What Will Be Replaced After An Accident

A car accident (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When it comes to purchasing a car we all have our own set of preferences on what we require but what about when it comes to gaining some perspective when one is involved in car accident? The first order of business would be to deal with any kind of medical issues and then contact one’s car insurance company. Depending on how much damage is involved car insurance coverage can replace the entire vehicle or certain portions of the accident. A car insurance quote can generally be done within a few hours once the car as been assessed by a qualified car mechanic.

In some cases policy holders are redirected to their insurance company’s affiliates to get several auto insurance quotes so they can begin the process of repairing their automobiles. Most firms will have a listing of multiple vendors that can assist with auto insurance quotes. In general most vendors will have a variance on any kind of car insurance quote which makes it a necessary investment in time to do some research. Getting great auto insurance quotes can sometimes be through a family member or close friends but one should check with their primary car insurance company to see that they are part of the company’s designated firms as some will not extend funds if they are out of their working network.

Once the individual reaches a mutual agreement with the vendor the car insurance quote for repairs can be passed on to the individual’s insurance company. It is the responsibility of the vehicle owner to authorize payment from their car coverage company and also if there are any additional funds that may be needed to pay for what is not covered before the vendor can proceed with repairs. Many times insurance quotes are limiting as to what the dollar value of the car would be at the present time. To get auto insurance quotes that have unbeatable coverage one has to have a great driving record with no more than 1 or 2 accidents within the last 10 – 15 years. The amount of time spent on the road as well as locations driven is also vital to getting cheap auto insurance.

A Guide to Pension Sharing Orders

Like many people, you may be wondering ‘What is a Pension Sharing Order?’ A pension sharing order is made through the courts after a divorce or separation. Essentially, it is the process by which part or all of a pension is allocated to the pension holder’s former partner, who will then hold these benefits in their own right. 

A pension can be one of your most important assets, which is why it’s so important that a pension sharing order is implemented correctly. 

Implementing a Pension Sharing Scheme

To obtain a pension sharing order you will need to employ the services of an expert financial advisor, who will be qualified to advise you on the most suitable plan for dividing and re-investing pension benefits. All pension orders must go through the courts, who will determine exactly what proportion of a person’s pension must be allocated to their former partner.

A pension sharing order must be implemented within four months of the date when the pension scheme receives all of the pertinent paperwork. Each part of the scheme will have different requirements as to what documentation is needed so all paperwork must be delivered and processed on time to prevent delays in the pension sharing order.

The implementation of a pension sharing order is also dependent upon whether an internal or external transfer method is used by your pension scheme, which you should check before negotiations begin. 

Enforcing a Pension Sharing Order

To ensure that a pension sharing order is successfully enforced, it’s important that all parties go into the courts having asked a few important questions:
Whether or not the non-member can remain in the scheme.
Whether the pension sharing order recipient will need to wait until their normal retirement date, if the pension scheme in question allows for early retirement.
What charges will be levied by trustees, and if these need to be paid up front.
Whether or not your pension sharing order will accrue interest, either directly or through a qualifying agreement.
If internal documents need to be signed before a pension sharing order can be implemented, and the best way to go about gaining the signatures of both parties. 

The Advantages of a Pension Sharing Order

One of the reasons that so many people choose a pension sharing order is that it allows for both parties to make a ‘clean break’. Pension assets are split according to a percentage decided on by the courts, and a pension sharing order is managed from start to finish by court officials and an official pension sharing order advisor. 

Alternatives to Pension Sharing

There are several alternatives to a pension sharing order which may be used to divide pension assets in the event of a divorce or separation. Offsetting and earmarking are two of the other ways in which separating couples may decide to divide pension assets, however both are dependent upon certain other factors, such as the amount of available assets and the amicability of the separation.

Are You Paying Too Much Tax? – How to Claim Tax Back if You Are

Taxes (Photo credit: Tax Credits)

If you think you’ve been paying too much tax, then how do you claim tax back? Here’s the low down on how to get your money back and what to do if you think you’ve overpaid. Overpayment can appear in many guises, either through income tax, PAYE, self assessment, pension, savings or national insurance, so let’s take a look at each one in turn. 

Income Tax 

Tax on your income is taken from the amount that you earn each year and is broken down as follows. 

