Steps to Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim

Getting Paid on an Auto Insurance Claim Steps to Filing Your Auto Insurance Claim, part Your Auto Insurance Claim,Evaluate Your Auto Insurance Claim, Fill out Your Auto Insurance Claim,getting your car fixed on Your Auto Insurance Claim

1. Evaluate whether or not you should file a claim: Did you know that just when you call your insurance company with a question about possibly filing a claim it is often recorded on your insurance record? It is important to keep your insurance record clean and one way is deciding whether or not you should file a claim. It doesn’t matter if the accident is your fault or not, you should ask yourself first if you can pay for the damage. Simply put, if you can pay for it yourself without financial hardship, don’t file the claim.
2. Fill out your What to do After an Auto Accident Worksheet: This worksheet, which when you click on the title is provided for print-out, will help you keep track of the information you will need to file your auto insurance claim. It is important to get every detail of the accident documented and to try to find witnesses that would be willing to talk to your insurance company to back-up your story.
3. File the claim ASAP: You will want to file the claim as soon as possible with your insurance company. Even if it is not your fault, your insurance company will handle the claim process as your advocate.
4. Prepare for a possible call from the other insurance company: If there is a dispute between the two parties in the accident, you may get a call from the other driver’s insurance company asking for your version of what happened at the accident scene. If this happens make sure you document everything you say and the name of the customer service agent you talked too.
5. Finally, getting your car fixed: If you had body damage to your vehicle this is when you will finally get it fixed. After your claim is approved, you will likely get a call from your insurance company about sending an insurance adjuster out to assess the damage or asking you to send your car to a pre-approved shop to get it fixed.
   

Sooner or later it happens to nearly all of us. An auto accident. You do all the right things at the accident scene. Then you made a few phone calls to get the insurance company to get the claims process started. Now it's about time for the payoff. Who's going to repair your car and how much will the insurance company pay? Let's see if we can't negotiate a fair deal for ourselves.

In most cases you'll need to get an estimate of what it will cost to repair the damage to your car. Remember that your goal is to get your car repaired properly so you won't have problems later. The insurance company's goal is to pay you as little as possible. They may suggest that you to use their 'convenient drive-in claims adjuster'. Or perhaps they'll use a quote from a local repair shop that gets lots of business from them.

Don't go for it. In either case the person providing the estimate is loyal to the insurance company. They have no reason to try to satisfy you. Find a shop that has your confidence. The dealer that sells that make of car is probably the best if they have a repair shop. You may want to get estimates from a couple of different shops. That's your choice. Check your policy. It rarely requires you to go to their shop or to get more than one estimate.

What happens if your car isn't driveable? Then have it towed to the shop of your choice. It's cheapest to do that right at the time of the accident. It's good to have the shop's name and address already available in your car. By having the car to the shop of your choice you've forced the adjuster to play on your home field. He has to respond to their estimate. On the other hand, if the car's in your driveway he can offer to have it towed to his favorite low cost shop. Then he'll have all the advantage in negotiating the price of the repairs.

OK, you've agreed on a shop and the work is completed. So it's just a matter of picking up the car. Right? Wrong! This is your last real chance to get the job done to your satisfaction. The insurance company will have named you on the check. You will be required to sign the check or a repair order stating that the work is completed. You may also need to write your own check to the repair shop for the deductible.

Don't sign off until you've thoroughly inspected the car. And I do mean thoroughly. Look at the bodywork under bright lights. Sunlight is best. Look at the car from all different angles. Is the sheetmetal straight? How's the paint? Try all the doors, windows and anything else that moves in the repaired area. Make sure that nothing is binding or crooked and that everything is properly aligned. Take it for a test drive. It should run and sound like before the accident. No new rattles. Make sure you understand your guarantee. If something goes wrong later you'll be dealing with the repair shop, not the insurance company.

If you've been forced to use a shop chosen by the insurance company, be especially careful to inspect the car. In fact, you probably would be wise to 'drop in' once or twice during the repair to actually see what's happening. Ask to see all the old parts that they were going to replace. They could save some money by repairing a molding or other part instead of buying a replacement part. All shops are not dishonest, but some are.

