Sunday, April 29, 2012

Understanding Insurance Marketing and Search Engine Placement

When it comes to search engine visibility, the good news for local insurance agents is it’s not too difficult to get your company website to the top of search engines for localized keywords. Most agencies can find their website reach top placement for geo-targeted keywords by consistently publishing fresh articles on their website and by building links to your website by writing for other relevant resources.

A few rules should be followed as far as onsite seo is concerned also. Ultimately, with local insurance keyword placement, content is king followed by relevant links. Some believe it’s the other way around. Either way, both tasks are very necessary. 

If you were to design a search engine who would have the best rank? 



A local insurance agency with several useful Articles published as well as several relevant links back or a local insurance agency with a home and bio page. Search engines generally have the same idea you have, they want the best resource on top.

Shop for Insurance Online = Save Precious Time and Money

Your time is valuable, so save it! Between shuttling the kids to soccer practice, mowing the lawn, finishing that huge research project that’s due in tomorrow’s political science class or just finding a few minutes to simply take a break and unwind, it can be difficult to find time to shop for affordable insurance coverage. Wherever you are in life’s many stages, why dig through the phone book when the insurance quotes you are looking for are at your fingertips? 

How will shopping for insurance on the Internet save time?

1) ONLY ONE FORM. When you shop online for insurance quotes, you only have to complete ONE brief form. When you search for quotes by phone, you often have to complete quote applications for each individual company from which you would like to receive a quote – that’s A LOT of time spent repeating the same information over and over. Searching for quotes online eliminates that hassle. Fill out ONE quote form and let the agents come to you, rather than vice versa. 

2) INSURANCE AGENTS COMPETE FOR YOUR BUSINESS. Shopping online for affordable insurance means multiple insurance agents will compete for your business. THEY call you. Don’t go around banging on doors when you can sit back and let someone else do all the work for you. 

3) COMPLETE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE. Requesting insurance quotes through insurance shopping portals allows you to compare multiple quotes – putting you in the driver’s seat and giving you a complete shopping experience.

How will searching for insurance online save money?

Time is money, right? Shopping for affordable insurance coverage online saves time, so that means you’ll automatically save money and have more time doing things you WANT or NEED to do. PLUS, most online insurance shopping sites provide you with multiple, FREE insurance quotes. Why should you spend money on something you might not use when you can compare insurance quotes for free?

Recent studies show that most insurance consumers want to receive at least three insurance quotes when shopping for auto coverage. At HometownQuotes, not only do we offer free, multiple insurance quotes to consumers looking for affordable insurance, we also offer reliable customer service, insurance information and resources and access to several insurance professionals. 

Don’t let searching for affordable insurance consume valuable time when your to-do list is nowhere near completed. We know you have other things competing for your time. When you let HometownQuotes do the work for you, finding insurance that fits your needs won’t be one of them.

How to Find Car Insurance Discounts

Saving money wherever you can is important to us all. Car Insurance should be no different. Do not assume that your insurance agent knows everything about you and your car. At HometownQuotes we go out of our way to find all the possible car insurance discounts that are available to each customer. 

Drivers should take advantage of all discounts that many providers offer, that can significantly reduce the cost of car insurance. Understanding discounts and how they can affect car insurance premiums can help smart shoppers make better decisions about their coverage and possibly save themselves some money in the process. 

Read below to identify possible discounts that could help you save money on car insurance this year. Other than discounts, there may be some other ways for you to save on your insurance premiums. We will go over several discounts that can help with your current situation. 

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First, there are discounts for Car Safety features. Certain states will give you discounts for anti-lock breaks. Make sure you know if it is two or four wheel anti-lock break vehicle. Automatic seatbelts and airbags are frequently discounted on your insurance premiums. In most states, a defensive driver class discount may apply. If the principal driver usually 55 years old or older has completed an approved defensive driving class a discount could apply. Keep in mind that most states will only approve this class if it is voluntary meaning that it was not the result of a violation or infraction. 

Some insurers will give you a discount for having multiple cars. In some cases, this will only apply if you have two or more drivers. If you have a clean driving record, meaning you do not have any tickets, accidents or suspensions in the last three years (some companies require five years) then you could be eligible for a safe driver's discount. 

Many insurance companies will reward you with staying with the same insurance company for many years without any accidents reported. They will offer you a renewal discount. It makes sense, you have carried insurance with a company for several years, and have not had an accident, your insurance company likes you and wants to reward and keep your business. Some companies honor you with a discount if you had prior limits on your previous policy. They discount you because they understand you are a better risk. 

