Is Buying Business Insurance the New Texas Holdem Poker?

If you're looking to buy Business Insurance you'll have a certain level of power over a number of insurance brokers, insurance companies and insurance providers all wanting to do business with you.
With this in mind we'll put you in the position of the dealer in our game of Business Insurance Poker so you can watch the game develop. Are you sitting comfortably? Then let's begin:
If you already have Business Insurance we'll give your existing insurance provider the dealer button as they really have the best seat at the table. They've already built some kind of relationship with you and they can sit back and wait to see what the competition does before they decide to act.
So next is the small blind. The small blind has an interest in your business as they've put in some of their own money in the hope they can win your business. You may have seen an advert for them, they may have sent you a letter or they may have called you to see if you'd like a quote for your Business Insurance.
Next is the big blind. The big blind when it comes to Business Insurance could well be an insurance provider you've heard of. They've spent a sizeable amount of money to get your attention (maybe a television advert or some promotion in the National press) and they aren't likely to give up without a struggle. So those are the 3 insurance providers who definitely are interested in you and your Business Insurance:
- Dealer button - Your existing insurance provider
- Small blind - Maybe an insurance broker who would like to help you
- Big blind - Perhaps an insurance company who has a large marketing spend and has got your attention.
It's possible that this is only a 3 player game but as is becoming more common with insurance brokers and insurance companies other parties enter the game. These other insurance providers generally fall into 2 categories:
1. They are likely to offer something (or have a hand) similar to either your existing insurance provider (who still has the button) or the small or big blind.
2. These new insurance providers will offer you something different. They get your attention as they have noticed an element of weakness with the other people at Business Insurance table and are planning on showing you how good they are. So how are they going to do this? Well more often than not they will raise and when it comes to Business Insurance this means they will give you more than the other people at the Business Insurance table.
Let's play the Business Insurance Poker hand to explain in more detail:
1. Your existing insurance provider sends you your renewal terms but you decide to look around for alternative insurance quotes as it's either more expensive than last year or you just want to see what else is available.
2. You receive a letter from an insurance broker who seems similar to your existing insurance broker but they save you a little on your insurance premium. It gets your attention but it is enough?
3. You are now contacted by a direct insurer. You know their name, you've seen their adverts and they knock even more off your renewal price. Sounds great yes? Well maybe but let's see how the game develops.
4. Another player enters the game and makes a bet (or in this case makes you an offer). Their offer is different in that:
a. They specialise in the type of business insurance you are actually looking for
b. They appear to focus more on you and your business rather than on how good they are and how cheap they can get your premium
c. They quote you a very good premium but in addition to this offer you advice, guidance and tell you that if you do suffer a loss with them they will be there to help you. They don't have call centres', they don't keep you waiting in queues. Instead they employ people who understand your business, understand your needs and are here to help you.
So with the bets (or business insurance quotes) all on the table it's possible you may want to play one off against the others with bluffs, raises (or in this case reductions in premiums) until everyone has played their hand and you have to decide who to look after your

insurance for another year.Will you choose?
1. Your existing insurance provider - who gave you your renewal premium but only really started to play when under threat from other providers
2. Someone who offers you the same thing but saves you a little money
3. A company who saves you a little more money but doesn't really stand out from crowd
4. An insurance broker who seems to understand what you need and will do whatever it takes to make sure you are satisfied
Insurance companies and insurance brokers need to pay attention as although insurance is still a very price sensitive business the reality is customers and people buying business insurance want more than a cheap premium.
They want cover tailored to their needs, they want an insurance provider who will work for them and with their interests at heart and they want someone to speak to when they need them most.
They don't want to be held waiting in queues or even worse be keep waiting only to be cut off. They also don't want to speak to someone they don't understand or who doesn't understand them.
Texas Holdem Poker is a great game but insurance for your business is a serious matter. Make sure you get the cover, service and insurance provider you deserve and don't muck it up.
Is buying Business Insurance the new Texas Holdem Poker was brought to you by Mark Burdett, Marketing Manager of Northern Counties Insurance Brokers. As one of the UK's Leading Insurance Brokers Northern Counties have been providing Business Insurance to companies since 1928 and specialise in Business Insurance, Motor Trade Insurance, Nursery Insurance and Care Home Insurance.