Suppose that your agent calls and says that you car is a total loss. They want to cut you a check for the value of the car and you just give them the car and title. There are two potential problems. First, your car was worth more to you than anyone else. That's why you were still driving it. Second, how do you determine what the car's worth?

The adjuster will probably use the Kelly Blue Book. They might also include classified ads for similar cars to come up with an offer for your car. Expect them to offer you the 'wholesale' value. That's what the dealer would pay for the car before they add their profit margin to sell it to you. Naturally, you'll end up paying retail. Shouldn't your payoff be at retail?

How can you get a higher price? By shopping! Go to a number of dealers. Read the classified ads for comparable cars. Make a list and give it to the adjuster. If that fails, ask him to find a replacement car for the amount he's offering. He's the one that says it's out there. Let him prove it.

Now's the time that homework pays off. Was your car a low mileage vehicle? That's worth something. Did you keep maintenance records to show that the car was in above average condition? Do you have any pictures or other evidence that your car was a 'cream puff'?

And don't forget to add in the cost of tax and title. In some places it can be 6 or 8% of the price of the car. In almost all cases that will be hundreds of dollars.

Hopefully, you won't ever need to settle an auto accident claim. But, if you're ever in an accident, knowing how to deal with the insurance company is essential. They expect you to pay your premiums faithfully. It's up to you to make sure that they pay properly on your claim. Nothing that the average driver armed with a little knowledge can't do.

Choosing the Best Auto Insurance Company – Best Rates and Best Customer Services

Typically, new auto insurance buyers tend to choose the lowest cost provider, assuming that most providers are essentially the same. As they become more experienced, and after having made a claim or two, they become more wise to other factors that determine a good car insurance company.

Selecting the best auto insurance company – best rates and best customer service
People use different criteria for choosing an auto insurer. Some base their decision on the opinions of friends, some on marketing and advertising promotions, and others simply on the cost of premiums.
Eventually, most automotive insurance buyers place the most importance on how companies treat them after filing a claim. Low premiums become much less important if a company won't pay when they should, or immediately raises rates after an accident.
What's the problem?
Many thousands of auto insurance customers are happy with their insurers. A significant number of people have been with the same insurance company for 15 years or more. However, other customers don't find their companies very satisfactory. The most frequent complaints that customers have with car insurance providers are:

* Refused claims
* Slow settlement process
* Unsatisfactory payout on claims
* Feel forced to use insurer's repair shop
* Poor repair quality
* High premiums
* Company raised rates after accident
* Lack of personal attention or compassion
* Billing, policy, and other non-claim issues

Unfortunately, most of these problems don't surface until after a claim has been filed, when it's too late to find another company. That is why it is important to do your homework before selecting an insurance provider.

If you have been involved in an accident and are being sued or are not satisfied with your insurance company, you may need to get help from an accident attorney. See our article: How to Find an Auto Accident Lawyer.
How to choose the best car insurance company
There are a number of ways you can go about choosing a good insurer.

Research consumer opinions - Consumer Reports magazine frequently surveys readers on auto insurance companies. The last large survey results were reported in the March 2006 issue. The survey measures overall customer satisfaction and claim problems. Of the 27 companies reported, satisfaction score differences between the best company and the worst company was only 16 points out of 100. This is hardly enough of a difference to make for a solid decision choice based on this information alone. Find the report on Consumer Reports' web site (a subscription fee is required) or look for the magazine at your local library.

Browse online forums - Consumer forums and automotive discussion boards often have sections in which car insurance is discussed. These sources change frequently and the quality of the information can vary widely, so don't use this as your only research source. Remember that people who have experienced problems are more likely to post comments than those who don't have problems.
Ask repair shop managers - Nobody knows about car insurance companies any better than body shops that have to deal with them. Ask the owners or administrative managers of accident repair shops about which insurers are the best to deal with – which are the least trouble when settling claims and paying for proper repairs. We've seen body shops in which auto insurance company ratings were actually posted on the wall in the waiting room. Don't forget your new-car dealer's body shop, if he has one.