Conversely, if you do decided to change insurers a proof of prior insurance discount may apply. Most insurers request at least 6 months of consecutive insurance from the previous insurer. If you are a full-time student who meets certain grade requirements and are unmarried and usually under 25 years of age (some states the age is 21) you could be eligible for a good student discount. If you own a home, including condominium, town home, or mobile home, which is used as a principal residence, a discount could apply. Military personnel either currently active or retired from any branch of the US military a discount could apply. If your vehicle is equipped with an anti-theft device, a discount could apply. 

You could lower the cost of your car insurance in other ways as well. 

For people who own older cars, it may not be necessary or cost-effective to protect them with collision and comprehensive coverage. By comparing the book value of your vehicle and the premium that the insurer has offered, you may find that it cost as much for the insurance as it does for the vehicle. If the car is worth less than $2,000, you will probably spend more insuring it than it is worth. The whole idea of driving an older car is to save money, so why not get what is coming to you. 

In addition, keep in mind that the type of vehicle you buy could greatly affect your premium. A flashy red sports car is usually going to cost more to insure than a mid sized sedan. This is also true of vehicles that are on the list of most stolen. There are many ways that policyholders can save on their insurance. Knowing more about auto policies and premiums can help consumers take advantage of less obvious discounts while ensuring that they have the appropriate protection for their vehicles. The last way to save is to assume more risk. If you chose higher deductible on your Personal Injury Protection or Comprehensive and collision coverage will lower your premium as well. The deductible is the amount of money you have to pay before your insurance company begins paying the rest. 

Understanding how discounts affect your car insurance rates is important to save you money.

Auto Insurance Tips for Senior Drivers

yea hello to all drivers, senior citizens (or as I like to call them “seasoned citizens”) want to get the best rates on their auto insurance policies. What they may not be aware of is that older drivers may present a higher risk than other drivers, usually leading to higher auto insurance rates. 

Following a few simple tips and taking these measures will ensure that you are getting the lowest rates possible on your auto insurance policy. 

1. Avoid more Accidents, Pay Close Attention at Intersections. Auto accidents involving seniors often occur at intersections. Make sure to look ahead if you plan to quickly change lanes after an intersection. Pay attention to protected left turn lanes with their own arrows, and always keep your tires pointed straight ahead when stopped, so that a rear-end accident doesn't push you into oncoming traffic.

2. Follow the flow of traffic, Drive at the at or near the speed limit. Driving too slowly can be just as dangerous as speeding, especially when entering or exiting interstates or freeways. It can also trigger dangerous "road rage" in less patient drivers. You don’t have to be Mario Andretti, but keeping to the right and following the flow of traffic is the safest bet. 

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3. Many violations include failure to yield right-of-way, improper turning or incorrect lane changes, so keep current on the traffic laws relating to new traffic designs. 

4. Sit high enough in your seat so that you can see at least 10 feet in front of your car, advises the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. If your car seat does not adjust to allow this, add a cushion. This will make it easier to see pedestrians and bike riders, and reduce problems from oncoming headlight glare at night. 

5. Do not wear sunglasses or tinted glasses when driving at night. For many older drivers, night vision is reduced, so safety dictates not driving at twilight or after dark.

6. Make sure you learn how to operate a New Car. Things like Anti-lock brakes, for example operate differently in slippery situations. If you have never driven a car with anti-lock brakes, sure to get training on proper use.

7. Senior drivers can refresh their skills and knowledge -- and get a discount on auto insurance coverage in many states -- by taking a refresher driving course, such as the eight-hour "55 Alive" course offered by AARP. More than two-thirds of states mandate auto insurance policy discounts for such courses, and many insurance companies offer the discounts voluntarily. 

8. Look for cars with rear-view mirrors that automatically dim and filter out headlight glare. 

9. Air bag technology has become more advanced, with sensors that deploy air bags based on the weight of the occupant, reducing air-bag-related injuries. Some new cars also have side air bags in the seats or door frame that offer better protection. 

10. Consider fit and comfort in your new car. Seat belts that comfortably fit over your shoulder and low on your lap will keep you safer. Automatic transmission, power steering and power brakes require less physical effort.

11. Last but definitely not least, Check to see which insurance companies offer specific ‘Senior Discounts.’ While shopping around for the best auto insurance rates is important, which insurance company you choose might depend on how they treat senior drivers. You'll get their best rates if you're healthy and drive a safe, modern vehicle.

