Best Auto Insurance Rates for SR22 Plans Now Featured at Quotes Company Website

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) June 28, 2014

The coverage that some insurance agencies provide for motor vehicle owners is a form known as SR22. This specialized coverage is now searchable at the Quotes Pros website to aid consumers in finding new rates online. Some of the best auto insurance rates for SR22 plans are viewable at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

The high risks that some drivers bring to insurance agencies can increase the annual costs for all insured motorists. The SR22 plan provides a surety bond that helps insurers absorb the risks of accidents by drivers who have a history of collisions.

"The price research for high risk insurance now supplied is expected to make life easier for motorists seeking new coverage and have few options locally," said a Quotes Pros source.

The agencies that are now part of the participating network of high risk insurance companies in North America this year at the QuotesPros.com website are in comparison to the standard agencies that are also available for exploration. Basic coverage like liability or full coverage is available to quote this year.

"Our website is dedicated to motorists of all skill levels and driving histories to help promote the best price levels available independently," said the source.

The Quotes Pros company has initiated a new contact database that provides a direct link with health, life, renters and homeowner insurance agencies. This secondary tool can be found when visiting http://quotespros.com/life-insurance.html this year.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company has grown into a national source for American vehicle owners to explore various prices for vehicle insurance policies over the Internet. The company solutions for locating different policies has been continuously upgraded since 2013. The QuotesPros.com company has amassed a large clientele of insurers providing discount rates and packages for different coverage policies that are available in every state in the U.S.

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Affordable Auto Insurance for Ohio Motorists Now Quoted at Automotive Website

Cincinnati, OH (PRWEB) June 27, 2014

Owners of cars, trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles in the state of Ohio now have a new system for locating affordable auto insurance online. The Quotes Pros company is now focusing on presenting low cost rates from providers inside its quote tool at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

All of the main cities in Ohio are included for car owners to explore different agency price data. Motorists in any county can use their own zip codes to find the price information that is now assembled into one resource. No VIN numbers or other input is necessary to begin extracting rates this year.

"Our focus has remained on providing statewide agencies that are able to quote a real time price for a coverage policy to improve research conducted by owners of cars each year," said a Quotes Pros source.

The less expensive rates from Ohio insurance companies added to the national system is in addition to the different state level pricing that was added earlier this month. Some of the top rates from agencies in New York, Texas, California and Florida are also available to explore.

"We've built one of the first national finders for vehicle insurance prices that requires almost no personal data inputted by a car owner to compare quoted prices," said the source.

The Quotes Pros company continuously works towards creating new partnerships with available North American agencies willing to present quotes by zip code online. Calculated prices for life, renters, health and homeowner policies can now be obtained at http://quotespros.com/health-insurance.html.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company has expanded the ways that insurance costs can be evaluated by the American public through its website this year. A digital search solution now exists for any vehicle owner to locate prices from national or local insurers. The QuotesPros.com company updates now processed on the homepage have enabled faster ways to acquire the top discounts and other incentives that agencies currently provide to automotive customers in the U.S.

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Lowest Car Insurance Prices for Michigan Drivers Added to National Quote System

Detroit, MI (PRWEB) June 25, 2014

Annual premiums for vehicle insurance coverage can now be researched by Michigan drivers utilizing the Quotes Pros website for research purposes this year. A portion of the lowest car insurance prices for Michigan drivers can now be reviewed at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

The monthly costs for coverage plans that are available come directly from state and nationwide companies solely in the U.S. The licensed insurance agencies that are providing the rates data also provide a link to help drivers purchase a discounted plan through a secure portal.

"Price is always one of the important factors when a consumer researches the car insurance industry and our website helps deliver real time price content," a Quotes Pros source said.

The major cities in the state of Michigan are represented in the agencies that are quoting plans directly at the QuotesPros.com website. The agencies underwrite specialty coverage for SR22, non owner, full coverage and other options that are more advanced compared with standard state minimum protection.

