Friday, March 22, 2013

Aspen Insurance stock outlook 2013

Best Insurance stock - Aspen Insurance stock outlook 2013 : Aspen Insurance has been witnessing rising earnings estimates on the back of strong fourth-quarter 2012 results. Moreover, this property and casualty insurer delivered positive earnings surprises in all four quarters of 2012 with an average beat of 54.3%.

Additionally, Aspen Insurance and Goldman, Sachs & Co. ( GS - Analyst Report ) entered into an Accelerated Share Repurchase agreement whereby Aspen will pay $150 million to Goldman in exchange of its shares. Further, from Jan 1, 2013 through Feb 26, 2013, Aspen bought back $47 million shares. Aspen is left with $335 million under its $500 million share repurchase authorization.

Following a through review of businesses, management decided to lower its wind and earthquake exposure within the U.S. property insurance account. This would free up more than $200 million of capital that could be deployed to maximize shareholder value.

Aspen Insurance expects to generate operating return on equity of 10% in 2014. It delivered 8.5% in return on equity in 2012.

Aspen Insurance reported its fourth-quarter results on Feb 7. Non-GAAP loss per share came in at 15 cents, better than the Zack Consensus Estimate of a loss of $1.21 per share.

Gross written premiums improved 25.6% year over year to $576.2 million in the fourth quarter. A surge of 40.2% in gross written premiums at the Insurance segment fueled the improvement.

Combined ratio improved 1710 basis points year over year to 107.1% in the fourth quarter.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2013 increased 6.8% to $2.97 per share as 3 of 6 estimates were revised higher over the last 60 days. Also for 2014, 3 of 6 estimates moved up, pushing the Zacks Consensus Estimate higher by 7.6% to $3.13 over the same time frame.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

How To Get Cheap Rates On Auto Insurance


You have been unsuccessful so far in finding solid and reliable information about auto insurance. You have found the right resource no matter if you are a veteran on the subject or someone who is just getting started. In this article you will find multiple tips and information to help you along your way.

If you are putting less than 20% down on your car, make sure to look into getting GAP car insurance. Should you have an accident while you are still in the first year or two of payments, you may end up owing the bank more money than you would receive in a claim.

If you are insuring a new vehicle with a lien, consider purchasing replacement cost coverage on the vehicle. While standard coverage protects you from expenses related to accidents, it may not fully cover the amount of the lien on your vehicle. Instead, if you have a new vehicle with a lien that is totaled in an accident, you may find yourself several thousand dollars short of replacing the vehicle with standard coverage.

When it comes time to renew your auto insurance policy, be aware of how your carrier handles renewals. In most cases, you receive a renewal package in the mail with your new policy and rates. Review this information carefully, and question any increases in premium with your agent or a company representative. In most cases, once you submit a payment on the new policy, you have renewed your coverage.

If you have an older car that does not have a high value, remove the collision coverage from your insurance to save money. It is possible that your car is worth less than your deductible, so consider carefully whether or not collision coverage is actually going to pay anything in the event of an accident.

If you do not drive that many miles each year, look into the low-mileage insurance for your car. If you put less than 12,000 miles on your car each year and do not have the low-mileage insurance, you may be losing out on a good bit of extra money each month.

Always make sure you know what's on your driving record. Your driving record is what determines the cost of your car insurance. It is important to know what is on your record and when tickets and accidents have fallen off. Get quotes when this happens, and your insurance will be much cheaper.

When you get a quote for your auto insurance don't overvalue your vehicle. This will only cause your rates to be higher and cost you more money in the long run. In the case of an accident, you will only be paid for the market value of your car anyway.

In conclusion, there is a lot to learn about auto insurance, and hopefully you were able to follow without any issue. Just follow the information that was provided and you should either be able to further solidify what you already know or apply it in a way that you had never considered before.

