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  • Fuel Cards and Fleet Cards

    jenand 2:07 pm on January 22, 2010 | 0 Permalink | Reply
    Tags: , diesel, fuel, petrol

    Saving money and cutting costs are high on the agenda of businesses at present and none more so than trying to save money on the high cost of fuel.

    During this harsh economic time, many small businesses have plunged into obscurity. The financial constraints placed on them has crippled their ability to compete with larger, better known companies and many have even gone into administration. Bankruptcy and liquidation seem common place and are now even accepted as part and parcel of the present economic climate.

    Top business men and financial experts brought in by the government have tried to address the situation using various strategies to bail out large and small businesses, and there are ways and means to help cash flow.

    Throughout these harrowing times, reputable fuel card companies have been playing their part in trying to reduce the expenditure for both large and small businesses. Fuel cards for businesses come with fixed rates for diesel, petrol and liquid petroleum gas.

    There are a number of fuel cards out there with various savings and discounts and if used properly, can have a positive impact on your expenditure. It doesn’t matter if you have a fleet of HGVs, taxis or buses or if it is only one car or van, the discounts from fleet cards or business fuel cards for individuals will ensure that you will save money on your fuel.

    In this present climate any saving for businesses is a must and the less expenditure you have the more chance your business has of surviving.  Fuel cards will save you and your business money but make sure you deal with a reputable company.

    Managing a fleet of any size during a recession can be daunting. Whatever business you are in, times of economic strife such as these can mean we all have to be extra vigilant of our expenditure and where this is going. Finding the time to maintain this can be challenging. Fuel card providers offer a wide range of fuel cards aimed at catering for an extensive range of business needs. If you are the operator of a fleet of vehicles, fleet cards may be just what you’re looking for.

    Fleet cards enable you to manage your fuel budget more effectively as fuel prices are fixed at a weekly rate. This alone will improve your budgeting as you will be able to better predict outgoings. Employing fleet cards into your regular business strategy will also eliminate the need to provide cash or ‘kitties’ to your drivers – instantly improving security for the drivers and for your peace of mind.

    Having to worry about whether allotted ‘fuel money’ is actually being spent on fuel becomes a thing of the past. Fleet cards can be amended to suit the needs of your drivers at your discretion – you can allow your drivers to be able to purchase fuel related items such as lubricants. You can access your account information online 24/7 – your online invoice will state time, date, place and vehicle and amount. These alerts can even be sent direct to your mobile. These electronic invoices will also mean painstaking trawling through receipts will become obsolete. In short; Fleet cards = peace of mind!

     

  • Choosing the Right Insurance Company for Your Business

    Stuart Broad 8:19 am on December 29, 2009 | 0 Permalink
    Tags: , cheap motorcycle insurance, , , , insurance quotes, , ,

    One of the most important parts of your business plan is your insurance. So many businesses neglect this essential aspect and are left with only ashes after disaster strikes. There are, however some things you need to consider before signing with any insurance company.

    The three main items to consider are: price, service and the financial stability of the company. These three key features can prove to be the main factors that influence your monthly premium and determine whether your claim is successful in the event of a disaster.

    Price

    Comparing quotes from multiple companies can save you a small fortune over the years. The minor act of logging onto a website that compares quotes can save you time, effort and money. Be sure to read the fine print of any insurance contract. The excesses can be set to a really high amount in order to lower the monthly premium. Having a set excess, as opposed to a percentile of the claim, will often increase the monthly premium. If you choose to spend less per month and have a higher excess, ensure that your savings will be able to cover the excess in the event of a claim.

    Service

    The service options that insurance companies offer can vary greatly. Make sure you choose an insurance company that has been in the industry for at least a decade. Although this may increase the monthly premium, you can rest assured that the company has a reliable track record and can be trusted. Considering that you are placing the entire risk profile of your business in the hands of this company, the cost is usually worth it.

