Are Some Insurance Companies Better Than Others for High Risk Drivers?
No matter what kind of driving record you have, you are going to need insurance to operate a vehicle. There are many to choose from, and the big question is whether or not there are any differences between insurance carriers. While they may all strive to give you the same coverage in the end, the fact is that there are some companies that are better to work with than others. This is especially true if you have had problems in the past, like a DUI or driving with a suspended license. Listed below are some tips that will help you figure out who you should work with if you have a bad driving record.
Experienced Insurance Providers
The best insurance companies for your iffy history are going to be the ones that actually work with high risk drivers. Some of the most well know companies in the country are not necessarily designed to help people with shaky driving records. Thus they will either deny you coverage altogether, or they will charge you a ridiculous amount of money for their services. You should not have to worry about that. This is the same theory as taking distance learning classes at a school that wasn't made for online degrees. You won't get the same opportunities that you would with a place designed for the services that you need.
There are in fact companies out there who specialize in helping high risk drivers get the coverage they need at a price they can afford. These are the kinds of companies you want to turn to.
Better Coverage Options
Some companies also offer better coverage options for your money. This means that you might be able to get higher policy limits from one company than you would from another for the same price. No matter how much coverage you want or need, you should be able to find a low rate to pay. Take a look at the policy that you can get from a company before you commit to it because you may be able to secure better coverage somewhere else. Take the time to make a decision about your policy and you will be able to pick the best insurance option for you.
Improved Customer Care
You might want to think about customer service when you go in search of the best insurance company. This is because some companies will not be as inclined to help you as other companies will. If you cannot trust the customer service agents you are working with, you will not be able to get good coverage in the event of an accident. Talk to the company or at the very least email them to see what kind of service you can get. Then you will be able to see if you want to work with the company or not.
Well-Rated Insurance Companies
The Better Business Bureau is an organization designed to expose good and bad companies in various industries. They have a rating system that is based on the reviews they get from customers just like you. If a company has an A+ BBB rating, you should not have to worry about the service you get from it. You may want to look through other rating systems as well to find out how your company may do with high risk drivers. The BBB won't tell you that, but they will tell you if a company has had blatantly bad experiences in the past. You can use this information to determine who you want to work with in the end.
Minimum Insurance Coverage by State
When it comes to getting car insurance, some people cannot afford the best of the best. They have to purchase whatever they can afford and hope it is enough to get by. If you have to pay for your car insurance with merit scholarships alone, you may want to know what the minimum insurance coverage is going to be for your state. This will tell you the absolute lowest price possible that you can pay. Every state is different, so you really just have to do a little research to find out what you have to get. Here is some information that can help you do just that.
Minimum Liability Insurance by State
The chart below shows what the minimum liability insurance rates are for each state. Each number represents the value of one portion of the policy in thousands of dollars. The 25/50/25 policy in Alabama has $25,000 in coverage per injured person in an accident, $50,000 in injury coverage for all victims combined, and $25,000 for property damage in the accident. Read on to see what the minimums may be in your state.
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This chart does change every so often, so confirm the numbers with your insurance provider to make sure you have the proper coverage for the time.
Additional Required Coverage
In addition to liability insurance, you may have to get uninsured motorist coverage to pay for damages when the other person doesn't have enough insurance to pay for an accident. There are only a few states that require you to buy this, but it is definitely something you need to keep in mind. If you are financing your car, you will be required to get comprehensive and collision insurance on it. This will pay for the damage to your car in the event of an accident, which will protect the investment your bank is making on the car. Full coverage like this can be expensive, but it something you just have to get.
Talk to your insurance company about the minimum coverage you can carry and see I that is going to be enough to get by. You can bump up the policy later on when you have a little more money to spare.
Best Insurance Policies to Invest in
At some point in your adult life, you are going to need insurance. It doesn't matter if you're a personal trainer, computer tech, tattoo artist, or teacher's assistant – you are going to need some form of insurance. The question is what kind of insurance do you need and which policies should you invest in. There are so many options to choose from nowadays, and they all could potentially protect you most expensive possessions. Listed below are some of the best insurance policies to invest in so you can get the right protection for your life.
