In another article, we looked at the decision of the Wisconsin state government to double the minimum liability insurance requirement. It had been $25,000 per individual injured and $50,000 for multiple claimants in a single traffic accident. This doubled to $50,000 and $100,000 respectively. There was a general feeling this would push an increasing number of the poor into driving without insurance. And, as was predicted at the time, one of the results of this change in the law has been an increase in the premiums. In some ZIP code areas, the rates have gone up by as much as 40%. This has put a lot more pressure on family budgets around the state.

At the same time this law was going through the state legislature, a second bill was produced which increases the pressure on law enforcement to check whether drivers are carrying valid insurance. This is a logical development. There is little point in making it mandatory to carry liability coverage if there is no effective enforcement. So, as from June 1st, all drivers in Wisconsin must carry proof of a valid insurance policy in their vehicles.

Writing this in May, the estimate is that about 14% of all drivers in Wisconsin fail to carry insurance. It is a depressing thought but, in national terms, this is quite a low percentage. Although most states have a mandatory insurance requirement, there is poor enforcement and whether through real poverty or a stubborn refusal to comply, some states have relatively high numbers of uninsured drivers on the road. So will this change in the law produce a flood of people suddenly insuring their vehicles? Probably not in the short term! No matter what the law says, people with a choice between eating and insuring their vehicles will almost always choose to eat.

When interviewed on their proposed approach to the new law, local police authorities have said they will start out with education in mind. On all routine stops, drivers will be asked for proof of insurance. If none is forthcoming, they will be told of the law and advised they cannot legally drive away. But the police will not call for the tow truck during the first weeks of June. Think of it as warnings rather than citations. With the coming of summer, the policy will change and citations will be issued for failure to carry. In all traffic accidents, all the drivers involved will be asked for proof of insurance. Read the rest of this entry

Barcelona Holiday Apartments

The question is: how to find the most value for money Barcelona vacation apartment and avoid the pitfalls of fraudulent offers.First you need to find an accommodation suited for your needs and your vacation ideal. For a family (or any group of 3 or more) the best alternative will most certainly be to rent a Barcelona self catering apartment. This option is both for the budget minded as the cost can be as low as approx. 20 euros a night per person. For the more luxury oriented there are apartments of a very high standard as well. The apartment option is also a more rewarding way to stay in Barcelona as guests get to experience a more genuine impression of daily life in the city.

Best vacation rental deal in Barcelona

A clear benefit of staying in an apartment is that you are free to plan meals with your family or other travel companions without consideration of closing times etc. The city is blessed with a large number of traditional markets offering fresh fruit and vegetables, local olive oils, organic meat, fresh seafood etc. After paying them a visit you will not regret having a kitchen to play around in! A good advice is to ask the knowledgeable professionals who work at the stalls for ideas on how to prepare your pickings, and find out what is in season. A vacation rental offers the traveler the chance to learn more about local culture, and with all travel companions under one roof it makes it easier to organize your joint adventures in the city! Read the rest of this entry

First, what is the problem with the range of insurance policies on offer from the insurance industry? Why is it necessary for the Department of Insurance to intervene in the market? The answer is simple. California has been hit hard by the recession. Gone are the days when people were proud to live in the “Golden State”. The problem is seen most obviously in the repeated failures of the state to deal with its massive deficit. Now translate this into the millions of people living in the state who cannot find work paying enough money to live on. Their poverty means it is impossible to pay for insurance and eat. Not surprisingly, millions of drivers are on the roads without insurance. In 2008, the Department of Insurance estimated about 18% of Californian drivers were uninsured. Since then, the unemployment rate has doubled.

Why is this a problem? Well, although many drivers buy uninsured or underinsured cover, you have to be able to identify the other driver in the accident. If you cannot, say because it’s a hit-and-run, you cannot show the other driver was uninsured and so cannot claim on the policy. Since most uninsured drivers prefer not to wait around to admit their criminal offense (that costs them a fine and may result in their vehicle being impounded), all that can, drive away from the scene of the accident as quickly as possible. That is bad luck for you and great news for the insurers who take your premium and rarely have to pay out. Read the rest of this entry

Value for money – Barcelona Holiday  Accommodation

The topic of this article is :How to get the most value for money Spain vacation this year. It does not matter what type of vacation you are looking for; family, action oriented or a beach holiday, you can get an all-in-one deal in Barcelona, and quality accommodation for a reasonable price! For a family (or any larger group) the best alternative will most certainly be to rent a Barcelona self catering apartment suited to your needs. This option is both the cheapest and, for most, the more rewarding way to stay in Barcelona as you get to have a more genuine impression of daily life in the city.

Best vacation apartment deal Barcelona

An obvious benefit of staying in an apartment is you are free to plan meals with your family or other travel companions without consideration of closing times etc. Staying close to one of the numerous markets, like the world-renowned La Boqueria, means  you will find any type of eatable product you could possibly want to take advantage of having your own kitchen. Furthermore, you can ask the, usually, very knowledgeable professionals who work at the stalls for tips on have to handle what you buy. In any part of Barcelona you are never far from one of the traditional markets. Renting a Barcelona holiday apartment offers the traveler the chance to be more immersed in the local culture, and with all travel companions under one roof it makes it easier to organize your troops in the mornings!

A good deal does not simply mean the lowest price. A good deal for your vacation accommodation also means renting from an officially approved apartment agency! Holadays Barcelona (www.acomodis.com) is such an agency where you can rent official apartments with guarantees that you will actually get what you pay for, in including a safe, central location, a modernized apartment with all comforts (including WIFI, washing-machine, TV and stereo system etc.) and attentive and friendly service.

Your Barcelona Vacation

Renting an apartment for days means staying in one of the central Barcelona districts: In Eixample: the area For architecture buffs  and shopaholics. Here you can follow the ruta de modernisme, walking around seeing the great works of Antoni Gaudí and his compatriots including the city’s great symbol Sagrada Familia. This central district is also a Mecca for shopaholics with the majestic Passeig de Grácia and Diagonal avenues littered with designer stores.
There is also a vibrant club-scene with an emphasis on clubs you go to gyrate to the latest beats and the area hosts numerous top restaurants, Catalan and international alike. The Barcelona Old Town: For historical architecture, museums, local designer shopping, night life and dining. The medieval part of town with the splendid Santa Maria del Mar as the jewel is an independent designer heaven with lots of discoveries to be made in the maze of backstreets!
This is also  place to start a night-out would be the bars in El Born and then head to the clubs in Barri Gotic located in and around Plaza Reial.
If a beach holiday is what you have planned there is a number of accommodation options in the St.Martí district with apartments within walking distance of the beaches.  Off-season deals can be as low as less than 70 euros pr. night meaning you could end up paying less than 20 euros per person!