Car Insurance – California, Do You Have Auto Coverage?

Trying to find an alternate route to work when nearly 280,000 other commuters are scrambling to find their way into the city can definitely increase the odds of getting involved in a fender-bender. San Francisco Bay area interstate travelers will be the first to tell you that you cannot predict accidents or catastrophes. Whether you are involved in a natural disaster, auto accident or other catastrophe, insurance plays an important role in securing your funds for the future. Californian or not, it’s always important to see what auto insurance coverage your state suggests or requires.

There’s a long stretch of road between Redding and San Diego, California – which means many opportunities for unexpected auto accidents to occur. The Bay Bridge between Oakland and San Francisco, for example, is a hotbed of confusion and congestion that travelers are trying to navigate and conquer. 

Between the excitement of summer and trying to secure your vacation plans, preparing for an auto disaster is probably the last thing on your mind. But the summer heat and unexpected bumps in the road can both wreak havoc on your auto and put you in jeopardy if you’re not prepared. If something happens while you’re driving down that long California interstate, are you covered? Let’s sift through your car insurance policy to consider your options:

What coverages are included in an auto insurance package?

When you purchase auto insurance, you usually have several options – you can purchase medical, liability, property and under/uninsured motorist coverage. 

Medical coverage in an auto insurance package will take care of treating injuries to those in the policyholder’s automobile. Medical coverage will be provided if the person is a passenger or hit as a pedestrian. 

Liability is your financial responsibility to someone for damage you cause – whether the damage is to another person or to someone’s property. When you purchase liability coverage, the insurance company agrees to defend you in court and/or reimburse the other party for damages you cause. 

California state laws require motorists to purchase the following liability insurance amounts. 

$15,000 - bodily injury liability for one person injured in an accident
$30,000 – bodily injury liability for all injuries in one accident
$5,000 – property damage liability for one accident

Covering property damage includes comprehensive and collision insurance. 

Comprehensive coverage insures accidental damage to the auto including fire, wind, sleet, theft, vandalism and similar damages.

Collision coverage reimburses for damage caused by colliding with another object, regardless of who or what is at fault. 

What happens if the person that hits you is uninsured or does not have proper coverage to take care of your entire loss? Purchasing uninsured and/or underinsured motorist coverage will cover both of those situations. 

If you have not glanced through your auto insurance policy in awhile, it’s time to consider reviewing it. The warm summer weather means your air conditioning will be running longer and your engine will be working harder. It’s important to take time right now and make sure you will be covered if you find yourself stuck on that long stretch of California road between Redding and San Diego.

Risk Retention and Reduction For Low Auto Insurance

Everyone knows one of the most dramatic ways to lower your car insurance rate is by eliminating coverage. Some do this by dropping liability limits while others drop collision and comprehensive coverage on older vehicles. When you do this, your assuming more risk and creating less risk for the Insurer.

If your car is less than $2,500, why insure if with collision and comprehensive? The extra cost to insure it will probably pay for the value within a year or so.

The truth about deductibles, yes having a higher deductible will lower your premium, do you really want to pay Up to $1000 to get your car repaired or replaced? $1,000 isn’t all that easy to come by; if it was this article probably wouldn’t have found you. A common deductible and the choice for most drivers with comprehensive and collision is $500. The deductible is paid by you per each occurrence.
Risk Retention

So in summary, anytime you put the risk on yourself, you’ll pay less in premium. Risk retention is accomplished done by selecting low limits of coverage and higher deductibles.

Risk Reduction

Reducing risk is the 2nd best way to get low auto insurance rates. According to insurance companies, your risk is reduced when you buy the sedan versus the sports car, when you drive less than $7,500 miles each year and when you keep your driving history clean of tickets and car accidents.

The final way to make sure your getting low auto insurance is by comparing the wide variety of markets. Some insurance companies are built to save senior citizens while others are set up to save more for the newer driver. It’s really tough to tell which company will offer the best rate since each company rates so many factors – differently.
Where does other responsibility fall in?

Is there a chance that if I own my own home, I’m possibly seen as a responsible individual or does the insurance company just really want to offer me a low rate in hopes of also selling me homeowners insurance either now or down the road?

This is a very good question and I believe the answer is yes. Or yes – yes. There are many ways we show our responsibility. Of course maintaining a clean driving record is one of the best ways to maintain a low auto insurance rate.