Check state government data - Most states have departments that regulate insurance companies and and handle complaints against them. This may be the Attorney General's office of consumer affairs or it may be the office of the Insurance Commissioner. You can often find which auto insurance companies have the best and worse complaint rates on your state's website. Actually, it may be helpful to look at other state's web sites as well. Just be aware that most state web sites are not well designed or are out of date, and it may be somewhat difficult to find the information you need

Use broker web sites - Insurance broker web sites (see recommended sites below) are one of the best and easiest ways to compare auto insurance companies online. Brokers work with multiple insurance companies so that they can offer customers a variety of choices to meet their needs. It's easier than shopping individual companies on your own. Their services are free. Some of these broker sites contain comparative information and ratings.

Get rate quotes from as many companies as you can (quotes are free) so that you have plenty of data to compare. The more information you provide when asking for a quote, the more accurate your quote price will be. Many people overpay for their insurance simply because they do not shop around enough.

The absolute best, fastest, and easiest way to find the cheapest auto insurance rates is to get online rate quotes from multiple insurance companies and compare them. There is no other way that will let you get actual car insurance rates as easily and quickly — no other way.

After you choose a company
Many of the differences between car insurance companies are hidden in the details of their policies. Before you sign, make sure you read and understand these details. If you have questions or concerns, get it resolved before you sign. Later may be too late.

After you have selected a company, it's a good idea to reexamine your choice every year or two because company policies and rates change frequently. The best auto insurance company this year might not be the best next year.

If you change from one car insurance company to another, and have already pre-paid some of your premiums, your old insurance company will refund your unused premiums

Summary
Finding the best auto insurance company requires finding those with the best combination of rates, discounts, and customer service. Finding the best rates is quick and easy if you get online rate quotes and compare them.

Guide for Saving Money on Auto Insurance

Shopping for auto insurance? The price you pay for your auto insurance can vary by hundreds of dollars, depending on your driving record, the type of car you have and the insurance company you buy your policy from. Here is a list of things you can do to save money.


Shop Around

Get at least three price quotes. You can call companies directly or access information on the Internet. Your state insurance department (http://www.iii.org/media/companies/state_org/insur_departments/) may also provide a means to compare prices.

Get quotes from different types of insurance companies. Some sell through their own agents. Some sell through independent agents who offer policies from several insurance companies. Other companies sell directly to consumers over the phone or via the Internet. The price may vary depending on the sales method.

But don't shop by price alone. You want a company that answers your questions and handles claims fairly and efficiently. Sources for finding the right kind of company include: word of mouth, i.e. friends, relatives, co-workers; your state insurance department, where you can find consumer complaint ratios by company; and consumer magazines. You can also check the financial health of insurance companies through independent rating companies.

Before you buy a car, compare insurance costs

Your premium is based in part on the car’s sticker price, the cost to repair it, its overall safety record and the likelihood of theft. Many insurers offer discounts for features that reduce the risk of injuries or theft, such as air bags, anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights and anti-theft devices.

For more information on car safety, check the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Cars that are favorite targets for thieves cost more to insure. For more information on car theft, check the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

Ask for a higher deductable

Your deductible is the amount of money you pay out-of-pocket before your insurance policy kicks in. By requesting higher deductibles, you can lower your costs substantially. For example, increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage premium by 15 to 30 percent. Going to a $1,000 deductible can save you 40 percent or more. However, keep in mind that you’ll need to have the amount of the deductible on hand should something happen to your car.

Reduce coverage in older cars

Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverage on older cars. It may not be cost-effective to continue insuring cars worth less than 10 times the amount you would pay for coverage. Any claim payment you receive would not substantially exceed your premiums minus the deductible. Claims occur on average only once every 11 or 12 years. Auto dealers and banks can tell you the worth of a car, or you can look it up online at Kelley Blue Book.

