Although Apple’s iPad warranty will protect buyers for the first year of ownership from technical defects, it will do nothing to protect owners in the event of accidental damage. Considering that the vast majority of iPhone failures are due to accidental damage or handling issues, there is little reason to expect a different situation with the iPad.

That said, many of you are interested in exploring extended/additional protection options for your iPad. Though there are many routes to take, these are the most highly recommended.

Third Party iPad Insurance

Several companies’ insurance and warranty solutions are intended serve the needs and wants of consumers who have made significant investments in technology.

SquareTrade, who has been in business since 1999, offers technology warranties intended to provide coverage beyond the manufacturer warranty offered with many devices. Should your iPad meet an untimely fate (i.e. spills, drops and other accidents), SquareTrade promises to fix it or pay you the full purchase price of the device, all within five days.

SquareTrade’s warranty plans have received near perfect consumer ratings on NexTag and Epinions, and the company has received an A+ rating from the BBB (Better Business Bureau). As a result, SquareTrade has sold well over one million warranties to date. SquareTrade offers coverage for either 2 or 3 years, at a price starting at $3.99 per month.

Worth Ave. Group insurance is another option that protects your iPad not only from accidental damage and spills but also covers theft, fire, power surges, natural disasters, and vandalism. Worth Ave. Group policies are true insurance with unlimited claims during the coverage period and a low $50 deductible. With a persistent Worth Ave. Group policy, you’re always covered after the annual premium is paid.

Worth Ave. Group iPad insurance can be purchased anytime after you buy your iPad for a coverage period of 1-3 years. Claims might require police reports or other documentation, however turnaround on iPad policies is normally one week or less. Although Worth Ave. Group does not cover manufacturing defects, the extensive list of covered damages are more likely to happen beyond the first year of iPad ownership.

Homeowners / Renters Insurance

If you have homeowners or renters insurance, you may be able to cover your iPad through an extension to your existing policy. Adding your iPad to an existing insurance policy is often considerably less expensive than other solutions, but can be complicated.

If you decide to insure your iPad this way, be careful to check with your insurance company on how your deductible works in regards to personal electronics claims. If your deductible is $500, chances are you’re not getting a very good deal. Make sure to lower your deductible (which would bring on additional costs) or get documentation from your insurance company which states that your extended coverage is not subject to your standard deductible.

Extended Credit Card Protection

Many gold, platinum and other credit cards offer extended purchase protection which in many cases effectively doubles the manufacturer’s warranty on your device. While this will not provide any accidental damage protection, it may be free of charge if you purchase using your credit card.

Whichever option you choose, protecting your shiny new iPad with some sort of insurance policy can help protect your bank account in the event of the unexpected.

- theipadguide.com -

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety revealed on Dec 20th  its picks for the safest vehicles of 2011.

Sixty-six models — including 40 cars, 25 sport utility vehicles and one minivan — earned the Top Safety Pick award. Only 27 vehicles received that distinction last year after the Insurance Institute added a roof-strength parameter to its test criteria.

As 2010 progressed, 58 vehicles were ultimately named Top Safety Picks. Owing to automakers’ efforts to strengthen roofs and make changes to air bags, 2011 begins with a much larger list.

Hyundai (including Kia) and Volkswagen (including Audi) are the most heavily represented brands, with nine awards each. General Motors (Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet and GMC); Ford (including Lincoln) and Toyota (including Lexus and Scion) each have eight winners. Subaru, with five awards, is the only automaker with a winner in each of the categories in which it competed.

The award recognizes vehicles that do the best job of protecting passengers in the institute’s crash testing. These are vehicles that earn the highest rating of Good (on a scale of Good, Fair, Marginal, Poor) in the institute’s front, side, rollover — which measures roof strength — and rear-impact tests. They also must be equipped with or offer electronic stability control as an option.

In 2009 more than 12,000 people in the United States died in frontal crashes, more than 6,000 in side impacts and more than 8,000 in rollovers, according to the institute.

Hyundai and Chrysler made marked improvements in ratings following the redesigns of some popular models.

The Hyundai Tucson and its twin, the Kia Sportage, earned the Poor rating for roof strength in 2009, but their redesign helped them become Top Safety Picks for 2011.