Vehicle Insurance
Almost every state requires you to carry insurance on a car that you drive, as well as any boat, RV, or other vehicle that you use. At the very least, you will need to get liability insurance for all of your vehicles to pay for an accident if you are ever in one. This will not pay for the damages on your vehicle, but it will pay for the other person's if the event was your fault. If you have a vehicle that is relatively expensive to repair or replace, you may want to get comprehensive/collision insurance and maybe even uninsured motorist insurance. That will help you pay for the damages to your vehicle if you are ever in a wreck.
Homeowner's or Renter's Insurance
Homeowner's or renter's insurance will pay for the possessions in your home if you ever have to encounter a robbery or natural disaster. In the case of homeowner's insurance, the policy will also cover the cost of damage to the home in one of those events. This policy will not pay for a car that you have in your garage, but it will pay for just about everything else. You can get a $50,000 rental policy for less than $50 a month in most areas, so you might as well get one for the extra protection. I think I actually paid $17 for a policy a year or two ago, so I can attest to the fact that it is worth the money. You just have to find a good insurance provider to work with.
Health Insurance
Health insurance will help you pay for your medical bills if you have to go to the doctor or stay in the hospital for a long period of time. If you can manage to get health insurance through your employer, that will be the ideal option for you. This will save you money and still give you the coverage you need. You might also consider adding medical insurance onto your auto policy, just to cover the grounds if you're in an accident. If you're under the age of 26, you should be able to go onto your parent's insurance policy, assuming they have one. My husband and I do this, and it saves us from paying crazy high premiums every night. Check out the opportunities available to you and see what comes from them.
Life Insurance
Life insurance is supposed to help pay for your final expenses. It can provide financial support for your family during this tough time, or it can pay for your funeral, cremation, memorial service, etc. You don't have to be sick or old to benefit from having life insurance. It's just something nice to have as a backup plan. No one wants to think about dying, but it could happen. You might as well have the financial backing to help your family get through it.
Think about the insurance options above, and you should have all the protection you need in life.
Should I Lie on My Insurance?
If you are trying to save money on your insurance policy, you may be tempted to lie about your health, driving history, income, or whatever else impacts the coverage you are trying to get. Most people think they can put whatever they want on an online insurance application because the company will "never know the difference." This can lead to serious problems down the road. Would you lie on an application to Walden University online? Of course you wouldn't. Why should your insurance be any different? Here are some reasons why you should always tell the truth when you apply for an insurance policy.
The Company Will Find out
You may be able to get away with a lie for a little while, but eventually the insurance company will find out about it. They always do. If you tell them you have had no accidents in the past when you really have, they will soon figure out the truth about your driving record. Insurance companies have people working for them that do nothing but check facts all day long. Once your policy passes by one of them, you could be in big trouble. Don't assume that you're off the hook if you get away with a lie the first time. You could still get in trouble.
You Could Have to Pay
If the insurance company catches onto your lie, you may have to pay more money for your policy. This will include any money that you did not pay during the course of the lie. Let's say that you're only paying $100 a month for car insurance when you're really supposed to be paying $120 a month. If your lie was successful for 7 months, you will have to pay $140 just to cover the back payments. This can put a damper on your financial plans really quickly, so you need to make sure you tell the truth from the start. That way you don't have to come up with extra money when you don't necessarily have it.
You Could Forget the Lie
Judge Judy always says that if you tell the truth, you don't have to have a good memory. That is the perfect statement for this situation. If you tell the truth on your insurance application, you don't have to worry about keeping your story straight. That way you don't get caught telling two different lies. I have a friend of mine that lies all the time, and he can never seem to remember who he has told what story to. It is incredibly annoying, and really, it's unnecessary. Just tell the truth, no matter what the costs may turn out to be. You'll be better off that way, I promise.
You Could Lose Your Coverage
The insurance company has the right to cancel your coverage if they find out that you have lied to them on your application. I have actually seen this happen with a guaranteed life insurance policy. A friend of mine lied for his because he knew he would not have to go for a physical exam, but somehow the company found out about a medical condition he had. They dropped his coverage on the spot. Don't let yourself get in the same situation if you can avoid it.