Buy your homeowners and auto coverage from the same insurer

Many insurers will give you a discount if you buy two or more types of insurance from them. Also, you may get a reduction if you have more than one vehicle insured with the same company. Some insurers reduce premiums for long-time customers. But shop around carefully; you may still save more money buying from a different insurance company even with the multi-policy discount.

Take advantage of low-mileage discounts

Some companies offer discounts to motorists who drive a lower than average number of miles per year. Low mileage discounts can also apply to drivers who carpool to work.
Ask about group insurance

You may be eligible to get insurance through a group plan from your employer, or through professional, business and alumni groups or other associations. Group plans often provide substantial discounts. Ask your employer, or any groups or clubs of which you are a member, about this option.

Maintain good credit

Your credit rating may affect what you pay for insurance, so monitor it carefully. You can get this information directly from the three major credit-rating agencies (Equifax, Experian, Trans Union). There are also various Web sites that allow you to check your credit rating and provide tips on how to improve your score.

Seek out safe driver discounts

Most insurance companies offer discounts to policyholders who have not had any accidents or moving violations for a number of years. You may also qualify for a cut if you have recently taken a defensive driving course, if you are over 50 and retired, or if there is a young driver on the policy who is a good student, has taken a drivers education course or is away at a college, generally at least 100 miles away.

When you comparison shop, be sure to inquire about discounts for the following (availability will vary according to the state and company

o No accidents in 3 years
o No moving violations in 3 years
o Drivers over 50 to 55 years of age
o Driver training course
o Defensive driving course
o Student drivers with good grades
o College students away from home
o $500 deductible
o $1,000 deductible
o Air bags
o Anti-lock brakes
o Daytime running lights
o Anti-theft device
o Low annual mileage
o Auto and homeowners coverage with the same company
o More than one car insured with the same company
o Long-time customer

But don’t forget that the key to savings is not the discounts but the final price. A company that offers few discounts may still have a lower overall price.

Auto Insurance In India

Auto Insurance in India deals with the insurance covers for the loss or damage caused to the automobile or its parts due to natural and man-made calamities. It provides accident cover for individual owners of the vehicle while driving and also for passengers and third party legal liability. There are certain general insurance companies who also offer online insurance service for the vehicle.

Auto Insurance in India is a compulsory requirement for all new vehicles used whether for commercial or personal use. The insurance companies have tie-ups with leading automobile manufacturers. They offer their customers instant auto quotes. Auto premium is determined by a number of factors and the amount of premium increases with the rise in the price of the vehicle. The claims of the Auto Insurance in India can be accidental, theft claims or third party claims. Certain documents are required for claiming Auto Insurance in India , like duly signed claim form, RC copy of the vehicle, Driving license copy, FIR copy, Original estimate and policy copy.

There are different types of Auto Insurance in India :

• Private Car Insurance – in the Auto Insurance in India, Private Car Insurance is the fastest growing sector as it is compulsory for all the new cars. The amount of premium depends on the make and value of the car, state where the car is registered and the year of manufacture.
• Two Wheeler Insurance – the Two Wheeler Insurance under the Auto Insurance in India covers accidental insurance for the drivers of the vehicle. The amount of premium depends on the current showroom price multiplied by the depreciation rate fixed by the Tariff Advisory Committee at the time of the beginning of policy period.
• Commercial Vehicle Insurance – Commercial Vehicle Insurance under the Auto Insurance in India provides cover for all the vehicles which are not used for personal purposes, like the Trucks and HMVs. The amount of premium depends on the showroom price of the vehicle at the commencement of the insurance period, make of the vehicle and the place of registration of the vehicle.
  

