Tuesday, January 08, 2008

The Importance Of Insurance Rates And Premiums:

By John Dale

Insurance rates are used to determine the premium that you will pay for any insurance cover. Bear in mind that the premium is not the only fctor you need to evaluate when considering an insurance policy. The quality of the cover and the claims record are equally inmportant, and very often, even more important than the insurance rates.

Insurance rates are based on the level of risk that an insurer assesses and the value it places on covering the cost of paying out claims for that risk. It is vital for both the insurer and insured that this is done properly. The insurance company pays claims from the premiums that are collected and these must be sufficient to cover the total cost of any claims. If the claims exceed the premiums charged then claims will not be able to be paid which is bad news if you are the one making a claim.

Car insurance for instance, uses a variety of factors to determine the risk and therefore the insurance rate and premium. Fast cars present a much higher risk than slower ones, the age of the driver is relevant as is their claims history - bad drivers tend to have more accidents than the good ones which is why your premiums increase if you do have a prang.

Life insurance rates are based upon a combination of age, sex, and lifestyle. The older you are the more likely you are to die in any given period when compared to someone younger. Men die before women as a general rule, while if you engage in high risk activities such as smoking, this too will increase your probability of dying sooner and therefore while the insurance policy is in force. The insurance company will therefore charge a higher premium as appropriate under the circumstances.

When you are applying for insurance, the provider will seek to assess the risk that it is being exposed to. It is vital that you are completely honest with any questions that an insurance company asks or you run the risk of the insurance company refusing to pay the insurance out in the event of a claim.

Sometimes the risk to the insurance company can also be very high. It can be so great that they will not put up an insurance rate. Sometimes the risks are limited to specific circumstances or activities. Some companies will specify the risks that will be covered in the insurance policy but they will exclude certain habits of yours that can lead to your death. You should understand these circumstances before accepting an insurance policy.

Although, insurance rates are the basis of the premium but it does not mean that you get a cheap premium policy. Sometimes cheap premium defines an inferior company. It is always better to pay more to ensure that the policy covers you under all types of circumstances. You must shop around a bit before making a final decision.

Keep in mind that insurance rates are only the subjective assessment of the financial value an insurance company places on the risk it faces with taking you on as an insured customer. Different companies may assess this risk differently and apply a different price to that risk depending on their own financial circumstances. This in turn means that the most expensive insurance premiums do not guarantee the best quality cover and service, so again, it pays to shop around and make sure you compare like with like.

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