This article was written by Mark Burdett, Marketing Manager of Northern Counties Insurance Brokers. Mark has over 17 years Marketing experience in the Financial Services industry and has worked on campaigns for companies including Norwich Union, Kia and Zurich.
Now based in Newcastle upon Tyne Mark is Marketing Manager for one of the UK's Leading Insurance Brokers - Northern Counties Insurance Brokers.
Northern Counties have been providing Business Insurance to businesses since 1928 and can be contacted on 0191 482 1219 for all your Commercial Insurance and Business Insurance needs.
Business Insurance - http://www.northerncounties.com
Nursery Insurance - http://www.northerncounties.com/nursery-insurance.php
Motor Trade Insurance - http://www.northerncounties.com/motor-trade-insurance.php

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/345300

Florida Health Insurance - Take Advantage of the Internet's Price Transparency

Florida health insurance companies are now feeling the effects of the increased price transparency that the Internet brings. Now longer is it a process of days or even weeks to obtain multiple health insurance quotes from top Florida health insurance companies. The simplest and most efficient way to obtain health insurance in Florida is simply to make the top health insurance companies in the state (Golden Rule/United Healthcare, Aetna, and Humana) compete for your business!
If you cringe at the thought of a United Healthcare agent, an Aetna agent, and a Humana agent all clustering around you amongst a swarm of other Florida health insurance agents and trying to push their company's policy upon you then read on; for health insurance shopping on the Internet has simplified everything. There are numerous Florida health insurance websites that offer Florida health insurance quotes but there are quite a few very important distinctions between the different types.
There are two main types of websites that offer Florida health insurance quotes to Florida health insurance shoppers: Marketing Organizations and Insurance Agencies.
Marketing Organizations do not sell insurance, are not regulated by any insurance department, and generally have no knowledge whatsoever concerning Florida health insurance. However, they can offer consumers a somewhat appealing service. How can they assist in purchasing health insurance?
They act as a middleman between Florida health insurance shoppers and Florida health insurance agents. When Mrs. Smith in Tampa, FL requests a health insurance quote then the marketing company sells her information as a lead to 5 or more Florida insurance agents.
Ignoring the privacy issues and the issue of the qualifications of the health insurance agents that will be purchasing your information there is the larger and more practical issue of do you really want to have 5+ insurance agents aggressively seeking your business?
Imagine that each health insurance agent is taught in their sales training to call you at least 5 times and email you at least 3 times before "giving up" on you as an insurance prospect: that means that you have received 25 phone calls and 15 emails from various insurance agents!
The second type of website that offers Florida health insurance quotes is the website that is run by an insurance agency (note that it is very important to find only an independent Florida insurance agency - meaning an agency that is not tied to working with only one health insurance company but can show you health insurance quotes from all of the top Florida health insurance companies. This is also why we will ignore the quasi third group of websites that offer Florida health insurance quotes: the health insurance carrier websites themselves. These can be a good service but very time consuming. There is a better way to shop for Florida health insurance. Read on-).
Most independent insurance agency websites offer a feature that will allow you to request Florida health insurance quotes. However, there is a much better way to shop for Florida health insurance! Rather than waiting for your request for health insurance quotes to be filled; look for a website that offers instant and LIVE Florida health insurance quotes from top Florida health insurance companies.
With instant LIVE Florida health insurance quotes you have the best of both worlds: you receive the benefits of competitive pricing by viewing the top Florida health insurance companies quotes side by side (the strong point of the marketing organization website model) as well as personal, expert help (the strong point of the insurance agency website model). Not to mention the added benefit of viewing the health insurance quotes from the different health insurance companies in the same format - enabling easy side by side comparisons of benefits. This allows for a true "apples to apples" comparison.
View up to 20 LIVE Florida health insurance quotes from top Florida health insurance companies like Aetna, Humana and Golden Rule/United Healthcare all in less than 20 seconds! View LIVE Florida health insurance quotes now and take advantage of the Internet's price transparency!