The auto insurance generally includes:

1. Loss or damage by accident, fire, lightning, self ignition, external explosion, burglary, housebreaking or theft, malicious act.
2. Liability for third party injury/death, third party property and liability to paid driver
3. On payment of appropriate additional premium, loss/damage to electrical/electronic accessories
   

The auto insurance does not include:

1. Consequential loss, depreciation, mechanical and electrical breakdown, failure or breakage
2. When vehicle is used outside the geographical area
3. War or nuclear perils and drunken driving
   

Some of the leading Insurance Companies offering Auto Insurance in India are:

HSBC India – Auto Secure
Bajaj Allianz - Bajaj Allianz's Motor Insurance
ICICI Lombard - Motor Plans, Two Wheeler Package Policy
United India Insurance Co. - Motor Package and Liability Only Policies
The New India Assurance Co. - Motor Policy

Types of Coverage Auto Insurance

Each person who drives necessitates car insurance. In fact, most states command it by law. When you purchase car insurance, you are purchasing what is called a policy. Your policy is grounded on a diverseness of factors admitting what kind of car you drive as well as what sort of insurance you want. compare auto insuranc policies are in reality a package of dissimilar types of insurance coverage.
The first step in interpreting an auto insurance policy is to ascertain the various types of coverage insurance companions offer. Some of this coverage may be compulsory by your state and some of the coverage may be facultative.

• Liability - This coverage antes up for accidental corporal trauma and property indemnification to others. Injury impairments include medical disbursements, pain and bearing and lost wages. Property damage admits damaged property and automobiles. This coverage also compensates defense and court costs. State laws ascertain how much liability coverage you must leverage, but you can forever get more coverage than your state compels.
• Collision - This coverage pays for impairments to your vehicle stimulated by collision with additional vehicle or object.
• Comprehensive - This coverage compensates for loss or impairment to the insured vehicle that doesn't come about in an auto accident. The types of damages comprehensive insurance covers include loss caused by fire, flood, vandalism, wind, hail, or theft.
• Medical Coverage - Pays medical expenses disregarding of fault when the expenses are stimulated by an auto accident.
• PIP - Personal Injury Protection (PIP) is commanded in some states. This coverage compensates medical expenses for the insured driver, irrespective of fault, for discourse due to an auto accident.
• Uninsured Motorist - compensates your car's impairments when an auto accident is induced by a driver who doesn't have financial obligation insurance.
• Underinsured Motorist - compensates your car's impairments when an auto accident is stimulated by someone who has deficient liability insurance.
• Rental Reimbursement - This type of coverage will compensate for a rental car if your car is besmirched due to an auto accident. Frequently this coverage has a day-to-day leeway for a rental car.
  

Numerous insurance policies coalesce a number of these eccentrics of coverage. The first step in picking out the compare auto insurance you desire for your car is to know the laws in your state. This will tell you the lower limit insurance you need for your car. It's benevolent to keep in mind that, just since your state may not compel extensive insurance, extra coverage may be meriting the expense.
After all, no one desires to be bewildered with thousands of dollars worth of bills because of an auto accident.Now, let's take a look at how to determine your insurance needs.

Bringing the Costs Down

There are four main components that can donjon compare auto insurance rates bolt down. See if you accrue into any of the accompanying categories. If you do, you may be able to save money on your car insurance disregarding of the appraise of your automobile.

1. If you are awaiting to buy a car, turn over buying a car that looks benevolent to insurance companies. For instance, insurance companies be intimate what varieties of cars are prostrate to problems. They also experience what varieties of cars are most frequently stolen. If you haven't bought your car yet, find out what cars make this "good list" amidst auto insurers.
2. Most insurance companies extend discounts for a variety of reasons - for example, estimable students, having additional than one car insured and accident-free driving are all worth a discount. Necessitate insurance companies just about particular discounts that may be uncommitted to you.
3. Deliberate carpooling or using public expatriation to get to work. The less you use your car, the less your insurance will cost you.
4. Finally, drive with kid gloves! Insurance companies are not happy to insure accident- prostrate drivers, so the more dependable you drive, the less you will have to compensate for auto insurance.
   

