If you’re in the market for a Hummer (I’m sure you can get a good deal on one right now) take note that you’ll be a total cop magnet.

According to a recent story from MSN Money, the Hummer is the most ticketed car on the highway. (Really, is anyone surprised?)

“The sense of power that Hummer drivers derive from their vehicle may be directly correlated with the number of violations they incur,” said Raj Bhat, the president of ISO Quality Planning, a San Francisco company that studied the records of 1.7 million drivers. “Or perhaps Hummer drivers, by virtue of their driving position, are less likely to notice road hazards, signs, pedestrians and other drivers.”

But there were some cars on the list that may surprise you. MSN Money: “[Also] on that most-ticketed list were the Subaru Outback and the Toyota Camry Solara and Matrix, three cars not known for great speed or expressing the rebellious nature of their owners. Meanwhile, the Chevrolet Tahoe and Suburban, virtually identical mechanically to their General Motors sibling Hummer, appeared on the least-ticketed list.”

Strange. Maybe Hummer and Subaru owners have something in common after all. (As it happens, your humble blogger got a ticket recently. Care to guess what I was driving?)

Least ticketed
Jaguar XJ sedan 11%
Chevrolet Suburban 16%
Chevrolet Tahoe 21%
Chevrolet C/K- 3500/2500 pickup 28%
Buick Park Avenue 32%
Mazda6 34%
Buick Rainier 37%
Oldsmobile Silhouette 37%
Buick Lucerne 40%
GMC Sierra C1500 pickup 40%

A rare bright spot for Detroit car makers: their cars (with the exception of the Hummer) seem to get a pass from the folks in blue.

It’s hard losing someone you love. But with the provision life insurance offers, the transition to a new life—though painful—can be a little bit easier.

What if, in an attempt to keep them safe, a beloved family member hides their life insurance documents in a “safe” place—and forgets to tell you where?

How can you read the provisions of the will and collect what you have coming if you can’t even find the policy in question?

Rather than storing them in a bank deposit box or other secure location, some people still choose to hide their insurance policies in less discriminate places: under floors, behind paintings, in old trunks, in safe deposit boxes under beds or even under mattresses. After all, we have to protect what we have, right?

The problem is, without written or verbal instructions of some sort leading to the hidden treasure, hidden policies tend to stay…well, hidden.

More than one-fourth of life insurance benefits are never claimed, experts say. That means a lot of people out there have resources at their disposal they aren’t even aware of.

If a loved one has died and you can’t find their life insurance policy, read our article “What to Do When a Life Insurance Policy Goes MIA.” You’ll find tips and strategies there to help you locate a policy that’s been lost.

In hard economic times, we can all use a little something extra to help carry us through. It may take a little digging to find it, but it’s well worth the time and effort.

Besides, who knows what that search might uncover?

The economy is a basket case. The memory of $4 gas is still painfully close. Every day there’s another mass layoff.

These days, there are fewer things to count on, and we could all use a little more cushion in the event that … well, I’ll leave it at that.

That’s why shaving a few bucks off your car insurance premium is a no-brainer. (Check out Penny’s recent article “Auto Insurance Basics that Save.”) In this economy, it’s essential to take a fine-tooth comb to all expenditures and ask yourself: What can I leave out? Where can I save?

Since insurance doesn’t exactly excite the passions (how’s that for understatement?), many people are paying unnecessarily high premiums because they’d rather do just about anything than think about stuff like deductibles and copays. But a lot of those people have outdated notions when it comes to shopping for insurance.

Many people don’t realize that the shopping process is much easier than it used to be. A few painless minutes on our site could result in significant insurance savings—freeing up more cash for daily essentials or for that all-important financial safety net. Here’s what one of the visitors to our site told us recently:

“I have already purchased insurance from one of the insurance agents you sent me. She saved me close to $50.00 to $60.00 a month. That may not seem like much, but that’s a weeks [sic] worth of groceries. Thank you very much.”

Here’s Kobe Bryant selling his line of … ankle insurance policies.

Remember, kids: “Broken ankles can strike anywhere, at any time. They can happen to anyone, and they can strike anwywhere … at any time.”

