Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities for Drivers in America

12 May 2010 15:30 Africa/Lagos


Insurance.com Lists Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities for Drivers

From fender benders to totaled cars, here are the 10 cities most likely to boost your auto insurance premium

CLEVELAND, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Boston residents are world-renowned for their demolition derby driving style, but what city do Boston drivers consider "wicked scary"? Probably Baltimore.


That's right. Baltimore.


The city known for such number ones as the first public library system and first U.S. stage coach route, can now add No. 1 Most Dangerous City for Drivers, according to a new study from insurance.com. It tallies the most claims for everything from fender benders to vandalism and theft.


Baltimore tops the list with 36.5 percent of drivers claiming a prior accident when receiving a car insurance comparison quote from insurance.com. The port city might not surprise many, but there were plenty of stunners in the Top 10, including Erie, Pa., and Des Moines, Iowa.


The safest city to set the car on cruise? Yuma, Ariz. at 17.2 percent. And bigger cities like Los Angeles (26.3 percent) and Chicago (26.1 percent) came in at No. 116 and 122 respectively.


"An accident - even one as small as a fender bender - could affect the cost of your auto insurance premium, so we encourage everyone to drive safely. That means avoiding driver distractions and obeying traffic laws," says Rob Klapper, insurance.com CEO. "On the flip side, if you've had an accident in the past that has recently fallen off your driving record, it could mean big savings. In either case, it's always best to shop and compare rates to make sure you're getting the best coverage at the best price."


Top 10 Most Dangerous Cities for Drivers *:

1. Baltimore, Md.
2. Johnstown, Pa.
3. Portland, Maine
4. Des Moines, Iowa
5. Erie, Pa.
6. Bangor, Maine
7. Birmingham, Ala.
8. Austin, Texas
9. Manchester, N.H.
10. Lincoln, Neb.


For the most accurate data, insurance.com's study chose to review designated market areas that requested 500 quotes or more over a six-month period. The study did not include Alaska, Hawaii, Massachusetts or New York, since the site presently does not offer comparison quotes for those states.


So that means you're not off the hook, Boston.

The full list can be found here.

About Insurance.com

Insurance.com, the premier destination to shop for and buy insurance, is also the leading online independent auto insurance agency in the United States. Innovative technology allows consumers to link directly to the rating systems of more than a dozen top insurance companies that then compete for the consumer's business. Insurance.com empowers consumers to instantly compare rates, make smart decisions, and buy the policy that fits them best. Since 2000, millions of drivers have saved both time and money by shopping for and buying through insurance.com or speaking by phone with its expert, licensed agents. Insurance.com is headquartered in Solon, Ohio.


*The information in this article is based on proprietary insurance.com data. Insurance.com does not guarantee that the information is representative of all national, city and state statistics and has not validated it with any third party insurance providers.


Media Contacts:
Thomas Tennant
Insurance.com
440.715.0075, ext 1114
ttennant@insurance.com


Source: insurance.com

CONTACT: Thomas Tennant, Insurance.com, +1-440-715-0075, ext 1114,
ttennant@insurance.com


Web Site: insurance.com



Saturday, May 08, 2010

Before Buying a Home - Insurance Questions Everyone Should Ask




Before Buying a Home - Insurance Questions Everyone Should Ask

NEW YORK, May 6 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes time to buy that dream home, the cost to insure it is often overlooked. The Insurance Information Institute says there are two questions everyone should ask before they buy: How much will the home cost to insure? And, will separate coverage be needed for certain disasters, such as flood or earthquake?


To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://multivu.prnewswire.com/mnr/iii/43425/


Insurance is an expense you will have for as long as you own the home. Before purchasing a home, there are important factors to consider that will affect the cost of insurance. The I.I.I. has created a checklist to help:


-- How far is the home from the fire department? Houses that are near a
fire station with professional firefighters usually cost less to insure.

-- What is the condition of the plumbing and electrical systems? Poorly
maintained, unsafe and/or outdated systems can cost more to insure.

-- Is the home vulnerable to wind damage? Find out if private insurance is
available, or a state-run insurance program. Is there a windstorm
deductible, and how high is it? A home on or near the beach may be more
costly to insure than one inland.

-- Is the house at risk from flooding? Flood insurance is not covered
under a standard homeowners insurance policy. However, it is available
from the National Flood Insurance Program which is serviced by private
carriers and from a few specialty insurers (see www.FloodSmart.gov).

-- What about earthquake risk? Earthquake insurance requires an
endorsement or a separate policy.

-- Is the house well built and well maintained? Homes built by reputable
builders using disaster resistant materials and designed to meet current
building codes are likely to better withstand natural disasters.

A knowledgeable home inspector and your insurance agent can be helpful in answering these questions. The home's loss history report can also provide useful information about its claims history of water damage, fire and other losses.


About the Insurance Information Institute


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