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6/09/2008

Car Insurance Groups Explained in Detail

Car Insurance Groups Explained in Detail
by Adrian Kelly

If you've never considered the car insurance group of your next vehicle you may be losing serious money. Discover how to drastically reduce your motoring costs by knowing how they work. If you have your own car you will want to save as much money as possible on your car insurance premiums. There are many factors that can affect how much you are likely to pay for insurance and your car insurance group rating is one of the major considerations.
This year sees the migration of the traditional ratings to a much broader system. Instead of the groups being based from one to twenty they will now be based on a system from one to fifty. The reason for the change is because of the ever growing choice list of cars now available on the market.
How are Car Insurance Groups Calculated?
Understanding how the car insurance groups are calculated can help you with an informed decision when it comes to choosing your next vehicle. When a new car comes onto the market it is given a car insurance group rating depending on a number of factors.
For many years most new cars fell into an insurance group which was rated from one to twenty. A group one vehicle is seen as the lowest risk and the group 20 the highest.
A group one car, such as a very small petrol car, would be the cheapest to insure and a group 20 vehicle would be a prestige vehicle costing potentially thousands to cover.
Who Calculates the Groups?
The groups are decided by the Insurance Group Rating Panel. The panel is made up of members of the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and Lloyds Market Association (LMA). Around seventy per cent of the information used by the panel to assign a rating is based on research by the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre - (Thatcham).
The panel usually meets monthly to recommend an insurance group for each new UK specification passenger car.
What Affects the Insurance Group of a Car?
According to the Association of British Insurers, the cost of motor vehicle repairs accounts for over half of all the money paid out in motor insurance claims. This is the main reason why repair costs feature strongly in how the groups are defined.
The insurance group for a UK specification car will take into consideration the following factors:
1.The cost of a new car 2.The repair costs to a vehicle, including parts and labour, after a standard crash tests performed by the research association 3.The performance of a vehicle (0-62 timings etc.) Acceleration and top speed are important factors. 4.The costs of a body shell replacement because they are essential for certain accidental damage repairs. 5.Car security is also a major factor. Standard alarm systems as well as shielded locks provided by manufacturers can help reduce insurance claim amounts.
Security in detail:
E - Exceeds the security requirement for the insurance group A - Acceptable. The car meets the standard requirements. P - Provisional - Not enough data when the model was launched. U - Unacceptable. The security of this vehicle is significantly below the requirements and could result in a security upgrade.
In summary, with motoring costs rising almost on a monthly basis, it may be wise to use the car insurance group of a vehicle as an indicator of future costs.

Thank you : http://www.goarticles.com/

4/08/2008

Home Improvement Loans : Convert Your House into a Dream Home

Home Improvement Loans: Convert Your House into a Dream Home
By: Gracy

Pulling out a loan is a well-liked and trouble free method of expanding your home; whether you want to add an annex to your existing home, renovate a room for a diverse use, or set up a new kitchen, loans are on hand in the UK financial souk to suit the purpose. Not only these loans let you make modifications and enhancements to your home, but it can also raise the value of your house. The increase in value of your house may be more than the initial cost of the expansion or enhancement you include.
Study illustrates that home purchasers in the UK are able to pay considerable premiums for revamped properties. Adding unique features can certainly rise up the deal price of your home.
Home improvement loans can be utilised to put in more worth to your existing piece of real estate in various different methods. First, and the most noticeably, customers prefer the ready to move houses. They want to step into pre-furnished houses in comparison to the properties entailing investment or renovation. Older properties can gain a lot of market value by reconstruction. Putting in a new hall or double-glazing an old house to save on power bills can be an advantage, when you are selling your property in the market. Buyers also feel affection for unique features like solarium, wings, and duplex conversions, and these features amplify your house value a lot and make it a much more attractive vista in a jam-packed real estate market.
The first concern when getting a competitive homeowner loan for redecoration purpose is, obviously, the loan interest rate itself. The interest rate may differ depending on your monetary status, the sum being sought and the period in which you want to repay your loan amount. It's worth looking more or less at the offers from numerous loan lending institutions. The Internet is a helpful means in this regard, permitting you to evaluate prices at a glimpse and cutting back a lot of time and wealth. By contrasting at various lending companies, you will rapidly get a thought of which deals are competitive and which are not. So, it is always a good step to shopping around in order to find a perfect loan deal, as the particulars can fluctuate more than you might imagine. You can also consider unsecured loans for home improvement.
You should look further than the interest rate available on offer and verify the small print to avail a low-interest rate Home improvement loan. In particular, things that you should consider comprise the alternatives and penalty for early repayment, penalties for missed payments and the information on any insurance scheme which you may desire to take to cover on your settlements in case of any misfortunes, illness or demise. All of these aspects positively make your loan deal economical and reasonable.
Article Source: http://www.1articleworld.com