Get free health insurance quotes by comparing all of the top health insurance plans in your zip code - in less time than it takes to brush your teeth!
Comparison shop multiple insurance companies instantly and in real time by viewing free Florida health insurance quotes: Aetna, Humana, United Healthcare and more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/314589

Floods, Earthquakes and Fires: Secure vs. Insure

Natural and unnatural disasters affect everyone. Some areas of the United States are so prone to natural disturbances that many private insurance companies will not offer coverage. For example, most homeowners insurance will not cover damage caused by floods or earthquakes, and few will cover forest fires if your property is in an undeveloped area.
When evaluating what kind of insurance coverage you need, consider what your current policy covers, any inexpensive additions (or endorsements) to your active policy and your location related to the risk of natural disaster.
There are many types of disasters to consider, including natural disasters like floods, earthquakes, forest fires, tornadoes and hurricanes. Unnatural disasters include war, nuclear accidents, civil disobedience and terrorism.
NATURAL DISASTERS
Floods
Who is at risk? Everyone. Any area can experience an unusually wet season and the wastewater management systems of most cities do not have the means to control a rapid increase of water in paved areas. Generally, if your property lies near a body of water or in an area prone to hurricanes or flash floods the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) considers you to be at a high risk.
To determine the level of risk in your area: Visit http://www.floodsmart.com, sponsored by the NFIP, to see floodplain maps and search by zip code the flood risk of a specific area.
Insurance: Traditional homeowners insurance does not cover flooding. Many lenders require flood insurance if the property is located in a high-risk area. Private agencies do not provide flood insurance; flood insurance is available through the NFIP, who is under FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security. Information about this insurance program is available at the NFIP website or through an insurance quote service. Flood insurance offered by the NFIP usually also covers flooding caused by hurricanes, rivers and tidal waves if two acres or two adjacent properties are affected. Water damage from broken pipes, backed-up sewers and from fire hoses is usually covered by standard insurance.
Earthquakes
Who is at risk? In the United States, the most active areas are along the Pacific Ocean including Alaska, Hawaii, California, Oregon and Washington. Inland areas of activity include Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and a small area between the three connecting corners of Arkansas, Tennessee and Missouri.
To determine the level of risk in your area: The United States Geological Society Earthquakes Hazards Program hosts maps at [http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov/neis/epic/epic_circ.html] that are updated by the hour for the entire planet. Residents of California can go to [http://www.quake.abag.ca.gov] to view an interactive shaking and liquefaction map.
Insurance: Earthquake endorsements can be added to most insurance policies purchased through a private agency. In California, residents can purchase earthquake insurance through the California Earthquake Authority. The probability of an earthquake, your location, soil type and building structure determine premiums. Deductibles on earthquake insurance are typically very high, often up to 10 to 15 percent of the building's structural limit. Damage caused by broken gas lines or water pipes as a result of an earthquake typically may be covered by standard insurance. Earthquake damage to vehicles is covered by comprehensive insurance. Liquefaction can cause water damage by mud and standing water resulting from an earthquake. Consult your policy to determine whether your earthquake endorsement or other additions cover this type of phenomenon.
Forest Fires
Who is at Risk? Properties in wooded or dry grassland areas or located far from fire stations are considered at risk.
To determine the level of risk in your area: The National Interagency Fire Center publishes current fire maps at [http://www.nifc.gov/firemaps.html].
Insurance: It is quite common for insurance companies to refuse coverage for properties in wooded areas or far from fire stations. Fortunately, unless you are in certain high-risk areas, many agencies will offer coverage or endorsements. Some policies offer benefits to help clean smoke damage and cover accidental fires or lightening fires in developed areas. Many insurance companies will extend discounts if preventative products are in place, including fire alarms or sprinklers, fire extinguishers and fire-resistant roofs.
Tornadoes
Who is at Risk? Tornadoes are most common in the states located east of the Rockies. However, they occasionally do occur in other areas.
To determine the level of risk in your area: The National Climatic Data Center tracks severe weather. To view maps and historical information related to tornadoes visit http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/severeweather/tornadoes.html.
Insurance: Coverage for this type of disaster is usually available through a standard insurance policy. Most policies will also cover structural damage from hail that quite often accompanies this type of weather. Damage to trees and landscaping is not usually covered unless an addition is purchased.
Hurricanes
Who is at Risk? Hurricanes occur most often over and near the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, Indian Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. In the United States areas surrounding the Gulf of Mexico and along the eastern coastlines of Florida to Maine are particularly prone to this type of severe weather.
To determine the level of risk in your area: View hurricane maps published by the National Climatic Data Center at http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/severeweather/hurricanes.html.
Insurance: Many standard insurance policies will cover damages covered by wind but not by flooding. Flood insurance must be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program.
UNNATURAL DISASTERS
War
Damage to property from war activity, due to modern technology, could potentially happen anywhere. Most insurance policies will not cover losses caused by a war.
Nuclear Accidents
If a nearby power plant irradiates your property, insurance will generally not cover damages. However, it may help to express liability concerns to the owners of the plant. Before purchasing a property, you may want to visit the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission website at http://www.nrc.gov to discover if an active plant is located in the area.
Civil Disobedience
Civil disobedience usually refers to a riot or other civil commotion. Standard insurance will generally cover damages resulting from a riot, unless you were actively involved. If your property is broken into and items are stolen or vandalized, most insurance policies will cover the cost of repairs and replace stolen items. However, in order to receive the full value of lost items you may have to purchase "replacement cost coverage."
Terrorism
On November 26, 2002, President Bush signed the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act, which stated that private insurers and the federal government share the risk of losses attributed to terrorism. The act also rescinded state exclusions for terrorism. This act was set for a three-year period; check in your state to find out how your state currently enforces coverage for acts of terrorism. Additionally, evaluate your particular insurance policy to see what benefits you may receive if an act of terrorism affects your property.
Additional Considerations:

Homeowners may want to consider, regardless of location, Additional Living Expenses (ALE), which is a benefit that will reimburse up to 10-20% of the structural coverage of your home to help with temporary living expenses.
Business owners may want to consider purchasing 'contingent business interruption' or 'contingent business income' coverage that can help cover profit loss or extra expenses that occur as a direct result of interruption of supply due to events outside the businesses control. This type of coverage could be beneficial if your main supplier or customer is located in an affected area.
Landslides often are not caused by earthquakes or flooding. This unique kind of earth movement falls into a commonly undefined area of coverage; consult your policy to see if your insurance covers this type of occurrence.
Standard insurance may cover some natural disasters, such as damage from windstorms, hail, lightning and volcanic eruptions.
Even if you purchase complete coverage, relief does not come instantly. With this in mind, it is a good idea to keep on hand food, water, cash, a battery operated radio, first-aid supplies and protection from the elements to last at least three to four days.
Document your belongings well. Keep an accurate and up-to-date copy of your records and policies off the premises in a safe place.

In SummaryOnce you've determined what the risks are in your area carefully review your policies. Keep in mind that policies may offer different levels of benefits with regards to property. Evaluate coverage in terms of the structure and content of a building, the outer buildings such as sheds, barns or garages, landscaping, and temporary living or relocation expenses.
Understanding your policies can be difficult. Nevertheless, it is better to invest a little time now, than worry about it later. If you think your insurance coverage falls a little short, shop around to find the kind of coverage you need or speak with your representative about additions to your current policy. You may also want to try on online service like insurancefinder.com.
References
Association of Bay Area Governments. Earthquake Maps and Information, Liquefaction and Information. http://quake.abag.ca.gov.
Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA). What is a Flood? http://www.floodsmart.gov/floodsmart/pages/whatflood.jsp.
Insure.com. The Basics of Earthquake Insurance. http://info.insure.com/home/quake.html.
Insurance Information Institute. Earthquakes: Risk and Insurance Issues. http://www.iii.org/media/hottopics/insurance/earthquake/.
Kreidler, Mike. Facts about Earthquake Insurance [http://www.insurance.wa.gov/factsheets/factsheet_detail.asp?FctShtRcdNum=20].
National Interagency Fire Center. Fire Maps. [http://www.nifc.gov/firemaps.html].
U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA Satellite and Information Service, National Climatic Data Center. Hurricanes. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/severeweather/hurricanes.html.
U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA Satellite and Information Service, National Climatic Data Center. Tornadoes. http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/severeweather/tornadoes.html.
U.S. Department of Interior. US Geological Survey, Earthquakes Hazards Program. [http://wwwneic.cr.usgs.gov/neis/epic/epic_circ.html].
U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Facility Information Finder.http://www.nrc.gov.
Weston, Liz Pulliam. What Your Home Insurance Doesn't Cover. http://moneycentral.msn.com/content/Insurance/Insureyourhome/P35342.asp.