Source :http://www.heavens-above.com/financialinfo/insurance/compar

GET MONEY FROM AUTO INSURANCE

HOW DO YOU GET MONEY FROM AUTO INSURANCE You will receive the fair market value for your vehicle. An insurance company is only required to compensate you at the fair market value. This may be more or less than is still owed on a vehicle if it is still under a finance note The amount still owed on any finance note has no bearing on the current market value of your vehicle. The easiest way for a layman to determine the fair market value is simply to look around at other similar or preferably same type vehicles currently for sale in your area. Look for same type vehicle with similar options, similar mileage and wear. After finding several vehicles for sale, determine the average sale price of those found. You will generally find that the amount offered will be near that average. Should your offer be less, then you should negotiate the settlement price with the adjuster. Adjusters are not paid to haggle with anyone. They are paid to follow their states Insurance laws and adjust claims fairly.

HOW DO YOU GET MONEY FROM AUTO INSURANCE Never what you owe or what it will cost you to replace it. So the answer to the problem is GAP insurance! Small amount to pay for peace of mind that pays you the difference between loan/cost and adjusters appraisals, (which start at the bottom, wholesale)The haggling is what the adjuster is paid to do, not to be fair, but to save the insurance company the most they can, they are not your pals! Wife rear ended, she's ok totalled car retail $20,000, offered $15,500


HOW DO YOU GET MONEY FROM AUTO INSURANCE You should get ACV (actual cash value)
Do your homework before settling with the adjuster. Check newspaper ads, dealers etc., to see what a car like yours, similar condition and like mileage is worth in your area. Have 3 or 4 bona-fide local examples to take with you and show the adjuster.
A new car should not be a problem unless you have over-financed.
Some folks borrow more than the vehicle is worth to pay off an old one and you are what is termed to be "upside-down", meaning you owe more on the vehicle than its worth. If this is your situation and the car is totalled, you will be paid off the value of the vehicle but not what you over-financed.


HOW DO YOU GET MONEY FROM AUTO INSURANCE Having been in this situation in WVa, the insurance people have a standrd which is used. Usually it involves the the NADA book value. The low value - a certain amount if the the engine milege is 100,000 or more = settlement. My experiance was not good as I did not receive enough to pay the vehicle loan principle, even though the loan was for less that the purchase price.
Answer

HOW DO YOU GET MONEY FROM AUTO INSURANCE Ok. So I have just been told by the Claims Agent that my car it totaled. In my case to repair the damage would cost $3500. The value of my vehicle was only $4200. If it cost more than 70% of the total car value to fix, it is considered totaled.
So now I have two things to do. 1)Check the value of my car for myself. 2) Locate what it would cost to replace my exact car in the market today.
For the first item I will use these three websites and take the best results to use as a basis for determining what I will expect to get paid from my Insurance Agency. www.kbb.com, www.edmunds.com, and www.nada.com. Be sure to include your milage and all your vehicle features before caculating a price with these sites. Also, always use the RETAIL price that they generate because that is what you will have to pay to replace your car in the open market.
The second item takes a little more leg work. But thankfully for the internet this process is now a lot easier. Use the website www.autotrader.com. This will allow you to locate your specific car to see what people are actually selling it for. Most often is will be selling for more money than what your first step revealed.
Note: If you are having trouble locating a vehicle within 200 miles of where you live, then try and find a similar replacement vehicle you are interested and use that as your leverage.
I have been told that by law, your insurance company is only require to pay out the wholesale price of the vehicle. This is usually at least half of what the blue book value is. So don't get your insurance company mad at you, but also stick to your guns when trying to get more money to replace or fix your vehicle!

I recently had my car totalled. We got rear-ended. Based on the condition of your car, you can negotiate a little to get a fair price for the vehicle. Honestly, the insurance company has already a price in mind. They will stick to it once they have decided the price. In my case, I got almost what I was targeting for a price. You should closely look at the features of your car and ensure that the Insurance company is comparing an apples to apples comparison. The Insurance Company looks at Actual Cash Value. This is a lot of legwork required on your end. All in all, I was able to settle with the Insurance Company on the Totalled price within a month for the property damage settlement portion. Also, it is easier to negotiate with your own Insurance Company as compared to the other party's insurance company. You can negotiate with your insurance company and firm up the price. Then, the other insurance company can provide you the deductible.

