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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Bad Drivers Can Find Affordable Kentucky Automobile Insurance

By Steve Turner

If you have a bad driving record in the state of Kentucky, it can be hard to even get insurance, and the insurance you do find will most likely be expensive. Insurance companies are very cautious when it comes to covering high-risk drivers. Is it possible to find less-expensive Kentucky automobile insurance? Yes, but it can often be tricky.

It is common sense that if you are a bad driver, your insurance won't be as cheap as if you had a better driving record. Insurance companies give discounts for being a good driver because it is less likely that they will have to spend money on you. But if you do have a bad driving record, it is possible to take steps to get a better rate.

The biggest difference you can make in your insurance prices is to try and clean up your driving record. Avoid tickets and accidents to avoid further blemishes on your record. If you already have a bad record filled with tickets and accidents, they can be remedied by taking a Basic Skills Driving Class or a Defensive Driving Course.

When an insurance company quotes you on car insurance, they factor in more than just your driving record. To get the best deal possible, you must be responsible in everything you do. One of the most common things that a company will do is to check your credit. This can give them an idea as to if you will be responsible in paying them your premiums. If your credit is low do, everything you can to raise your score.

There are a number of different discounts you can get one your insurance. Be sure to give your agent all the information possible to he can take advantage of every deal possible. Some of these additional discounts include being a good student, being in the military or being a veteran, having an email address, and having a bank account.

If you know you have a bad driving record or low credit, you can expect to have a higher rate initially. But if you apply these principals you are on your way to correcting the problem and getting the lowest rates offered to anyone. If you continue to be responsible and take these steps you will be able to dramatically cut the price of your premiums.

In shopping for insurance it is usually most effective to purchase car insurance through an Insurance Broker. These are insurance agencies that work with a number of different companies. This is helpful because they can find you the cheapest rates around. They can shop through all the different companies and find the one that is the most lenient with the problems you have.

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How You Can Remove a Collection Account From Your Credit

By Justin Hutto

You will have to dispute the collection to have the credit bureaus remove it from your credit report. You must file a dispute directly with the bureaus.

A dispute letter must be sent to each bureau. In your letter you have to identify the mark you are disputing and why it is inaccurate and should be erased from your report.

Then a copy of this letter must be sent to each credit bureau. When the bureaus receive your letter and deem it valid they will investigate the disputed mark.

It is common for investigations to result in the deletion of a mark. This is because most lenders and collection agencies are unwilling to spend the resources verifying uncollectible debts.

If your debt is verified then a credit repair service can really be helpful. They can use advanced dispute techniques such as; debt validation, escalated dispute information requests and creditor direct intervention to remove a negative mark.

What is a collection?

A collection is a lenders last resort to collect on a delinquent account. Typically your account will go to collections after 6 months of delinquency.

It is common for lenders to have an in house collection agency. However many also outsource and/or sell the delinquent debt.

These agencies will purchase your debt for a fraction of the balance or they will work together with a lender. This means they will collect on behalf of the lender and receive a percentage of all the money they collect.

Be aware that if you just pay a collection it will remain on your credit report. It will change the status of the collection but paying it will not remove it from your report. Future lenders will still see the mark as a negative item even as a paid collection.

In sum you do not have to live with bad credit marks on your report. You can dispute them and have them removed by the credit bureaus.

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Are Retailer's Credit Cards A Good Idea?

By Steven J. Talrechi

Everywhere you go, we see ads screaming at us to take on this credit card or that credit card. The ads scream at us, "0% down, no interest for three years!"

Are these retailer's credit cards the great deals that they appear to be? Let's have a closer look at exactly how these credit cards work.

It is true that these retailer's credit cards do typically offer a 0% interest rate and allow you to make purchases with no payment s for as long as the first two years; although this is usually limited to specific purchases. Let's suppose for instance that you sign up for a retailer's credit card offered by a furniture store. You might have with this card a discount of 10% on the purchase, along with having to make no down payment and no payments needed for two years.

This is a great deal, with one caveat. If you don't completely pay off this retailer's credit card within those two years, you'll be charged interest on the purchase ? not just from the day that this no payments period runs out, but retroactively. The interest will probably also be compounded every thirty days over that two years; this can really add up.

These cards should be approached with caution. If you cannot pay off the balance in full before the end of the introductory period, then you are probably better off without this card. Those retroactive interest charges could add up to quite a lot of money. Remember that these retailer's credit cards often have much higher interest rates than a regular MasterCard of Visa would.

If you're not sure that you can pay the entire balance within the introductory period, don't apply for the retailer's credit card. You are much better off not incurring this kind of debt; if possible, pay cash for these large purchases. If you cannot do so, then use a regular credit card instead ? the lower interest rates will end up saving you a lot of money over time. While you may lose out on the discount offered on the purchase price, you'll still be saving money by avoiding these retroactive interest charges.

