CMD,Basics By Wasif

CMD

CMD is short for commander.
It is great for a lot of things and it's also very clean.



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Lets learn how to make the computer shut down everytime it's booted, shall we?
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First open CMD,

Next open notepad.

If you write "start shutdown -r" in CMD and press enter, your computer will restart. Also if you write the same in "run".
(Change -r to -s to shutdown computer, or write -l to logg off.)

If you write
---------------------------------------
@echo off

cls
start shutdown -r

cls
goto :a
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in notepad and save it as something.bat (bat is important) and then open it, your computer will restart in the same way.

So, lets get into autostart. Put that bat file in autostart (autostart can be found in start menu) and each time your
computer is booted it will start that file and your computer will restart.
If you write the next script your computer will try to shutdown several times at once. it will freak for about half a minute
and then turn off.


Lets get a better understanding how scripts works. The above script shuts down your computer, but a bat file normaly opens
CMD and does whatever you told it to do.


@echo off - This is where you put commands that shouldn't be shown as text. For example cls. You don't want that to be text,
it's a command.

cls - This one is pretty good, it clears the text in the CMD screen

CMD - This command gives you a new CMD session.

start - this triggers stuff, in this case it's shutdown.

color - changes the colour in the cmd window, I recommend writing "color 0a", which is a green color thats really cool
on a black window.

title - write "title something" to change title.

goto :a - This one is really, really, really, really cool. It's used for making loops and some more advanced stuff that I
wont go into. Lets say you write
--------------------------------------
@echo off
:a
cls
start shutdown -r

cls
goto :a
--------------------------------------

The goto :a tells you to go to :a higher up in the script. so it starts the script again, then it does the goto :a command
again and the script reloads. Basicaly a loop. You can change the "a" to whatever you want, for example "error". This is
only to make it easier for you to read your script.

The : infront of "a" must stay where it is.
Bad example:
goto: a

Good example:
goto :a

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dir - This shows you the files in the directory you are in.

dir /s - This shows you all the files on your computer.

echo - write "echo something" and it will be as a text in cmd.

echo. This is a linebrake.

cd - Write cd followed up with a location, to go there in cmd. For example "cd c:\windows".

cd .. - This goes back one step in the directory. For example if your in c:\windows and write "cd .." you go back to c:\.

So now you know the basics, which we'll use to make you computer do stuff. In cmd you can write "help" to get a list of most
commands.

Moving away from learning commands now.



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Lets make a spamm script.
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@echo off
cls
:a
start notepad.exe
goto :a

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this script will continue to open notepad until you close cmd. Not recommended to run this on a slow computer.
As we said before, "start" triggers things, this script triggers notepad and then the loop (goto :a) is triggered.



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Lets just mess around.
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@echo off
cls
:a
taskkill /im explorer.exe /f
goto :a
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This will close the bar where start menu and tasks are shown, for example if you open internet you will see it at the bottom
of the screen on the explorer bar.
Closing this will leave people with little things to do.

The Pakistani - Hacking Using The IP Address

[DONT BLAME US!]
This website cannot be held responseable for the actions of its users in any way, any infomation you gain from this website is for educational purposes only.


[IP ADDRESS]
If you want to gain acsess to a computer first you will need there ip address, i recommend you use command or cmd. If you dont no what this is stop now. To open up cmd go to start>Run>(then type cmd)and press enter.

I recommend that you use msn messenger while trying to get someones ip address, first what you do is:
>open msn messenger and sign in.
>open cmd (see above) and type in ''netstat''
>You will see a few ip addresses in the foreign address list.
>write these down or make a note of them.
>Now start sending a file to your victim using msn messenger
>After they accept the file open cmd and type in netstat again
>The ip address that is in the foregin list that wasent there before is the ip of you victim.


[TROJANS]
Now that you have your victims ip address you now need a trojan software such as sub7 this software is also known as RATS (im not listing RATS you can find them out for yourself but i will post i link at bottom of website that might help you) Once you have the software (RAT) you will need to send the victim your server, (WARNING! if you victim has a firewall or anti - virus software then you've had it cause the firwall will block you out and the anti - virus software will delete your server. but if you lucky and your victim is a idiot and has no security on there pc then just send them it and use the ip address you found to connect to them.



[CMD COMMANDS]
Netstat = displays ip address connected to your computer (victims)
Ping [IP] = shows if the ip specified is real
Nbtstat -a [IP] = if this shows a list of stuff and a 20 in one of the rows then you can do stuff.