Car Buyers Urged To Seek Best Loans

Car Buyers Urged To Seek Best Loans
By: Mark Dawson

Increasing numbers of insurance firms and other personal finance bodies are warning consumers not to let their desire for a new car cloud their sense of value.
With less than a fortnight remaining until the release of the new 08 number plates across the UK, many motorheads are sure to be checking their wallets to see if they can splash out on a new vehicle. However, regardless of whether the dream purchase is a hotrod or simply a reliable runaround, consumers are being advised to look for the best low rate loans available to fund the deal.
According to insurer esure, considering how to finance the exchange when splashing out on a new car is "way down the list of motorists' priorities". It claims that while one in six (15 per cent) consumers spend a significant number of hours turning the pages of car magazines and researching on the internet to establish which car they want to buy, as many as one in three spend less than an hour considering how they intend to support the purchase. Additionally, many do not understand the lingo involved, with more than nine in ten (92 per cent) unable to define lease purchase - an industry term for forecourt finance. Many commentators have asserted that low rate loans are a more cost efficient way of dealing with the financial outlay of buying a car.
Insurer esure also observes that the price of a vehicle is not always as concrete as it might appear when first venturing on to the forecourt. "The price tag on a new car is never fixed in stone and haggling could potentially result in savings of hundreds of pounds, yet only two thirds of Brits (65 per cent) would negotiate or bargain on the price of the new car," the company states. "Surprisingly, Brits are more likely to negotiate at a car boot sale to save their pennies (78 per cent) rather than on a car forecourt to save their pounds."
Price comparisons site moneysupermarket has also added its voice to those warning against forecourt finance. It suggests that those looking to buy a new car but failing to seek out the best low-rate loans could fritter away almost 1,000 pounds on interest payments alone. Furthermore, it estimates that, should the expected 425,000 new cars being purchased next month involve forecourt finance, a total of 402 million pounds in extra interest could be shelled out by the buyers. Tim Moss, head of loans at moneysupermarket, said: "It is vital to shop around for the best deal to finance your new car to help you avoid paying over the odds."
Low-rate loans are not only useful for covering the costs of an initial purchase, however. According to figures published last year by price comparisons service uSwitch, young drivers could also find that their premium costs have a significant impact upon their financial situation. Furthermore, any convictions accrued could cause their premiums to soar by as much as 55 per cent, at which point a low-rate loan might be a convenient way of spreading the burden.
Article Source: http://www.1articleworld.com

3/06/2008

AFFORDABLE HOME INSURANCE

Affordable Home Insurance -- More Ways To Make Massive Savings Without Hurting Yourself
By: Chimezirim Chinecherem Odimba

Affordable home insurance: This article is about other things you can do to get lower rates. Here they are with a precaution you mustn't fail to note...
1. Do regular checks on your plumbing and upgrade once it becomes necessary. Reports show that water damage is the most common claim on a homeowner's policy. Therefore, things that lower your risk of water damage will lower your home insurance rate. Let your agent know if you've improved your plumbing.
2. Check an insurer's rating and do NOT be deceived by just cheap premiums. Few things can be worse than realizing that made payments diligently to the wrong insurance provider only when you make a claim. It doesn't take much time to find out from your state's department of insurance's website. Check if your preferred insurer is licensed to offer home insurance in your state.
Independent bodies like BBB, A.M Best Company, Standard & Poor's Insurance Rating Services, Moody's Investor Services, Inc. will also help you determine if an insurer is worth it.
3. If your home's landscaping is done properly it will help bring down your rates. Things like potholes raise the chances of injuries that could result in liability claims. So if you want to lower your premiums make sure you have done your landscaping properly. And if you haven't and plan to do it, talk with your insurance agent so you'll know the right things to do in your landscaping to make sure you get the highest discounts possible with your insurance provider.
4. If you strengthen your roof you'll receive cheaper home insurance premiums. Take serious note of this if you live in the East where high winds are more prevalent. Your agent should be able to state things you can do if you want a discount this way.
5. You can lower your home insurance costs by obtaining and evaluating quotes from at least five good insurance quotes sites.
Article Source: http://www.1articleworld.com

MAKE CAR INSURANCE EASY WITH ONLINE QUOTES

Make Car Insurance Easy With Online Quotes
By: David Kowalczyk

The easiest and the surest way to save money is to get the free online car insurance quotes. What can be more advantageous than to sip the hot espresso and find the most beneficial car insurance quote online and within minutes crack a best deal for yourself. Welcome to the world of online car insurance quotes.
It is never easy to find a right insurance quote for your car. Infact it can prove to be a real pain in the neck when you actually search for one. For choosing a right car insurance quote you have to gather complete information on the company and the procedures and then you contact the companies insurance agent to get your quote.
Actually the work just starts from here. You need to prepare all the necessary documents by yourself which is time consuming and if you are looking for quotes from more than one company then you have to devote more time to the actual process. That means depending on what schedule you follow your car insurance can take weeks to realize.
That is where online car insurance quotes come to your rescue. It's the easiest way for the job. With the online car insurance quotes you can get multiple quotes at once so that you can decide on the most beneficial.
What you need to do is to keep the complete information ready with you, gather all the information you will need to get the free quote. Information like driver's license, vehicle registration no., vehicle model and make and discountable features in your vehicle like Anti-theft Devices, Airbags, Anti-Lock Brakes, Automatic Seat Belts, Window Etching, Multiple Car Discount, Multiple Policy Discount etc.
Once you are ready with the information it is time to check out the free online car insurance quotes.
There are many insurance companies which can offer you a free online insurance quote. It is the most hassle free experience of getting the quotes where you can actually compare the quotes offered by various companies and tat too within minutes. You can also make yourself familiar with the different lingo's and can go through the FAQ's of the site.
Till the time you get your quote you are well aware fo the discounts which you can get and end up with a really competitive quote. There are many online services wherein you can not only get the quote but your policy is completed online and delivered to you at your doorsteps.
There are many websites which offer free online car insurance quotes and the best part is you can get the free online quotes from various insurance companies at once. No need to contact them individually.
These sites may help you to find the most discounted insurance quote and that too free. Some recommended websites offering the services are carinsurance.com, geico.com, lucentnetcare.com, insureme.com, insurance.com, etc. Generally the registration with such websites is quite simple and you can complete it in no matter of time by providing some essential details. The best part of such online quote providers is that you can get several quote in no matter of time. This ensures that you find the best deal which definitely would save you money.
Article Source: http://www.1articleworld.com