• Anyone under 65 can earn up to and including £8165 before they’re taxed 
• Anyone between the ages of 65 -74 can earn up to and including £10,500 
• Anyone 75 and over can earn up to and including £10,660 

This system works well for a person with one full time job with a rate of pay that’s fixed. However it mightn’t be as straight forward for someone who doesn’t fit into this criteria. If you feel that you have been overpaying tax, then contact the HMRC, or use the free HMRC income tax checker. 

PAYE 

The majority of the UK workforce pay tax through the Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system which is deducted automatically from your salary. PAYE uses a tax code to determine how much tax you should be paying, but if your pay fluctuates or you’re not employed for the full year, then again, you could be paying too much tax. If you believe this to be the case, then you should contact HMRC and ask for a tax assessment. Claims can be backdated for as much as four years. 

Self Assessment 

If you are self employed and feel that you have been paying too much tax, then similarly to PAYE you need to get in touch with HMRC. You have four years to claim backdated overpayments. Alternatively if you need to make a claim, or to correct a mistake on your last tax form, then you can do so by completing an amendment form. This is again available from the HMRC. 

Pension 

Tax can be paid either on personal, company or indeed state pensions and there may be a chance that you are paying over the top. This can be for a number of reasons. It could be that: 

• You've been allocated an incorrect tax code 
• Your entitlements have changed 
• Your circumstances have changed (ie age) 

Again contact the HMRC explaining the situation, but you’ll need evidence such as your P60, P45, and any other information relating to your pensions and benefits.

 

Savings 

The majority of savings accounts automatically deduct tax from the interest on your savings before it hits the bank. If you are excluded tax (ie filled in an R85 form) or your savings are in an ISA, then you shouldn’t have to pay standard savings tax. If you are, then ask for and fill in an R40 form and contact your local tax office. 

National Insurance 

If you’ve had a succession of jobs in one year then chances are could be paying too much national insurance. Visit the DirectGov website to check out if you are indeed paying too much and which form you have to fill in. 

In essence, if you are paying too much tax, then don’t worry unnecessarily. As long as you know who to contact and what forms to fill in, you should be able to claim tax back easily. Claim Tax Back at www.taxrebateservices.co.uk.

 

What are Your Car Finance Options?

With the new year in, many people will be looking to make some changes in their lives, and for some this might mean buying a new car. It can be one of the most expensive purchases you make, which is why you have to give it a lot of thought. If choosing the car wasn't hard enough, you've then also got to decide how to pay for it. There can be many different options, and finding the right one can save you quite a lot of money.

Outright Purchase – This is of course one of the best ways to buy a car. If you can afford to buy it without finance, then you won’t be paying any interest at all, making the vehicle cheaper. It might also be possible to negotiate discounts or extras on the car if the dealer knows you can pay there and then in cash.

Leasing – Leasing can be great value with relatively low costs, but the key is that you never actually own the car, unless you decide to pay a lump sum at the end of the agreement. There are lots of different options, depending on the length of the lease, the deposit you put down, and a variety of other factors. This is one of the best ways of combating depreciation however, so it’s worth a look.

Dealer Finance – Dealers often offer good rates of interest, and will have special deals from time to time. If you can take advantage of them, then do so, but be aware that you’ll often have to pay a large deposit.

Personal Loan – If you don’t want to pay a deposit, then a loan is likely to be your best option, depending on circumstances. A personal loan is likely to cost the most in terms of interest, but offers the least risk. There are of course limits to personal loans, and in some cases it will be difficult to get a loan for an expensive vehicle without a deposit.

Secured Loan – Secured Nemo homeowner loans also offer another option. The minimum term is usually over 3 years, so this isn’t really a good option if you don’t plan on keeping the car for a long time, but otherwise it could save you a considerable amount of money in interest. However, because the cost is often spread over a longer term you might end up paying more in interest.

How to Deal With a Notice of Intended Prosecution for a Motoring Offence

 (Photo credit: Tulane Public Relations)

You can obtain a bolt from the blue after getting a NIP notice without a prior clue. Notice of Intended

Prosecution is a notice which identifies the aspects of the offence along with its time and place the crime is happening. 

It needs the holder to deliver the cops with the name of the individual who was driving the vehicle at the duration of the crime. 