Saturday, March 16, 2013

Finding The Best Deals On Auto Insurance


Auto insurance is one of the most important tools any driver can have. Auto insurance protects drivers in the case of auto collisions by providing them with coverage for medical bills and car costs. However, before purchasing auto insurance, there are some things you should know. Read the following article for advice on auto insurance.

Call your auto insurance company and ask for a comprehensive list of all of the discounts they offer. Go down the list and determine if you are getting as many of them as you can. For example, you might be able to save a significant amount by taking a free defensive driving course or by reporting a co-habiting partner.

Do not settle for the first auto insurance company that you find. You may be missing out on special discounts or rewards. For instance, some insurance companies offer discounted premiums for accident-free drivers, or for people of certain professions. Some even give discounts to college students who maintain good grades.

Scrap rebates for instant promotions to grab more customers. Rebates are a hassle for both you and your customer, so avoid the process in between and offer your customer the discount up front. You will earn your customer's loyalty quicker and ensure that they purchase from you in the future.

Don't pick an insurance just because it is cheaper. Each insurance company provides different types of plans with varying levels of coverage. One company may offer a plan for $100 less, but it may just have liability coverage. Most states require protection against damage to another person's car, but not for your own.

Make sure you update your auto insurance policy if you get married, divorced or otherwise change your family situation. In many cases, your auto insurance price may change. Saving money is important in today's economy so you do not want to pay more than you have to, or keep your ex-spouse on your policy.

If you don't commute and just use your car to run errands and take care of minor business, you may be able to get a "pleasure driving" rate, which is much less than the rate you would pay if you were commuting to work every day. The reason for this is that you are less likely to have an accident if you don't drive very much!

When you are shopping for car insurance be sure to calculate all of the costs before taking the policy. You may be paying higher premiums for less coverage if you do not take the time to find out exactly what it is that you are paying for. Keep the deductibles in mind as you are calculating the cost.

When considering auto insurance for a young driver, keep in mind the type of car in relation to the type of insurance you are buying. If the car itself is not worth that much money, pay special attention to the extras on the claim, as well as the deductible amount. Most providers will work with you, based on your choices.

In conclusion, auto insurance is an important tool for all drivers. It protects drivers in auto accidents by covering costs. There are many things to remember when purchasing auto insurance, and if you remember the advice in the article above, then you should be able to select auto insurance that will protect you.

Life Insurance for Tradies


When you think about dangerous occupations, tradies don�t exactly spring to mind.
But according to Safework Australia, labourers and related workers had the highest incidence rates of work-related injury � nearly three times the rate of all occupations 1.
Add in the likelihood of diseases like cancer, many tradies are playing a dangerous game without life insurance and are risking their most important tool of the trade.
Workers� Compensation can provide some cover for workers. But it can be a long wait for benefits and it doesn�t cover things that aren�t work-related, like cancer and heart disease � which can often be even more devastating financially for a family.
That�s where life insurance can fill the void.
What is life insurance?
Life insurance encompasses a number of different types of insurance covers, including life cover, income protection cover, total and permanent disability (TPD) cover, and trauma cover.
Life cover pays a lump sum if you die or are diagnosed with a terminal illness. The lump sum can be used to meet final expenses, pay off the family mortgage so that your family isn�t left without a home, fund future child education fees and set aside money to meet your family�s ongoing living needs.
Income protection cover pays up to 80% of your income if you can�t work because of sickness or injury. This money is essential in helping to meet your ongoing living needs, including meeting your mortgage repayments, when you are ill.
TPD cover pays a lump sum if you are totally and permanently disabled. The payout provides a funding mechanism to repay debts, pay medical bills and modifications to your home and motor vehicle as well as meet lifetime living costs.
Trauma cover pays a lump sum if you are seriously injured in an accident, or if you are diagnosed with one of a number of serious medical conditions, like cancer and heart attack. The proceeds can be used to meet medical treatment costs as well as provide financial support in a time where a spouse may wish to take time off work to nurture their ill partner.
If you run a business, you can also take out business expense insurance � helping you cover fixed business costs like rent, electricity and some employee salaries (often excludes income producing employees).
With so many different types of life insurance available, it�s important to discuss your own insurance needs with a financial adviser.
How much does life insurance cost?
Premiums vary depending on the product and a range other factors.
There are also a number of tax concessions associated with life insurance.
For starters, you may be able to hold your life and TPD insurance cover inside super. This means you can use your pre-tax salary to pay your premiums.
Another benefit specific to income protection and business expense insurance is that the premiums are generally tax deductible.
1 �Key Work Health and Safety Statistics Australia, 2010�
Safework Australia
As this information has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs, you should, before acting on this information, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances and speak to your financial adviser.
This material is not intended to constitute personal advice, and must not be relied on as such. This information has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial circumstances or needs. Before making a decision based on this material, you should consider the appropriateness of this material having regard to your own objectives financial circumstances and needs. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any decision.