As tempting as it may be to lie on an insurance application, don't. This will get you into a bad situation that you may struggle to get out of. If you tell the truth early on, you should have no trouble getting the coverage you need at a price you can afford.
Avoid Being Labeled a High Risk Driver
A high risk driver is a person that has a history of bad driving practices. If you are labeled as a high risk driver in the near future, you will inevitably pay more money for your car insurance than other people pay. Insurance companies have to assess how much of a threat each person is going to put on their company when it comes to filing a claim. The more likely you are to file a claim, the more money you have to pay. High risk drivers are very likely to get into accidents, and they have to pay the price accordingly. Here are some tips to help you avoid being labeled a high risk driver.
Never Drink and Drive
One of the easiest ways to gain the title of a high risk driver is to get a DUI. This shows insurance companies that you are not responsible enough to drive a car sober. Drunk driving puts your life in danger, and it also hurts the people in the car with you or anyone in the surrounding area. You have to maintain your composure when drinking and avoid driving at this time. Get a designated driver or pay for a cab ride home. That way you never have to worry about getting pulled over.
Always Carry Insurance
Car insurance may be a hefty payment to take on every month, but it is something you just have to get used to. It is illegal to drive a car without insurance. Period. It does not matter who you are or where you come from. A police officer will give you a ticket and prevent you from driving a car if caught without insurance. Drivers who do not carry car insurance are considered high risk because they do not abide by the laws of the land. As a result, they have to pay higher premiums whenever they do finally decide to invest in insurance. Find a way to do this from the start, and you won't have to worry about being a high risk driver.
Never Drive without a License
If you do not have a license or your license is suspended, you shouldn't be driving. I can't tell you how many episodes of Judge Judy that I have seen where the defendants lost the case because they were driving a car without a license to do so. That is an action that is simply not tolerated. If you cannot afford the time or the money to get your driver's license at this time, you cannot be behind the wheel of a car. You have to just wait for that time to come before you can actually go out on the road by yourself.
Avoid Auto Accidents
You can be labeled a high risk driver just for being accident prone. You do not necessarily have to be the cause of the accidents to get punished for them. You just have to be a part of them when they occur. I know it sucks to be punished for something that is not necessarily your fault, but the insurance company just looks at risk. If you have been in five accidents in the past three years, you are a high risk to them that needs to pay more money for your coverage. Practice defensive driving techniques, and you can hopefully get out of paying a ton of money for car insurance.
If you follow the tips above carefully, you may be able to bypass the high risk driver label completely. Take your responsibilities on the road to heart and fulfill them at all times. That will minimize your monthly payments in the end.
Tips for Saving on Your Auto Insurance Policy
The economy is not in the best of shape at the moment. People are looking to save money wherever they can. Auto insurance is one place that people have started looking for savings all around. This can be challenging if you are young or if you have blemishes on your driving record, but that does not mean that you cannot find cheap auto insurance. Your rates may be higher than someone else's would be, but you can still reduce your costs if you know what to do. Here are some tips that should help you cut down on your car insurance rates.
Compare Policies Online
One easy way to obtain cheap auto insurance is to compare the rates you could get from different insurance companies. By assessing quotes from different providers, you have the best possible opportunity to see which company is going to offer the best deal for you. Different companies work in different ways, and none of them are going to offer the exact same premiums for you. You may be considered a high risk driver with one company and a premier client with another. Thus you have to take the time to find out who you can get a low rate from and who may overcharge you in the end.
Bundle Insurance Policies
Sometimes you can get cheap auto insurance by bundling your other insurance policies with one company. You can get life insurance, health insurance, home insurance, and other insurance policies with one company and save money through a multi-line discount. Not all insurance companies will be able to do this for you, but it is an option that you can look into. I know that State Farm does this because I have a life insurance, car insurance, and renter's insurance policy with them. If I wasn't young enough to still be on my mother's health insurance policy, I would use State Farm for this as well. You can check with your insurance provider to see if they have a bundling program you can participate in.