The factors of reckless driving, unnecessary speeding, driving after drinking beyond limit, using mobile phone inappropriately can contribute greatly in receiving the NTP notice. The person is notified within 14 days after the occurrence of the crime. 

Hidden cameras can find out these unscrupulous acts and prompt actions can be taken against them.

Trace whether it’s true

The preliminary step one should do is to decide whether the NIP received is authentic. By law, the police must provide a NIP to the approved owner of the vehicle within 14 days of the stated contravention. 

If the NIP is sent outside that period, then it is inappropriate and the case cannot go on. In determining whether your NIP is not fit, you have the right to seek answers, just be emphatic on the date of issuing the complaint on the paper.

Send it for clarification, if information is doubtful

In case you find fault with the notice provided on the basis of inaccurate NIP, you are entitled to send it back, requesting for further verification. 

You have the total right to seek for the amplifications that remain in your mind. But keep it in mind that mere inappropriate information does not always prove the fact that the notice is illegal.

Follow law

Conform to the rule in case the NIP notice provided to you is valid. Do not let your vehicle out until you are informing police within the 28 days period. Seek out the driver at that time period. Abide by law and don't try to transcend as it may cause you severe penalty.

If you have baffling confusions about the nature of the in NIP notice, you can consult a professional in the field of law. 

Motoring Lawyers are the experts who can handle the issues with great care and efficiency. They can provide you with a more satisfactory elucidation along with the advice of your next proceedings. 

Consultation with legal advisers may cause you to pay them initially but of course with a positive result. You can outdo a greater risk. They can equally save your license from being at threat.

10 Great Ways to Save Money at Home

Energy Star Light Bulb (Photo credit: Jenn Durfey)

You can save a lot of money at home by finding ways to make your property work for you. By adding value to different parts of your home, and by saving money in key areas, you can start to appreciate how much even small changes will affect your annual budget; some approaches to consider when saving money at home consequently include switching energy providers, de-cluttering and selling on items, and taking on a home renovation loan to build up the equity you have in your property.

 

1 - Switch Energy Providers 

The New Year is a good time to consider switching energy providers; you can both save on your annual bills, and receive cash-back  by comparing different providers, with the savings potentially rising to £100 a year. 

2 - Use Less Water 

Get a water meter for your house, and avoid average charges for your area; similarly, use less water by switching off taps when brushing your teeth, and don’t over fill kettles and pans when making cups of tea and cooking. 

3 - Use Your Garden to Grow Vegetables 

Reduce your weekly food shop by using your garden to grow vegetables; you can start a small patch, or even a kitchen garden, where you can grow potatoes, carrots, and other vegetables that can be added to your cooking routine. 

4 - De-Clutter and Sell Items 

You’d be surprised by how much money you can raise by de-cluttering your home and selling on items; old mobile phones can be sold for cash, while large amounts of books, DVDs, and CDs can be sold online to make some quick cash. 

5 - Take Out a Home Renovation Loan 

Look for short term or guarantor loans that will allow you to borrow enough money to renovate a bathroom or kitchen - doing so will help to add value to your property if you’re planning to sell in a few years time. 

6 - Get a Better Home Insurance Deal 

Work out what you’re actually paying for with your home insurance, and try to cut out anything that you don’t actually need. Look for deductibles, as well as opportunities to lower your premiums by increasing the amount of information you give to providers.

7 - Break Down Your Bills 

Calculate how much you’re spending across different parts of your home, and try to make small savings; use slightly less heat an water, or drop part of your entertainment package if you’re not using your television as much as your Internet connection. 

8 - Set Your Home for the Seasons 

Remember to add in blankets and repair drafts and leaks before the Winter, which will help you to use your heating less. Similarly, make sure you turn off your heating at the right time of the year to avoid paying more in the Spring and Summer. 

9 - Refit Your Kitchen 

Make your kitchen more cost effective by investing in a slow or pressure cooker, which can save energy. Move over to white goods that have an Energy Star label, as these appliances are more energy efficient. 

10 - Make Small Repairs and Changes 

Lots of small changes will make a difference to how much you spend at home - fix leaky taps, and try to spend less time in the shower, or running your garden hose. Check for drafts under doors, and pick up cheap drafts excluders to prevent heat from being lost.

 
Author Bio: Liam Ohm writes about home improvement, from bespoke furniture to money saving tips. In his spare time he enjoys networking and socializing.