You can never put a price on security; however, knowing where to find an excellent multi-policy deal can save you money.

Any reputable company will be able to give you a discount when you bundle their services together, and this can be a significant amount for some people. It can also be a lot easier to keep on top of the paperwork when it all comes from one source.

Here are some of the insurance companies that can bundle services:

Geico

Geico is another reputable company offering value through bundling services.

They combine auto insurance with home or renters insurance like many other companies do, but they also give you other options as well. For instance, they offer discounts for the military and federal employees as well as students.

Geico’s multi-policy discounts include multi-vehicle discounts so that you can insure your car and bike for a discount.

Liberty Mutual

With three different multi-policy options depending on your circumstances, you can enjoy discounts if one of the following meets your requirements:

• Auto and home insurance
• Auto and renter’s insurance
• Auto and condo insurance

They offer a multi-policy discount for these situations, and you can add on many different levels of coverage including breakdown assistance. You can also update each policy at any time.

Founded in 1912, they have an outstanding reputation in the industry, insuring over 1.5 million vehicles.

Progressive

You can build your policy easily through Progressive. It doesn’t just start and end with home and single vehicle insurance. You can add a boat, car, RV, motorcycle, and renter’s insurance, among others. Combining two or more products allows for a multi-policy discount, and you can also purchase pet, travel and health insurance through them.

Progressive also says that if you already have one of their policies but wish to add another, the discount will be added. Their website shows average savings of $808 when bundling home and auto insurance.

Trusted by over 18,000,000 drivers, they certainly have a large share of the market.

USAA – Best for Military

The first thing you would expect from USAA is quality vehicle insurance, and that is what you will get.

They don’t charge extra for flexible payment plans, but most significantly, they say that in 2016 their members saved $519 million when they bundled their insurance products. Combining vehicle insurance with home insurance, whether you are a renter or homeowner, yields significant discounts.

There are even family discounts available. Ensuring multiple people for multiple services can help you save even more money than if you were to purchase separately.

Only available to current or former military members and close relatives.

State Farm

State Farm believes that they can save customers up to $854 when switching to their bundle policy. Again, this is for home, condo or apartment insurance as well as a vehicle. You can expect further discounts for insuring multiple vehicles as well.

They offer a wide range of insurances, but the discount is only applicable to home and auto policies. It’s easy to get a quote online, but if you prefer the personal touch, they have offices across the country.

Allstate Insurance

Allstate says that you can get savings of up to 10% on auto and 25% on home premiums. These discounts apply to renters and condo insurance too.

Interestingly, if you combine an Allstate auto insurance with life insurance, you can also save by purchasing the two as a bundle.

The best way to find out how you can save is to inquire with them as they don’t specify what sort of discount you can expect, but you could even get money off when adding a new driver.

The Hartford

The Hartford offers a variety of discounts that aren’t just subject to bundles.

Still, they advise that when you purchase auto and home insurance you can save up to 5% on car, and 20% on home/condo/renter’s insurance. There are other ways you can save even more on your insurance through them which includes defensive driver certification, and also proving that you have a safe vehicle.

Formed in 1810, The Hartford is one of the oldest insurance companies. Seemingly, they stand by their already well-priced policies, but you can get a better deal through bundling.

Expect access to agents around the clock as well as guaranteed policy renewals for drivers.

Insurance Companies That Can Bundle Services Conclusion

Because there is high demand for multiple insurance policies, the industry is very competitive. You can see from the numbers listed above that these companies are dealing with millions of customers.

This has created a market that can favor the consumer, with each of the insurers offering some substantial discounts on bundled services.

When it comes to saving money, tackling the big ticket items is one of the best things you can do. Sure, saving a few pennies here and there is great, and frugality should be encouraged. But nothing will have a greater impact on your finances than tackling the “big three”: housing, transportation, and food. Today, let’s talk about the different ways you can save money on transportation.

The first obvious one is to not have a car at all! Yes, some will find it ludicrous, but think about it. Every month, you are spending on insurance, petrol, your car is depreciating every time you use it, and losing value. Add to that repairs, maintenance, MOTs, and a car loan if you bought it on credit, and it is easily an expense of a few hundred pounds every month. “Yes, but I need it to go to work”. I hear you. How about looking for a job closer to home, that you can cycle or even walk to?

Maybe you’ll make a little less money, but your quality of life would vastly improve, and the car savings may even mean you might come ahead.

Another suggestion is to get rid of your second car if both you and your partner have one. A two car household is rarely a necessity, and rather a matter of convenience. What if you pool errands and optimise the use of just one car? Limit your driving to going to work, or to weekends?

You can generally rent a car for about £50 for a whole weekend if and when you need one, which is cheaper than a month of parking in many cities!