[THIS IS A GOOD LINK]
http://www.exit-reality.net/downloads.php

Insurance Student Guide

Why do I need to have auto insurance?

Your car is likely one of the most expensive things you own. Insurance protects your investment and guarantees you a way of coping with the expense of accidents, vandalism or theft. It also secures your financial responsibility to the institution lending you money to buy your vehicle.

When you drive you are responsible for the safety of your passengers, your fellow drivers, other people's property, pedestrians and yourself. Insurance helps ensure your ability to cover the costs of potential damages or injuries.

You are also required to be financially responsible by state laws, which are best satisfied through your insurance coverage. In most states insurance is a prerequisite to registering your car. So if you want to drive your own vehicle, you must be insured.

What are the different types of policies and what do they cover?

Auto insurance is divided into several types of coverage:

General liability covers damage you cause to other people's property and injuries to the people themselves.
Collision covers damage to your own vehicle in an accident.
Comprehensive (i.e., fire, theft and other non-collision damage) covers fire damage to your vehicle, break-ins, vandalism or theft, as well as natural disasters (earthquake, hail, hurricane, flood, etc.unless the vehicle is overturned, then it is considered a collision).
Medical payments insurance, usually in the range of $5,000 to $10,000, covers medical expenses for injuries. This "good-faith" coverage guarantees immediate medical payments for you, your passengers and other parties, regardless of who is at fault. It also covers you and members of your household in any accident involving an automobile, whether you are on foot, on a bicycle, in a friend's car.
Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage protects you if you are injured in an accident with others who themselves carry insufficient or no liability insurance.
Extra coverages include expenses for towing, labor, temporary replacement vehicles, etc. These are generally defined as add-ons or endorsements to your policy.

Why and how are policies priced for different drivers?

Drivers are grouped according to the level of risk each one poses. i.e., the amount of loss incurred by insurers within categories of policy holders. For various reasons, drivers are categorized by:

Men have more accidents on the road than women.
Age Drivers under 25 (and, for some insurers, under 30) are considered at higher risk of having an accident.
Marital Status ”Married drivers tend to have fewer accidents than single drivers.
Personal Driving Record ”Years of driving experience, accidents, speeding tickets and drunk-driving offenses are all factors in determining how much of a risk you pose as a motorist.
How You Use Your Vehicle ”If you commute by car during rush hours, you're at greater risk of having an accident than if you only drive for errands and recreation on the weekends. Drivers who use their own vehicles for business also are considered to be at greater risk.
Type of Vehicle ”The value, size, weight, age of your vehicle, even the cost of replacement parts, are essential to determining the price of your insurance. Larger, heavier vehicles are considered at lower risk than smaller, lighter ones. Plus, more expensive cars are costlier to have repaired than economy models.
The cost of your insurance policy is based on the average cost of covering actual losses, spread out over your particular "rating group" as a whole. Of course, you may never have an accident or have your car stolen, and therefore will never need to be compensated. But others in your category may not be so lucky. Your premium will help to pay for their losses, just as their premiums would help to pay for yours.

For example, if you are a 23-year-old man and you park your new sports car on a downtown street in a large city, you will likely pay more for insurance than a 37-year-old woman who parks her four-wheel-drive in the suburbs, simply because, based on average losses, you have a greater chance of having an accident or being the victim of auto theft.

How does where I live affect my premium?

Where you live (or, more precisely, where you keep your car) has a bearing on your chances of having an accident or becoming a victim of theft or vandalism. That's why a vehicle owner in Brooklyn, New York, pays a higher rate than the owner of an identical vehicle in Casper, Wyoming.

Other factors affecting regional insurance rates include time and efficiency of police response and law enforcement, local road and traffic conditions and the quality of local medical services. Insurers even factor in the litigation rates in a given area, that is, how many lawsuits are filed, go to trial, are settled out of court and for how much.

Why are rates different for different cars, even if the cars cost the same?

Vehicles are also grouped into categories according to their likelihood of being damaged, vandalized or stolen. Insurers generally consider the size and type of vehicle, as well as the value and the cost of repairs (which can vary greatly, even on vehicles that cost roughly the same). Thus, a new station wagon is expected to hold up better in an accident than a sports car or a subcompact.

Putting insurance aside, safety is key when buying an automobile. Your life depends on it! Some cars are considered safer than others because of their performance record in safety tests and real accidents.

That's why you should research insurance coverage before you buy your car. It helps you to understand the actual cost and indicates those vehicles with good safety records. Your insurer will ultimately reward you for putting safety first.

What is "no-fault" insurance?