    Stability

    In the current global economic meltdown we are experiencing, insurance companies are “falling over” everywhere in the world. This is cause for some alarm. If you insured your business with a company that files for bankruptcy and then need to claim, you could find yourself and your business in a spot of trouble. Research will assist you in making the correct choice. Make sure you choose a company that has a good history and financial reputation. The few minutes spent searching the internet for information on the company you are interested in can save you much pain and suffering in the future.

    The best, although not necessarily the cheapest option, is to employ a certified financial advisor or independent broker to assist you in choosing the correct and most appropriate policy. This is particularly true when it comes to businesses with unique needs and risks. A general business insurance policy, similar to a home contents policy, is safe enough to source on your own via direct insurers, but if your risks are more unique like those of a doctor or engineer, then professional help is recommended.

    Above all, use a touch of common sense and ignore marketing gimmicks. Make sure that you feel comfortable with your decision and that you are able to pay your premiums. Make your decision with as much information at your disposal as you can find and review your decision on a yearly basis.

    About Author:

    Stuart Broad has extensive experience in the life insurance industry. He is very passionate about following the developments at insurers like car and motorcycle insurance.

     

  • Is Your Home Haunting Your Insurance?

    Stuart Broad 8:17 am on December 29, 2009 | 0 Permalink
    Tags: , , , , , , , ,

    Since insurance is based on the sharing of risk, your home’s history could very well play a significant part in determining your insurance premium as it could increase the home’s risk profile. This is not confined to risks such as burglaries, but also applies to any claims that may have been made by the previous owners.

    For instance, if the house in question has a history of burst water pipes, it stands to reason that there could be an underlying problem with the plumbing that may not yet have been fixed. In addition, structural damage from previous floods could also play a role in the structural integrity of the house. It is therefore important that prospective homeowners get the house they are interested in properly assessed before purchasing it.

    There is a strong correlation between a persons’ claim history and the likelihood of that person claiming again in the future. Properties that have a strong claims history also tend to perpetuate that claims history, thus costing insurance companies more over time. As a result, insurance companies tend to evaluate insurance premiums based on the claims history of both the new homeowner and the property to be insured. Keep in mind though that these considerations only form a small part of the overall risk profile associated with an insurance premium.

    Insurers may, based on these statistics, view the home’s claims history as part of the insurance applicant’s risk profile even thought the claims were made by another person prior to the new owner occupying the house in question. Since some countries and some states within the USA have mandatory time periods within to respond to people applying for insurance, insurance companies may take negative actions when presented with such an application. Subsequently, because the insurer does not have adequate time to investigate the application properly, underwriting can be denied.

    Based on all these factors, you may choose to do a full investigation on your new dream home’s history; not only considering whether the previous owner made multiple claims, but also what the previous owner claimed for. Although a damage claim by the previous owner may not influence the premium, the associated risks may be an underwriting factor that prevents an insurer from accepting the risk. Based on the outcome, you may choose to continue searching for a more appropriate home. You may also want to use insurance comparison websites to analyze the differences between premiums and check which insurance companies are increasing their premiums based on your home’s history.

    About Author:

    Stuart Broad is a writer who works for various car and home insurance sites. If you are looking for a cheap insurance, he suggests trying for well known business insurance.

     

  • How Marriage Affects Your Insurance

    Stuart Broad 8:15 am on December 29, 2009 | 0 Permalink
    Tags: , , , , , , , ,

    Getting married is undoubtedly one of the busiest and most stressful times of your life. You have all sorts of arrangements to make and you have a deadline so you have to make them quickly. You probably can’t think of anything other than getting married to the person of your dreams and feel you can only afford to focus on your big day. Although this is understandable, and indeed expected, you also need to consider your insurance. Tying the knot will drastically change your insurance needs and options and you should try and sit down with your soon-to-be spouse and evaluate these carefully. Re-evaluating your homeowners, life and health insurance well before the wedding is definitely a good idea so when you come back from the honeymoon, your insurance needs are covered and you can go about “being married”.

    Short-term insurance

    When you get married, both your household contents will be covered under a single policy, but this is probably not the case before you say “I do”. If you are both insured by the same insurance company which is unlikely, you could simply move all your property on to one person’s policy. If not, it is wise to shop around for the best possible rate while retaining adequate cover. Getting married will change your risk profile and your monthly rate is likely to be much less, especially your vehicle insurance.