3/03/2008

INSURANCE AT A GLANCE

Insurance at a Glance
By shijina seo [ 28/02/2008 ]

Reason to own a long term care insurance is to offer help when you need to do the daily living activities such as bathing and eating. Or sometimes you need some help and assistance when you have a cognitive impairment. There are some people who need care from nurses as they might be suffering from severe diseases. Long term can be obtained if you are cared by a nursing home or taken care by a living facility or at home. One might need a long term care anytime no matter how old are you are. Senior citizens are the one who often needs long term care. Younger and middle aged people rarely need this kind of insurance. Long term care can be quite expensive; on an average a year staying at a semi private room in a nursing home will costs about nearly $58,000, this is an estimated annual cost in the year 2005. In certain parts of the country, this might even cost much more!
Home care is considered to be less expensive than nursing home. Home care basically includes full time or part time nursing care. Getting such services or assistance at your house is 3 times a week to assist with work such as dressing, preparing meals, etc, that will cost you $1,000 or more per month. Long term care insurance will guard you from such high costs care. Many long term care policies give a preset dollar amount that will differ from as little as $40 per day to more than $200 per day. Everyday benefits for at-home care is about half of the benefits for nursing home care. To get the lowest rates, you need to apply earlier rather than later for long term care health insurance. Your medical conditions and age will affect your eligibility for the coverage and how much the premium will cost. Recently some changes in Federal law might allow you to take certain income tax deductions for long term care operating costs and insurance premiums. Apart from this, some States in US might give you a slight deduction or credit towards the State income taxes for these expenses.
Usually the annual rate of increase in the cost of long term care services that has risen rapidly when compared for other services for consumer. This means the advantages you get now might not be enough to cover the higher expenditures in future. You may choose a plan that has an inflation adjustment feature which will protected you against the rise in long term care expenses over sometime, until you need the services. Long term care health insurance might be given where you work, or you can be eligible for this through a fraternal group, union or an organization that you belong to. Additionally many life insurance companies directly provide long term care insurance for consumers.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

2/12/2008

11 Essential Tips Regarding Motor Cycle Insurance

11 Essential Tips Regarding Motor Cycle Insurance
by: Timothy Rudon

Motorcycle insurance protects you from many risks. Leading insurance companies offer a great many choices for motorcycle insurance and owners can decide whether they want minimum coverage or comprehensive coverage. Insuring a motorcycle protects the owners from theft, vandalism, accidents, and more. Motorcycle insurance can be bought online or offline from leading Insurance companies.

1. Before setting out to buy motorcycle insurance it is important to know what insurance companies base their premiums on. Surf the internet and read up on motorcycle insurance essentials.

2. If the bike is branded and comes from a reliable manufacturer, then the premiums cost less. Insurance companies compute costs of repair when setting premiums. It is advisable to enquire about insurance before buying a bike.

3. Buy a policy that covers: Liability, collision, no-fault, service coverage, uninsured coverage, passenger coverage, bodily injury coverage, theft, medical coverage, and so on.

4. Use online insurance tools to get at least three quotes for different insurance companies. Always compare insurance coverage and quotes.

5. Find out about multiple policy discounts. If you have a home or car insured and are known as a reliable risk by the insurance company they will cover the motorcycle at a discount. Ask about multiple policy discounts.

6. Follow all maintenance and safety regulations and the premiums on your motorcycle will be much lower.

7. Learn all about capping your mileage. Insurers offer great discounts to people who use their bikes sparingly.

8. Surf the internet for great discount offers on insurance and read up the latest laws and news on motorcycle insurance. This will help you lower insurance costs greatly.

9. Try and ride the motorcycle safety and take good care of wear and tear. No claims means much lowered premiums and great savings for you.

10. Factors that effect insurance premiums are: your age, make of bike, where you live, your driving record and so on. So if you reside in what is considered a safe locality then your insurance premium for the motorcycle will be reduced considerably; find out what affects premium rates and do your best to follow recommendations like safe storage of bike, no riding in winter and so on.

11. Taking DMV or special motorcycle training can get you a better insurance deal. Learn how to save by taking the required classes. Great savings on motorcycle insurance can be made by following rules, being a responsible citizen and having lower risk factors. Learn about motorcycle riding safety, rules, laws, and more from the “Motorcycle safety Foundation,”

at http://msf-usa.org/ .

About The Author
Timothy Rudon is a writer for
http://www.1855motorcycleinsurance.com

2/05/2008

Home Insurance : Get Your Happy Home Protected

Home Insurance : Get Your Happy Home Protected
By Smith James

After long days of tiring work and careful saving, when you buy a home, you certainly feel a kind of satisfaction. At last, you have got a roof over your head that you can all your own. You can live in it peacefully with your family or friends; no hassle from dealing with the homeowner and no wasting money on rent. So, you have a precious possession under your disposal. Then keep it out of any risk by taking home insurance.

A home and its contents remain under various types of risk. The building may be damaged by earthquakes, floods, cyclones or even by manmade disaster like bomb blast etc. So, it befits that you keep the home protected against all such kind of unpredictable mishap. And there is nothing better than a home insurance deal to do this work for you. It will ensure that if your home is damaged, you will get a compensation to cover the financial loss.