If you really need a vehicle, let’s see the different lines of budget and how to save on them. Petrol is usually the biggest recurring expense. You can save by using loyalty cards from supermarket and petrol stations, and collecting rewards and discount vouchers. There are online sites that will tell you which is the cheapest station next to you. Try to fill up on your way to work and not make a special detour just to fill your tank.

Insurance can easily be challenged online thanks to online comparison sites. In just a few clicks, they will let you know what is the best deal for your insurance needs and how you can switch provider.

Be religious with oil changes and follow the manufacturer’s scheduled maintenance recommendations to a T. Better safe than sorry. If you delay maintenance, you will have problems sooner or later, and fixing them will be expensive. Check your tires and change them regularly for safe driving and petrol efficiency. In short, plan ahead and make a calendar note to follow the schedule.

Same thing goes for your MOT. A Halfords Autocentre survey has revealed that 53% of motorists are unsure when their MOT is due. That can result in a fine if you miss the date. And now, there are no more excuses because Halfords Autocentre is offering a FREE MOT to all its customers. All you have to do is buy something there, that can be as small as a 40p bulb, and you get a free MOT from Halfords. Click here to learn more about the free MOT offer.

Last, let’s discuss repairs and breakdowns. A breakdown cover is not too expensive, and if your car is more than a few years old, this is something you should consider buying, as it is likely you might have a problem. Check with your bank first as some credit cards already include breakdown cover for free.

If time comes that you are in need of unexpected repairs, ask around for recommendations. Better find a good professional that will do a solid job, than a cheap fix that will take you back to the mechanic’s two weeks later.

 

Owning a car does not have to be that expensive. How do you save on motoring costs?

 

Education can be an expensive affair. At times, even joint incomes are not sufficient to support children education. This is when student loans play an important role to fund one’s studies. You can take out a loan when you are entering college. Once you finish your graduation and find a job, you need to start paying off that loan.

But student loan can become a burden, especially when you do not find an ideal job quickly. Sometimes, even when you pass your exam  with flying colours and find a job that pays well, a loan could still loom over your head causing unnecessary stress.

In order for your student loan not to be a burden, you need to plan it and settle it efficiently. Check here for top tips on how to plan your student loan to keep your debt low.

1. Choose Your College Wisely

Do not go for an expensive college just because you can get a loan to afford the fees. Keep in mind your financial situation. Research on various colleges and find out how much they cost. Keeping the total expenses in mind, choose a college with reasonable fees that suit your family’s budget and savings.

2. Choose a Loan Scheme That Suits Your Budget

Student loans are offered by private institutions and well as the government. The interest rates differ on these loans. Loans offered by private financial institutions are generally more with high interest rates and compounded charges. So, get quotes from various financial institutions and compare them before taking up a loan.

3. Plan Your Expenses

Though it may seem tempting to spend money during your college days, think twice. Do not pile up unnecessary debt to support an unreasonable lifestyle. Plan all expenses properly. Budget your finances and spend carefully. Do not spend money on things that are not necessary.

4. Start to Save Money

Start saving from the time you start college, even if it is not a huge amount. This will help you become responsible in the future. The savings you accumulate during your college years can be used to repay your student loan once you graduate. Savings would help to lessen the burden of repaying a loan as soon as you are out of college.

5. Take a Part-time Job

There are various part-time jobs available for students. These jobs help you manage your day-to-day expenses as well as save money. Your education is quite important, so do not ruin your health or your studies with a part-time job. Get a job that allows you to study, sleep, and eat properly.

6. Pay During the Grace Period

Most student loans allow a grace period of 6 months, so that you have time to find a job after finishing college. If you have saved during your college years, then start to pay immediately once you finish college. Even though it is grace period, your loan will collect interest during this period. You will find yourself stuck with payable interest accumulated for 6 months when you start to repay our loan. Avoid this extra charges by starting your repayments right out of college.

7. Reduce Your Living Expenses

Settling a student loan can take years, hence, try to reduce unnecessary expenses as much as you can. Plan out your monthly expenses carefully. Do not spend much for an extravagant lifestyle even if you have a well-paying job. Sudden expenses can crop up and you can find funds lacking to pay your loan. So, do spend your money wisely.

8. Take Your Education Seriously

Most student loan defaulters are those who do not complete their college education. Without sufficient education, it is hard to find well-paying jobs. Working for a low-income job will definitely not help repay your loan. Remember, the money being spent on your education is your responsibility.

Make Best Use of Your Student Loan

Consider these tips to keep your student loan debt low. Student loans are a great tool to finance your education. So, get a loan that suits your needs and settle it as quickly as you can.