Friday, March 15, 2013

Learn More About Auto Insurance And How It Works


Auto insurance is a legal requirement if you wish to operate a vehicle. While some policies may seem expensive, picking the kind of coverage you need and considering your budget can help you pick something affordable. Read this article for tips on how to choose the right auto insurance policy.

When you are shopping for auto insurance, it is always a good idea to get at least three quotes before you make a decision. By doing so, you ensure that you have found the best deal for you. Compare rates and what each company has to offer such as roadside assistance.

You can also get some substantial discounts on your auto insurance policy premium if you have an "insurance friendly occupation". Insurance companies watch occupation statistics very closely and if they know that workers in certain occupations tend to incur fewer losses, then they might be inclined to offer a special rate for them.

Purchasing a smaller vehicle is actually a great way to save on automobile insurance. Larger SUVs might have some great safety features, but if we're talking about all-around savings, the smaller your automobile, the less you're ultimately, going to pay for insurance.

Whenever possible, avoid filing and submitting minor claims to your vehicle insurance provider. Unfortunately, increased reliance upon insurance services directly translates to significant increases in monthly rates. Consider filing claims only if you are unable to cover the cost of repairs, and if failure to have repairs creates an unsafe driving condition.

If you are shopping for auto insurance, check around. Compare rates and coverage options available to you. Be sure you have your vehicle information, your driving record if you've had accidents or tickets, as well as what you use your car for and how many miles you drive. All of these are factors to finding the right insurance for the right price.

If you are purchasing car insurance on a new vehicle on which there will be a lien, you should be aware that you must, by law, have full coverage. In this case, you may even want to reconsider your new car purchase because full coverage is significantly more expensive than liability alone.

Auto insurance companies take into consideration what type of vehicle you are want to insure. By watching trends and their own experience, a company may decide to charge you a higher premium. You need to know that sport cars and luxury SUV's usually have the most expensive premiums.

Choosing the right insurance agency is key to getting the best deal in auto insurance. You will want to call around and compare rates for all auto insurance agencies where you live or even online. They also have tools online where you can compare rates to find the best for you.

If you get into a car crash or other accident, it is too late to use insurance to cover costs to repair your vehicle. To avoid the illegal practice of driving without insurance, check out multiple policies and pick one you can afford. Remember these tips when looking for auto insurance.

Make The Most Out Of Your Auto Insurance Policy With These Tips


Whether you are new to the insurance world, wanting to combine your policies or shopping for better rates or coverage, you probably have some questions. Here you will find lots of helpful information that will make it fast and easy to learn more about the often, confusing world of auto insurance.


Not every part of growing old is pain: Once you reach 50, you are entitled to a discount on your car insurance. Insurance companies are well-aware that senior drivers are, statistically, the safest on the road. Almost every insurer offers discounts for drivers between the ages of 50 and 70. If you are in this bracket, make sure you get the discount due to you.

Make sure that you take unnecessary drivers off of your automobile insurance policy. If there is someone on your policy that does not drive one of your vehicles any more, let your insurance company know right away. This change will reduce the amount of money you pay in insurance rates each month.