    Health insurance

    Similar to short-term insurance, married couples tend to pay less for health insurance than their unmarried counterparts. Most health insurance companies do not offer domestic partner cover and if they do, it is considered taxable income if you submit a claim. To that end, it is advisable for unmarried couples to have separate health insurance policies, but all that changes when you get married. Compare your policy to your partners’ and see which offers the best possible benefits for the lowest premium. It is also not a bad idea to shop around for a possible alternate insurer than either of you currently use.

    Life insurance

    Many consider life insurance the most important policy to consider, especially if you are starting a family. They will need to be protected in the event of either of your deaths and as such, this should be discussed well before the wedding. If you already have a policy in place, you would want to consider increasing the cover so that your loved ones are not left without a source of income after your death. If you have not already done so, you will need to change the beneficiary on your policy as well.

    Ensuring that all your insurance needs are taken care of before you start your life together will not only provide you and your soon-to-be spouse with much needed peace of mind, it could also save you a few pennies on your monthly installments which is often very welcome.

    About Author:

    Stuart Broad is a marketer who works for a number of South African insurance sites. If you are looking for a budget insurance, he recommends trying to get insurance quotes at InsuranceHound.

     

  • 7 Easy Steps To Save On Insurance

    Stuart Broad 8:12 am on December 29, 2009 | 0 Permalink
    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    Step 1: Try lowering your mileage

    Keeping your mileage low can save you a lot of money per year. Travelling by public transport or carpooling reduces your risk profile and as such will lower your monthly premium. Ask your prospective or current insurer whether they have a pay as you go plan.

    Step 2: Increase your excess

    When you claim, you will have to pay a percentage of the claim. This is called an excess, or deductible in the USA. Increasing this amount can have a significant impact on your monthly premium. Some companies offer a fixed excess, but then your monthly premium will be much higher. Consider what you can afford in the event of a claim and choose your insurance policy accordingly.

    Step 3: Don’t add unnecessary cover

    If you are not going to use roadside assistance or you have a spare vehicle that you hardly use, consider removing the additional cover from your insurance policy. Depending on whom you insure with, this can be a substantial amount. Keep in mind that with rental cover, the annual amount paid could be less than a single day’s car rental so it may be wise to keep that added cover.

    Step 4: Mind what you drive

    Different vehicles have different risk profiles. You will certainly pay more per month on a sports car or a vehicle that car hijackers prefer than if you drive a low profile, low risk vehicle. Some insurance companies will offer discounts on hybrid vehicles as well so keep that in mind if you drive one.

    Step 5: Secure your vehicle

    Safe parking, vehicle tracking devices, alarms and immobilizers will all lower your vehicle’s risk profile. Ensure that you only fit approved devices in your vehicle and have them inspected by your insurance company. Make sure you never leave your car unlocked or valuables in plain sight. This will only tempt thieves and will increase your risk profile with your insurers after you claim.

    Step 6: Follow the rules of the road

    Maintaining a safe driving record will have a major impact on the quote you receive from insurance companies. In some countries, they can even check traffic violations that you may have had in the past. Do not claim unless you absolutely have to, as this will also increase your risk profile. Make sure you obey the rules of the road at all times.

    Step 7: Compare quotes

    There are so many websites available that will provide multiple quotes online to make shopping for insurance a breeze. Utilize these websites and see which policy will save you the most, but also keep your eye on the excesses and other fine print in your policy.

    About Author:
    Stuart Broad is a marketer at CheapCarInsurance.co.za and has vast experience in the insurance industry. He recommends that consumers shop around for motorcycle insurance and car insurance quotes and learn about Insurance Quote like AIG and Old Mutual.

     

  • Picking An Insurance Company

    Stuart Broad 8:11 am on December 29, 2009 | 0 Permalink
    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    There are so many different insurance companies out there offering insurance services that it can be quite a challenge finding one to suit your needs. There are a number of factors to consider, though, that can assist you in narrowing down your options and choosing a company that suits your specific insurance needs.