The previous-generation Jeep Grand Cherokee, though equipped with head side-curtain air bags, was rated Marginal for side-impact protection, but the 2011 model, now with torso air bags, earned a Good rating and is a 2011 Top Safety Pick.

“The good news for consumers is how quickly automakers are responding to new information about how to make vehicles safer,” said Adrian Lund, the institute’s president.

“We are very pleased with the progress that is being made, especially this latest round with roof strength,” he continued. “The stronger you make the package, the easier it is to protect the fragile contents inside of it.”

- nytimes.com -

You’ve spent years and a lot of money on your collection – but have you thought about insurance? What happens if something happens to your collection? What happens if a natural disaster strikes, will your insurance cover the loss of a collection? What about a simple case of clumsiness? Will your current insurance cover accidental breakage of a single piece or two?

Unfortunately the answer is not always good news. Yes, if you have home owners insurance your collection will most likely be partially covered, but it could be lumped in with other personal property, such as furniture, lamps. Dan Ramsey of IIAOK, says to ask yourself “Do I own or collect anything that is unusual, of extraordinary value, or special interest? If the answer to this question is “yes”, more than likely you need to discuss this matter with your insurance agent.”

Talk to your homeowners insurance agent to find out if a special rider or separate insurance policy can be written for your collection. Or you might want to do it through an insurance company that deals specifically with collectors.

Separate Policy with Homeowners Insurance Company

For several years I had a separate insurance policy (connected to homeowners insurance) to cover a glass ornament collection. The policy had a lower deductible limit than homeowners policy, but to be honest it was a bit of hassle keeping up with the listing of each separate item when it was purchased. I felt the price was reasonable, winding up to be about the price of one ornament.

Policy with Specialist Company

Another insurance option is completely separated from the homeowners or rental policy one might have. The policy is purchased from an insurance agency that specializes with antique and collectibles. The policies will cover your collections, be it stamps, coins, pottery or even muscle cars. Since the agencies are set up to insure antiques and collectibles, a policy holder will be dealing with a knowledgeable person when and if a claim is made.

Prices for this type of insurance ranges from $48. to $75. per $10,000, a small price to pay for piece of mind.

Two well-known companies that insure collections are: American Collectors Insurance and Collectibles Insurance Services, LLC. The companies offer similar products from different insurance companies. The few small differences in the policies will help you make the decision on which one is the best fit for you and your collection.

The most important differences appear to be rates, claims on breakage/theft of multi-piece or pair items and deductibles.

- about.com -

For small, expensive, often-dropped devices like cell phones, insurance is becoming an increasingly common add-on purchase. After all, if you spent $300-$400 on a phone, what’s another $50 to ensure that it will keep working for the life of you cell phone contract?

Not from Apple or AT&T

That thinking – and fear of needing to extend cell phone contracts to get new phones when ld ones break – many people seek cell phone insurance. And, with the iPhone being one of the hottest phones on the market, many people are looking for iPhone insurance from Apple or AT&T.

The only problem? Neither sells iPhone insurance.

AT&T has been rumored for some time to be preparing an iPhone insurance plan, but nothing has yet come to light. Apple doesn’t offer insurance on its products, though its AppleCare extended warranty does cover the iPhone.

So, if neither of the official companies behind the product offer iPhone insurance, are you out of luck? Not necessarily.

Traditional Insurance Companies

If you’re in search of iPhone insurance, try the companies you already get insurance from. Many insurance companies that offer homeowner’s, renter’s, or other kinds of property/casualty policies can cover the iPhone under a “personal articles policy.” Rates reportedly run in the US$15-$40/year range.

Third Parties

With the market opportunity left by Apple and AT&T not offering iPhone insurance, new companies have stepped into the space. When considering these companies, be sure to do your homework: check out how long they’ve been around; search the web for reviews of them, as well as complaints or problems; make sure they’re going to be around when you need help.

