Finance essay

Auto Policy Analysis

In around 3 or 4 pages, with correct spelling/grammar:

*NOTE: Parts 1, 2, and some of 3 and 4 are suited for presentation in a table or Excel format

List the coverages (i.e., liability, medical expense, un/under-insured motorist, collision and/or other than collision damage to your auto, any applicable no-fault/personal injury protection, and any other endorsements) that apply in the automobile policy you chose to analyze. Be sure you include: (a) the amount ("limits"), (b) the premium (cost), and (c) the deductible for each coverage or endorsement for each auto where applicable. Be sure to include the total premium for each auto, and how/when this premium is payable (e.g., annual, semiannual, quarterly, or monthly), and any applicable finance charges incurred for non-annual payment.

Be sure to provide: (a) a description of each insured vehicle, (b) the location (i.e., rural, suburban, or urban) and the principle place of garaging applicable to each vehicle, and (c) the primary usage of each vehicle (e.g., for pleasure, to commute to work or school ≤ 5 miles each way, etc.).

List any discounts that may be currently in effect in the policy. Are there any other additional discounts for which you (or your subject) may be eligible? Why have these discounts not been taken advantage of sooner?

List the individuals who are "covered persons" under the policy, and discuss their relevant driving record(s). Discuss thepersonal and physical factors that are/were important in determining the policy's premiums.

What is the current Financial Rating of your (your subject's) auto insurance company? The Financial Rating provides information on an insurer's ability to pay future claims. It is NOT a customer service rating. Be sure to identify your rating sources(s) (i.e., A.M. Best, Dun & Bradstreet, Standard & Poors, Weiss, Insurance Company web site, etc.). The insurer's web site or your insurance agent might be a source of this information, as well as:

http://www.insure.com/articles/interactivetools/ratingslookuptool/sandp/newtool1.jsp (Links to an external site.)

http://www.iii.org/article/how-to-assess-the-financial-strength-of-an-insurance-company (Links to an external site.)

** Discuss ** whether or not you feel that the current policy provides the coverages, amounts, and endorsements appropriate to you (your subject's) present auto insurance needs. ** Describe ** any changes in deductibles and/or coverages you feel may be appropriate. *Be sure to support your conclusions*.

Did you (or your subject) "shop around" for the best coverage package? If not, why not? Also, what about related non-PAP coverages? Is there anything you learned during your Auto Policy Analysis that surprised you about the policy?

NOTE: The "declarations" of the auto policy you used is "Farmers Insurance Company of Arizona, Phoenix, Arizona, an authorized New Mexico Insurer, in compliance with the Mandatory Financial Responsibility Act, certifies that it has issued a policy in accordance with the coverage defined in the Act regarding bodily injury and death or property damage or both, and that is subject to all the provisions of that Act for the described motor vehicle(s)". This is strictly used for assignment purposes only; however, feel free to censor or block out any personal information, such as vehicle ID number or the policy number.

Some Observations and General "Personal Risk Management" Tips:

1. This assignment may or may not be returned to you, so please be sure you do NOT turn in the actual (original) insurance policy with the analysis - you may need it! If you want to keep a copy of the assignment, make a photocopy before you turn it in. Feel free to censor any personal information.

2. Most students use Excel and/or Word for their analysis, but there is no specific format required, as long as it is readable and contains the information above.

3. Take the analysis seriously. Be a professional. Do a good job. Remember that people purchase personal insurance with after-tax dollars, and they generally prefer having more such dollars to less. You may be able to save yourself significant current and/or future dollars by doing this type of analysis.

4. Don't wait until the last minute! Get the policy ASAP. This is not a demanding project, but it does take time. Some things take time to develop and to make logically consistent. There is no single "right" answer - some are better than others, but some are flat-out wrong depending upon the situation.