No-fault insurance is a system adopted in some states that essentially bypasses the conventional legal procedure which finds fault in an accident. (This is the procedure by which you hire a lawyer, file suit and possibly go to court to prove the accident was the other guy's fault.) No-fault simply does away with the concept of one party or the other being at fault. There are no lawyers, no court, no judge, no jury, no lengthy lawsuits against the other party. This is considered beneficial to taxpayers, because it eliminates costly legal proceedings that the state must manage, and to insurance policyholders, because it helps keep rates down.

If you are insured in a no-fault state and have an accident, you don't go after the other driver. You contact your own insurer and file a claim. Your own insurance policy guarantees you immediate compensation for damages, medical expenses, lost wages, etc.

The type and range of no-fault coverage varies by state. What defines the limitations of no-fault policies can differ in two critical areas:

Threshold ”The type of damage/injury or the cost of repair/recovery that triggers the need for legal action.
Mandated Benefit Level ”The package of benefits (medical, wage loss, replacement services and other expenses) your state requires you to carry.
The details of no-fault insurance can be complicated. Contact your Trusted Choice agent or your state's insurance department for further information.

Do all states require some kind of liability insurance?

No. Some states, while not mandating auto insurance, have "financial responsibility laws" that require all drivers to be able to pay for any damage or injury they may cause. However, carrying liability insurance is still the best way for you to meet your state's financial responsibility requirements.

UM and UIM policies are offered by law in all states, including no-fault states. In fact, some states require all motorists to carry this coverage to gain protection from inadequate insurance coverage of other drivers.

What happens if I have an accident with an uninsured driver?

First, call the police to the scene to be sure all pertinent information is properly recorded. Your nerves will be shaken right after an accident, and it helps to have a calm and knowledgeable person walking you through the necessary details.

Then, contact your agent ASAP and ask about filing a claim. If you followed all the recommended guidelines when you bought your policy, you should be covered within the limitations of that policy. Remember, your insurance policy is designed to protect you.

If the cost of your damages or injuries exceed the amount your policy will pay out, it may be time to take legal action against the other party. Even if you have no-fault insurance, sometimes the only way to be compensated is to place blame and responsibility where it belongs.

Why would my insurer cancel my insurance policy?

Technically, in most states your insurer can cancel your policy only if:

you fail to pay your premium;
you lose your driver's license;
you are guilty of material misrepresentation during the application process (i.e., you fail to notify your insurer of a recorded violation such as a drunk-driving offense); or
you fail to report a substantial change of risk, such as buying a high-powered sports car to replace a family sedan.
However, your insurer can choose not to renew your policy for a variety of reasons.

Do you have a very bad driving record? Have you received a lot of speeding tickets? Have you ever been caught driving drunk? Not only are these scenarios considered unsafe and illegal, they are justifiable cause for your insurer to label you a bad risk and refuse to renew your policy. (Some insurers may feel compelled to cancel policies after only one accident.)

Where do you live? Has the neighborhood changed in the last few years? Have the accident or crime rates risen noticeably? As regions are reassessed periodically, their status could change and you could suddenly find yourself living in a high-risk area where your insurer's rates may not be adequate to cover losses.

What do I do if my insurer cancels or refuses to renew my policy?

Even "good" drivers can be dropped by their carrier. Reasons range form a "drinking while driving" violation or other serious violations (that make you a high risk) to situations outside your control, such as when insurers in your state are suffering severe business losses. Overall rises in claims or losses can cause insurers to become highly selective in determining whom they can afford to insure.

If you are licensed to drive, by law, you are eligible for insurance. However, your options for new coverage may be limited. Each state has created and regulates a market of last resort for those who cannot otherwise obtain coverage. These groups have various names, depending on the state you live in, such as assigned risk plans or the residual market. Your agent will know more about the particulars in your state.

Regardless of the reason you were dropped, you need to act immediately to get policy. Under no circumstance should you drive your vehicle without insurance. Call your agent to help you find new coverage. If you do find yourself in the residual market, the price may be higher but it may be your only alternative in maintaining your freedom to drive.

How do I keep my insurance company from canceling my policy?

The most obvious way to maintain your low-risk status is to keep a clean driving record. If you've been in an accident, consider taking a defensive driving course. Even those of us who have been driving for years rarely know the simple tricks to preventing accidents through defensive driving.
Also, look into purchasing special safety and security features for your car, such as anti-lock brakes and an alarm system. An Ins agent can give you further tips on how to show your insurer you're a safe driver.

What steps can I take to reduce my rates?