After you get your ankles covered, you might consider insuring yourself against the risk of a robot attack.

Hat tip: Megan Mahan, Insurance Blogger Emeritus

With a record life expectancy of more than 78 years, Americans are now living longer than ever before: women an average of 80 years and men 75.

As the senior adult segment of our population grows exponentially, the U.S. Census predicts that almost one out of five Americans—some 72 million people—will be 65 or older by 2030.

That’s a growth rate of 100 percent over 2006.

If given the option, most of us would choose long life over the alternative. But along with advancing age come new challenges that must be faced and overcome:

• Declining health
• Loss of benefits
• Decreased financial resources
• Increased likelihood of injury and death

As response times decrease and health fails, seniors struggle to maintain independence. According to research, the death rate for older drivers is higher than for any other group except 16- to 20-year-olds. As a result, family members are often forced to take away the car keys—making a difficult transition for everyone concerned.

Many seniors who live alone wind up needing care with the daily tasks of living, such as dressing, bathing and eating. Others simply need help running errands, getting back and forth to doctor’s appointments or buying groceries.

Insurance for seniors helps combat these issues by ensuring proper physical and mental care; helping maintain quality of life; protecting finances and possessions, and offering resources that provide for widowed spouses and families left behind.

Seniors face very personal challenges as they age. But by planning ahead and estimating needs as closely as possible early in life, the latter years can be lived with dignity and grace—and the burden of care eased for loved ones.

Please note: for more information, please see our article on insurance for seniors.

Protecting your teenager with the right car insurance is really important—as is covering you and your spouse with life insurance and buying long-term care insurance to provide for your parents’ needs as they age.

But the overriding concern of many American families today is health insurance.

Barack Obama will be inaugurated today, so while we’re on the subject, now is a good time to review the stance he took on our health care system before he was elected to office.

The American economy changed drastically during the two years Obama was campaigning. Because of this, some of his more aggressive ideas will probably have to wait—just like his plan to roll back the tax cut for the wealthy.

Over 45 million Americans, including eight million children, don’t have health insurance. Eighty percent of those uninsured are actually part of working families—those with jobs that don’t provide adequate health insurance coverage.

But insurance for families is vitally important to our country’s future, so Obama says he plans to change all that.

He has many ideas on the topic. One of his more controversial statements was that he’d like to prohibit insurance companies from denying coverage on the basis of health or age. He would also mandate insurance for children and require employers to cover their workers with health insurance—or pay a payroll tax to help subsidize government coverage for the uninsured.

He’s also interested in improving the technology used in medical recording keeping, providing subsidies for low-income people, and making insurance plans portable from one job to the next.

How quickly he can carry ideas like these out—if at all—remains to be seen.

When two people meet and fall in love, the world’s a wonderful place.

But when the relationship advances, leading to engagement and wedded bliss, it takes hard work to join two separate personalities and lifestyles.

Becoming successful as a couple requires individuals to merge finances, possessions, insurance policies and, often, even credit.

But finding insurance for couples can be tricky.

For instance, if both individuals are currently employed, but the cost of group health insurance has gotten out of control, the two may need a separate health insurance policy that offers coverage to both, as well as any children who may come along later.

If both partners own homes, one may need to be sold or rented—and the spouse added to the home insurance policy already in place on the remaining house.

With two cars to insure, placing both vehicles together on one policy is a smart, money-saving move, and helps each maintain a measure of freedom as assets and lives combine.

And with couples depending on one another for support, it may be time to consider purchasing a joint life insurance policy. That way, if a spouse passes, the one who’s left behind can meet financial obligations and move forward on a new path alone.

Whether young or old, couples have unique insurance needs once they say “I do.” The key is to plan for the future together, and start a new life as a couple protected and insured.

It’s hard work; but most would say worthwhile.

Today’s post is about the unexpected costs of dying.

No, it’s not exactly the most uplifting subject, but it’s essential nonetheless—particularly when you consider that funerals, according to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), are among the largest expenditures a person will make in his or her life.

“A traditional funeral, including a casket and vault, costs about $6,000,” says the FTC, “although ‘extras’ like flowers, obituary notices, acknowledgment cards or limousines can add thousands of dollars to the bottom line. Many funerals run well over $10,000.”