If the retailer's credit card in question is from a shop where you are a regular and you know that you can afford to pay the entire balance before the end of the introductory period, then these cards can be a good deal for you. If not, then you would be well advised to avoid these retailer's credit cards. Those retroactive interest charges can really hurt you otherwise. Make sure you can afford to quickly repay the balance before you sign up for anything.

Finally, remember that no matter which credit card you use, you're going to end up paying a lot in interest charges if you don't use responsibly. So shop carefully, and pay down your credit card balances as soon as you can; in fact, it's a good rule of thumb to have that you never carry balances on credit cards for more than 30 days. Credit used responsibly can be a good thing, but you have to be careful just two you get it from.

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Equity Releases And Determining If They Are Right For You

By Chris Channing

You worked all of your life and have gained some property, what will happen to it when you pass away? What will happen if you do not have anyone to inherit the properties? Even if you do have someone to pass your home and belongings to, do they really deserve all of it? These are many questions that have a simple answer, equity release.

You have been around for a long time, and what do you have to show for it? Working all of your life just to survive might be honorable, but when do you get to have some fun? You certainly will not find inner peace at a nursing home! Equity release is a simple way to utilize the value of your home to get some extra cash for any of your wants or needs.

The value in your property, also known as equity can be used to take out a number of different types of loans. Equity release is a special type that you do not need to pay back, as your home will be used to pay back the loan when you pass away.

You will not have to worry about having money in your older years as an equity release can provide a supplemental income or a large lump sum of money that you can use however you please. You can also live in the home until you perish, which is good in a way, you want to live there until you die right?

There are only a few requirements for the basic equity release loans. You can apply for an equity release if you are about 55 years old. You have to also own your own home without having other types of loans on your equity. You can use this process to remove other taxes from what your heirs inherit if you leave them anything.

The basic way to get an equity release is through your local bank. You can have a visit with them to determine your equity release options and discuss the full terms there. Not all banks work the same way with equity release, and some require you to be older than 55 years of age. There are also many available options online that you can research to find the one that suits you best.

Closing Comments

Equity release is a great tool to help you reduce the equity in your home, or to enjoy your final years. You can use it however you see fit and you usually do not have to worry about paying it back.

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10 Loan Consolidation Questions All Students Should Pose!

By David T. Lightcomb

When it comes time to choose one of the many student loan consolidation companies, all of the colleges in the world can't teach you how to deal with it. But you can deal with it by asking questions.

Listed below, are 10 questions every student should ask before agreeing to any offers:

1 - What are the reasons for you wanting to consolidate your loans? Of course, the primary reason is so that you are able to reduce your monthly repayments. Additionally, it carries with it, the convenience of only have one loan to be responsible for.

2 - When is the best time to consolidate your loans? When you either need lower monthly payments or are stressed by the multiple monthly payments of your current loans.

3 - Do I qualify for a student consolidation loan? Generally speaking, it is during your period of grace after graduation that one would normally apply.

4 - Are there any incentives? Some financial institutions do offer special bonuses or some other form of incentive but it is imperative that you get all related details in writing. Also, don't be afraid to ask question you feel are relevant to your situation.

5 - Does this lender have experience with student loan consolidation? Choosing one of the reputable student loan consolidation companies is essential to your peace of mind.

6 - Will this lender be servicing my loan? Some "lenders" are really brokers that get you to consolidate your student loans with them only to sell them off to a lender you did not choose. Be aware of this and ask about it before signing any loan agreement.

7 What loan do I get? Remember, if you're consolidating federal student loans, you will loose any federal government benefits you enjoy, if you choose to consolidate with a loan other than a federal student consolidation loan.

8 - What are the loan terms and conditions? Specific terms and conditions may vary from one lender to the next so most importantly, don't even consider signing anything unless you're 100% certain of the terms.

9 - What features does the lender offer? Some lenders offer features to make loan repayment easier and more convenient, like online applications and account access.

10 - What will happen if I miss payments? Ideally you should do everything in your power to prevent this but of course one can never predict the future. If you find yourself in financial difficulty, contact your lender immediately. Also, before agreeing to the loan conditions, discuss such a scenario with the lender, if only for your own peace of mind.

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Credit Card Bills Unmanageable? Consider Debt Negotiation

By Daniel Atolben

Are you drowning in debt and finding it difficult to make your monthly payments? Even if you've had no problem controlling your debt in the past, there may be something unexpected that has come up. You may have recently become unemployed or there may be an illness in your family. These types of problems affect everyone and if you have little or no savings then you can easily find yourself in financial trouble. This is when debt negotiation with your credit card companies is a viable option that will benefit both you and the credit card company.