Insurers often discount their rates for good drivers and those who take of safety and security precautions. Depending on the insurer, you can often lower your rates from 5 to 35 percent.

Sometimes the investment you make in your vehicle is worth the discount, and sometimes it's simply worth some peace of mind. For example, the purchase of anti-lock brakes merits a discount from nearly every insurer, but the discount probably will not pay for the brakes during the normal life of your vehicle.

Insurers generally offer discounts for:

Safety Features ”Anti-lock brakes, air bags and passive restraint systems (i.e., automatic seat belts).
Defensive Driving ” Clean violation record, driver's education courses for teenagers and defensive driving or accident prevention courses for adults (insurance discounts for the latter are required in some states).
Security Systems ” Alarms, electronic locks and disabling devices.
Changing Driving Habits ” Commuting by public transit, using a company vehicle for work-related travel and car-pooling.
Formal Agreements Not to Drink and Drive— The availability of a discount for signing such an agreement varies among insurers and states.

Buying Home Owners and Auto Policies from the Same Company ”If you own a home and an automobile and you are insured by two different companies, check into the cost of carrying both policies by one insurer. An Insurence agent can give you information about which insurers offer discounts.

You can also get lower insurance rates by requesting higher deductibles (the amount of money you pay before you make a claim). Increasing your deductibles on collision and comprehensive coverage from $100 to $250, or even $500, will bring your rates down. Moreover, you may not need collision and comprehensive coverage if you drive an older car. Ask your agent which discounts are available to you.


How does adding drivers to my policy affect my rates?

The more people you allow to drive your vehicle on a regular basis, the greater the chances of your vehicle being in an accident. Teenagers are especially expensive to insure because they are the least experienced drivers.

A driver's education course can help ease the burden of insurance costs since it teaches your teenager defensive driving techniques. If your child's high school does not offer driver's education, try to find one offered by another school or a private firm in the area. After all, the cost of driver's education could be cheaper than the extra cost of your insurance. (Many insurers offer "good student" discounts as well.)

An adult's driving experience can also affect your rates significantly. Don't assume that every adult you know has been driving since age 16 or is a competent driver with a clean record. Again, taking a defensive driving course is a good way for adults to prove they are responsible drivers, thus lowering their risk and their insurance rates. (This is a great solution for new couples who are jointly insured but unmatched in their driving skills or experience.)

Who's watching the insurance companies?

With few exceptions, your insurance company does not set its own rates (unless you live in Illinois). It requests the right to charge appropriate rates from your state's insurance department, which responds with legal approval and authorization, provided the requested rates are fair.

Every state has some sort of department, administration or agency that regulates and monitors every insurer operating within the state's borders. In addition to approving rates, your state's insurance department is involved in all insurance matters on behalf of private citizens and businesses. It also issues operating licenses to insurance companies and agents, based on their ability to meet the state's requirements for conduct and knowledge about insurance issues.

Your insurance company works closely with your state's insurance dept to make sure you are getting the best and fairest possible service within the state's guidelines. Contact your state's insurance department if you wish to know more about how it serves your interests.

Do I always need to buy insurance when I rent a car? Am I not covered by my own policy?

If you have fully insured your own vehicle, including collision and comprehensive coverage, and rent a vehicle for pleasure only (while on vacation, for example), you do not need to buy extra insurance from the rental company. In fact, in most states your basic rental fee by law will include liability coverage for damage or injury to others. But different rules apply when you rent a car for business purposes, so check it with your broker/agent for more details.

If you do not have your own insurance, be aware that many car rental liability policies cover you only at the state's required minimum. Also, you should buy the collision and comprehensive coverage offered by the rental company for your own protection. Plus, do not buy a collision damage waiver (CDW) from the rental company assuming it is insurance. A CDW simply releases you from financial responsibility if you damage the vehicle you are renting, provided you comply with the terms of the rental contract. But those terms can vary considerably, and CDWs are not state-regulated, which means they are technically not insurance.

What happens when I loan my car to someone? Is that person covered by my policy? Am I still covered?

Yes. Liability and coverage for physical damage (i.e., comprehensive and collision) always follow your car. So, if a friend borrows your car and has an accident, you're still protected against the cost of damages or injuries. Plus, if the driver of your car is insured, his/her policy will also be available to cover the cost of damages and injuries.

The same rules apply when you borrow someone else's vehicle. Your own insurance follows you no matter whose car you are driving. But the vehicle owner's policy is the key coverage if you have an accident.

Am I totally covered for natural disasters or "Acts of God?"