    Financial Stability

    In the current financial crises, insurance companies are filing for bankruptcy all over the world. This should be a major concern for the consumer because it can directly influence the outcome of any possible claims you may need to make. For this reason, it is very important that you only consider insuring with a company that has a rock solid financial history. In addition to that, you also need in ensure that the company you are considering has a positive financial outlook during these worrying global recession. There are also companies with independent ratings of existing insurance companies like A.M. Best, Fitch, Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s.

    Cost of Premiums

    Your monthly premium will obviously have the most direct impact on you, the consumer. Due to budget requirements, you may not be able to afford the best insurance or the most comprehensive policy. Most companies have multiple policies with multiple levels of cover. The cost of a certain amount of cover will also differ from company to company. It is therefore very important to shop around for motor insurance until you find a company that offers the range of cover you require, at a premium you can afford.

    Service Levels

    Service levels will influence your experience tremendously after you have signed with an insurance company. There are many sites on the Internet that have independent, user generated reports on service levels that people have experienced with specific insurance companies. If a company has track record of poor service, you may have some problems when it is time for you to submit a claim. To that effect, make sure that the company and/or your broker is always easily accessible.

    Reputation

    Finally, you need to consider the company is questions’ reputation. Making some light conversation with family and colleagues will quickly help you to form a first-hand opinion of a prospective insurance company. Make sure you feel comfortable with you choice and be willing to change if they seem to start slipping away from their original service level.

    Therefore, before purchasing car or motorcycle insurance from the insurance company that offers you the lowest premiums do a bit of research and make sure that the company meets the criteria listed above. This could help you avoid nasty surprises in the future.

    About Author:
    Stuart Broad is a marketer at CheapCarInsurance.co.za and has vast experience in the insurance industry. He recommends that consumers shop around for motorcycle insurance and car insurance quotes and learn about insurance companies like AIG and Old Mutual.

     

  • Insurance For Young Adults

    Stuart Broad 8:08 am on December 29, 2009 | 0 Permalink
    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , South African

    As a young adult, you will undoubtedly pay more for your car insurance than people that are in their thirties and up. This is especially true if you are younger than twenty five. There are many ways to lower your risk profile, thus lowering your monthly rate. Taking a defensive and/or advanced driving course, driving a cheaper car, joining an auto club and lowering your mileage use per month by using public transport and carpools where possible are all options that can lower your monthly insurance rate.

    In addition to these “common sense” steps you can take to lower your monthly installment, you could also consider lowering your comprehensive and collision cover if you have an older car that may not be worth as much. The reason for this is that if the damage is significant enough, in the event of a collision, the excess payment could be more than the vehicle is actually worth! If, however, you can afford a more expensive vehicle or even a new one, buy something with as many safety features as possible. This includes airbags all round, unbreakable or electronic locks, automatic lights and even a car with an automatic transmission. These safety features, especially the locks, can lower your rate with certain insurance providers.

    Another obvious feature you will want to consider when purchasing a new car is security features. Many insurance companies refuse to insure a vehicle if it does not have a gear lock, immobilizer, alarm or tracking system. It also stands to reason that the more security features your car has, the lower the insurance premium. Where you keep your vehicle at night and at work will also fall in the security category.

    Finally, many insurance companies consider your social and economic status when evaluating your risk profile. If you are married or engaged, you are considered more stable, thus lowering your risk profile. Having children will also count towards this. Your career and job also influences you premium as insurers have, through the years, established which kinds of drivers tend to go for certain careers. For instance, a technical engineer is less likely to go out and drink excessively before driving than someone employed in the service industry.

    Comparing quotes online or by telephone will greatly assist you in selecting the company to best serve your insurance needs but never skimp on your cover to save a few pennies; this could backfire badly when you need to submit a big claim.

    About Author:
    Stuart Broad writes about Motorcycle Insurance. To know more about Motor Insurance please visit http://www.cheapcarinsurance.co.za/

     

  • How To Insure A Car In South Africa

    Stuart Broad 8:05 am on December 29, 2009 | 0 Permalink
    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    Insuring your car has become essential as the cost of vehicles and vehicle repairs have steadily increased over the years. Buying your car is probably the biggest purchase you will ever make apart from property. As such, it is imperative that your vehicle is covered against unforeseen disasters.