Among the iPhone insurance companies offering policies are:

Asurion, which provides insurance for many kinds of cell phones, also offers an iPhone plan. With a deductible that can equal the cost of a new iPhone and a $12/month fee, it’s probably not the best option.
Deductible: $99-199

Ensquared offers up to 2 years coverage for $89-$99. Restrictions include that the iPhone must be less than 90 days old and that the number of claims per term is limited.
Deductible: $100-$199

GoTronics offers iPhone insurance that covers water and traditional damage, data recovery, support for unlocked phones, and even offers to jailbreak your phone for you. The service runs $45-$85 for two years of coverage, depending on your iPhone model.
Deductible: $15-$349

Safeware’s 1 year policy covers theft, damage, water, and more, but does not cover data. Plans run $59-$99.
Deductible: $50-$200

SquareTrade offers two-year policies for US$99 that cover drops, spills, battery, water damage, and other mishaps.
Deductible: $50

Worth Ave. Group offers 1-3 years of coverage against damage, theft, and acts of God. It does not cover data and doesn’t cover iPhones stolen out of unlocked personal cars with no signs of forced entry. Policies run $55-$267, depending on model and length of coverage.
Deductible: $50

- about.com -

New Year’s Day was once again the leading holiday for reported vehicle thefts in 2009, while Christmas Day repeated as the holiday with the fewest reported vehicle thefts.

For the 11 holidays reviewed in 2009, a total of 22,991 vehicles were reported stolen compared to a total of 24,676 reported for those same days in 2008, according to an analysis by the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB).

The holidays ranked by number of thefts reported to the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) in 2009 were:

New Year’s Day 2,760

Halloween 2,325

Independence Day 2,207

Memorial Day 2,207

President’s Day 2,204

Labor Day 2,202

New Year’s Eve 2,189

Valentine’s Day 2,090

Christmas Eve 1,851

Thanksgiving 1,620

Christmas Day 1,336

The National Insurance Crime Bureau, headquartered in Des Plaines, Ill., is supported by nearly 1,100 property and casualty insurance companies and self-insured organizations.

Homeowners’ insurance can be very expensive. Those that live in high-risk areas such as close to major waterways, known earthquake fault lines or other high claims areas will pay the most for coverage. In fact, those in high-risk areas are often forced to pay annual premiums in the many thousands of dollars. But even homeowners in relatively sedate, suburban neighborhoods (with property values around the national average of $210,000) could pay between $500 and $1,000 a year for a basic policy.

The good news is that although you can’t (and shouldn’t) avoid purchasing homeowners’ insurance, there are ways to minimize the cost.

Here are six ways to make sure you get the right coverage and consequent compensation for your home:

1) Maintain a Security System and Smoke Alarms: A burglar alarm that is monitored by a central station, or that is tied directly to a local police station, will help lower the homeowner’s annual premiums, perhaps by 5% or more. In order to obtain the discount, the homeowner must typically provide proof of central monitoring in the form of a bill or a contract to the insurance company.

Smoke alarms are another biggie. While standard in most modern houses, installing them in older homes can save the homeowner 10% or more in annual premiums. Of course, even more importantly, in case of fire, they could save your life!

2) Raise Your Deductible: Like health insurance or car insurance, the higher the deductible the homeowner chooses, the lower the annual premiums. However, the problem with selecting a high deductible is that smaller claims/problems such as broken windows or damaged sheetrock from a leaky pipe, which typically will cost only a few hundred dollars to fix, will most likely be absorbed by the homeowner.

3) Look for Multiple Policy Discounts: Many insurance companies give a discount of 10% or more to their customers that maintain other insurance contracts under the same roof (such as auto or health insurance). Consider obtaining a quote for other types of insurance from the same company that provides your homeowners’ insurance. You may end up saving on two annual policy premiums.

4) Plan Ahead for Construction: If the homeowner plans to build an addition to the home or another structure adjacent to the home, he or she should consider the materials that will be used. Typically, wood-framed structures (because they are highly flammable) will cost more to insure. Conversely, cement- or steel-framed structures will cost less because it is less likely to succumb to fire or adverse weather conditions.

Another thing that most homeowners should, but often don’t, consider is the insurance costs associated with building a swimming pool. In fact, items such as pools and/or other potentially injurious devices (like trampolines) can drive annual homeowners’ insurance costs up by 10% or more. This may seem like a small price to pay given the joy these items bring, but it is still something that should be considered by the homeowner prior to purchase or construction.