"The reviews for prices that are instantly obtainable while utilizing the detailed quotes tool we offer could help a driver to save cash when upgrading or buying a coverage plan," said the source.

The Quotes Pros company website has been adjusted to feature vehicle repair insurance coverage packages that are now separate from standard insurer protection. The repair policies are offered from a different database accessed at http://quotespros.com/car-insurance.html.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company offers ways to explore vehicle insurance prices using its simple tool on the Internet. American motor vehicle owners have access to this system by entering a zip code to perform price reviews. The QuotesPros.com company has recently launched procedures that speed up all delivery of quoted prices for various insurance agency policies. New price data can be pulled from the system each day by consumers.

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Best Auto Insurance Discounts for Florida Drivers Added to Real Time Quote System at Insurer Portal

Jacksonville, FL (PRWEB) June 22, 2014

Drivers in the state of Florida can often pay higher premiums for personal insurance protection when operating a motor vehicle, according to released statewide data. The Quotes Pros company is now compiling some of the best auto insurance discounts for Florida drivers into its quotation tool at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

Motorists will now have a completely private method of locating agencies offering selected insurance plans at affordable prices. The standard add-on PIP protection can be quoted easily as well as new forms of coverage like non owner and broad form. The liability and full coverage packages popular in Florida are also included.

"Florida is one of the states that currently requires a personal insurance protection policy included with the average policy that motorists carry for coverage," said a Quotes Pros source.

The real time quoting of insurance agency prices is one way that the QuotesPros.com website is offering alternatives to American drivers. Because information is not collected during the initial price regulation process, any driver is free to explore rates and coverage options by using a zip code.

"The exact prices for different policies are immediately displayed when entering our database to allow any driver to make a decision to buy insurance online or find another company," said the source.

The Quotes Pros company has added life, renters, auto, health and homeowners policies to its national finder for Florida residents to review this year. The secondary groups of insurers can be accessed from http://autoprosusa.com/health-insurance.html on the company website.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company offers state level resources for locating vehicle insurance pricing on the Internet. The different tools that have been added to the consumer research platform on the Internet has widened the options the public has when evaluating insurer costs. The QuotesPros.com company now promotes quotations from top companies offering life, homeowners, renters, health and other protection products that are available in the American insurance industry.

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Auto Insurance Quotes for State Minimum Coverage Added to Estimator at Auto Website

Chicago, IL (PRWEB) June 22, 2014

Different methods of calculating insurance costs for consumers are now in use by national agencies. The Quotes Pros company is now helping to calculate auto insurance quotes for state minimum coverage to help with planning by motorists at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

The state coverage plans that are fully quotable when accessing the new calculation system available online are offered direct from licensed companies. Every motorist who submits a request to review the price quotations receives options to explore full coverage, liability or high risk packages.

"The state insurance companies that help drivers to remain legal while operating a motor vehicle can sometimes have better pricing compared to national companies with millions of clients," a Quotes Pros company source said.

The way that insurance packages are reviewed using the Quotes Pros website has changed this year due to the entrance of a different input method for motorists. All state prices are now being displayed after a zip code is given by drivers seeking coverage options in the U.S.

"Our system is helping any driver to explore detailed rates for the average without giving away vehicle information or previous crash histories," said the source.

The Quotes Pros company has initiated new types of coverage that can be instantly explored aside from the options for car insurance this year. Consumers who visit the life insurance page at http://quotespros.com/life-insurance.html can review updated prices for whole, term and guaranteed policies.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company offers one of the most detailed websites for exploring vehicle insurance quotations on the Internet. The company has connected with different agencies in North America to supply current rates available to motorists. The QuotesPros.com company has branched out into offering different forms of coverage that are not related to vehicle coverage. Plans for life, renters, homeowners and health coverage can now be quoted online.

