Is Auto Insurance Will Influenced by Global Economic Crisis?
June 16, 2009 – 3:36 pmAfter most banks collapsed by global economic crisis, maybe the insurance companies are the next institution which influenced by that scared world’s problem.
The crisis was started from banks lending at the property market. Because too much money for the people whose take the mortgage, this condition affect when they defaulted on their mortgages, foreclosures increased, resale values fell and the credit crunch arrived. This theory come truth when came the news about AIG — an insurance company making the biggest loss in corporate history.
Business people on Main Street are worried. They looking at the billions of bailout money, will their insurance policies be safe? If there’s a fender bender on the way to work, storm damage to their homes or a loved-one dies, will insurance companies be able to pay out? We asked John Scott, an expert in auto insurance, whether there’s a need to worry. “The only way there’d be a problem is if every driver in America had an accident on the same day, and that’s never going to happen.”
Keeping it real
It turns out the federal and state governments have had a big safety net under the insurance industry for a long time. John Scott explain, “Before an insurance company gets a licence to sell insurance in a state, it must prove it has sufficient loss reserves to pay claims. Even if the company goes into bankruptcy, that money’s there to pay claims. The amount’s reviewed every year and increased if necessary. The more policies the company sells, the bigger the reserves.”
But that’s not all. Every state has a guarantee fund. All insurance companies have to pay into the central fund. If one company’s declared insolvent, the fund is an extra layer of protection, just in case the loss reserves are not enough to cover every claim. There’ll always be enough money in the guarantee fund as a back-up.
What can you do to protect yourself?
Never renew your car insurance on autopilot. Take the chance to shop around for the best premium auto insurance rates for the coverage that’s right for you. Using an online site’s best because it gives you access to all the top companies in your state. Instead of having to contact each one individually, you get all the quotes in one shot. John Scott says, “If your vehicle’s getting older, you should think about how much cover you need. The other factor is competition between companies to get new business. Changing to a new company can earn you a good discount on the premium.”
But, of course, there’s always that worry in the back of your mind about another AIG. John Scott says, “If you want to check out the financial health of an insurance company, you can use a site like www.ambest.com. You have to register, but it will tell you if there’s anything to worry about.”
What can allstatescarinsurance.com offer?
When you’re looking for the best value auto insurance policy, allstatescarinsurance.com gives you everything you need in a single site. There’s a full range of services giving you online quotes, the latest news and views on the insurance industry, analysis of trends, and quizzes. Spending a few minutes browsing around can give you vital tips on how to save dollars when getting your next auto insurance policy.