Comprehensive insurance, which covers you for fire and theft, usually covers you against damage by flood, earthquake, hail and other natural perils, except when your car is overturned (which is technically considered a collision). If you have special concerns about the safety of your vehicle in the face of Mother Nature's wrath, contact your agent for information on catastrophic coverage.

What should I make sure my policy includes? Do I really need to read all the fine print?

While you don't need a law degree or an agent's license to understand your policy, you should read it thoroughly. After all, it is a binding legal contract. If there is anything you don't understand, ask your insurance agent to go over it with you, after all that is why he is there. You have the right to know what's in your policy.

If you wish clarification beyond your agent's explanation, or if you want to be certain that the policy is completely valid, contact your state's insurance department.

What actually happens when I report an accident?

After an accident, you should call your agent as quickly as possible, to help you complete a claim form, determine what exactly happened and evaluate any damages or injuries. Your agent then will contact your insurer's claims adjuster—usually within an hour of your report ”whose job is to work with you to fix the problem. While compensating you for auto repairs or medical expenses is easy and immediate, determining liability is more complicated. The adjuster will begin the settlement process, the length of which will depend on the cooperation of the other party.

The amount of compensation for your loss can vary according to the adjuster's analysis of the damage. You do not have to accept the first amount of money you are offered, if it is lower than the cost of your repair or recovery. While you may have to do some homework to prove your reported loss is valid, it's worth it to be certain your insurer lives up to the provisions of your policy.

Remember, negotiating with an adjuster is just business. Insurers simply want to settle claims fairly in light of possible fraud. While it is your insurer's responsibility to root out false claims, you pay the price in the end. In fact, you spend nearly a dime on every dollar of your premium to cover the false claims of others. So, try to keep an open mind when working with your adjuster to settle on a price that's fair to both you and your insurer.

Do I need to get different insurance for a classic car?

You should always talk to your insurence agent about coverage of rare and valuable property. Since a classic car usually cannot be replaced, you'll probably want ample compensation if it is lost. A classic car, because it is rare or unique, may indeed require a special insurance policy.

Under what circumstance do I not need certain types of auto insurance?

While most drivers today are generally insured for collision and theft, this coverage may not be necessary for every vehicle.

Liability Auto insurance, as discussed earlier, is crucial and in many states required. But if you drive a clunker ”an older car that isn't worth much money ”you may be able to do without collision insurance. If you have an accident, repair costs could easily be higher than the value of your vehicle, thus "totaling" it. This means your insurer will pay you the total book value of your vehicle, and that could be far less than the cost of your vehicle's repair. So, collision insurance may not cover your loss adequately

Getting the right home Insurance for you

Q) Are all Home Insurance policies the same?

A) No, all Insurance policies are not the same. The areas and level of protection offered to your home will vary from policy to policy. As a result the home insurance policies will also vary in price.

Q) How can I obtain the right home insurance product for me?

A) There are various different home insurance providers, offering different types of home insurance policies. It is therefore recommended that you compare and contrast different policies, in order to match your requirements with the level of protection offered by the home insurance policy.

Here are some of the specific areas of the policy that you need to look at:


Specified amount or limit of buildings cover protection
Specified amount or limit of contents cover protection
Specified single articles amount
Excess amount
Additional areas of protection included as standard or optional extras - e.g. Accidental Damage
Q) People say that building insurance is 'compulsory' while contents cover is 'voluntary' - is this so?

A) Strictly speaking, both building and contents insurance are both optional, but it's wise to have both.

Building Insurance: When you take out a mortgage to purchase your home, the lender will insist you have this cover. If the property were to fall down, the lender would want to know that there is insurance to cover such a catastrophe. For this reason, most people are sold building insurance at the time they take out a home loan.

Contents Insurance: cover for your possessions, such as your television, furniture and carpets. Additionally, the policy provides liability insurance. If someone were to visit your home, trip and injure themselves, they may make a claim against you. Such a claim could be for a considerable amount.

Q) In the case of buildings insurance - what's covered?

A) In addition to the structure, a building policy covers permanent fixtures and fittings such as baths, toilets and fitted kitchens, bedroom cupboards and interior decorations. The test is - can the fixture reasonably be removed and taken to a new home e.g. fitted cabinets. Policies usually extend to include outbuildings such as garages, greenhouses and garden sheds. Boundary walls, fences, gates, paths, drives and swimming pools may not be covered. The policy may also provide you with alternative accommodation if your home is uninhabitable. The main risks, which your property faces, include fire, theft and damage caused by subsidence.

Q) In the case of home contents insurance - what's covered?