    In South Africa, there are three different kinds of cover:

    Comprehensive

    This is the most expensive cover and if you are getting financing on your vehicle, the bank will insist on comprehensive cover. This policy, as is implied by its name, provides comprehensive cover against fire, theft, collision, damage and hijacking. Comprehensive cover will also cover you from third-party claims.

    Limited

    Limited cover is somewhat cheaper than comprehensive and covers you for theft, fire and hijacking. It also covers you against third-party claims, but you are not covered for your vehicles’ damage in the event of a collision.

    Third-Party

    Cheapest of the lot, third-party will only cover damage done to other people’s property. This is often not a very wise insurance choice except for really old vehicles that are only used on very few occasions.

    Insurers have recently introduced “pay as you go” insurance options for drivers who do not travel excessively. You can get comprehensive insurance on this plan at a much lower rate, determined by the average amount of kilometers you drive per month.

    Submitting a claim:

    If you are involved in an accident or other kind of incident and need to submit a claim, do it as soon as possible. Some insurers have a window that you must claim within and the same goes for reporting the incident to the police. Payouts on the claims will vary depending on the claim you are submitting for. Usually, the insurance companies will deal directly with the dealership, in the event of theft, or the panel beaters, in the event of a collision. The excess will need to be settled by you in order for the new or repaired vehicle to be released.

    Comparing quotes online or telephonically might save you quite a lot of money and is definitely recommended. There are many websites available that offer this service for a nominal fee from the insurer that gets your business. Utilize these services wherever possible and keep in mind that if you do not have internet access, you can also use a telephonic equivalent.

    About Author:
    Stuart Broad writes about Insurance. To know more about Insurance Quote please visit http://www.cheapcarinsurance.co.za/

     

  • Common Insurance Mistakes

    Stuart Broad 8:02 am on December 29, 2009 | 0 Permalink
    Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

    Most people have insurance in one form or another these days. We have no choice in the matter really. The fact is that anything can happen at any time and to mitigate that risk, we need to make sure that we are adequately covered. But how do you know you have the correct amount and kind of cover? There are quite a few guidelines that one should follow when considering insurance, but in this article I would like to point out a few very common mistakes people make when choosing their insurance policy.

    Too lazy to shop around

    Unfortunately this is often the most common mistake people make. The excuses that you may not have enough time to properly compare quotes is really ludicrous considering all the companies out there that will compare quotes on your behalf, only requiring that you fill in a single form with your details. If you aren’t willing to shop around for the best product to suit your needs and your pocket, you have no-one to blame but yourself.

    Only comparing monthly premiums

    For many people the monthly premium is really the bottom line, but this way of thinking could land you in hot water. Not only is that only a portion of what you need to consider, not looking at other factors such as excesses could really hurt you financially in the event of some disaster. In addition, you also need to consider the company’s track record. Make sure that there are not any major complaints on web forums about the amount of time taken to pay out or declined claims.

    Fine print

    Who enjoys reading fine print? I certainly don’t! Unfortunately, if we want to be sure that we are adequately covered and know exactly what to expect in the event of a claim, we need to be familiar with the terms and conditions of our insurance policy. Most countries have laws that state that an insurance broker must explain the policy to you in full when you are purchasing it. That person also needs to answer any questions you have satisfactorily.

    Buying too many policies

    Telemarketers call us very frequently, often with a line to the effect of “You have been specially selected…”This obvious marketing ploy will only take your money and dump it into unnecessary funeral plans, hospital plans, life policies etc. If you already have a policy in place, that should be good enough. If it is not, cancel it and get one that will be sufficient.

    These few simple pointers will help ensure that you don’t pay too much for your cover and ensure that you are adequately covered in the event of a tragic event. Regardless of who you insure with, make sure that you follow these simple common sense principles before you sign your name to a contract.