It is not the building of a home that is only under the risk of being damaged thereby causing some financial loss to the owner. The contents of the home also remain under the risk of getting damaged or being stolen. So, it is necessary that homeowners keep it in mind that the home insurance policies they buy cover the contents in it. This brings another important matter to the fore.
All the homeowners do not live in their home and all the people who live in a home do not own it. So, home insurance policies should be bought as per the necessity of the buyers. Homeowners who live in their own home should insure both the building and the contents. On the other hand, homeowners who do not live in their home should insure the building only. Likewise, the tenants should insure only the contents in a home.


About the author:The author is an expert in home insurance, home insurance, car insurance, van insurance, online insurance and has written a number of authoritative articles on this subject. His articles are widely read because of the clever tips and valuable advices he provides in them.
Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

Cheap Car Insurance : A Service Cut Out For Middle Class

Cheap Car Insurance : A Service Cut Out For Middle Class
By Allan Elvin

One of the vehicles that is liked world ever are cars. Those supremely useful machines that prove their utility on not one but several fronts. For starters they relieve one from the troubles of commuting. Once you own a car you get rid of the irritation of waiting long hours for bus or a taxi. The jostling that you have to do with fellow passengers for seat also becomes a thing of history. The cars also contribute hugely in elevating one's status in society immensely. However, there is one dark side of cars as well, their price. Indeed, for a majority part of society cars are still a commodity that can only be purchased after taking loans. Imaging the plight of all such people who have to shell out an exorbitant amount for the repair of the car. It is to help all such people that cheap car insurance was introduced. It relieves people from spending a single penny on the repair of their car as insurance companies do that for their clients.


In today's age of rising prices any such unplanned expenses can very well throw the smooth functioning of any household out of gear. It is here that such a service comes to play and ensures that people don't suffer on financial grounds.
However, to ensure that cheap car insurance serves its purpose nicely it is advised that people take care of certain points. For example they must ensure that the policy comes to life as soon as it is signed. Then it should also be ensured that the car is priced fairly. People should also ensure that there is no default on monthly premiums as well as the fact that no wrong information is provided to the insurance company.


Precautions like these would go a long way in ensuring that cheap car insurance goes a long way in providing that ultimate security cover for cars.
About the author:Allan Elvin is an MBA in Finance and has a rich experience of writing on topics related to finance. He professes special interest and expertise in cheap car insurance and in guiding you on its various details.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com

1/29/2008

Internet TV, the next revolution

Internet TV, the next revolution?
By: Arthur Swat

Few months ago I started to hear about Internet TV. Internet TV was a new way to watch TV shows and TV programs directly on your computer. I am not talking about recorded TV shows but LIVE TV! This will truly change the way I was watching TV. I could watch French, Russian and Japanese channels directly on my computer! The first thing that worried me was: is it legal? And the answer is yes! Most of the TV channels and programs you see are broadcasted directly by the TV stations themselves. This is not like downloading movies from peer-to-peer networks. With the authorities tracking illegal downloads and suing those peer-to-peer users, I though it was the perfect time to look for something completely legal. Enter the online TV or Internet TV. And unlike cable or Satellite TV you don’t have to pay a monthly fee. You usually need to pay a low one time fee (from $30 and up to $100). But how do you start? What you need to do is to find the service that meets your needs. Do you watch sports, TV shows, foreign channels or adult movies? Based on your answer there are different package you can choose from. www.SatOnlineTV.com offers reviews of the different offers and let you pick the right one. This website has the most comprehensive reviews of Internet TV packages on the market. For each package there is a review, a scale for ease of use, content, picture quality and price. Also for each package you can quickly find the program highlights. I’ve read somewhere that www.SatOnlineTV.com is working to add more Internet TV reviews as they become available. I bought Satellite TV for PC the titanium edition and I am really happy with this package. As a first step before buying an internet TV package make sure you check http://www.SatOnlineTV.com. On a next article I’ll detail each available Internet TV package.
Article Source: http://www.1articleworld.com

1/24/2008

Car Insurance

Car Insurance - There is something for everyone
By: Smith James

The insurance companies in UK have come up with different car insurance plans for different categories of drivers on the English streets. There are 2 main ideas behind having different plans for different kinds of drivers - one, every category of drivers have a style of driving common to the category; and second, they usually drive a particular type of car. Let me illustrate the two points.
Every category of drivers have a style typical to all or most of the drivers in that segment. For example, young men usually display their need for speed. At the same time they are cautious about bumping into other vehicles on the road. Most of the people in the same age bracket would display similar driving styles and that is why the kind of accidents they meet with are usually similar in nature.
Now, let us come to the second reason - similar cars. Men and women, who are working executives in different organisations, are also people with family. Therefore they would drive family cars. The family cars can be further divided into the small cars and the 3 box cars. Then we also take the age factor in it, as discussed in the point above. Young adults have a particular style, while more mature people display a different one.
All these factors are taken into consideration for the simple reason that the kind of accidents they meet are of different nature. And therefore the need for insurance also varies. The benefits each of them would want to derive from their car insurance plan are different from one another. Hence, the plans should be so designed so that there is a plan for every category of drivers.
The best way to find out which car insurance plan suit you the best, is by looking them up in a good comparison web site. There are quite a few good and unbiased insurance comparison sites available through World Wide Web. You can search them and select one that suits you and your car.
Article Source: http://www.1articleworld.com