A) A contents policy covers just about everything you would take with you if you moved. Furniture, household goods, kitchen equipment, frozen food and drink, televisions, video, computer and audio equipment, personal items and valuables up to stated limits. Also remember items such as CD's and videos, as their collective cost is often under-estimated. Additionally, clothing soon adds up, whether your wardrobe is full of jeans or designer suits, make sure you include the cost of replacing them.

Most policies cover loss or damage to your possessions while in your home caused by risks such as fire, theft, and flooding. Many policies include accidental breakage of mirrors and glass tops. Some policies cover accidental damage to television, videos, home computers and audio equipment - in any event, you can often extend the policy to cover accidental damage to all items. Items removed from the home such as laptops, cameras etc. may not be covered within the standard home insurance policy and hence you may require extended contents cover, which will protect these items outside of the home.

Q) How do I calculate my home insurance requirements?

A) Buildings: The insurance company will ask you to quote what the rebuild value of your home is. The re-build value of your home is the cost of re-building your property in the unlikely event that it is destroyed by fire etc. Please be aware that you value of your home does not reflect the rebuild value as it may be less or more than the value of your home. The rebuild value of your property can usually be found on your mortgage agreement, or the deeds to your home. However, please be aware that it is your responsibility to communicate the correct rebuilding cost to your insurer.

Contents: Make a list of the rooms in your house and under each heading write down all the items in it. Items most commonly overlooked include curtains, carpets, plants, ornaments and bedding, so don't for get to include them. Also check the cover on valuables such as jewellery, they may need to be covered separately. Once you have done this, total the individual amounts to see what your contents insurance protection amount you require.

Additional Protection: Most insurance policies offer additional areas of home insurance protection, such as Accidental Damage, Legal Expenses, Freezer Cover and Extended Contents etc. These areas of protection may be included as standard within the basic policy and hence will be reflected in the cost of the policy. Alternatively, some insurance policies offer these areas as optional, and hence you are able to choose whether you require these additional areas of protection or not. A simply way to assess whether you need this extra areas of protection are to ask yourself the 'what if scenarios', e.g. what if I accidentally spill paint on the carpet? - would I be covered, if not do I want/need this cover?

Q) How do I obtain the best home insurance cover at the best cost?

A) Once you have identified your home insurance requirements obtain several quotes from different companies and compare the cover and the cost.

Some insurance companies will offer discounts for the following:


Purchasing your buildings and contents policies together
Introductory Discount
The number of years that you have not made a claim - NCD
Crime prevention measures such as being located within a neighborhood watch area, having a burglar alarm, and having adequate locks and security.
Q) How can I take preventative security measures that will bring down my premiums?

A) A good insurance company or broker will be able to provide you with a list of measures you can take to make your property more secure, and as a result obtain a cheaper quote.

The following security measures are recommended


Make sure you have adequate locks on outside doors.
Put key operated locks on windows.
Don't make it obvious when you're out or away on holiday.
Mark your property with your postcode and make a list of your valuables, noting the serial numbers of electronic appliances.
Have an alarm fitted by an approved supplier.
Join a neighbourhood watch scheme.
Q) Having received the cheapest quote, should I accept it?

A) It depends. The reputation of the insurance company is extremely important, you want to deal with a reputable insurer that will offer a high level of customer service, especially at the point of claim. If possible, choose an insurer whose own customers/policyholders express a positive experience of the services or claims with the company..

Q) I bought my building and contents insurance via the building society when I arranged a mortgage. Am I bound to stay with them, or can I switch my insurance elsewhere?

A) You are not bound to buy your building or contents insurance from your home lender, unless of course you agreed to a special mortgage deal, which required you to buy 'their' insurance. Mortgage lenders tend to have an arrangement with an insurer who will provide at least buildings insurance to borrowers. It is convenient for the lender because having set up an arrangement; they know clearly what the cover includes. However, it may not be the best deal for you in price terms and you might choose to shop around. If you decide to use another insurer, your home lender will have to give its approval. They'll want to check through the policy details and for this 'service' they may charge you a fee of around £ 25.

INSURANCE BASICS YOU SHOULD KNOW

Following is some information to help you understand insurance, what it is and isn't, what to look for in a policy and how to get a good deal. It is by no means all of the information available; it is just the basics that you can use to start your search for the best insurance buy.

What is insurance?