    About Author:
    Stuart Broad writes about Motor Insurance.To know more about Insurance, please visit http://www.cheapcarinsurance.co.za/

     

  • What You Can Do to Make Money from Network Marketing

    Robert Smith 9:31 am on August 20, 2009 | 0 Permalink
    Tags: ,

    by Robert Smith

    One reason that so many people want to work from their homes is that there in no need for a large financial investment to begin an online business. One doesn’t need to invest heavily in product development. Those who have expertise in almost anything can begin by simply writing an e-book and promoting it or obtaining a website and promoting products that are produced by others. Think of the people who promote products that are produced by others as the modern version of the old door-to-door salesman except instead of knocking on one door at a time they knock on the doors of millions of people at the same time by way of the Internet.

    Another attractive reason that draws people to a work-at-home job or small business is the fact that they don’t need to incorporate.a sole-proprietorship does nicely. One person working from one computer these days can accomplish the same things that once required many people working many hours to accomplish. A sole-proprietorship business isn’t required to file separate tax returns or pay any special taxes on income that is earned in the way that a corporation, an llc or even a partnership business is required to do. The taxes levied on a sole-proprietorship business are just for personal income.

    The Internet isn’t called “The Information Super Highway” for nothing. A person can make a very good living selling nothing but information on it. The populations of every industrialized nation in the world have learned that if you want to know anything about anything, you get on a computer and ask the question. They have also learned that you must pay for special information and they are more than willing to do just that. A person who has special knowledge of a subject and could be considered a ‘guru’ has a market for selling that information on the Internet. All that needs to be done is to set up a website, publish the information, advertise and sell the information. It’s a wonderful concept and information is a wonderful commodity. There is no inventory to maintain and no shipping or handling costs involved to deliver the product. Everybody gets what they want. The seller gets paid for delivering information to a person who wants that information.everybody is happy.

    There are so many advantages of working from home for the individual as well as for owners of large businesses that it is truly the way that ‘work’ will be done more and more in the future.

    Just like there are no magic weight loss cures or ways to earn money from home without a great deal of effort, there is no one simple solution to guarantee Internet marketing success. However, Internet marketing is not overly complicated and many business owners can enjoy at least some degree of Internet marketing success with only limited knowledge about the industry. This article will discuss some of the simplest Internet marketing strategies business owners can implement to promote their business online.

    Participation in industry related message boards is one of the easiest ways a business owner can use the Internet as a promotional tool. Message boards are websites which provide a forum for Internet users who share a common interest to share information related to this subject or just socialize. Business owners may opt to join message boards which closely relate to their industry or the products or services they offer. This is important because doing this gives the business owners access to a group of Internet users who fall into the target audience for his products or services. It also gives the business owner the opportunity to promote his own website. Many message boards allow users to place a link to their own website in their signature. Business owners who do this and also contribute useful commentary on the message boards may attract potential customers via the link they place in their signature.

    Additionally, some message boards may even allow users to post links in the body of the message. This gives the business owner the opportunity to offer his link in response to questions and comments when doing so is relevant and offers something of value to the online conversation. However, care should be taken to carefully review the terms of service and all guidelines on the message board before posting links to ensure this is not a violation of the policies of the message board. Failure to adhere to message board policies may result in removal from the message board or the posts being viewed as spam by other users.

    Another simple, but effective, Internet marketing strategy is to hire a consulting firm with search engine optimization (SEO) experience to assist you in achieving high search engine rankings. While the concept of SEO can be rather complex and understanding the most effective strategies and how to properly implement them may take years of experience as well as continual education, the ability to hire a qualified SEO firm is as simple as knowing how to interview candidates and select the most qualified one. Handling your own SEO efforts can be rather difficult but hiring another firm to take care of this for you is not only easy but it can have a significant impact on your website traffic because high search engine rankings typically translate to improved web traffic. This is because Internet users trust search engines to serve the most relevant websites first and typically only visit the best ranking websites when they search for a particular term.

    About the Author:
    Robert Smith is giving away a copy of 10 Ways To Make More Money With Your Network Marketing Business. Visit http://budurl.com/efrf.

     

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