You may also be able to save money by bundling other cars on your policy, depending on how the driving records are for each driver. If you have a DUI on your record and someone else has a clean record, your mistakes could cost the other person money in the end. If, however, you both have a clean driving record, you should be able to save money by bundling cars. You have to live in the same household as the other person in order to do this, unless you can provide documentation that suggests he or she lives with you, even if that is not the case. I do that with my father in law because we get his phone bill at our address (that also happens to be bundled). If you tweak the system enough, you can usually find some way to save money.
Increase Your Deductible
You may be able to get cheap auto insurance by increasing the amount of deductible you pay for your insurance. This is the money that you will have to pay out of pocket if you file an insurance claim. A deductible could be nothing at all, or it could be over $1000. You have to decide what you would be willing to pay if you were involved in an accident. A high deductible will equate to low monthly premiums, so you will simply have to see what options you could have.
There is always a low rate for you. You just have to go out there and find it. Use the tips above to help you find the best policy for your needs and budget. You'll be a safely insured driver soon enough.
Get a Metal Roof to Save on Homeowner’s Insurance (and Other Bills)
Having a proper roof on your home is an important part of being a homeowner. It is almost as important as carrying homeowner's insurance. There are many different roofing materials that you can select from, but few people think about getting a metal roof for their homes. If you fear that the cost of a metal roof is not going to be worth the money, you may want to think again. You could save a ton of money on insurance and other bills just by switching to a metal roof. At the end of the day, this roofing material is well worth the investment. Read on to see just what you could get out of the money you spend on a metal roof.
Insurance Savings
A lot of insurance companies will offer discounts to homeowners with metal roofs because the metal is more durable than other materials. It is less likely to break under extreme weather conditions, and it is a better source of protection against fire and other problems. You can talk to your insurance provider about this beforehand, but in most situations, you will be able to save on your premiums by switching to metal roofing. That leaves more of your paralegal salary to devote to other improvements in your house.
Long Lasting Protection
There are few roofing materials on the market that are as durable as metal roofing. A metal roof can last for decades without ever mildewing, cracking, chipping, or wearing away. The metal should be able to withstand extreme weather conditions, like heavy winds, rain, and more. It is not susceptible to fire damage, so your home can be protected for years in any situation. You cannot get that security out of other roofing materials.
Increased Property Value
Most people do not realize that they can actually improve the value of their home by getting a metal roof. As a whole, a new roof will improve your property value because of the safety it provides. Because metal roofing also improves your energy savings, it further increases the market value of the house whenever you have it installed. Even though you have to pay money upfront, you will be able to gain more money whenever you go to sell your house.
Annual Energy Savings
Because of the strength of a metal roof, you can actually see a huge reduction in your energy bills every year. That means that you will be able to get back the money you invested in the roof in the first place, and that you will be able to have more money left over to pay the bills you have. In this tough state of the economy, every penny counts. This is certainly the case when it comes to roofing as it is a huge investment to take care of. With a metal roof, you can rest assured that your money is going toward a good cause.
Conclusion
Even though you have to pay money upfront to have a metal roof installed, you are almost guaranteed to get that money back in just a few short years of use. Get a quote for your roofing installation and you can see just how affordable this renovation can be. Most people are surprised to find out how much money metal roofing can save them, especially when it comes to homeowner's insurance. Keep all of this in mind as you go to put a new roof on your home. It could make all the difference for you in the end.
Guaranteed Life Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
Guaranteed life insurance is a form of life insurance that provides instant coverage for your final expenses, no matter what your health concerns may be. Most other types of life insurance are conditional based on your health and family history. Guaranteed policies aren't like that. You can get one at any time, regardless of your age or medical conditions. Here are some commonly asked questions related to guaranteed life insurance, just so you can see if you might want to get some in the future.
How Does Guaranteed Life Insurance Work?
Guaranteed issue life insurance is just what the name implies – guaranteed. You do not have to have a perfect medical record or lifestyle to get life insurance. You will have to pay some extra money in insurance premiums, but that is purely because you are putting the insurance company at risk by getting a guaranteed policy. Nevertheless, you need some kind of life insurance if you are going to have a source of funding for your final expenses. Figure out how much coverage you need and then find a policy that will work for you. You will be covered before you know it.