Pamela Stevens
Pamela Stevens writes for TopTenREVIEWS.com, an online review service that publishes unbasied software, online service and hardware reviews. TopTenReviews also publishes movie reviews and entertainment pages. Please see http://toptenreviews.com for reviews and articles on a wide variety of topics.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/336310

Insurance Policy

Insurance is the concept of paying a certain amount every month in anticipation of a future difficulty like illness, personal injury, accident or death. Insurance has become an absolute necessity these days. With so many insurance companies providing so many different kinds of Insurance Policies and plans, policies are becoming more affordable for all kinds of people. Some kinds of insurance are mandatory, while others are optional.
Insurance can be meant for anything: life insurance, automobile insurance, health insurance, home insurance, property insurance, disability insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance, cycle insurance, recreational vehicle insurance, sports insurance and so on. There can be special policies like flood insurance, ski insurance, student's content insurance, long-term care insurance, flight, kidnap, extended warranty and others. In short, insurance can be purchased to cover any kind of a risk.
Insurance policies are plans that are provided by an insurer to the insured. The policy is a legal agreement by which the insured agrees to pay a certain amount as a premium to the insurer and the insurer in turn promises to cover any costs that may have to be incurred in the future for the particular person or object that has been covered by the policy. An Insurance Policy states the kind of premium to be paid, the coverage provided, the limits of liability, the policy limits, benefits, deductibles, term of insurance, and other factors.
When you approach an insurance company to purchase an insurance policy, the company gives you a quote that contains all the aspects like premiums to be paid, the benefits and so on. When you agree to the terms and submit the application, the insurance company reviews whether you are eligible to receive the insurance, and then insures you if found eligible. When the situation occurs for which you have taken the policy, you can approach the insurance company and file a claim to be paid for the expenses you incurred because of that situation.
Insurance can be purchased directly from the insurance company or through an insurance agent or broker. The main factors to be considered while purchasing insurance policies are: does the policy cover all the risks, are there any limits to the policy, are there any hidden costs and would the company pay for the claims easily.
There are hundreds of insurance companies that are offering attractive deals on all kinds of insurance. You can contact an insurance agent for getting the right insurance policy. The internet is also a very good source for obtaining quotes, comparing various policies and deciding on the best one.

Insurance Policy provides detailed information on Insurance Policy, Life Insurance Policies, Car Insurance Policies, Health Insurance Policies and more. Insurance Policy is affiliated with Life Insurance Quotes.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/200207

Insurance Coverage at a Glance

Insurance:
The word "Insurance" refers to the promise of repayment of the money in the case of any loss to the insurer. The insurer may be an individual or a company who have made prepayment to an insurance company for a secured life. Insurance also provides "security against future loss". We cannot predict the timing and the occurrence of loss. So we need insurance plan in order to protect ourselves from the future loss. An insurance policy provides financial assistance to support medical, personal and social services.
Types of Insurance:
Different types of Insurance plans are offered based on your needs. Some of them are

Life Insurance
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Property insurance
Automobile insurance