Webster defines insurance as "Contractual coverage binding a party to indemnify another against specified loss in return for premiums paid." Pretty straightforward isn't it? But it is really a very complicated subject. Insurance companies base their business on the "rule of large numbers." This means that the more people you have insured, the more likely you are to have a predictable loss ratio and therefore can set insurance rates (the amount of premium paid by each person insured) so that the premiums will total more than the losses paid out. That is how an insurance company makes its profit.

In theory anything can be insured. But insurance companies only insure things that, if lost, would create a financial hardship for the owner or beneficiary (person receiving the insurance proceeds). Thus you cannot insure a new light bulb in case it burned out early or was broken; this would not be a financial hardship. However you can get insurance for your home, auto, expensive property items like boats and airplanes, your life and your health. You can also insure against your behavior or the behavior of others that results in a loss. This is liability insurance.

There are four basic types of insurance: Property, Casualty, Life and Health. Let's take quick look at each one.

Property

This type of insurance covers loss resulting from damage or destruction of a real tangible asset such as a home or car. Just about any form of damage can be insured by a homeowner's policy or renter's policy or auto policy. However there are exclusions and these are important to know. Flooding and rodent damage are usually not covered in your basic policy. There are several other exclusions. Intentional acts of destruction by you are usually not covered. Remember that all property insurance is designed to cover large losses such as hurricanes or fire. Thus it is important to keep as high a deductible on all your property insurance as you can. This will keep the premiums lower and will mean that you only claim large losses. A bunch of smaller losses can get your insurance cancelled, and once cancelled, it will be difficult to find coverage with other companies.

Casualty

This covers acts which harm other people's property, injure others or create financial hardship for others. Things like liability insurance and bonds are under casualty. So is insuring for legal fees. Since people tend to sue each other for large amounts for damages caused by errors or failures to perform something, liability type insurance can be very expensive. Juries award millions of dollars in damages for the simplest things nowadays, so liability type of coverage is very important. Just like every other type of insurance, there are exclusions where the insurance company will not pay a claim for certain occurrences. Most property type of policies carry a clause that includes liability.

Life

Your life is worth a certain dollar amount based upon your earning power and your importance to others. If your passing would create a financial hardship for others, than you can have life insurance to help those others. But there must be a true financial hardship associated with losing you. Thus is created the concept of "insurable interest". You can't have a life insurance policy with me as your beneficiary. I have no insurable interest in your death. However, your relatives, business partners and even charitable organizations do have insurable interest and therefore you can have a life insurance policy with any of them as beneficiary. Also, people you owe have an insurable interest. If you have a car loan, or a home mortgage, the lender is going to push you to buy "credit life" insurance. Don't do it. This is high priced term life insurance and you are better off buying your own term life policy for the amount of the loan.

There are two basic types of life insurance. Whole life and term life. Insurance companies determine the likelihood of your death at each age you attain and set rates based upon this likelihood. Thus life insurance is cheaper for younger persons. The pure insurance protection afforded by these lower rates is called term insurance. The name comes from the fact that the insurance on your life lasts for a specific period of time for set rates. As you grow older, the rates will increase. You can get different terms such as 5 years (before a rate increase) ten years, or any fixed term. I have always preferred ten year term insurance. The difference between a term policy premium and a whole life policy premium can be very significant. I have always advised people to "buy term and invest the difference". I think term life insurance is one of the best purchases you can make for your family. It is very cheap and brings peace of mind like no other purchase for the price. As ususal you want to shop around.

Whole life is basically term life insurance along with a savings plan. You pay more but your policy increases in value, giving you what is called "cash value". And the company pays you interest on the extra money you have paid in premiums that are over and above the actual premiums for insuring against your premature death. This cash value is yours and you can have it or borrow against it anytime you want. It does accumulate slowly and if there is no other way you can make yourself save, then whole life can be a type of "forced savings plan". There are exclusions on life insurance also, such as suicide in the first two years of ownership of the policy and other exclusions. If you can get life insurance through some type of group such as through your employer, or an organization you belong to, the rates will normally be a little cheaper. Just remember that when your affiliation with the group ends, your rates could go up.

Health

This type of insurance covers your expenses for losses due to medical problems that affect the human body. Many times this coverage is offered through your employer, and it is a valuable benefit on any job. You know what medical costs and prescription costs have done over the past few years - go up by leaps and bounds. It doesn't look like this is going to stop anytime soon. So health coverage is almost a necessity. Whether it is coverage for your overall health, your vision or your teeth, there is a type of insurance to cover you. Obviously the best way to obtain this coverage is through your employer. This is because many employers will pay part of the cost of the insurance, making your end of the cost much less than normal. Joining some other type of group can also get you lower cost health insurance. There are many exclusions and limitations in health insurance, so take a look at those before committing to any health insurance plan.

