insurance costs way down. Here are the steps you need to take:
1. Pay all your fines, then call your department of motor vehicle office to clear your driving history.
2. Call your insurance agent to find out what steps you can take to downgrade your high risk category, such as taking a drivers ed course.
3. Switch to a low risk car such as a late model Honda or Ford sedan that has safety features like airbags and anti-theft devices.
4. Raise your deductible to an amount you can afford. Raising it from $250 to $1,000 can save you up to 40% on your yearly premium.
5. Purchase you car insurance through your homeowners or renters insurance company to get up to a 15% discount.
6. Consider dropping your collision and comprehensive coverage if your car is worth less than your premium plus your deductible.
7. Ask your agent for any discounts you may be eligible for such as senior discounts, low-mileage discounts, drivers education discounts, and other discounts.
8. Compare rates through an insurance comparison website. Because auto insurance rates can vary by hundreds, even thousands of dollars a year from one company to the next, comparing insurance rates will save you the most amount of money on high risk auto insurance.
The advantage of using an insurance comparison site is that you only have to spend a few minutes at one site to get multiple quotes, rather than spend hours on end visiting single company sites or calling individual insurance agencies.
The better comparison sites offer a service where you can get answers to your auto insurance questions through an online chat feature or by telephone. (See link below.)
Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com or click on the following link to get high risk auto insurance quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more insurance tips in their Articles section.
Have your been classified as a high risk driver? Are you looking for auto insurance that won't cost you an arm and a leg? Here's how to get high risk auto insurance at the best rate possible.
High Risk Auto Insurance
High risk auto insurance is a type of insurance issued to:
* People with bad driving records
* Teenage boys and girls
* Drivers who own expensive sports cars or "muscle" cars
* People who live in a high-crime areas
Getting Cheap High Risk Auto Insurance
If you've been classified as a high risk driver you're going to pay more for your insurance than the average driver, but you can still bring your insurance costs way down. Here are the steps you need to take:
1. Pay all your fines, then call your department of motor vehicle office to clear your driving history.
2. Call your insurance agent to find out what steps you can take to downgrade your high risk category, such as taking a drivers ed course.
3. Switch to a low risk car such as a late model Honda or Ford sedan that has safety features like airbags and anti-theft devices.
4. Raise your deductible to an amount you can afford. Raising it from $250 to $1,000 can save you up to 40% on your yearly premium.
5. Purchase you car insurance through your homeowners or renters insurance company to get up to a 15% discount.
6. Consider dropping your collision and comprehensive coverage if your car is worth less than your premium plus your deductible.
7. Ask your agent for any discounts you may be eligible for such as senior discounts, low-mileage discounts, drivers education discounts, and other discounts.
8. Compare rates through an insurance comparison website. Because auto insurance rates can vary by hundreds, even thousands of dollars a year from one company to the next, comparing insurance rates will save you the most amount of money on high risk auto insurance.
The advantage of using an insurance comparison site is that you only have to spend a few minutes at one site to get multiple quotes, rather than spend hours on end visiting single company sites or calling individual insurance agencies.
The better comparison sites offer a service where you can get answers to your auto insurance questions through an online chat feature or by telephone. (See link below.)
Visit http://www.LowerRateQuotes.com or click on the following link to get high risk auto insurance quotes from top-rated companies and see how much you can save. You can get more insurance tips in their Articles section.
วันจันทร์ที่ 2 กรกฎาคม พ.ศ. 2550
Home Equity Conversion Mortgages
by Dennis Estrada
The Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) is a type of reverse mortgage which allows seniors to convert the portion of the home equity into cash. The homeowner can stay in the home while the homeowner uses the home equity. With the cash, the homeowner can use the cash into any expenses such as medical, home improvements, and home repairs.
This reverse mortgage type is one of the three basic reverse mortgage types. It is also known as Federally Insured Reverse Mortgage. Hence, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) backs the Home Equity Conversion Mortgages. The FHA works under the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The banks, credit union, mortgage companies, and savings and loan companies can provide the services. FHA must approve the financial institution before the financial institution can offer this type of reverse mortgage.
There are four requirements for homeowner to quality. First, the homeowner must be sixty two years old or over. Second, the home is a principal residence of the homeowner. Third, the homeowner received reverse mortgage counseling. Fourth, the homeowner owns the home. Or, the home is almost paid off.