5) Pay Off Your Mortgage: Obviously this is easier said than done, but homeowners that pay off their mortgage debts will most likely see their premiums drop. Why? The simple reason is that the insurance company figures that if you own the home outright, you’ll take better care of it.

6) Make Regular Policy Reviews and Comparisons: Investors should, at least once per year, compare the costs of other insurance policies to their own. In addition, they should review their existing policy and make note of any changes that might have occurred that could lower their premiums.

For example, perhaps the homeowner has disassembled the trampoline, paid off the mortgage, installed a burglar alarm or installed a sophisticated sprinkler system inside his or her home. If this is the case, simply notifying the insurance company of the change(s) and providing proofs in the form of pictures and/or receipts could significantly lower insurance premiums.

Look for changes in the neighborhood that could reduce rates as well. For example, the installation of a fire hydrant within 100 feet of the home, or the erection of a fire substation within close proximity to the property may lower the homeowner’s annual premiums.

Additional Items
The following are characteristics that all homeowners’ insurance policies should carry:

* Guaranteed Replacement Value Insurance: All homeowners should buy “guaranteed replacement value” homeowners insurance. This means that their home will be rebuilt in the event of a disaster – no matter what the cost. Of course, many of you may be thinking that this is what would happen anyway, right? Wrong. Because home values have increased substantially in recent years, it probably costs more to build a house than when you originally purchased your home and your insurance policy. The good news is that guaranteed replacement value policies will absorb the increased costs and provide the homeowner with a cushion if construction prices increase.

* Endorsements: Legally speaking, an endorsement is an amendment to the basic homeowner’s policy. Practically speaking, it is a way for homeowners to ensure that their high-priced possessions will be insured in the event of a disaster.For example, a woman wanting to insure her diamond engagement ring would obtain an endorsement to her homeowners’ policy in order to prove not only that she owned the ring, but also its value. She would do this by obtaining a formal appraisal of the ring from a jeweler, and then sending the appraisal to the insurance carrier for special notation on the insurance contract. Formal endorsements such as these will help in the claims process and ensure that the homeowner gets the full dollar value of the item if it is lost, stolen or damaged in a disaster. Typical items that are endorsed in addition to jewelry include furs, antiques and collectibles.

Wrapping It All Up

To avoid any discrepancies and any delays in receiving your insurance money for your home, make sure you document everything. Photograph and videotape the entire contents of your home and the home itself. Then store these photos and videotapes in a fireproof box. In addition, consider storing a copy of the photos at a relative’s house, and/or in a safety deposit box. Doing this will help homeowners compile an inventory of their possessions (which is what the insurance company will demand) after a disaster. It will also, by extension, dramatically shorten the length of the claims process if a disaster does occur.

Homeowners’ insurance is a necessity. There are ways to save money, but there are also some features that homeowners shouldn’t skimp on. Make sure you know the difference.

- investopedia.com -

1. You’re a statistic.

To an insurer, you’re not a person; you’re a set of risks. An insurer bases its premium (or its decision to insure you at all) on your “risk factors,” including your occupation, who you are, what you own, and how you live.

2. Know your home’s value.

Before you choose a policy, it is essential to establish your home’s replacement cost. A local builder can provide the best estimate.

3. Insurers differ.

As with anything else you buy, what seems to be the same product can be priced differently by different companies. You can save money by comparison shopping.

4. Don’t just look at price.

A low price is no bargain if an insurer takes forever to service your claim. Research the insurer’s record for claims service, as well as its financial stability.

5. Go beyond the basics.

A basic homeowners policy may not promise to entirely replace your home.

6. Demand discounts. Insurers provide discounts to reward behavior that reduces risk.

However, Americans waste money every year because they forget to ask for them!

7. At claims time, your insurer isn’t necessarily your friend.

Your idea of fair compensation may not match that of your insurer. Your insurer’s job is to restore you financially. Your job is to prove your losses so you get what you need.

8. Prepare before you have to file a claim.

Keep your policy updated, and reread it before you file a claim so there are no surprises.

- money.cnn.com -