Time to Get "Back-to-School" Insurance

As August begins, it's time to start thinking about going back to school! What does that have to do with insurance? Here are a few things to keep in mind.

Good Grades - Do you have a teenage driver in the house (or one on the way)? Many policies allow discounts for students with good grades. Give us a call at 888-867-2866 to see what documentation is needed for your policy. And don't forget to talk to your kids about the importance of keeping those grades up! These discounts can apply to college students, too.

Driver Training - There are different discounts available for Drivers Education classes. We can review all the options available, and let you know which discounts will impact you the most.

Moving To The Dorm - Is your college student living in the dorm this semester? Your homeowners insurance may cover their belongings without additional coverage being needed. This is called Property Off Premises coverage. Remember, any claims would be subject to your deductible which is usually higher on home policies! Let us review your policy to check for the specifics amounts of coverage included.

Moving To An Apartment - Let's say your college student has graduated from the dorms and moved on to an apartment. In this case, your homeowners insurance would not cover their belongings and they would need their own renters insurance policy. Renters insurance is very affordable and covers all of the contents of the property. It also provides liability insurance if someone were injured in the property or if the student caused a fire, etc. By making sure they are properly insured, you are also protecting yourself.

We work hard to make sure all of your clients have the right coverage at all times. The fastest and easiest way to make sure your student is receiving all the discounts they qualify for, and that their belongings are covered at college, is to schedule a review! Call SAV-ON Insurance Agencies at 888-867-2866 to review your policy and situation and we'll make sure all of your questions are answered.

Financing Overseas Property Investment: Malaysia and London

Amid the latest round of cooling measures in January 2013, which is one of the most comprehensive to date, Singapore's investors are turning to overseas real estate markets to profit from property investments.
Lured by news of a high-speed rail linking Singapore and Kuala Lumpur by 2020 and the rise of Iskandar Malaysia just across the Causeway, property investors are ever more eager to sink monies into Malaysian properties.
Farther away, across the European continent, Singaporeans are attracted to their former colonial master - Britain - as an investment destination. Specifically, London properties see warming buyers' interest with recent launches registering brisk sales. Just into 2013, and already several London property launches have made their way into Singapore, including Highwood House, Fulham Riverside and Chelsea Creek.
The attractions of London properties lie in their rising rental yields and strong capital values.
Thus both investment destinations (Malaysia and London) Singaporeans are eying have strong historical ties with Singapore, and now it looks like their investment ties are strengthening as well!
Interested buyers hoping to jump into this property investment bandwagon will likely finance their property purchases with a bank loan. Capitalising on this, banks are already rolling out mortgage packages for London and Malaysia exclusively.
One bank introduced 3-month SIBOR-pegged loans in Singdollar for property purchases in both places.
Borrowers have to be Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents (PRs) only. For the latter who are also Malaysians, the added criteria is that they must not be residing in Malaysia.
Specifically, the bank's London mortgage package allows borrowing of between S$300,000 to S$3 million, with a maximum of 70% loan-to-value (LTV) ratio.
On the other hand, its Malaysia's package allows for loans starting from S$200,000, with no upper limit. The LTV ratio is also 70%.
Both loan packages come with a lock-in period of only a year. During this period, partial or full repayment will be subjected to a penalty charge of 1.5% of the outstanding loan amount.
Loan cancellation will be subjected to a penalty of S$1,000 or 1.5% on amount cancelled or undisbursed, whichever is higher.
Loan tenure can be anything between 5 to 30 years with a cap of 70 years.
Similar to Singapore home loans for the island-city's properties, the two packages are available for building-under-construction projects, but only a progressive payment scheme is allowed.
However, for refinancing the property must be completed.
Very importantly, do take note that there is a call on margin if the LTV rises to 80% and above. When this happens borrowers will be asked to repay part (above the monthly installment amount) or all of their loan.

I am a writer for iCompareLoan and PropertyBuyer.com.sg
You can find more articles on our websites.
We offer FREE expert home mortgage advice and Singapore's most advanced loan analysis system. You can also make use of our FREE calculators for your home purchase planning.

Top 10 Ways to Save on Your Auto Insurance!

Looking for ways to keep your auto insurance premiums manageable? 10 ways you can save on your insurance without sacrificing coverage.

1. Driving Record
Your driving record plays a big role in how much you pay for insurance. By keeping a clean record for 3-5 years, you can save hundreds of dollars! Be a cautious driver, don't speed, and you'll lower your premiums.

Save Money on Your Car Insurance!

2. Defensive Driving Course
Defensive driving courses are an easy way to achieve an extra discount. They can also help keep a ticket from showing up and messing up your clean driving record. Make sure to call us before taking the class if you're using it for a discount so we can verify that your policy qualifies.

3. Anti-Theft Devices
Installing an alarm or other anti-theft device can lower premiums on your vehicle. Make sure to discuss all features with us, sometimes even power locks and a remote can count!

4. Your Credit Score
While insurance uses a different formula then the credit bureaus, your credit still affects the rate you pay. Good credit can save you hundreds (even thousands) on your premiums! Make sure to review your report on a regular basis and have any mistakes corrected.

5. Where You Live
Rural areas pay less for insurance than the big cities do. It's all about risk and with a large population, there is more chance for an accident. Therefore, where you choose to live can impact your rates. Consider visiting with us before purchasing a home if you're concerned about the costs (it is based on the zip code).

6. Type of Vehicle
The vehicle you choose to purchase also makes a difference! Some vehicles cost a lot more to repair than others, which drives up their rates. Easy way to avoid buying a money-sucker? Call us first and let us quote the vehicle before you sign on the dotted line.

7. How Often -- and Far -- You Drive
If you take public transportation and only drive on the weekend, you'll pay less than someone with a long commute. Make sure to review your annual mileage and daily commutes with us (especially if they change) so that you can receive the extra savings.

8. Raise Your Deductible
A higher deductible (your out of pocket cost in a claim) means a lower monthly rate. If you have $1,000 in savings and could afford to use it if you had an accident, then you'll save on your insurance cost by having a $1000 deductible instead of a $250. We can help you review the costs and benefits in your specific situation.

9. Your Agent
And the best way to save? Work with a local agent! You'll get the coverage you need plus you'll have an advocate working on your behalf to find the best rate, all the discounts, and an easy explanation of any gaps in your coverage. It's the #1 to control your risk, maximize your savings, and protect your family.

10. Call SAV-ON Insurance
We want to be your agent. Call us at 888-867-2866 to discuss your policy today. Our goal is to save you money! As an agency, we have more than 30 insurance companies to choose from in getting you the best rate out there.