1/22/2008

Tips on Buying and Using LED Light Bulbs


Tips on Buying and Using LED Light Bulbs เพิ่มรูปภาพby: Joseph Reis

Green is good, and right now, energy efficient lighting is all the rage. With the looming phase-out of old-fashioned incandescent light bulbs in many developed countries, people are faced with choosing between a handful energy efficient forms of lighting – compact fluorescents (CFL) and light emitting diodes (LED). This article will help you make good decisions when buying residential LED light bulbs.
CFLs are good for now, but…
You have likely already adopted energy efficient compact fluorescents (CFL) as part of your effort to reduce your carbon footprint. While CFLs are energy efficient, they have drawbacks such as mercury and relatively short lifespan. Also, CFLs are not available in sizes that replace track light bulbs, such as MR16 and GU10. It is unlikely that CFLs will be available in these sizes.
CFLs have made giant inroads over the last couple of years. The low cost and high energy efficiency of CFLs have made them favorites with people replacing incandescent lights. According to the Energy Information Administration, a government agency, 9% of a household’s energy costs are related to lighting. People are genuinely concerned with lowering their energy consumption, and lighting is one of the easiest things a person can improve on. With worldwide support from mass-market retailers, governments, and citizens, energy efficient lighting is seeing a new dawn. While CFLs provide a good combination of efficiency and cost, there is an even better option on the horizon – LED light bulbs.
Introducing the next generation of ultra energy efficient light bulbs – LEDs
LED light bulbs are semiconductors, just like the chips in your computer. These semiconductors emit energy in the form of photons of light. LEDs have come a very long way since they were invented in the 1960s. You have seen LED lamps for decades in the form of indicator lights on electronic products. Now, these LED lamps light bulbs have evolved to the point produce enough light for household and commercial applications. LEDs are extremely energy efficient, and have lifetimes ranging from 50,000 hours to 100,000 hours. LED light bulbs are the perfect complement to your collection energy efficient lighting products.
Tips for Buying LEDs
There are several varieties of residential LED light bulbs on the market. Presently, LEDs best replace track lighting and flood lights, both of which take advantage of the directional nature of LED light. Below are some tips for buying LED light bulbs.
• The Basics
You want to find an LED bulb that produces a healthy amount of light, but at the lowest possible power consumption. A good metric that equalizes your search is “lumens per watt”. To derive this figure, simply divide the bulb’s number of watts into the number of lumens. Right now, a good LED bulb should have at least 40 lumens per watt, but preferably more.
The question is often asked about comparisons between normal light bulbs and LEDs. Here are some examples to guide you:
5-watt, 3 high power CREE LED, MR16 ~ 25-watt MR16 Halogen 5-watt, 3 high power CREE LED, E27 spot ~ 30-watt E27 spot Halogen 6-watt, 165 traditional LEDs, PAR38, ~ 50-watt PAR38 incandescent
• Lifetime of Bulb
Many manufacturers of LED bulbs claim lifetimes of 50,000 hours to 100,000 hours. The lifetime of an LED lamp is generally considered to be the point where the light output has declined to 70% of it’s initial output, measured in lumens. So, a 300 lumen LED bulb with a lifespan of 50,000 hours will have 210 lumens at the end of it’s lifetime. However, the lifetime of a bulb does not mean it is unusable, only that it’s light output has degraded to a certain point. The LED bulb may continue to be useful for several thousand hours past it’s stated lifetime. Unlike old-fashioned light bulbs, it is extremely rare for an LED light to simply burn out. Rather, it will gradually fade over time.
• Color
As a general rule, you should use warmer light indoors, and whiter light outdoors. A color temperature of 2500-4000 Kelvin works great indoors. You should use a bulb with a color temperature of 5000-7000 Kelvin outdoors, as the whiter light allows your eyes to see better at night.
White light in the 5000-7000 Kelvin range is also excellent for display cases, boutiques, artwork, or other settings where you need excellent color rendition.
• Type of LED lamp
LED light bulbs use one or more tiny semiconductor lamps to produce very focused light. Contrast this with normal light bulbs that generate light in all directions. LED lamps are currently available in two forms: traditional LEDs (typically 5mm), which are smaller, and high power LEDs. Light bulbs using traditional LEDs require a large number of LED lamps to produce sufficient light, whereas high power LED bulbs use one or more lamps to generate light.
In general, the more LEDs, the better the light dispersion. Always get LED bulbs with more than one LED. You will find that single LED bulbs produce a very conspicuous outline, similar to a halo. Unless you enjoy halos across your walls, it’s better to buy light bulbs with multiple LEDs.
Here are some common track light and flood light bulb types, and suggestions for the LED arrangements:
For track bulbs such as MR-type and GU-type, try to get bulbs with 3 high power LED lamps (preferably using CREE or Nichia lamps). Avoid buying track bulbs using an array of traditional LED lamps, as these are not as effective as high power lamps.
For flood light bulbs, such as PAR-type, you can find reasonably priced traditional LED arrangements. High-power LED flood lights produce good light, but are also very expensive. In my experience, a PAR bulb using 120 or more traditional LED lamps works just as good, at a fraction of the price.
• Cost and energy savings
LED bulbs have a higher upfront cost, but they pay for themselves several times over their lifetime. Because LEDs have lower power consumption and a very long lifetime, they are very energy efficient. Let’s take an example of a $45, 5-watt, 50,000 hour MR16 LED bulb. Let’s assume a constant electricity cost of $0.10 per kilowatt hour, and a 0.61 electrical grid CO2 output factor. Compared with a similar $8, 25-watt halogen MR16 bulb, the LED will save $255 and reduce carbon emissions by 1,345 pounds. Not bad for a light bulb.
As energy costs continue to rise, the cost savings and carbon reduction from using LEDs will become far more pronounced.
Buyer beware – LEDs cannot replace general illumination bulbs (yet)
Right now, there are plenty of options for LED light bulbs. And that’s a bit of a problem. Several sellers of LED bulbs claim their bulbs are powerful enough to replace general illumination bulbs such as incandescent and CFL. This is simply untrue. Many of these “replacement” bulbs cost nearly $100 and use over 10 watts of power. You are much better off using a $3.00, 10-watt CFL for now. However, keep an eye out for LED general illumination bulbs over the next few years, as they will become very competitive with normal light bulbs.
Start today with LEDs
As LED technology rapidly advances, you will see them replace all other forms of light bulbs, including CFLs. If you have track lights or flood lights, you can begin incorporating LED light bulbs right away. Remember, now is the time to take steps to save energy and money. Your wallet and the planet will both thank you.