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Auto Insurance Prices from Nationwide Agencies Updated to Include Full Coverage Options at Auto Website

Las Vegas, NV (PRWEB) June 19, 2014

Acquiring rates for vehicle insurance can be time-consuming for consumers who choose to contact companies using regular telephones. The Quotes Pros company is now improving research for auto insurance prices for adding national agencies to its quotation tool now at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

The prices that are now available are set up to nearly eliminate all external research that motorists typically conduct using offline methods for insurance purposes. The national quotation tool now actively separates rates by state and uses a zip code locator service to display new price data.

"The auto insurer partners delivering the quoted rates inside of our free to use system are known companies and are licensed in multiple states," said a Quotes Pros source.

The auto industry in the U.S. has changed over the past two decades as more types of vehicles are being produced with high performance motors. Because these vehicles can require different levels of insurance coverage, the price data now displayed by the Quotes Pros lookup tool includes customized insurer plans.

"Owners of cars, hybrid vehicles, trucks, vans and SUVs can access our search platform easily to begin comparing American insurer prices online," said the source.

The Quotes Pros company has improved the platforms for displaying insurer prices this year and now showcases more policy brands. The automobile, renters, business, life and homeowner policies now available are instantly quoted at http://quotespros.com/business-insurance.html.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company has added all of its price quotations for insurance to its nationally accessible search system online this year. The U.S. suppliers of coverage plans are included for open research by the public. The QuotesPros.com company has extended its options for exploration on the website this year and continues to supply more partner information for the public to review. Auto, life, health, business, renters and homeowners insurance are available to review and quote using the tools available.

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State Auto Insurance Lookup Tool Launched by Quote Company Online

New York, NY (PRWEB) June 15, 2014

Reviews for vehicle insurance companies is one method that average consumers use to find out information prior to purchasing a plan for coverage in the U.S. The Quotes Pros company is now adding to normal reviews by launching a state auto insurance lookup tool direct from its website at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

This tool now offers access to an enormous list of agencies within the U.S. offering coverage for most vehicles at the state level. The different companies now part of the Quotes Pros lookup system add to the variety that consumers will find in price and other incentives for multiple coverage plans.

"The review of prices for car insurance using our system requires no person to enter a vehicle identification number or vehicle details," said a Quotes Pros company source.

The insurer system was built with consumers in mind and offers a secure path to explore different companies. Because the launched system specializes in locating state companies, any person can receive licensed insurance company quotes in real time while remaining private.

"Data collection is a big part of the insurance industry and companies are now using more than one information source to help determine how much annual coverage will be for the average motorist," said the company source.

The Quotes Pros company has emerged as a direct source for the public to find a number of coverage options from American agencies this year. The car insurance options are currently mixed into the open database that also offers life, renters and health insurance quotations at http://quotespros.com/life-insurance.html.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company provides the public with ways to explore insurance coverage for nearly any brand of motor vehicle used in the United States. Relationships have been strengthened by this company over the past several years to grow the company network. The QuotesPros.com company offers free access to its tools to provide an accurate quote for coverage to any website visitor. The car, life, business, renters and homeowner policies can be bought using the e-commerce system.

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AssureStart Expands Online Small Business Insurance Sales to Colorado

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

AssureStart, the technology startup that sells small business insurance coverage on the Internet, has opened for business in Colorado. AssureStart serves small businesses with one to 30 employees, an underserved and often overlooked segment of the commercial insurance market.

With 24/7 online availability, small businesses in Colorado can visit AssureStart.com, get coverage recommendations and a rate quote, purchase a business owner’s policy and download the policy and a certificate of insurance â€" all in less than 10 minutes. Buying a business owner’s policy (which combines both general liability and business property coverage) through traditional insurance channels can take several days or more. With AssureStart’s efficient direct sales process, supported by all-new technology, the company is able to pass along savings in the form of lower rates.