The reverse mortgage counseling is a free counseling from HUD. The HUD wants the homeowner to know the consequences, and benefits before the homeowner uses the reverse mortgage. For a while, the homeowner pays for the reverse mortgage counseling. Now, the HUD instructed the financial institution to deal with homeowner that dealt with free reverse mortgage counseling only.
There are five requirements for the home to qualify. First, the home is a principal residence. Second, the home can be a single family residence. Third, the home can be one to four units as long as the homeowner occupies one unit. Fourth, the home is manufactured or mobile home. Fifth, the home is FHA condominiums.
The maximum claim amount of reverse mortgage depends on the age, home value, and interest rate. For example, the interest rate is nine percent. The homeowner who is sixty five years old can use twenty six percent of home equity. The homeowner who is seventy five years old can use thirty nine percent of the home equity. The home owner who is eighty five years old can use fifty six percent of the home equity.
The homeowner receives the home equity in the form of monthly payment, credit line, lump sum payment, or combination. The home secures the reverse mortgage. The homeowner do not repay as long as the homeowner lives in the home. The homeowner still owns the home. It is still the responsibility of the homeowner to pay the repairs, maintenance, property tax, and insurance.
The Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM) is a type of reverse mortgage which allows seniors to convert the portion of the home equity into cash. The homeowner can stay in the home while the homeowner uses the home equity. With the cash, the homeowner can use the cash into any expenses such as medical, home improvements, and home repairs.
This reverse mortgage type is one of the three basic reverse mortgage types. It is also known as Federally Insured Reverse Mortgage. Hence, Federal Housing Administration (FHA) backs the Home Equity Conversion Mortgages. The FHA works under the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
The banks, credit union, mortgage companies, and savings and loan companies can provide the services. FHA must approve the financial institution before the financial institution can offer this type of reverse mortgage.
There are four requirements for homeowner to quality. First, the homeowner must be sixty two years old or over. Second, the home is a principal residence of the homeowner. Third, the homeowner received reverse mortgage counseling. Fourth, the homeowner owns the home. Or, the home is almost paid off.
The reverse mortgage counseling is a free counseling from HUD. The HUD wants the homeowner to know the consequences, and benefits before the homeowner uses the reverse mortgage. For a while, the homeowner pays for the reverse mortgage counseling. Now, the HUD instructed the financial institution to deal with homeowner that dealt with free reverse mortgage counseling only.
There are five requirements for the home to qualify. First, the home is a principal residence. Second, the home can be a single family residence. Third, the home can be one to four units as long as the homeowner occupies one unit. Fourth, the home is manufactured or mobile home. Fifth, the home is FHA condominiums.
The maximum claim amount of reverse mortgage depends on the age, home value, and interest rate. For example, the interest rate is nine percent. The homeowner who is sixty five years old can use twenty six percent of home equity. The homeowner who is seventy five years old can use thirty nine percent of the home equity. The home owner who is eighty five years old can use fifty six percent of the home equity.
The homeowner receives the home equity in the form of monthly payment, credit line, lump sum payment, or combination. The home secures the reverse mortgage. The homeowner do not repay as long as the homeowner lives in the home. The homeowner still owns the home. It is still the responsibility of the homeowner to pay the repairs, maintenance, property tax, and insurance.
Road Traffic Accident Claims
by Carolyn Clayton
With the number of cars on Britain's roads growing every year, there is an increasing likelihood that you may be involved in some form of Road Traffic Accident in the future. Being involved in a collision on the roads can be a traumatic, as well as painful, experience, however there are certain immediate steps you can take to make sure you do not unintentionally break the law. You must stay at the scene of the accident for a reasonable amount of time, and make sure you have given your contact details to any of the relevant people. Also, you must provide your certificate of insurance, either at the scene or within seven days at the police station of your choice. By doing this you are covering yourself from being fined or charged with a police offence.
The most common Road Traffic Accident injuries are whiplash related, whereby the force of the collision has thrown the victim forward and backwards in quick succession, leaving the person's neck to support the full velocity of the impact. Whiplash injuries can vary greatly in terms of severity, and symptoms can range from pain/stiffness in the neck and shoulders, to a tingling sensation in the arms and fingers. Headaches, blurred vision and tiredness can all also indicate that a person has suffered a whiplash related injury.