If you are looking to save money with auto insurance, you should think about going down to one car. Ask yourself if you really need two cars. Can you share with your husband or wife? Can you walk places you normally drive? You can save a lot of money this way.

Find ways to reduce your daily commute. See if you can carpool, drop one car altogether, or switch jobs to one that is closer to home. Can you do some of your job duties from your home office? The fewer miles you drive, the less you will need to pay in car insurance.

Increasing your automobile insurance deductibles can end up saving you considerable amounts of money. Chances are that in the long run, you'll end up saving more per month by having a higher deductible than you'll save by having a low deductible when it comes time to make a claim.

Learn what the best auto policy is for you by researching on your own. Don't expect the insurance company employee to tell you. An employee can help guide you through policies, but might not have in mind what is best for you. Depending on what type of commission plan an agent receives, the employee may be steering you toward policies that are in the best interest of the employee's paycheck.

As expensive as adding your teen driver to your auto insurance policy can be, it may be worth it in the long run, as it will help him or her to begin building up a good credit report. If they maintain a safe driving record, this history of insured good driving will give them a better rate when they reach adulthood and are purchasing car insurance of their own.

The information you have read, should give you the confidence so that you will be able to go out and make the right choice for your auto insurance needs. Now you should better be able to understand coverage, find affordable rates, keep your family safe and be prepared for any losses that may occur.

Need To Purchase Auto Insurance? Check Out These Ideas!


"�Piece of mind' is the thought behind insurance. Sometimes it goes beyond that. The law may require a certain amount of coverage to avoid penalties. This is true of auto insurance. How can you make a wise decision regarding car insurance? Read the following article for some handy tips to do just that!

Decide whether or not it is worth it to make a claim. If your deductible is not much less than the amount of damage to your car, it probably isn't worth it to make a claim with your insurance company. What you will recoup probably isn't worth the increase in premiums that you will experience.

Do not forgo getting an auto insurance policy if you have a car. Yes, it is more insurance that you have to buy. Yes, it costs money. Yes, you have to shop around and research different companies and policies, but this work can save you lots of money and even your car.

Whenever possible, include your spouse on your automobile policy as a named insured driver. It is quite common for insurers to view married couples as more stable and a better risk than single drivers. Therefore, you are likely to receive a healthy discount on a policy that covers both husband and wife.

To protect your auto insurance rate after an accident or ticket that you are contesting, be sure to notify your insurance provider that you are going to contest the ticket(s) in court. Because insurance providers often increase rates as soon as they learn of an infraction, it is up to you you to notify them if a ticket is later reversed.

When working with insurance companies over the telephone to receive quotes, keep your driver's license information, vehicle information and current policy handy. Many companies require information from these sources to provide an accurate quote and having them handy speeds the process up for you and ensures you are providing accurate information to the insurance carrier.

Every state has minimum requirements each driver must meet for liability insurance. Most people sign up for this minimum coverage, usually to save money. This may not be the best idea, depending on the state in which you live. Some states set their minimum requirements too low, and if you were to actually cause an accident you might find yourself under insured, which puts your home, savings and other assets in jeopardy. Review your coverage and make sure you buy enough liability insurance to protect your family and your assets.

A lot of people have speeding and parking tickets that they're not even aware of until they attempt to get a new auto insurance policy. To avoid this money trap, be sure to check with your local state office to receive a copy of your full driving record. This will let you know if there are any unpaid tickets you need to handle.

Now that you have read the above article, apply the tips that work best in your situation. Understandably, a wise decision regarding auto insurance is not as ease as it may seem. Do your homework! It will be worth the effort. Not only will you have "�piece of mind' you will also be doing what the law requires. Good for you!

Understanding Auto Insurance Basics- What You Need to Know

Buying auto insurance is critical task unless you know the basics of auto insurance; otherwise you have to end up unnecessary costs and expe...