About The Author
Joseph Reis is co-founder of Lumoform and TheBestLEDs.com, based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Lumoform is the premier manufacturer of LED light bulbs. For more information, please visit
http://lumoform.com and http://thebestleds.com

1/21/2008

Long Term Care Insurance

Long Term Care Insurance
By: Robert Lawrence

Most young people ignore the fact that they will grow old one day. It is the wise ones who not only think about it but also provide for their future. Statistics show us that almost one out of two Americans require long term care when they grow old. Due to immobility and illness people become dependant on families and institutions to carry out normal daily activities such as dressing and bathing.
Long-term care refers to a system where this can be taken care of in your own home, a hospital, a home center or an assisted living facility. It could be a reality to many who have led a strong and active life earlier. This is why its importance is growing each day. Most Medicare programs and State Medicaid programs do not provide the necessary facilities for payment. Some only cater to those who fall below the poverty line. Therefore, it is prudent to consider applying for a Long Term Care Insurance policy early in life.
If you have worked all your life and have made a substantial saving, then perhaps you can fund your own long-term care. Unfortunately, not everyone is so lucky and therefore long-term care insurance is very vital to secure a safe future especially for those who have a history of health problem in the family.
Like for any other policy, it is best that you know all the details prior to buying one. Often times, people forget that premiums for life insurance policies increase over time. This makes it difficult to pay especially when there is no enhancement of the financial situation. Thus, policies are cancelled when they are needed most because policyholders cannot continue to pay high premiums. It is easy to get drawn into buying a policy because market savvy sales executives make it sound so easy. But, it is up to the individual and insurance advisors to properly instruct prospective customers.
One sure way of protecting yourself is to be sure of all the terms and conditions given in the long term care insurance policy document. If the insurance sector is not your cup of tea; you could hire an agent or a broker who will act on your behalf. They will be experts on quotes, claims, processes and other issues. You need to also be careful on selecting the right broker at the right cost. Long-term care insurance not only provides security for you, but for the entire family. So you can take their advice before buying a policy. Remember, to choose an insurance company that is reputable and trustworthy. You can take it for granted that sales people will only state the benefits of a policy. They will not tell you the flip side of the story. Do not rely on brochures and other sales oriented literature to make your decision.
To summarize, a long-term care insurance policy can be used for different types of long term care such as skilled nursing, intermediate nursing and custodial care. The kind of care you choose largely depends on your physical health and situation. This kind of insurance is definitely worthwhile and affordable when you think of life beyond 65 years of age.
Author BioRobert co-founded Insurance4USA.com, an insurance quote shopping service, in 1999. He has been a licensed insurance agent in New York State since 1990.


Article Source: http://www.ArticleGeek.com

1/14/2008

Door Hardware to Keep Your Home Safe

Door Hardware to Keep Your Home Safe
By: Anna Woodward
Moving into a new home or remodeling means thinking about cabinet hardware and cabinet hardware products. And, it also means thinking about the most important house hardware of all - Locks. Door hardware is your home's protection against intruders.
Choosing the Right Hardware
These days, a deadbolt is essential for keeping your home secure. Regular door locks that function inside the knob just can't guarantee the protection you need. They can be easily broken by force. The thick throw bolt of a deadbolt is nearly impossible to break through.
There are two kinds of deadbolts; single cylinder and double cylinder. The difference is that single cylinder deadbolts have a knob or thumb turn on the inside, with a key only on the outside. With a double cylinder, you need a key for both sides.
If you are getting a deadbolt for an exterior door, it is usually best to get the single cylinder variety. This is a safety issue. If there were an emergency inside the house, such as a fire, the occupants could risk being trapped inside or slowed down by having to use a key. A single cylinder and a regular doorknob locks will offer enough protection to the house, and also allow anyone inside to get out.
The only exception to this is a door with windows. If there is glass on the door, it would be easy for an intruder to simply break the glass and reach through to the deadbolt's knob. It is usually best to consider safety first and go with the single cylinder, but if your house has inner and outer front doors, you can use both.
Don't Forget the Windows
You might wonder, what's the point of installing window locks? After all, if a burglar wants to get in, they will simply smash the glass. This is true, in Hollywood. But actually, most burglars are opportunists. They want to break into a house with the least amount of bother, and it would be much better to slip in through a window than to break one.
You should definitely have window locks, and make sure that each one, downstairs and up no matter how small, is covered. Even the tiny one in the bathroom should be secured. An experienced burglar can slip through just about anything, and slip right back out again with your stuff.
Whether to use key or thumb turn locks is the same issue we dealt with earlier. If the burglar chooses to break the glass, they can simply turn the thumb knob; if you use a key mechanism instead, they would have to continue breaking out glass and risk getting cut up coming in.
Even a cheap window lock will work wonders in protecting your house from intruders. Make sure it is one that is visible from outside. Most burglars would rather move on to another house than deal with any kind of difficulty getting in.
Keep in mind that locks work not only to keep your house safe, but as a deterrent for would-be burglars. In the same way that security guards deter theft by just being there, having good, solid, visible locks on your doors and windows will keep most burglars looking for an easier house.
Another thing to remember is that you can never have too much home security. It is a good idea to keep a safe, in addition to the other safety precautions you place in your home
.
Article Source: http://www.1articleworld.com