Life InsuranceLife insurance policy is sometimes referred as life assurance, provides reimbursement of money to the decedent's family or other designated. Life insurance gives security for you and your family. The life insurance may be permanent insurance or term insurance. The term insurance is somewhat expensive and complicated. Since the duration of this term insurance is limited to 1 to 10 or 20 years. If something happens to the insurer during this course of time, the death benefit is given to the recipient. If nothing happens at the end of term, they will not be benefited fully. Whereas the permanent life insurance is more secure and gives protection throughout the lifetime. If you cancel the policy then the accumulated cash will be yours and you can make use of it.
Health Insurance
Health insurance is a type of insurance, which covers medical costs of the insured when the insurer becomes sick or injured. Health insurance plans offered in two categories. They are individual and group insurance policy. The individual plans covers health costs for a single person whereas the group health insurance plan covers medical coverage for the entire family.
Dental Insurance
Like health insurance, dental insurance covers dental costs for an individual or group. The costs include normal dental care cost as well as damage to teeth in an accident. Most people in the United States are getting along with their health insurance plans from their employer. Whatever may be the type of policy, it provides you a financial aid for you and your child in future. Dental insurance covers both individual and group. The group dental is more economical and beneficial than the individual
Automobile insurance
The insurance which legal liability against driver or incase of loss and damage to the vehicle.
Property insurance
Property insurance gives protection against your property. This includes specialized forms of insurance like fire insurance, flood insurance, earthquake insurance, home insurance etc.
Need for Insurance
For secure life, we require insurance plans. Because anything may happen tomorrow, the things are unpredictable. Insurance makes you to prepare for future. The health insurance plans are provided to in order to meet the expense of any health problem.
Now a day's health and dental coverage for an individual/family becomes more expensive. So it is advisable to have a health insurance plan. You can get reasonable price on your individual health and dental plan through an employer.
Whatever may be the insurance plans it provides "protection against future loss".

Tamil Selvi is a SEO copywriter for forhealthplans.com, She has written many articles in various topics. For more information visit http://www.forhealthplans.com. She can be reached at tamil@searchenginegenie.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/176184

Cheap Insurance

Insurance is a form of contract whereby periodic payments (also known as insurance premiums) are made to an insurance company, in order to provide an individual or business compensation in the event of property loss or damage.
The main purpose of insurance is to protect yourself or your family against the financial impact of a tragedy. In general, it is contract in which one party agrees to pay for another party's financial loss resulting from a specified event. Insurance mainly consist of three things - insurer, insured and policy. An entity seeking to transfer risk (an individual, corporation, or association of any type) becomes the 'insured' party once risk is assumed by an 'insurer', the insuring party, by means of a contract, defined as an insurance 'policy'.
There are two main ways to buy insurance. The first one is directly through an agent and the second one is to do it yourself. The main advantage of buying insurance from other is that an honest and competent insurer will decide according to the situation and make suggestions. The advantage of going on your own is that less money is needed for it. While buying any type of insurance, a person will save money by paying annually or semi-annually. Sometimes buying several types of insurance from the same company will save money.
There are different types of insurance available in the market. Life insurance is a form of insurance that pays monetary proceeds upon the death of the insured covered in the policy. There are main two types of life insurance that are term insurance and permanent insurance.
The medical insurance policy is a non-life insurance policy, which covers the expenses incurred by an individual in case of an injury or hospitalization. Individuals have to pay a minimal premium for buying medical insurance. Its main types are indemnity plan, preferred provider organization and health maintenance organization.
Homeowner insurance policy covers property and contents. There are two kinds of Homeowners Insurance policies and these policies can be divided into two categories named-Peril Insurance and all-risk insurance.
Auto insurance is the insurance against loss due to theft or traffic accidents. It can be purchased for cars, trucks and other vehicles. Its primary use is to provide protection against losses incurred as a result of car. Its main types are general liability, no-fault insurance, uninsured auto coverage and medical payments.
Car insurance is the insurance against loss due to theft or traffic accidents. Its main types are fully comprehensive auto insurance, third party insurance, fire and theft insurance, third party insurance, specialized car insurance.
Term life insurance provides protection for a specific period of time. It pays a benefit only if you die during the term. Term life insurance comes in two basic varieties term life policies and cash value policies.
There are numerous insurance providers that designs and markets insurance services for individuals, families, groups and businesses worldwide. Now, there are also online insurance facilities that help a person to select insurance just by clicking. After fulfilling the basic requirements of the insurance company, person is eligible for it.