Why Should I Get a Guaranteed Life Insurance Policy?
The reason that most people get a guaranteed issue life insurance policy as opposed to another policy is because they do not want to go through a medical exam. If you have done recreational drugs in the past or have any possibility of not passing a medical exam, this could be the perfect coverage option for you. You will pay slightly higher premiums for this policy, but at least you do not have to be worried about potentially being denied coverage altogether. You can get the plan you need right when you need it most so your family can be better in the future.
Are All Life Insurance Companies the Same?
Different life insurance companies analyze applicants in different ways. The amount of money you pay in premiums will be based on the risks you present to the company. The more risk you have of cashing in on your policy early, the more money you will spend. Your risks may look better to one company than they do for another, so you will just need to see what your options are. Some companies do not offer as high of an insurance plan as you may need, so you just have to find out what will work for you. If you look through the options long enough, you will find your insurance.
What Is Life Insurance Money Used for?
You can get different amounts of coverage on your guaranteed issue life insurance based on what you think your final expenses may be. If you have outstanding debts your family will have to cover, this kind of policy can allot money for them. The money can also go toward your burial expenses and any other fees that may be directly associated with your passing. Even if this is not the first insurance policy you might think about, you need to look into it as a way to save your family from financial burdens in the future. You can protect them right now.
Couldn't I Just Lie on My Application to Lower My Rates?
It is important to be honest on your applications because you could lose your Maine guaranteed issue life insurance if the company finds out you falsified your information. There are legal consequences that can come along as well, so you need to make sure that all of your information is right. Even though guaranteed life insurance costs a bit more money than other insurance policies, it is worth the extra money if you think about all of the coverage you get as a result. You can secure the insurance you need without worrying about being turned down for it. As simple as this sounds, it is truly a great option to explore.
Finding the Right Car Insurance after a DUI
Driving under the influence is never a good idea, and it can come with some serious consequences you may not be ready for. It may not cause you to lose your fullbright scholarship, but it could have a big impact on your life. One of the most obvious things that can happen after your DUI is that your insurance could get cancelled, thus leaving you on the lookout for new insurance coverage. There are some companies that can offer this to you, so do not worry. You just need to know what you need. Here are some tips that may help you find insurance coverage with a DUI on your record.
Find out about an SR22
One of the first things you need to do to get DUI insurance is to find out if you will need to have an SR22 on file with your state. This is a document that verifies you are carrying the minimal 15/30/5 insurance for the state. If you do not have to have this document on file, then you may be able to get away with carrying your current insurance until the company finds out about the offense. Then you can see if you will need to switch carriers, pay a higher premium, or do something else along those lines.
Find a Good Company to Work with
If you do need to file an SR22 with the state, you will need to find a DUI insurance company that will be able to do that for you. If not, you can proceed to finding coverage as usual. Not all insurance companies will be able to file an SR22 for you, so you have to be careful in your search. You will have to make sure that the policy you get is in line with the state minimums for liability coverage at the time. Any lapse in your payments or any failure to uphold the state laws will have to be immediately reported to the DMV. You could lose your license or your registration again if that happens.
Find the Right Policy
When you have a DUI on file, you will likely have to pay higher insurance premiums because you are considered a high risk driver. Thus it would be a good idea for you to find out what you do and do not have to have so you can figure out your minimum coverage options. You have to have liability coverage regardless of the state that you live in. Liability coverage is used to pay for the damage you cause to other people and their property if you are in an accident. The amount of coverage you have to get will vary from state to state, depending on the data for the area in question. Many states will require $25,000 in bodily injury liability for one person, $50,000 in the same coverage for more than one person, and $25,000 for property damage. What the rates are in your state will determine how much liability coverage you need for your car insurance.
If you are financing the vehicle you need to insure, you may need to get other policies for your car insurance. Most lien holders will require that you pay for comprehensive and collision insurance because that will pay for damages on your car if you are in an accident. Since the bank still technically owns the car, they want to make sure that it is protected in the event of an accident. If you get full coverage, you will fulfill their need for protection.