If you are unfortunate enough to have suffered a whiplash injury then you may be entitled to claim compensation, provided it can be proved that someone else was at least partly to blame. If you were the passenger in a vehicle which was involved in a collision, then the claim would be made against the person who was at fault for the accident, even if that means the driver of the car you were travelling in. If you were driving yourself, then claim would be made against the driver of the car who was at fault for the accident.
Many people are unaware that in the UK every citizen has a legal and civil right to claim compensation if they have suffered an accident which was not their fault. Road Traffic Accidents can have many implications for the victim, such as inability to work, psychological impairments such as fear of the road, on top of the initial pain and suffering endured as a direct result of the accident. The compensation package will consider the direct and indirect implications, and the amount awarded will take into account many factors, including loss of earnings, damages to any clothes / equipment caused by the collision (i.e. motor vehicle repair costs) and any other costs incurred, including medical bills and treatment fees.
The changing climate in Britain will give rise to many more accidents on the road, as the weather becomes more extreme and examples of flash floods rising across the country. Every person has a right to claim compensation against the guilty party, and it is important not to feel pressured into doing so. There are many 'rogue' companies around who simply try to quota fill and take on as many cases as possible. When choosing a firm to proceed with your compensation claim you should take notice of their experience and past successes before committing to their service, to make sure they are right for you and your individual circumstances - every claim is different!
With the number of cars on Britain's roads growing every year, there is an increasing likelihood that you may be involved in some form of Road Traffic Accident in the future. Being involved in a collision on the roads can be a traumatic, as well as painful, experience, however there are certain immediate steps you can take to make sure you do not unintentionally break the law. You must stay at the scene of the accident for a reasonable amount of time, and make sure you have given your contact details to any of the relevant people. Also, you must provide your certificate of insurance, either at the scene or within seven days at the police station of your choice. By doing this you are covering yourself from being fined or charged with a police offence.
The most common Road Traffic Accident injuries are whiplash related, whereby the force of the collision has thrown the victim forward and backwards in quick succession, leaving the person's neck to support the full velocity of the impact. Whiplash injuries can vary greatly in terms of severity, and symptoms can range from pain/stiffness in the neck and shoulders, to a tingling sensation in the arms and fingers. Headaches, blurred vision and tiredness can all also indicate that a person has suffered a whiplash related injury.
If you are unfortunate enough to have suffered a whiplash injury then you may be entitled to claim compensation, provided it can be proved that someone else was at least partly to blame. If you were the passenger in a vehicle which was involved in a collision, then the claim would be made against the person who was at fault for the accident, even if that means the driver of the car you were travelling in. If you were driving yourself, then claim would be made against the driver of the car who was at fault for the accident.
Many people are unaware that in the UK every citizen has a legal and civil right to claim compensation if they have suffered an accident which was not their fault. Road Traffic Accidents can have many implications for the victim, such as inability to work, psychological impairments such as fear of the road, on top of the initial pain and suffering endured as a direct result of the accident. The compensation package will consider the direct and indirect implications, and the amount awarded will take into account many factors, including loss of earnings, damages to any clothes / equipment caused by the collision (i.e. motor vehicle repair costs) and any other costs incurred, including medical bills and treatment fees.
The changing climate in Britain will give rise to many more accidents on the road, as the weather becomes more extreme and examples of flash floods rising across the country. Every person has a right to claim compensation against the guilty party, and it is important not to feel pressured into doing so. There are many 'rogue' companies around who simply try to quota fill and take on as many cases as possible. When choosing a firm to proceed with your compensation claim you should take notice of their experience and past successes before committing to their service, to make sure they are right for you and your individual circumstances - every claim is different!
วันศุกร์ที่ 27 เมษายน พ.ศ. 2550
Feeling Secure in an Insecure World
If there's nothing else carved on my tombstone, I hope it says: "Here lies a Bodacious Woman who knew how to thrive on shift and change!"
I believe we've just begun to taste the rate of change the world will experience this century. Hold onto your hats, the ride has just begun! We might as well enjoy it (because if nothing else, the alternative really stinks).
We all want security, but my life experience has forced me to come to a conclusion that I resisted for a long time: Security is an illusion. We've all heard that life doesn't come with guarantees, but do we really want to believe it?
