Archive for March, 2011

Accident Insurance – Insurance Against Contingencies



You cannot ignore that contingency is a predominant factor in life. Accidents represent the constant uncertainties we live in. Often, carelessnesses, either by us, or by the other occur which can affect our lives profoundly. The kind of effect here includes material damages, health injuries, and almost always accompanied with financial losses. However, it is in here that accident insurance can save your day from serious consequences. This much of care as to seek protection against an uncertain future and thus to apply for this insurance sees to it that financial constraints do not stand in the way of your overcoming the problem. Going for this insurance is a self-assurance that you are actually ready to face the worst–and ready to come out of it successfully. It is in dire times that we can fully appreciate the value of an accident insurance as it acts as a true Samaritan.

And especially when traveling, the probability of mishaps increase. Accidents are in fact, still not uncommon in spite of advanced foolproof technologies. So keeping yourself in safe hands with this insurance is always a wise thing to do.

Accident insurance ensures that at the time of an eventuality, you will be given compensation for specific losses as defined under the insurance policy. It generally covers treatment which includes high surgical costs, organ transplant, etc.

Most of the policies however judiciously mention in the clauses not to entertain any claim of insurance if the accident is caused due to drunken driving or proven negligence or in other cases, accidents caused during risky sports as car racing, bungee jumping and the like.

These days, accident insurance is also available online. Increased competition between different insurance agents has accentuated your chances of coming across suitably competitive rates. Try taking quotes from as many of these lenders as you can to strike upon good deals.

In any case, do not stop yourself from taking an accident insurance because it would be too big a risk to take.

How Auto Title Loans Work



If you own your own automobile, auto title loans can be a source of funds during a cash crunch.

As long as you own the title to your auto free and clear, without any liens against the vehicle, you can qualify for a title loan within minutes. No credit checks are necessary as your auto is used as collateral for the loan. Some lenders also require you to give up a spare set of keys to the auto, in case you default on your loan and they repossess your vehicle.

Title loans are intended for short-term use, with repayment due within anywhere from 14 days to a month of the loan being issued. If you don’t have the funds to pay off the loan you’ll have to rollover the loan for another payment period. Rollovers are often large interest payments paid to keep a loan from defaulting, with little or none of the principal paid off. If you rollover your loan just a few times you could end up paying many times the amount of the loan in interest and fees alone. Annual percentage rates (APRs) on many title loans are in the triple digits.

For lenders, title loans are a very low financial risk as borrowers often take out loans for far less than the value of their autos. Borrowers can get up to the fair market retail value of their autos with a title loan, however.

Title loans can be a very high financial risk for consumers, especially those who borrow more money than they actually need. One missed payment on a title loan could result in your car being repossessed immediately. If your car is seized in some states, the lender can keep any additional funds generated by selling your car above retail value and you may still be liable for paying back the loan.

Depending on your circumstances, title loans may be a breeze to get a hold of and a nightmare to get rid of.

First Credit – Student Credit Cards



Once a young person enters college, there’s a whole range of new responsibilities that have to be faced. One of the most important is the art of managing often limited finances. Student credit cards are specialty cards offered to initiate young people in the use of credit. No income? No credit record? No problem! The only qualifying factor is that they an enrolled student at a four-year university.

Anyone, including high school students, can apply for one of these credit cards, but they’re generally meant for college students. Although these cards may be easy to get, they typically charge heftier fees and interest rates, and smaller credit limits.

Young adults generally have no established credit history. Young people with limited experience and no established credit history are often frowned upon by credit card companies. However, those who are attending college with their focus on the future demonstrate a degree of maturity and responsibility that gives companies a bit of assurance that they will be able and willing to take care of their debts. Also, parents are often willing to come to the rescue to pay the bill, especially if they’ve co-signed for the credit card.

Two Types of Credit Cards

Secured Credit Cards – The student will be spending money that has been deposited in a bank account in advance. With this type of card there is no risk of accumulating long-term debt or interest. Cards are also available that allow parents to link a student’s card to their personal account, or let them keep refilling the teen’s or student’s accounts as they go along. It will cost an enrollment or annual fee and additional fees each time money is added to the card.

Unsecured Credit Cards – This is a traditional credit card that is an actual loan from the bank. No advance deposit of funds is required. Interest is applied to the balance carried from month to month and is often substantially higher than other credit cards. This type of card is much harder to get approval than a secured credit card.

Details of the Best Offers for Students

o The lowest APR card will help when a balance must be carried from one month to the next. An interest rate in the mid-teens is reasonable for students.
o A long grace period will allow for a longer period of time before you have to pay interest.

o Look for a ‘no annual fee’ offer.

o Employed students are more likely to be approved, as it shows responsible behavior.
o Be truthful on your application. It will increase the probability of getting the best rates, as the company will verify all the information on your application.
o Online account access is a plus to easily keep track of balances and payments.

Using Student Credit Cards Wisely

Begin with a budget that can be easily managed each month and stick with it. Even though new credit card consumers are typically offered a limit of $500 to $1,000, limit yourself to what you can repay each month. Safer than cash, use your credit card to purchase student necessities.

Student credit cards that include rewards are available through major issuers like Citibank and Chase who has partnered with retailers like Starbucks, Amazon, and the Gap. Be careful that the rewards don’t entice you to spend outside your budget just to earn the reward.