What Insurance ISN'T

Insurance is not a means of covering every thing that can happen to you that might cause you to loose money. It is only for those large (catastrophic) loses that really hurt that should be insured. Savings are for the minor things. That is why I advocate regular, consistent saving. You can offset small losses and deductibles on your insurance with your savings.

Also there are many plans that are not really insurance. They are just "lower cost" plans whereby you do not pay as much for a service as you normally would by paying for "discount privileges". Usually this means that you must use a service provider that has agreed to accept you at a lower rate than they normally charge. Some of these can save you quite a bit of money on services, but you have to be careful and examine their benefits closely. Also check to make sure there are several providers (doctors, clinics, hospitals, pharmacies, etc) in your area.

Homeowners

There are standard polices for homeowners, renters mobile home owners and landlords. The homeowner policy most used today is a form called HO3. It is pretty comprehensive and will cover for most losses including the actual structure of your home and outlying structures on your land, your personal possessions, any liability for property damage or injury you or your family cause to others and living expenses if you are denied use of your home. You can get coverage for the actual value of your home and possessions (replacement cost less an amount for age) or for the actual replacement cost, regardless of the value due to aging. Remember that normal maintenance is not a serious financial loss. And floods and earthquakes aren't covered, however you can get insurance for them through separate policies.

Renters can get insurance for their possessions and any damage they cause to others through use of form HO4.

Mobile home owners can use form HO2. This is a basic policy.

Homeowners insurance does not cover the land your house sits on. Nothing can happen to it. So you are only insuring the structures. Many companies have automatic increases in your coverage based upon some type of construction cost index. This can be a good thing because as your home value increase, the insurance coverage also increases. Just watch it to make sure it doesn't get well above the fair market value of your home.

If you have a loan on you home, you will have to have insurance. It is required by lenders to protect themselves from catastrophic losses. Same goes for any other property such as a car or boat.

Landlords have to get a "fire and casualty policy" since they are not an occupying homeowner.

Auto

The basic auto insurance policy covers you for property damage to others caused by you (or someone driving your car with your permission), bodily injury to others caused by you, medical payments arising out of injuries received by you and your passengers, collision damage for harm to your auto caused by hitting something or turning over, comprehensive items such as damage to your car by flying rocks, hail, fire, theft etc. and uninsured motorist harm caused to you or family member by being hit by another driver that has no insurance.

Auto insurance premiums can really be lowered by increasing deductibles. Driving records, previous claims, your age, average miles driven daily and even your credit rating can all affect the rates you pay for auto insurance.

Insurance Tips

Shop and compare polices for anything or anyone you are considering insuring. You can look up the rating of the companies you might be considering insuring with at A.M.BEST to make sure you are dealing with a good solid company.

Check out the insurance rates for any auto you are thinking of buying. Rates vary amongst the different types of autos. If your car is faster than normal, rates will be higher. If it costs more to repair your car, rates will be higher. And if you get a car that gets stolen a lot, your rates will be higher.

When looking to buy a new home, check out the fire zone boundaries in your area. Some areas have higher risk fire zones and rates will be higher in those areas. Your realtor should be able to help you with this.

Keep deductibles as high as you are comfortable with. Higher deductibles equal lower premiums.

Consider carrying all of your insurance with one company if it offers everything you need. Sometimes this can lead to lower overall premiums through multi-policy discounts.

Most auto polices cover your liability in any auto you are driving. So you probably don't really need to buy coverage from the car rental agency when you rent an auto.

Pay your premiums on time. A lapse in a policy that is required by a lender can lead to all kinds of bad things including a ding on your credit report and possibly an increase in your insurance rates. Also, if you are without insurance for a few months, the only insurance you will then qualify for is some type of high risk, high rate policy.

Nearly all companies charge more to make monthly payments as opposed to semi-annual or annual payments of your premium. Another good reason to have that savings account. If you are paying $50 a month for auto insurance, that is $600 per year. Save the $50 per month and pay an annual premium of $550 instead. This takes the same amount of monthly money, but leaves you with $50 extra in your savings account that you did not pay the insurance company.

Each state has an insurance commissioner. The commissioner's office usually has a wealth of information available to help guide you in any insurance situation. Check with them for any problems you might have with any insurance company.

Remember to shop and compare. A really good sites for shopping and comparing insurance plans is Insureme.com for free insurance quotes on property and casualty insurance.

Good luck and start saving on your insurance coverage. Remember "Save More...Spend Less...Now!".