Some states will also require you to get uninsured motorist insurance as part of your car insurance. This means that you will be covered in the event that someone else is at fault for an accident but does not have insurance to pay for your damages. This is also known as underinsured motorist insurance, and it is available across the country. Only a select handful of states actually require their drivers to carry this coverage, so you will just have to see what is required of you. Do your research so you can get the policy you need.
Find a Good Rate
You can compare rates for different DUI insurance companies to see where you want to invest your money. You may not be able to get the same premiums you had before the DUI, but you can try to get something that you can at least afford. That way you will be able to drive legally in your area without having to worry about getting pulled over. As long as you keep up with your payments and maintain a safe driving record, you should be able to get the SR22 off your record in no time.
Pride Fighting
There's something deeply and strangely satisfying about the way the Undisputed series simulates the sheer physical brutality of ring fighting. It doesn't have the depth and purity of the best beat-'em-up games, but every punch and kick feels heavy and real. And while the third game isn't a radical reinvention of the formula, any software engineer would be proud of how this has turned out.
The biggest new addition is Pride mode. (for non-fans: before being bought by the co-owners of the UFC in 2007, Pride was the biggest MMA organization in the world.) As you'd expect from a championship that gained its reputation for its violence (and brought us some of today's best fighters along the way), matches take place in a ring rather than a cage, last only three rounds, and work from a slightly different rule set than UFC.
It’s hard to believe but it’s even more violent than UFC unlike UFC, you can stomp opponents with soccer kicks and knee them in the head when they're down, though you can't use your elbows. Legends like Bob Sapp, Royce Gracie and Don Frye are playable, as well as being able to play as younger versions of todays UFC fighters.
This is, undeniably, the best UFC game yet, but it's more of a refinement than a reinvention, as sports sequels so often are. The real star here is Pride mode. It's not only incredibly faithful, from the look and feel to the intricacies of the fighting, but massively entertaining too. If Yuke's sort out their loading times and menus in the next game, and continue to fine-tune their combat and add further depth to career mode, then Undisputed will become one of the greatest sports franchises in gaming.
To sum everything up, if you want a fighting game that gives you the feel and intensity of a real fight. This is the closest thing to come out yet.
Age Of Empires
I have been playing video games for as long as I can remember. Ever since I was a young child computer games have been a huge part of how I entertained myself. Whether it was on our first family computer that ran windows 98, or right up until now playing games on the xbox 360, I have been brought much joy from all of these games. There is something hugely enjoyable about taking part in something that you would never be able to do in real life. Over the last couple of years I have raced cars, fought wars and flew planes, none of which I would be able to do without the help of my trusty games console.
For me there has always been one game that has always stood head and shoulders above the rest. Age of empires is the most enjoyable game that I have had the pleasure of playing. As a young teenage boy nothing brought me more joy than controlling my army. One fight at a time you would claim territory after territory, ultimately building an unstoppable empire.
Everything about the game is pleasant to both the eyes and mind. The scenery looks brilliant when you take into consideration how old the game is, but the thing that makes the game so appealing to me is the campaign mission. You get to fight real historical battles while implementing your own battle strategies and plans. 
You feel a certain amount of power when playing the game, each new territory adds to your empire and I found this exciting. With so many games on the market these days containing content that requires little thought, it is great to see a game that actually requires you to use your mind as well as your thumbs.
If you are looking for a game that will get you hooked for hours and challenge your mind, this is definitely the game for you.
Do Insurance Agents Make Good Money?
I have been on this salary kick lately in most of my other blogs, so I figured I would extend the exploration here. I have always wondered what insurance agents make, mainly because the ones I work with always seem to have really nice cars and suits. There are a lot of different factors that determine what an insurance agent makes every years, including location, experience, agency size, and more. Some agents make double the salary that others do, just because they have the circumstances working in their favor. Let's take a look at some common insurance agent salary statistics, just so we can get an idea of what these professionals make on an annual basis.