They price tag may come as a surprise to many, and all too often it comes as a surprise at the worst possible time—when you’re forced to lay to rest a loved one. Sticker shock is the last thing you want to deal with when you’re dealing with the shock of losing a loved one.

Standard funeral expenses include:

• The funeral home’s basic services fee
• Transportation and care of the body
• A final resting place for the deceased, either in an urn or a casket in a cemetery plot

Three Types of Funerals: Full-Service, Direct Burial and Direct Cremation
There are three types of funerals: full-service, direct burial and direct cremation. While direct cremation is perhaps the least expensive option, the costs listed above still apply. Full service funerals may include obituary notices, religious officials for memorial services, embalming, hearses, caskets, burial vaults and grave liners, flowers, organists, etc. In that sense, full-service funerals are like weddings—as expensive or modest as you make them.

‘The Funeral Rule’
Most funeral home directors are honest and caring, but over the years, a few unscrupulous ones have taken advantage of grieving survivors by either overcharging or shaming them into “honoring” a loved one by spending more they could afford. This prompted the federal government to establish what’s known as the Funeral Rule, a set of regulations meant to protect those planning funerals—who are often more easily preyed upon.

The Funeral Rule holds that:

• you have the right to choose the funeral goods and services you want (with some exceptions)
• the funeral provider must state this right in writing on the general price list if state or local law requires you to buy any particular item
• the funeral provider must disclose it on the price list, with a reference to the specific law
• the funeral provider may not refuse, or charge a fee, to handle a casket you bought elsewhere
• a funeral provider that offers cremations must make alternative containers available

Keep in mind that there are additional state laws you must follow regarding funerals and burial.

OK, that’s enough about funerals for today. Parting thought: you don’t need to spend a lot money to properly honor a loved one.

Suggested Reading
Federal Trade Commission: Funerals: A Consumer Guide

Becoming responsible and self reliant can be a scary process. And for singles, who often have no one to rely on but themselves, it’s even scarier.

Like everyone else, singles need a support system. As they’re living on their own and facing challenges, they need to know there’s someone or something ready to lend a hand when they need one.

Insurance for singles provides just that type of support, filling in the gaps when there’s no family around to help, finances get out of control or situations occur that require wisdom that may not have been gained yet.

But before buying insurance coverage, singles need to weigh in on issues of real importance when it comes to cost. For example, have they established any credit and, if so, what do their scores look like? What kind of shape are they in physically and how susceptible are they to illness? What type of life do they lead and how responsibly do they act?

All these factors have significant bearing on what the right insurance protection will cost. And making positive changes wherever possible will help ensure singles get and stay protected—whether sitting at home, driving back and forth to work, going out with friends or visiting the doctor.

Whether single for the first time or single again, singles face unique challenges that call for physical and financial support. And the best way to make sure they have the right resources at their disposal is to get free insurance quotes—and buy insurance coverage now.

Do you have a son or daughter who is heading to college or is already enrolled? It pays to make sure your child has the appropriate insurance coverage.

Renters – In some cases, lost or stolen items can be insured under your own homeowner’s insurance policy. Instead of assuming that’s the case, it’s best to check with your insurer. If your child’s belongings aren’t covered under your policy, he or she (or you) might consider purchasing a renter’s policy, which can over big-ticket items like TVs and laptops. If you or your student decides to purchase a renters policy, your current homeowner’s insurer will likely offer a discounted rate.

Health – Most schools require proof of health insurance. Since the cutoff age isn’t until 25 in most states, you can probably keep your college-bound kid on your health insurance policy until graduation. Again, it’s best to check with your insurer in advance, before you need to file a claim. Additionally, some colleges offer insurance for students.

Car – Students can either stay on their parents’ policy or start their own—or save a bundle and take the bus. Food for thought: if your child stays on your policy and takes a car to school, your premium may increase, depending on the rates in the school’s city or town. Students that maintain a certain GPA may be eligible for discounted rates. If your Johnny gets straight A’s each semester, tell your insurer!

Let your financial situation guide your decisions, but always make sure to have adequate coverage levels.