Debt negotiation benefits you since you'll be able to get your credit card bills under control. It benefits the credit card company by ensuring they receive payment (or partial payment) and preventing your account from going to a collection agency. Since credit card companies won't be getting all the money that you've agreed to repay, they will not accept all requests.

You can try debt negotiation on your own without the assistance of an outside service. Simply contact your credit card companies and ask for a lowered interest rate, lower payments and/or a suspension of penalty fees. If you're willing to close out the account on the spot, the credit card company may be willing to accept less than the balance. You'll need to give the agent a good reason why; be honest about the reason and what you can afford.

Each credit card company has different policies. The agent that you initially speak to may be able to help you but more than likely you'll need to talk to a supervisor. The initial agent may only be able to waive a fee or suspend a payment so it's beneficial to talk to a supervisor or manager in any case. If an agent isn't able to help you then ask for a superior.

Depending on your credit history and reason for negotiation, credit card companies may be able to work with you. Even if they're not able to help you, ask the agent to document your account so future agents can reference your request. Since each credit card company has different policies, you may not succeed with all of your requests. One company may be willing to work with you to pay off your credit card debt while another may not.

If you're not able to succeed in getting your bills under control then you can get the help of a debt counseling service. There are many to choose from but it's best to find one that has an office in your area so you can meet face-to-face with a counselor. Look for one that is non-profit or not-for-profit and funded by the government. They will usually offer you a free consultation and their fees are nominal. Try to negotiate your debt on your own but some credit card companies are more willing to work with counseling services.

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Protecting Your Home With Mortgage Payment Protection

By Chris Channing

Taking out a mortgage is serious business and should be treated as such. Researching your options and determining whether or not to get special services can feel very difficult. You can even lose your home if you do not make repayments on time for several months, that is why services such as mortgage payment protection were created.

Becoming unemployed for any reason can make even the hardiest of us cry, especially if we have something as important as a mortgage to take care of every month. Losing your job because of accidents, sickness or plain being laid off from a good job because of downsizing is always allowable and you can feel safe knowing you are covered for such an accident. This way you can make sure that you can repay your mortgage obligations each month regardless of whether or not you are employed for a period of time.

They cover the costs of the mortgage monthly payments to your bank or lender while you look for alternate work. This can be a very big help to those who have suffered a horrible accident and cannot find work while they heal from the loss of a limb or some other type of damage.

You must be around the ages of 18 through 65 years of age and older in some cases as well as being employed for over 16 hours a week. If you are self employed or under a long contract, you must have this type of employment for a very long period of time to be considered for mortgage payment protection services. These are some of the simple requirements to be eligible for mortgage payment protection services or insurance.

The length of the coverage is usually for 12 months from the unemployment date. In some special cases and through some companies, a 24 month period of payment protection is offered. This is usually long enough for a client to get back on track with their health or to find a new job that is adequate enough to cover the costs of the mortgage repayment terms.

It doesn't matter what gender, age or occupation you are, you will be covered under the mortgage payment protection service if you met the requirements. Some of the younger users that sign up for this type of protection often have lower prices for mortgage payment protection. Some companies allow you to choose what benefits you use, often raising the price a little if you choose options that provide better coverage and terms.

Closing Comments

Being without employment seems like a dead end when you have a mortgage. As long as you have mortgage payment protection, you will be fine and not have to worry about repaying the loan for one to two months.

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Saving Money Sucks Unless You Know This Important Fact

By Jenni Snook

Recently, with the current economic and debt crisis, saving money is being encouraged throughout the country. Despite the economy having prospered in recent decades, there still exists the possibility of being out of employment for both yourself and your partner. If you wish to ride out such a situation, it is highly recommended that you save 2-3 months worth of salary to cope with such a dire situation.

However, do you ever wonder why, even though you and your partner seem to make good salaries, it is impossible to save any money? You feel that the money quickly disappears just after seeing it arrive. you are really trying to save money but you find pretty much an impossibility.

Putting money away for a rainy day is not an impossible task as some people seem to think. The first major obstacles that is normally faced by those trying to save money is simply organizing their finances. The reality is that you are spending more money than you think and it's very likely that you are unaware of this.

One great way to saving money is by keeping track of what you spend. All you need to have do this is a notebook of some kind and a pen or pencil. You must take this everywhere with you to record all your purchases, to the exact cent. Even if the purchase may still small and meaningless, you must keep track of it.

You should try to do this exercise over a 2-week time frame. This exercise can be tough to complete but just remember that it is one of the most effective ways to get rid of bad spending habits. After doing the exercise for 2 weeks, you will have to examine all your spending. You will quickly realize how your money disappears because of bad spending habits.

Many who complete this task are shocked to see how much money is spent on small items. 1 dollar on a newspaper, for example may seem quite insignificant but over the course of a year amounts to 365 dollars.