“In an industry buried in paper, we offer a streamlined and paperless insurance-buying experience,” said Mike LaRocco, president and CEO of AssureStart.

“The emerging demographic of small business owners are working and living in a digital world. We’re meeting them online with affordable insurance solutions they can manage on their own,” said LaRocco. “With certificates of insurance available at the point of sale, a small business owner can open for business one day and present the necessary credentials to start working for a client the next.”

AssureStart’s proprietary platform and recommendation engine can be accessed via laptop, tablet or smartphone. At any point in the application process, prospective customers can contact a licensed insurance professional by phone, email or web chat to ask questions and receive more information.

AssureStart is backed by the financial strength of American Family Mutual Insurance Company, rated ‘A’ (Excellent) by A.M. Best. Policies are underwritten by Midvale Indemnity Co., a subsidiary of American Family.

The company formed in February 2013 and launched service in its first state in November 2013. In addition to Colorado, AssureStart currently sells business owner’s policies in six other states. It plans to expand to additional states covering 70 percent of the U.S. by the end of 2014, with a national footprint complete by mid-2015. Over time, AssureStart intends to enhance its product suite to include commercial auto and workers’ compensation insurance.

About AssureStart

Based in Seattle, AssureStart is dedicated to serving the insurance needs of small businesses with one to 30 employees. The company sells business owner’s policies (general liability and business property insurance coverage) direct to small businesses via its website, www.assurestart.com. The website features a proprietary, easy-to-use recommendation engine and the ability to bind coverage online and download a certificate of insurance at the point of sale. AssureStart serves as the managing general agent for policies underwritten by Midvale Indemnity Company, an affiliate of Madison, Wis.-based American Family Insurance. Web: www.assurestart.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/assurestart; Twitter: www.twitter.com/assurestart.

About American Family

American Family Insurance offers auto insurance, homeowners insurance, life insurance, business and farm/ranch insurance in 19 states. American Family is the nation’s third-largest mutual property/casualty insurance company and ranks 393^rd on the Fortune 500 list. Web: www.amfam.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/amfam; Twitter: www.twitter.com/amfam; YouTube: www.youtube.com/amfam.

Policies are underwritten by Midvale Indemnity Company, an affiliate of American Family Mutual Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison WI 53783.

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AssureStart Expands Online Small Business Insurance Sales to Missouri

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

AssureStart, the technology startup that sells small business insurance coverage on the Internet, has opened for business in Missouri. AssureStart serves small businesses with one to 30 employees, an underserved and often overlooked segment of the commercial insurance market.

With 24/7 online availability, small businesses in Missouri can visit AssureStart.com, get coverage recommendations and a rate quote, purchase a business owner’s policy and download the policy and a certificate of insurance â€" all in less than 10 minutes. Buying a business owner’s policy (which combines both general liability and business property coverage) through traditional insurance channels can take several days or more. With AssureStart’s efficient direct sales process, supported by all-new technology, the company is able to pass along savings in the form of lower rates.

“In an industry buried in paper, we offer a streamlined and paperless insurance-buying experience,” said Mike LaRocco, president and CEO of AssureStart.

“The emerging demographic of small business owners are working and living in a digital world. We’re meeting them online with affordable insurance solutions they can manage on their own,” said LaRocco. “With certificates of insurance available at the point of sale, a small business owner can open for business one day and present the necessary credentials to start working for a client the next.”

AssureStart’s proprietary platform and recommendation engine can be accessed via laptop, tablet or smartphone. At any point in the application process, prospective customers can contact a licensed insurance professional by phone, email or web chat to ask questions and receive more information.

AssureStart is backed by the financial strength of American Family Mutual Insurance Company, rated ‘A’ (Excellent) by A.M. Best. Policies are underwritten by Midvale Indemnity Co., a subsidiary of American Family.