Salary by Years of Experience
- Less than 1 year: $19,992 - $49,822 per year
- 1-4 years: $19,412 - $49,487 per year
- 5-9 years: $23,385 - $62,929 per year
- 10-19 years: $24,706 - $87,446 per year
- 20 years or more: $26,041 - $116,203 per year
Salary by Industry
- Life Insurance: $20,390 - $71,741 per year
- Commercial Insurance: $23,400 - $82,586 per year
- Insurance Carrier: $16,483 - $84,082 per year
- Banking: $20,769 - $57,500 per year
- Financial Services: $25,748 - $60,000 per year
Salary by Employer Type
- Company: $21,725 - $60,015 per year
- Private Practice/Firm: $21,495 - $58,882 per year
- Self-Employed: $21,120 - $123,031 per year
- Franchise: $20,028 - $45,000 per year
- Contract: $13,200 - $70,000 per year
- Non-Profit Organization: $24,080 - $61,671 per year
- Team: $19,800 - $46,000 per year
- State & Local Government: $37,500 - $84,000 per year
- School District: $18,232 - $30,000 per year
Salary by Specialty
- Sales: $20,934 - $60,864 per year
- Customer Relationship Management: $22,289 - $57,989 per year
- Sales Management: $20,135 - $76,025 per year
- Inside Sales: $20,587 - $47,829 per year
- Insurance: $17,687 - $63,518 per year
- Customer Service Metrics: $19,536 - $46,868 per year
- Customer Service: $20,625 - $56,673 per year
- Account Sales: $20,795 - $54,507 per year
- Field Sales: $18,121 - $81,053 per year
- Commercial: $23,663 - $61,042 per year
Salary by Location
- California: $20,782 - $99,002 per year
- Florida: $24,348 - $57,871 per year
- Georgia: $19,483 - $60,678 per year
- North Carolina: $20,489 - $59,206 per year
- Pennsylvania: $20,555 - $51,839 per year
- Texas: $21,380 - $78,073 per year
- Washington: $24,392 - $58,175 per year
Salary by Certification
- 220 licensed: $23,489 - $60,402 per year
- Licensed Health Insurance Agent: $21,282 - $69,715 per year
- Licensed Insurance Agent: $18,272 - $56,992 per year
- Licensed Insurance Broker: $18,548 - $57,812 per year
- Licensed Life & Disability Insurance Agent: $18,040 - $72,783 per year
- Licensed Life Insurance Agent: $22,071 - $72,651 per year
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent: $21,494 - $55,946 per year
- National Association of Security Dealers Series 6 License: $23,315 - $88,769 per year
- National Association of Security Dealers Series 63 License: $23,700 - $93,442 per year
Insurance agents have the potential to make pretty good money, but that is not always the case. It seems that these individuals are just like you and me in terms of how much money they make, at least on the lower end of the spectrum. This may not be the most lucrative career out there, but it can certainly pay enough to keep a family fed. After knowing all of this, you may actually think about becoming an insurance agent in the future. You never know what kind of success that may lead to.
Administrative Assistant Jobs in Insurance
Most people do not realize just how many administrative assistant jobs there are in the world. Administrative assistants are the secretaries, clerks, and legal aides of the working world. They play important roles in any industry they happen to work in, and they are always in high demand. Just yesterday I watched a show where an administrative assistant was working at a hair salon, and I never thought about that kind of person in that kind of work. One thing you may not have thought of is how administrative assistants impact the insurance world. Here is an overview of what administrative assistants do within this field so you can consider being a part of the profession in the future.
Job Duties for Administrative Assistants
Administrative assistants take over all of the small tasks in an insurance agency that the agents themselves do not have time to do. They may help people get quotes on new policies, or they may just organize the male that comes into the insurance office. What you do will largely depend on where you work. The job duties of an administrative assistant at State Farm could be different than those of a Progressive employee. For the most part, this job involves a lot of clerical tasks – answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, responding to basic questions, and organizing paperwork within an office. As small as those tasks may seem, they are vital to the efficiency of an insurance company.