I have to say that my experience of dealing with insurance company to settle my total loss case was very unpleasant. The other party's insurance company wasn't straightforward with me at all, and they were the at fault party. I know a lot of folks who work in insurance industry will disagree with me, but from my own experience, insurance company's interest is not aligned with consumers at all regardless if you're at fault or not.

I didn't buy into the "fair market value" estimate -- it's just an arbitrary number determined by a "3rd-party" authority. I challenged this number, and was able to negotiate $1000 more back.

HOW DO YOU GET MONEY FROM AUTO INSURANCE My recommendation is not to accept the initial offer from insurance company, and always negotiate. You've nothing to lose, but have a lot to gain.

AUTO INSURANCE IN AUSTRALIA

AUTO INSURANCE IN AUSTRALIA Several overseas companies have been circling the Australian market, but Progessive's entry represents by far the biggest headache for the local companies.Separately, insurance underwriters cited climate change as the most important issue confronting the industry.In South Australia, Third Party Personal insurance from the Motor Accident Commission is included in the licence registration fee for people over 16. A similar scheme applies in Western Australia.In Victoria, Third Party Personal insurance from the Transport Accident Commission is similarly included, through a levy, in the vehicle registration fee.In New South Wales, Compulsory Third Party Insurance (commonly known as CTP Insurance) is a mandatory requirement and each individual car must be insured or the vehicle will not be considered legal. Therefore, a motorist cannot drive the vehicle until it is insured. A 'Green Slip' another name CTP Insurance is commonly known by due to the colour of the pages the form is printed on, must be obtained through one of the seven main insurers in New South Wales.

Profitability collapsed last year after companies such as Suncorp-Metway and Insurance Australia Group had large payouts for a string of natural disasters, including bushfires and heavy storms.

At the same time, the global financial crisis caused earnings from insurers' investment portfolios to collapse, causing a drain on capital reserves.

Home insurance premiums are under the most pressure to rise, with rates projected to jump by about 9 per cent over the next year, according to the latest JPMorgan Deloitte general insurance industry survey.

House insurance premiums increased 10 per cent last year as insurers sought to reverse years of heavy discounting.

Car insurance premium rises are expected to match last year's 5 per cent increase.

The large number of payouts in recent years, including the more than $1 billion paid out in the wake of the Victorian bushfires, had insurers rethinking the cost of cover, said JPMorgan insurance research analyst Siddharth Parameswaran.

''The rate increases that have been pushed through are largely a reflection of re-estimation of how much these events cost and how frequently they are likely to occur,'' said Mr Parameswaran, one of the co-authors of the report.

Natural disaster payouts since 2007 of nearly $4.3 billion are more than twice the 20-year average.

Mr Parameswaran said the price increases marked ''a real turn'' in the insurance cycle after underwriters were locked in a discounting war for most of the past 10 years.

Elsewhere, compulsory third-party car insurance premiums in NSW are expected to increase by 10 per cent, rounding off the second year of double-digit gains, while Queensland motorists will be hardest hit with prices expected to soar by as much as 15 per cent, mostly due to more generous benefits.

While prices are tipped to run up, gains are likely to be tempered by competition in personal insurance, particularly among internet-based companies.

US company Progressive Direct has recently entered the Australian market, looking to snare a slice of the nation's $9 billion car insurance market with internet-only selling.

In Queensland, CTP is a mandatory part of registration for a vehicle. There is choice of insurer but price is government controlled in a tight band.

These state based third party insurance schemes usually cover only personal injury liability. Comprehensive vehicle insurance is sold separately to cover property damage and cover can be for events such as fire, theft, collision and other property damage.
Progressive Direct Insurance Co. [00649] believes there is an opening in Australia's sophisticated insurance landscape for it to explore the online-service motor insurance segment.

Progressive Direct, a unit of U.S.-based Progressive Corp. [58454], opts not to compete directly with established players in the traditional market but to gain a position among proliferating online businesses, said Simon Lindsay, country manager of Progressive Direct in Australia.

This market segment offers room to evolve in Australia, where a high number consumers enjoy the online experience for personal finance, given the country's high broadband penetration, said Lindsay in an interview.