The company formed in February 2013 and launched service in its first state in November 2013. In addition to Missouri, AssureStart currently sells business owner’s policies in six other states. It plans to expand to additional states covering 70 percent of the U.S. by the end of 2014, with a national footprint complete by mid-2015. Over time, AssureStart intends to enhance its product suite to include commercial auto and workers’ compensation insurance.

About AssureStart

Based in Seattle, AssureStart is dedicated to serving the insurance needs of small businesses with one to 30 employees. The company sells business owner’s policies (general liability and business property insurance coverage) direct to small businesses via its website, www.assurestart.com. The website features a proprietary, easy-to-use recommendation engine and the ability to bind coverage online and download a certificate of insurance at the point of sale. AssureStart serves as the managing general agent for policies underwritten by Midvale Indemnity Company, an affiliate of Madison, Wis.-based American Family Insurance. Web: www.assurestart.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/assurestart; Twitter: www.twitter.com/assurestart.

About American Family

American Family Insurance offers auto insurance, homeowners insurance, life insurance, business and farm/ranch insurance in 19 states. American Family is the nation’s third-largest mutual property/casualty insurance company and ranks 393^rd on the Fortune 500 list. Web: www.amfam.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/amfam; Twitter: www.twitter.com/amfam; YouTube: www.youtube.com/amfam.

Policies are underwritten by Midvale Indemnity Company, an affiliate of American Family Mutual Insurance Company, 6000 American Parkway, Madison WI 53783.

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Auto Insurance Quote Website Expands Price Generation for Consumers Online

Detroit, MI (PRWEB) June 06, 2014

Car owners who actively search for different prices for vehicle insurance throughout North America can now benefit from expanded price generation tools set up at the Quotes Pros website. This auto insurance quote website now provides expanded local and national rates at http://quotespros.com/auto-insurance.html.

One key advantage for motor vehicle owners using this automobile insurance quote system is the privacy during exploration. Unlike calling companies directly and providing driver data, car owners enter zip code data to find state or nationwide agency costs. This is now offered as one of the quickest forms of car insurance reviews this year.

"The private systems that we maintain for vehicle insurance on the Internet are open to any user and provide exact rates that are normally obtained by phone calls," said a Quotes Pros rep.

The consumer-friendly designed system has been completed this year to open up new ways to research offerings of different agencies on the website. The Quotes Pros website is linked with top companies to easily generate prices and markdowns for standard or complex car insurance plans.

"Exploring automobile insurance quotations through our website is a form of research provided to any vehicle owner with Internet or mobile phone connections," the Quotes Pros rep added.

The Quotes Pros company has extended the packages for insurance that are easily viewable and quotable online this year. Instead of specific car insurance costs, rates for life insurance and other types of packages are fully quoted at http://quotespros.com/life-insurance.html.

About QuotesPros.com

The QuotesPros.com company is a national independent resource for vehicle insurance pricing on the Internet. This company features hundreds of separate companies providing discounts and incentives for coverage plans underwritten in North America. The QuotesPros.com company is a dedicated portal for evaluating annual costs and monthly premiums for different coverage plans. Providers of health, medical, renters, business, life and vehicle insurance are part of the agencies now available for quotes.

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You deserve to be rewarded for safe driving

Botsford & Main Insurance Brokers Inc. 7-17075 Leslie St Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 8E1 1-877-633-4815

Newmarket Era

If you take driving safely seriously, your auto insurance policy should too.

Insurance brokers offer a range of discounts to reward clean driving records and years of experience on the road. In this article we’ll run through some of the discounts available for drivers. When you’re shopping for insurance, make sure you ask your broker which discounts you may qualify for.

A clean driving record really does go a long way when it comes to savings. If you have no convictions and are claim free, you should be eligible for discounts. Your years of experience can also work in your favour, and mature policyholder discounts reward those who have proven themselves to be safe drivers over time.

Look for discounts offered to drivers who take additional safety precautions on the road, such as by driving with winter tires or installing anti-theft devices.