1/12/2008

Real Estate LaW


Real Estate Law: The Basics

By: Art Gib



Real estate law is multi-categorized and is governed by a lot of different facets. "Real" refers to real property. This is land and the things that are permanently a part of the area, that is, what is attached.
This goes for anything "underneath" too, so if any crude oil or natural gas is buried beneath, the land owner has first rights to the resource.
With property ownership, or the prospect of owning, there come risks. Most of this is liability, liability to the state and those who border the property. For instance, when purchasing a lot within the city, there are zoning restrictions.
A city may designate a certain size structure on the land, and if the owner decided to assemble a four-story goliath mansion home, the other owners of single floor rancher-style houses on that block might not be so pleased, the same goes with the city.
There is a great deal of ownership liability that goes to third-parties as well, such as land owners paying mortgage on a house to a lender. This is probably the most common liability that is known. If the owner does not pay, then they default on the loan and the lender, such as a bank can claim the property as payment.
State Law
Property laws trace its history back to the monarchs who ruled much of the continent of Europe. This was brought to America and from there has evolved a great deal. Real estate law, like most all law type, is still constantly evolving today as new cases are brought to courts.
Because events are often relating to geography and local cultures and law, there are a lot of aspects of real estate law that reflect this and are divided up by states.
For instance, if you were having a land dispute with a neighbor and you owned a tract of land near Coeur d'Alene, Idaho you would ideally want to consult with Coeur d'Alene real estate attorneys -- even if you retain an attorney in Pittsburgh or some other city where you make your residence -- to know what is fully involved regarding that specific city's statutes.
A Coeur d'Alene real estate attorney can advise you on the specifics with Idaho's real property laws and can give you a heads up on what your rights are as a land owner pertaining to that tract of land you own and the dwelling that reside within.
Hiring a real estate attorney's group, no matter where you plan to buy land, would lend you piece of mind and a defense or litigations counsel if that dispute with the neighbor ends up in court.
Article Source: http://www.1articleworld.com

1/11/2008

Refinance Bad Credit Loan

Mortgage Refinance Bad Credit Loan
By Uchenna Ani-Okoye On October 12, 2007 In Mortgage-Refinance 44 Viewings Rated
In this article, you will be provided information to help you understand what options you've available to you when it comes to the matter of debt consolidation loan and mortgage refinance options.
The fact is millions of Americans with bad credit; refinance their home mortgage loans every year, using sub prime mortgage refinance loans. Virginia mortgage refinance loans can be used to pay off either the first or second Virginia mortgages. Finding a California sub prime mortgage refinance loan lender requires research.
By doing a price and cost comparison, by taking the time to shop around, you will be able to find a debt consolidation loan and mortgage refinance option that will actually meet your needs. You usually will not have to pay anything to the broker to aid you in finding a debt consolidation loan and mortgage refinance options that you can consider. You will want to make certain that you are dealing with a debt consolidation loan and mortgage refinance lender that is experienced, reputable and reliable.
These lenders have dedicated staffs, who work with consumers that have low credit scores, seeking mortgage refinance loans. The most popular options for bad credit home loans are cash out mortgage refinance and home equity loans. When it comes to debt consolidation loan and mortgage refinance options, you will want to keep in mind the very lender through which you have your current mortgage.
A bad credit mortgage refinance may be possible for you. Bad Credit Lenders provide poor credit mortgage refinance loans, bad credit home loans, and hard money loans. You can access these types of lenders that specialise in debt consolidation loan and mortgage refinance options both online and in the real world.
If you decide that mortgage refinancing is your best option, then pay careful attention to the mortgage refinance rate. The big question is 'can you get a mortgage refinance loan with a low credit score'. A Virginia mortgage refinance loan is a good solution for those individuals in Virginia who cannot meet their monthly mortgage loan payments.
Yes - it is a true that a person with a credit score above 670 will find it easier to get a mortgage refinance loan than a person with a low credit score - but this is doesn't mean that you cannot find a loan. As the value of your home increases and the balance on your home decreases, you may be eligible to remove your PMI with a mortgage refinance loan. When you get the bad credit mortgage refinance you are using your house as collateral.
You will be able to find the debt consolidation loan and mortgage refinance option that makes the most economic and financial sense for you, a loan package that will work for you today and down the road into the future as well.
If you’d like access to more information and resource links pertaining Mortgage Refinancing, then check out my site at: Mortgage Refinancing