Pay Levels for Administrative Assistants
Assistants work at the entry level of an insurance office, so they do not get paid as much as other employees. With that in mind, they can still make a fairly decent salary over time. Here is a look at some of the different salary levels you may see in this profession:
Salary by Years of Experience
- 1-4 years: $21,983 - $41,939 per year
- 5-9 years: $23,966 - $47,570 per year
- 10-19 years: $24,949 - $50,830 per year
- 20 years or more: $25,653 - $55,759 per year
Salary by Company Size
- 1-9: $19,567 - $42,197 per year
- 10-49: $22,697 - $44,307 per year
- 50-199: $23,820 - $47,891 per year
- 200-599: $24,552 - $49,214 per year
- 600-1999: $24,928 - $51,333 per year
- 2000-4999: $26,095 - $52,196 per year
- 5000-19999: $28,250 - $52,002 per year
- 20000-49999: $29,036 - $58,038 per year
- 50000+: $29,640 - $56,599 per year
Salary by
- California: $24,998 - $53,100 per year
- Florida: $21,300 - $43,826 per year
- Illinois: $25,117 - $49,284 per year
- New York: $25,584 - $53,928 per year
- Pennsylvania: $23,634 - $45,803 per year
- Texas: $22,631 - $46,001 per year
- Virginia: $23,653 - $46,343 per year
Salary by
- Business Certificate: $22,740 - $59,375 per year
- Certified Administrative Professional: $23,246 - $49,079 per year
- Certified Professional Secretary: $26,166 - $53,219 per year
- Licensed Life Insurance Agent: $25,760 - $42,934 per year
- Licensed Property & Casualty Insurance Agent: $23,839 - $40,26 per year
- Licensed Real Estate Salesperson: $28,706 - $50,974 per year
- Microsoft Office User Specialist: $24,161 - $50,117 per year
- National Association of Security Dealers Series 6 License: $24,922 - $47,667 per year
- Notary Public: $24,761 - $51,012 per year
- Paralegal Certificate: $28,834 - $57,289 per year
If you like learning about insurance and you have some decent organization skills, you may do quite well in administrative assistance. You have to be able to multi-task and learn quickly to work in this profession, but that is something you can figure out during your career. It only takes a short amount of time to get involved with this career, so you might as well give it a try. It may turn out to be the perfect opportunity for you.
How to Find a Good Insurance Agent
A good insurance agent can go a long way in getting you a policy you can actually use. I have been with State Farm for a long time now, and I have worked with two great agents and one not-so-great one. With the good ones, I was always aware of what was going on with my account, and they did everything they could to save me money on my insurance coverage. With the bad one, I just felt like I was being gouged for money all the time. If you have been looking for a good insurance agent, you might be surprised by how easy it is to find one. Follow the steps below and you will surely be able to locate a fitting insurance agent for you.
The Makings of a Good Insurance Agent
It is hard to look for a good insurance agent if you don't know what to look for in one. Here are a few qualities to keep in mind:
- A genuine care for finding you a low rate
- The ability to monitor your account and alert you of any problems
- A friendly personality you know you can trust
- An extensive set of insurance policies to offer
- A staff full of knowledgeable employees
- The willingness to search for the lowest rate possible
The insurance agent that you work with needs to be trustworthy, polite, and accommodating at all times. If you do not feel comfortable working with someone, you need to move on to another agent as soon as possible. That way you can get good coverage from the start and save money along the way.
How to Find a Good Insurance Agent
In order to actually find a good insurance agent, you need to find a policy holder you want to work through. I love the service I get from State Farm, but my mother in law has always gotten a better rate from Geico. You may like working with Progressive, All State, Farmers, or some other insurance provider like that. You may even want to "Go to the General and save some time…"
The company you choose to work with is only going to be the beginning of your search for a good insurance agent. You will then need to find the agent you want to work with in your area. Call up a few offices and just try to get a feel for the people there. You could also visit those offices in person. Just don't get wound up in the idea of buying a policy from a certain provider. You need to assess your options before you do that. If you get a bad vibe from one place of business, move on to another. There is bound to be at least one good insurance agent around you.
You can always ask other people who they get their insurance through, and that may point you in the right direction. You should also try looking up reviews for various agents online and see if you find out any information. I was able to bypass a really bad agent whenever I moved a few months ago just by asking a family member about him or her. You just have to pull your resources and see what you can figure out. You may not think that having a good agent is a big deal, but it could make a huge difference in how you experience your protection as a whole. Start looking for your agent as soon as possible.