Further savings can be had if you sign on for multiple policies, for example by insuring both your property and car with the same broker, or by insuring multiple vehicles.

If you have children attending university, make sure you also inquire about student away at school discounts.

Ultimately, a good insurance broker will be able to help you sort through the fine print of auto insurance policies and will know what questions ask in order to find the right policy for you and the discounts you are eligible for.

If you’re looking for auto insurance, Botsford & Main Insurance Brokers believes you should be rewarded for your years of experience and safe driving. Contact them at +1 (877) 633-4815 or via e-mail at support@botsfordmain.com for an insurance quote or to inquire about discounts you may be eligible for. You can also visit them online at www.botsfordmain.com.

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Your great driving record should work for you

Botsford & Main Insurance Brokers Inc. 7-17075 Leslie St Newmarket, Ontario L3Y 8E1 1-877-633-4815

Newmarket Era

Whether you’ve been on the road for years or you’ve recently passed your road test, a clean record should work in your favour when shopping for auto insurance. Many insurance companies offer discounts to drivers who’ve never been in an accident and it’s important to be aware of the deductions you may be  eligible for before you look for insurance.

In addition to discounts, a bit of background knowledge can go a long way when shopping for a policy. First things first, insuring your vehicle will mean selecting one of three main categories of coverage. In Canada, all vehicles must have liability insurance to protect the driver should they cause injury or property damage to a third party while driving.

Most drivers will have to choose between collision and comprehensive insurance. Collision coverage insures a vehicle against damage in an accident. It’s a good option if the value of your vehicle is not great, and if replacing it on your own in the event of theft is an option. As the name suggests, comprehensive plans go beyond coverage in an accident, also insuring vehicles from theft and vandalism.

Auto insurance policies vary quite a bit from one insurance company to the next, so make sure to look out for particular features that may be important to you, like emergency roadside assistance in an accident or backup transportation while your vehicle is being repaired.

If you’re looking to purchase auto insurance, Botsford & Main Insurance Brokers believes you should be rewarded for your safe driving record. Contact them at +1 (877) 633-4815 or via e-mail at support@botsfordmain.com for an insurance quote or to inquire about discounts you may be eligible for. You can also visit them online at www.botsfordmain.com.

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Travelex Introduces Booksmart: a Travel Insurance Enrollment & Marketing Tool

OMAHA, NE--(Marketwired - Jun 3, 2014) - Travelex Insurance Services has updated their online booking application, 'booksmart,' which makes offering travel insurance easier, faster and more efficient for travel agents.

With booksmart, agents can quickly compare Travelex plans, establish quotes and enroll their clients in a Travelex protection plan directly from their desktop without toggling between websites. A proprietary auto-email marketing tool, Smart Reminders has also been incorporated into the new booksmart. Smart Reminders are strategically timed emails which remind clients to purchase travel insurance prior to their departure date.

Booksmart helps travel agents:

• Compare Travelex plans, generate quotes and enroll clients in a plan all within the booksmart application.
• Booksmart automatically transfers client and trip data from the agent's GDS or ClientBase system into booksmart, saving agents valuable time.
• Booksmart's Smart Reminders allow agents to automatically schedule a series of reminder emails, encouraging clients to enroll in a Travelex insurance plan, increasing their agency revenue.

Travel agents are already seeing the benefits of booksmart.

"I am very satisfied with Travelex's booksmart application," explained Dave Mellon, a travel advisor with Gateway Travel. "It's the only third party insurance company I work with. The quoting option is also nice and it appears to take less 'clicks' to enroll a policy. I find booksmart has made the process of booking travel protection easier."

In a fast-paced world, having a self-contained application is another notable plus for booksmart users. A travel agent can manage all their Travelex insurance offerings from quote to enrollment in one application. Additionally, with Smart Reminders, if their client does not purchase insurance when they initially book their trip, the agent can rest assured that their client will be reminded to purchase insurance before they depart on their trip.