Student Credit Cards – Are They Good Or Bad?



Student credit cards are very popular nowadays, but what are the advantages and disadvantages of these credit cards. Companies court the profitable undergraduate market with specific cards, which are set apart by marketing techniques and their credit terms and benefits. Banks are eager to strike deals with colleges that allow them to set up tables filled with gifts such as a t-shirt to sign on the dotted line for a student card. They do this to reach you early in your spending career and turn you into a loyal customer. This is a large reason why card usage has tripled since 2003 amongst the ages of 18-23.

The Good

Student credit cards help in meeting the sudden requirements for money. These cards have plans specifically designed for college or possibly high school students. This is a great way for students to develop their credit history to use later in life. It is very important to start showing creditors that you are capable of making payments with credit. When getting out of college most students will want to get a car or start looking for a house. Banks will more than likely reject their application for anything if they do not have a credit score at all. While in college it makes it easier to buy things they need such as books, school supplies, and food. For responsible young people who want to manage their own finances, a charge card is a solid route to build credit. If approved most banks will only give them a $500 limit. This is nice because it really limits the student to small purchases. They are also a means for parents to watch what is being spent because most students have their statements sent home. It builds an understanding of spending in the family.

The Bad

Credit cards can be dangerous for younger individuals because they target a group of people with little income who are more likely to abuse a card because they have small amounts of cash and have little knowledge about finances. Most college students only take one or two finance classes at school and the value of being taught how to spend wisely is not enforced. The younger generation is being taught to spend, not save. The mentality of some kids is that since they know they will be working later on they might as well enjoy their time and spend freely and pay it back later. Unfortunately, a large percent of kids will be paying back those good times for many years. This is due to the fact that when they start making money, more debt is taken on in the form of a mortgage or new cars. The reward programs are often less but still available.

What you do early in your financial career sets the precedent for the rest of it. Habits are hard to break. If you are a student you should apply for a card even if you don’t need one. Use it thriftily on things such as gas or groceries. Those $35 bills will start building your credit and make it easier for you to be approved on a mortgage or a car loan as soon as you start working. You will also see that your limits will go up and banks will start competing for your business.

Mobile Auto Detailing for Car Leasing Companies



If you own a mobile detailing business and you are looking to increase your customer base or clientele you may wish to look in your local phone book under Car Leasing Companies and contact them to see if they need auto detailing services. Auto Leasing Companies make very good customers for many reasons. How so you ask?

Well let’s take one company, a large one; Enterprise Car Leasing. Enterprise Car Leasing is a great place to find business for a mobile auto detailer and they need good, reliable service. The Enterprise Company and their sales teams, through leads coming in from Enterprise, find customers who wish to lease cars and the Enterprise Leasing team finds the car they want and helps them buy it for a great price.

They will also have you detail these cars if they cannot get the dealership to do it. Many times the dealerships which sell to car leasing companies sell these cars so cheap on a fleet deal that there is really no money in the deal to pay for the car dealership to detail it and Enterprise or any car leasing company cannot really deliver a new car to a customer all dirty.

Enterprise makes about $500 profit on the deal and also money from their own in house financing division. It is a good way to buy a car and not get screwed for the business customer and Enterprise wants happy customers. They will send you business if you ask them for it. New car detailing for Enterprise needs to be at or near $60-85 per car and they often buy seal coats for another $100 and pass it on to customers for $200 or more. If you are looking for the nearest leasing office to sell your services to look up this web site;

http://www.pickenterprise.com

You can also use this directory to find a sales lot, van pool division or rent a car agency office in your area. I very much recommend for the expanding auto detailing businesses to look into tapping this niche and do a few sales calls to car leasing agencies and companies. Consider all this in 2006.

Offshore Banking For Virgins



Relocating your assets to another jurisdiction can seem a big, intimidating, even frightening idea. But it doesn’t have to be. First, what does it mean, exactly…to “go offshore”? Strictly speaking, it means simply to do something in another country.

For an American, going offshore means investing, banking, or doing business outside the United States. If you’re British, going offshore means operating beyond the United Kingdom. Etc. Nothing so scary about that. The trouble starts when you consider specific “going offshore” strategies–setting up a trust in another jurisdiction, for example, or opening a foreign corporation to hold real estate holdings, say.

Just as I recommend you start small with your retire-overseas thinking and planning, so, too, should you start small and simple when it comes to moving your assets offshore. You don’t have to figure out an umbrella strategy of corporations and holding companies straightaway. In fact, most of the complex structures many offshore attorneys promote aren’t necessary for most people, not immediately and not long term. In fact, maybe all your going-offshore plan will ever require is an overseas bank account. So start there. Plant your first offshore flag by opening a bank account in a jurisdiction you’re comfortable with.

Keep in mind that the country where you choose to do your banking need not be the country where you’re living, where you’re doing business, or where you hold citizenship. These are all separate agendas. Two top banking options right now are Panama and Belize. Both respect the tradition of bank secrecy. To open an account in Panama, you’ll need to visit the country in person. In Belize, on the other hand, you can open an account long distance, and, at at least one bank we prefer, you can open an account even without making an initial deposit. In other words, to make the point, this isn’t a strategy for millionaires and jet-setters only.

I also personally like Andorra as an offshore banking jurisdiction. My preferred Andorran bank has a branch in Panama City.

Kathleen Peddicord