Money won't bring security. Sure, it provides some comforts and advantages, but some of the richest people in the world are unhappy and insecure about their future. Relationships don't guarantee security, either. One word proves that: Divorce. A fabulous house may indeed be fabulous, but many people's homes have been damaged or destroyed by hurricanes, tornadoes, and all sorts of disasters. Wonderful kids offer tremendous satisfaction, but they don't always act so wonderfully. All good things that you want in your life are just that-good-but they can't guarantee you will feel good about yourself, make you happy, or relieve you of problems. Even an insurance policy doesn't cover everything. Nothing is entirely certain or secure.
Ultimately, security comes from within. Most of the things or people we hope will offer security are outside of ourselves. What's out there can't bring us true security; it's what's in here that we have to rely on in the big scheme of things. External circumstances may shake us up and cause temporary problems and pain. No matter what happens, you have yourself, and given what you've handled in the past, that's enough. The good news is that there's wisdom in uncertainty. Sounds like another oxymoron, doesn't it? Hold on and let me explain.
In the small Virginia town where I grew up, the carnival came once a year, with a big circus wheel, haunted house, and other wild delights. When my parents took my sister and me, I was always overwhelmed by the number of rides and games. Still, I dove in and always figured out how to have a great time!
This circus image comes to mind when I think about feeling secure in an insecure world. I imagine a colorful scene with lots going on. I'm alert to all that's happening around me and I pay attention to the rides and booths to which I'm most attracted. I choose one ride and booth after another, soaking in the experience until the carnival is over. If a thunderstorm suddenly blows in, I immediately figure out where to find shelter. When the rain stops, I decide what to do next (or my parents decide it's time to leave! I am still a young child, after all).
This is a picture of how to thrive on shift and change. Acknowledge the chaos and swirl. Survey the landscape and choose what you'd like to experience. Stay alert to opportunities and enjoy them while you can. And, handle change as it happens.
I still need to be very clear about my goals and desires and be very in touch with myself. What I don't need to do is get locked into the path to get there. I can plan, but also be open to change. By not being overly attached to the details of my plans, I'm open to opportunities to learn, grow, or do things differently, and perhaps better.
Understanding Life Insurance
If you have a spouse or children, you need life insurance. You have heard it before, but it bears repeating. How would they be able to handle things if some drunk driver ran into you tomorrow and you died?
Life insurance is a fairly simple concept, but it can appear complex to the average person. The complexity comes from the terms used. If you can understand the language, you can make a better determination of what you need. So, let's talk terms!
An Adjustable Life Insurance Policy is a popular product. As the name suggests, one can adjust the premiums, term, death benefit and time when premiums are paid. Such flexibility lets you coordinate the policy to your current needs as they change.
An Annual Payment Annuity provides you with simplicity. As the name suggests, you can pay the entire premium for the year at one time. Of course, you need to make sure yo have cash on hand to do so.
The Cash Surrender Value of a policy is often misunderstood. It refers to the amount due a person who terminates a policy holding a vested cash reserve in it. There is often an arbitrary charge deducted by the insurer as well.
The Commutation Rights associated with an insurance policy apply to the beneficiary of the policy. Depending on the policy, the beneficiary may elect to convert installment payments to a lump sum payment.
Much like a secondary beneficiary, a Contingent Beneficiary is a person other than the primary beneficiary who will receive the death benefit. Some policies limit the beneficiaries at two people, but there can be more depending on your needs.
The Right of Conversion refers to an individual's right to convert a policy held as part of a group into an individual policy if the person ceases to be part of the group.
The insurance phrase Double Benefit or Double Indemnity refers to a policy that pays out double the stated benefit if the person whose life it is based on passes away in a particular way, such as a car crash.
Dependent Coverage refers to the people covered by a policy. More often found in health insurance policies, the general rule is the married spouse and unmarried children are covered.
A Universal Life Insurance Policy is another pillar of the insurance industry. It is an adjustable policy with a flexible premium. You can choose what you can afford to pay at a given time and a corresponding death benefit is generated. This can be adjusted from time to time.
A Variable Life Insurance Policy is used both as a financial safety net and investment vehicle. The policy builds up cash value that can be invested. Depending on the policy, the premiums and death benefit will change as the cash value grows.
The important thing to understand about life insurance is that polices differ greatly. This means you must understand exactly how a policy being pitched to you works. If terms are used that you don't understand, ask for clarification!
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