1/10/2008

Car Insurance

Car Insurance - Protecting one of your most precious possessions
By: Ray Shak
Cars are one of our investments in life and for that we have to make sure that they are fully insured by the right company. Not just because it is an investment but it is also indicated in the law for almost any country. Always take note of the expiry date of your car insurance, in order for you to keep track of it. It is very important that you choose the right company for your car insurance. In some countries, only state owned automobile insurance companies can offer car insurance. Here are some Key points to consider when choosing the right Car Insurance Company, make sure to choose a reliable one that offers competitive premiums for its auto policies. The Car Insurance Company should also be considered for its fairness and assistance during car accidents and repairs, during the most critical and problematic times of your car, this is where car insurance company plays their role, that’s why choosing the best Car Insurance Company needs careful research and analysis.
To choose cheap car insurance is sometimes a risk to take but on the other side, you can consider the rates they offer incline with their car insurance services. As for a car insurance company that can offer both quality and affordability is definitely a superb choice. On the contrary, even though if car insurance is cheap if it doesn’t offer a good quality service then it might just make you spend more for your cars. In addition to that, another significant feature to consider of car insurance policy is the online insurance availability or lack of it. Especially for travelers, this feature is very important as they don’t have sufficient time going to the car insurance company and pay what is needed. All they can is access it online and that will make things easy, convenient, and fast. All Car Insurance companies vary when it comes to packages and how they will convince you to get them for your car insurance. Always think of what is best for you and your family. Remember, that it is not only your car’s life at stake here but more importantly, your life. Knowing that a good car insurance company can take cater all your needs during critical and emergency times will give you not just a peace of mind but can definitely make you relax. Don’t be easily deceived of what they offer. Take your time in choosing the best car insurance company. In that way, you’ll surely have no regrets for you know that everything is taken care of. For more information on Car Insurance Advice guidelines and advise, please visit the link.
Article Source: http://www.1articleworld.com

1/09/2008

Temp Cover Car Insurance In Your Time Of Need

Temp Cover Car Insurance In Your Time Of Need

By: Shaun Parker
Having lived in America and South Africa I have found it difficult moving back to a country where the individual is insured as opposed to the vehicle. It used to be the case that if I wanted to borrow someone's car that they'd sling me their keys and off I'd go safe in the knowledge that if the worst were to happen I'd be covered.
Forgetting the laws in England I recently suggested to a friend that I drove their car home for them from the pub. The idea was laughed at and not because of my questionable driving. The reason is the penalties for being caught are so severe. The same applies for lending a vehicle over a couple of days. It is often difficult to find insurers that are willing to cover you for a short amount of time. So borrowing a car for a single journey can end up being extremely expensive.
Fortunately there are an increasing number of insurance providers that see the importance of offering insurance over a short period. The period of cover can range between a single day to a whole month. This makes it popular with people such as students that return home in the summer and want to use their parents' car. It is also an extremely popular option for the ex-pat community that return to the UK for a break. With many providers offering deals specified for people that live abroad it can mean using a car is significantly cheaper than hiring.
Arranging temp cover for a vehicle is a simple process that can be completed online. It is the perfect option for when you want to test drive or purchase a new vehicle and want to drive it fully insured. Because many providers let you apply online you can often print out the insurance certificate and carry it with you. This will give you incredible peace of mind if you are off to test drive a vehicle that is being sold privately or driving a friend's vehicle for a single journey.
Temp cover is also a great option for people moving home. If you have a friend that owns a suitable vehicle it will work out much cheaper than hiring a removal van. It is a great option for parents taking their children to University digs, people that need a big trip to the rubbish dump, to collect furniture or for a booze cruise to France.
It is a perfect option for insuring a relative to drive your car if you are ill and can't drive. It is also a great option for when your car has broken down and you need to borrow your partner's car. It can be a very cost effective way of borrowing a car from a friend. The rental period for temp cover is short so can be a very small one off payment.
The insurance companies often have a system that enables you to arrange cover immediately. The coverage is set to a specific time. This means you can arrange insurance cover in an emergency and use a vehicle quickly. Because you can print of your policy you do not have to wait for the post to deliver a cover note.
Article Source: http://www.1articleworld.com/

Home Insurance

Home Insurance: Perfect Security Cover For Homes
By: Smith James
One of the desires of every human is to own a home for himself. A place where he can live peacefully with his family away from the gaze of the world. No wonder people in all times and ages have aspired to own a house for themselves. However, it is a dream that can be easily fulfilled theses days because of the coming up of several financial institutions who are ever willing to give housing loans to people and that too at extremely cost-effective rate. No wonder people today are able to realise this dream of theirs at a much earlier stage in their lives than was the case with their counterparts a couple of decades earlier. However, if people think that merely by owning a house they have tided the storm then they are in for a shock because it is not the end of the trouble but the beginning, for once a house is owned the next step is to protect it from various threats. It is here that home insurance comes for one's rescue and ensures that in case of damage it is the insurance company that bears all the expenses with the concerned person not requiring to pay a single penny.
Such a service is of extreme importance to people who find it extremely helpful as in today's age it is one hell of a job to get anything done. The rate of living or should it be said merely surviving has gone up so high that it indeed is one herculean job. Imagine in this scenario what happens if one's house faces some damage. It is here that the value of home insurance is most understood as all the expenses are duly taken care of by the insurance company.
However, to gain from home insurance one would do well to take care of a few things. First of all one must ensure that the policy comes to life as soon as it is signed. Then one also has to take care of the fact that the house is priced fairly as also the fact that what are the calamities that it is protected from. One should also take care of the fact that neither any wrong information is provided to the insurance company nor is there any default in the monthly premium.
These precautions would ensure that home insurance goes a long way in helping people at times when they have to fix the damage done to their homes.
Article Source: http://www.1articleworld.com