Once you find out how much money goes towards what seem like insignificant items, 2 things will take place. Firstly, you will not be too happy about your spending habits. It isn't uncommon for people to spend thousands of dollars in a year on objects such as newspapers, coffees and small treats. As a result, people get angry with themselves about this. After getting angry with yourself, you will react by seeing how to reduce your spending. As a result, you will make a decision as to what items are necessary and what aren't.

In order to really start saving money, it is highly recommended that you keep constant track of your finances. It's a useful exercise to see where your money is really and what you can do to remedy the problem and start to serious save some money.

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A warning to credit card tarts

By John Evans

Did you know that there is more than double the amount of credit cards today than there are people living in the UK? Last year there were over 145 million credit cards floating around and that figure is growing. Credit cards have become a major part of our financial life and there ain't a darn thing that we can do about. No credit crunch of any magnitude to going to change this. One of the major uses of credit cards, apart from purchases of course, has become for balance transfers. You may have transferred your balance in the past or perhaps you are considering the possibility in the future. Maybe you have even become a "card tart" - a serial balance transferor. However you have decided to play things, you need to be warned that changing credit cards over and over can and does have adverse effects.

People often change their existing credit card balance to a new credit card for two reasons. Firstly the interest on your existing card may have got too high and now your repayments are hardly touching the amount you owe. Secondly you have seen an excellent 0% credit card balance transfer offer on another card and want to take advantage of it. 0% balance transfer periods mean what it says on the tin; you do not pay any interest on the amount that you owe. The length of time that the transferred balance remains free varies but the average has now hit around 10 months.

The thing is that transferring balances become addictive in a weird sort of way. It is obvious why - you pay no interest and then the free period draws to a close and you simply don't want to go back to paying interest. It's understandable but the problem is that every time you transfer your balance it is recorded on your credit history, which affects future applications. The fact that so many people started transferring here, there and everywhere was the reason that the credit card balance transfer fee was introduced (currently it is around 3% of the amount you transfer) perhaps this didn't deter people as much as they had hoped. Now credit card companies look at credit histories more carefully for this 'tarting' trend and are reluctant to take on serial offenders, after all they aren't making much money out of the deal.

So how does the card tarter get around this? Well the best thing could be to take the battle still further underground. You may need to make it look less like you are a card tart and more like you are a normal credit card user. You could perhaps do this by making some token purchases on your credit card and paying them off. Or you could keep the card longer than the balance free period. Of course, this goes completely against the credit card tart's inner nature and the Jedi code but it could perhaps be the only way to make the most of 0% balance transfers. The point is that you have to side with the enemy slightly for your own mutual advantage. If you are declined for an interest free card then you could end up losing a lot more money than if you buy the odd purchase here and there.

And the battle rages on. The introduction of credit card balance transfers was fantastic for consumers. The introduction of fees wasn't so great but you can certainly see why the move was made. Now with the return of the no fee cards, but with the clamp down on who is accepted for the cards, the battle has entered a new phase. It is perhaps time for the rebel forces of the card tarts to evolve too so that the credit card companies don't launch the big ships and pull out completely. Stop being phantom menaces and become the new hope for the future.

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A loan is a type of debt

By Keith BL Mallinson

In modern times, it is almost impossible to stay out of debt,this problem is sometimes caused by outside pressures. When this happens, it doesn't actually mean that it was done with intent. When a borrower has a poor credit history it's not the end of the world; there are still many companies who will provide bad credit loans for people in need of financial help. It's not the end of the world even if you have a poor credit scoreas bad credit loans can be provided by online companies.

Finance provided in this way is can be used by the applicant in the same way as a personal loan, they shouldn't find any restrictions. If a person is accepted for a loan then there is a good chance they may help their credit rating.

These bad credit loans may be used for other situations and not necessarily debts, so it could be used for an emergency expense that has arisen like medical fees not covered by insurance or a wedding for example. They use a loan that they can pay regularly, as a means to achieve this.

It also has a greater repayment period up to twenty five years. Through the unsecured loan method, an amount in the range of 2,000 to 50,000 dollars is available for borrowing but this sum has to be paid back in a period of 6 months to 10 years.

The risk of defaulting is much lower with a secured loan as the finance company take a charge on your property which is also the reason they can arrange the loan at a preferential rate of interest. But for an unsecured loan, the borrower is charged a higher rate of interest because there is no guarantee that the loan will be repaid.

It will probably be necessary to carry out some research online first. Loans arranged when court judgments are in force are harder to find, especially if you have special needs such as extending the period of the loan for example, so applications will need to be carried out online.

The good thing about bad credit loans is that you will probably still be able to fulfil your financial obligations without the poor credit score getting in the way. By making the loan application online it will speed up the process so you will be able to get back on with your life.

This opportunity should not be forgotten or wasted.

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