In Australia, two major players -- Insurance Australia Group Ltd. [86837] and Suncorp Metway Insurance Ltd. [77922] -- have 75% of the market share for motor insurance. Nevertheless, Lindsay said smaller players can pursue "small yet compelling" market segments in the country.

A sound regulatory environment and stable market conditions contributed to Progressive Direct's choice of Australia as the first Asia-Pacific country in which to advance its online motor insurance business, said Lindsay. The market dynamic is suitable for international market exploration and for employing the insurer's Internet-based insurance know-how and online segmentation skills.

Progressive Direct Australia's online technology structure is being built up from scratch in Australia, based on skills acquired from parent company in the United States, said Lindsay. The model is designed to attract a growing alternative online market segment, rather than the general mass segment.

Web site technology is important to deliver quality and customer service. Lindsay said online functionality is a driver to attract customers who have not been offered the experience before.

A recent survey of Google found the proportion of people applying for car insurance online has been on the rise in Australia, with 68% applying online and three-quarters using the Internet at the initial research stage. Currently, Lindsay said the trend is to apply online for car insurance quote rather than buying the product or managing the policy online.

In the next five years, Lindsay said the trend for buying and managing online motor insurance will become more popular. Online claims management is still new in the market, according to Lindsay. The aim is to promote effective and efficient applications of the online platform as "A to Z" functions of motor insurance.

In Australia, Lindsay noted traditional motor insurers remain strong in the market, and this is not going to be changed in the short term. These traditional players launched their own online brands to attract new customer segments.

Progressive Direct's market position is "more independent" with online insurance, said Lindsay. The company recognizes a trend of rising online consumerism, hence its move to explore the segment.

In recent years, Australia's nonlife insurance sector has seen new players such as Australia Post and Virgin Money, an affiliate of U.K.-based conglomerate Virgin and supermarket Coles for the launch of car, home and content insurance

Some ways to Save On Car Insurance

For most people car insurance is a the single largest insurance expense after health insurance. Rates are high and are forever climbing, at least it seems that way. You can save money on your car insurance premiums by following these easy to implement steps.

1. Shop Around. Yes, it pays to shop and compare. Regulatory changes at the state level may have encouraged new companies to jump into the market, thereby increasing competition and reducing rates for consumers.

2. Raise Your Deductible. A $200 deductible sounds wise until you learn that the cost for having a deductible at this threshold can drive your rates through the roof. Consider a deductible as high as $1000 to save on premiums. You can always fix minor mishaps on your own.

3. Drop Collision. If your automobile is worth less than two or three thousand dollars, consider dropping collision altogether. Sure, you will get nothing from your insurer if your car is totaled, but the savings you realize by dropping collision can be used as a down payment for your next car.

4. Look For Discounts. If your car has certain safety features, make sure that your insurer is aware of this. Older cars, for the most part, do not have air bags but if you have a model that has airbags, you will save money on your insurance.

5. Business Deduction. If you drive your car for business, a portion of your insurance costs may be deductible. Conversely, your rates may be increased if your insurer knows that you use your car more for business than pleasure.

6. Combine Policies. Purchase your homeowners, auto, and life insurance policies from the same broker and you may save on your premiums. Some insurance companies reward policyholders if they “one-stop” purchase all of their insurance needs through one company.

7. Consider Before You Buy. The Porsche Boxster may be your ideal car, but it could also sharply raise your insurance rates. Maybe a less sporty model would be ideal.

8. Driver’s Ed Course. You may have taken a driver’s education course and your insurance company has not factored that in when determining your premium. Let them know that you are a safe driver!

9. Deleted Points. If you had moving violations that were reported to your insurance company, make sure that your insurer adjusts your premium downward if several years have gone by since the occurrence. You could be paying a premium higher than you deserve.

10. Check Your Policy. If the insurer has the wrong address, town or zip code on your policy you could find yourself paying more than you should.

Reducing your car insurance costs should not be an impossible feat. By following these steps you should realize some savings the next time your policy comes up for review.