About Travelex Insurance Services: Travelex Insurance Services, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is a leading travel insurance provider in the United States. The company was founded in 1996 when the Travelex Group purchased the travel insurance distribution services of the Mutual of Omaha Companies. Travelex delivers a wide range of travel protection plans through travel agencies and tour operators, in major airports and online at www.travelexinsurance.com.

About the Travelex Group: Travelex is the world's largest foreign exchange and business payments specialist. The group is also one of the world's leading providers of outsourced travel money to banks, travel agencies and other financial institutions. The group serves businesses and individual travelers through nearly 700 banks, stores, malls and airports in four regions: the Americas; United Kingdom; Europe, Middle East and Africa; and Asia Pacific. For more information, visit www.travelex.com

• Airline Industry
• Finance
• travel insurance
• travel agents
• Travelex

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Regulating replacement insurance: good news for consumers

LONGUEUIL, QC, June 2, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - In a recent article, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) announced plans to regulate the sale and purchase of replacement insurance. In the RCCAQ's view, this decision marks a major step forward in efforts to denounce illegal business practices in which some auto dealers take part and to protect consumers' interests.

Efforts are paying off

The AMF's message comes through loud and clear. In the May 12 issue of Journal de l'assurance, the AMF publicly acknowledged what the RCCAQ has been saying all along: replacement insurance is a useful optional policy that meets a real consumer need. When this product is sold, however, improper and unregulated practices could have a negative impact on the marketing process.

"Over the past two years, we have submitted evidence to the AMF detailing illegal practices engaged in by certain auto dealers who have been taking advantage of consumers' ignorance about this product," said RCCAQ chairman Jean Bilodeau. "Our efforts are now starting to pay off." The RCCAQ has long taken the position that the sale of replacement insurance should be properly regulated.

Disturbing findings

The article in question ("Les dossiers chauds") includes a number of disturbing findings that have raised questions at the AMF, including the fact that 50%-70% of the premiums paid by consumers makes its way back to auto dealers in the form of commissions and that nearly 90% of consumers who replace vehicles after a write-off do so with the same dealer, even though they have the option of taking their business elsewhere. Mr. Bilodeau adds: "It's clear that consumers pay an average of 60% more when doing business with a dealer than they would with a broker. If they aren't extremely careful when signing their policy, they might end up having to replace their vehicle at the same dealership."

The AMF also noted that certain distributors are acting as if they were certified professionals (which brokers are). Unfortunately, many consumers are unaware that auto dealers are not authorized to collect their personal information when providing an insurance quote or when offering advice. That's why the AMF intends to ensure that the regulations are clearly understood by all stakeholders and, at the same, time, are aimed squarely at enforcing the related provisions, as they should be.

Brokers: watching over clients' interests

Meanwhile, the RCCAQ continues its outreach with the AMF by denouncing illegal business practices that are at odds with consumers' interests. Brokers will ensure that clients receive all the information they need to make a wise choice. Consumers know that replacement insurance will cost less with a broker, although they are free to do business with whichever dealer they choose.

Brief reminder

When buying a new vehicle, there are two ways to protect yourself against a partial or total loss: "replacement" insurance and "replacement value" insurance. Replacement insurance (QPF #5) is an additional policy, while a replacement value endorsement (43 A-E) is a rider to an auto insurance policy (QPF #1). Both products are available from your broker, who has the required expertise to explain their respective advantages. In contrast, auto dealers are not certified insurance professionals and thus cannot sell auto insurance (QPF #1), nor can they advise clients on related coverage. In addition, they are authorized to sell replacement insurance only.

About the RCCAQ

The RCCAQ is a professional association that seeks to promote and defend the socioeconomic interests of its members. It represents more than 4,200 brokers based in some 600 firms and branch offices in all regions of Quebec.

SOURCE Regroupement des cabinets de courtage d'assurance du Québec

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