The author presents the website on cheap insurance. It covers meaning, types of insurance, ways to buy insurance and parties involved in insurance. You can visit his site for insurance guide

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Insurance - All the Basics

What is insurance?
Insurance is a means of providing protection against financial loss in a great variety of situations. It is a contract in which one party agrees to pay for another party's financial loss resulting from a specified event.
Insurance works on the principal of sharing losses. If you wish to be insured, against any type of loss, agree to make regular payments, called premiums, to an insurance company. In return, the company gives you a contract, the insurance policy. The company promises to pay a certain sum of money for the type of loss stated in the policy.
History
Insurance is thousands of years old. The Code of Hammurabi, a collection of Babylonian laws of 1700BC, is believed to be the first form of credit insurance. A borrower did not have to repay a loan if personal misfortune made it impossible to do so. Insurance as we know it today can be traced to the Great Fire of London in 1666, which devoured 13,200 houses. In the aftermath of this disaster, Nicholas Barbon opened an office to insure buildings.
Types of Insurance
Insurance generally covers situations involving pure risk - that is, situations in which only losses can occur. Such situations include fire, floods and accidents. People also buy insurance to cover unusual types of financial losses like, a dancer might insure her legs against injury. There are mainly three types of insurance policies sold:
1. Life Insurance
A life insurance policy provides that the insurance company will pay a certain amount when the person dies. This may be paid in a lump sum or in installments to the beneficiary [people named by the policyholder to receive the death benefit]. Some types of life insurance policies also enable policyholders to save money. Such policies have a cash value. A policyholder may borrow money against the cash value or surrender the policy for its cash value.
Annuities
These are savings plans sold by insurance companies to provide a fixed and regular retirement income. If the annuitant [owner of the annuity] dies before receiving the guaranteed number of payments, the insurance company must continue the payments to the beneficiary.
Dividends
Some insurance policies refund part of the premiums in the form of dividends. Such policies are called participating policies. An insurance company pays dividends if the money it collected in premiums exceeds the amount needed to pay benefits and administrative costs. Dividends may also include a share of the profits the company earned on investments made with premium funds. Dividends are most commonly paid on life insurance.
2. Private Health Insurance
Health insurance pays all or part of the cost of hospitalization, surgery, laboratory tests, medicines, and other medical care. The rising cost of medical care has increased the need for adequate health insurance. You could suffer a major financial hardship without such coverage, especially in case of a serious illness or accident.
Dental insurance is one of the fastest-growing types of health insurance. It helps pay for a wide variety of dental services.
3. Property & Liability Insurance
Individuals and businesses buy property and liability insurance to protect their assets against financial loss. Property insurance provides direct compensation if a policyholder's possessions are damaged, destroyed, or lost as a result of perils. Liability insurance protects individuals and businesses against possible financial losses if their actions result in bodily injury to others or in harm to property owned by others.
The main types of individual coverage are:
o Homeowners Insurance
This provides protection against losses from damages to an owner's home and its contents.
o Automobile Insurance
This is the most widely purchased and most important kinds of insurance. Drivers are legally responsible for any costs arising from accidents they cause. This insurance protects a policyholder against financial losses from accidents.
Financial viability of Insurance Companies
Financial stability and strength of the insurance company should be a major consideration when purchasing an insurance contract. An insurance premium paid currently provides coverage for losses that might arise many years in the future. For that reason, the viability of the insurance carrier is very important. In recent years, a number of insurance companies have become insolvent, leaving their policyholders with no coverage (or coverage only from a government-backed insurance pool with less attractive payouts for losses).
How Insurance Is Sold
Most insurance companies sell policies through agents. Exclusive agents are employees of an insurance company who sell only that company's policies. Independent agents sell policies for several companies.

David Dugan is a contributing author to the insurance information site http://insurance.divinfo.com/, a site that has information on auto, homeowners, life, pet and many other kinds of insurance as well as the retirement site http://retirement.divinfo.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/162509