The law requires that credit card holders receive a measure of coverage for packages that are lost or damaged. If a card does not have such coverage, you should look for another vendor. According to the Federal Credit Billing Act, if your card lender bills you for merchandise that has been lost, damaged, or stolen, you do not have to pay that bill.

If you end up being billed twice for the same merchandise, you don't have to pay that cost either. And if your credit card firm tries to force you to make payment, you have every right to file a complaint against that company. Complaints should be filed with the Attorney General or other appropriate authorities. If you receive a package that is damaged, and the merchandise is broken, you should not accept it and immediately contact the party that sold the merchandise. You must file a petition of reimbursement or replacement BEFORE you contact the credit card lender.

Insurance policies are provided by most credit card firms to protect you against damaged or lost merchandise. A few lenders impose the stipulation that the cardholder pays at least $50 if a damaged package is received in the mail. These kinds of stipulations are included in the card's terms and conditions rules. If damage occurs, you must write to the lender to explain the situation. You should ignore any fees charged for the package, if you have refused it; once you pay off the card with that bill attached, your rights decrease.

If the lender imposes a charge a month later, or if the lender adds the wrong date at which the item was bought and tries to charge higher or lower fees than the actual price of the merchandise, you do have protections under the law. If you have purchased something, but the seller does not deliver the product on the date that was stated, you can refuse to pay the charge, and if you did not agree to pay for products delivered to your home, you can refuse the charges as well.

You must know your rights under the law in regard to credit cards to avoid any problems. Because mail delivery is very unpredictable, you can never know if you are receiving what you ordered or if the product will be damaged or broken on delivery.

You must always collect evidence to prove your case. The best thing to do is get everything in writing. Make sure that you write your credit card lender to explain all the details of a situation and keep copies of your correspondence with the lender, as well as the lender's responses. Letter should be labeled 'billing inquiries' and addressed to that department. You should provide all of your personal information such as account numbers and send your letter promptly.

Get proof that you sent the letter too; mail is at a local post office and ask for a receipt. Creditors have 90 days from when they receive your letter to investigate the problem. Once the letter is in the hands of the lender, that lender cannot legally take you to court. They can use the disputed charges against the limits you have on your credit card, however.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scotie_Keithlow

Artwork

Art is an expression of one's thoughts and feelings. Yet, many pieces of art also have a monetary value as well.

For this reason, you should protect your artwork and your collectibles as you would any other investment. Protecting it means having a proper insurance policy on it. This doesn't hinder the beauty aspect of your paintings, sculptures or other fine pieces of art. What it does is protect you against the unknown. Some may begin to argue that they cannot afford any type of insurance on their art collectibles. But these same people should actually stop and think about what they would lose if something tragic such as a fire would occur. Their beloved art would be destroyed, most likely. Plus, they would have no money to show for their lost. No, the money from an insurance policy couldn't bring back the beauty. Nothing would bring back the beauty. Yet, the money could be a small comfort and could allow the owner to try to find another piece of art to comfort them.

If you do have a painting or collectible you think it is worth a lot of money and you wish to insure it, here are a few things to do. First, get it appraised. Go to a professional appraisal. You need to know exactly what the piece is worth in dollars and cents. Make sure you get this appraisal in writing, too. This is your proof of its worth. Now get busy and start photographing the pieces you wish to have insured. You should also photocopy any sales receipts, wills, etc to prove that you have actual ownership of the piece.

Those two things are the easiest things you can do. Of course, the hard part will begin now.

Do a budget.

Decide how much you can actually afford on insurance.

You might even want to decide on what types of insurance you want?

Do you want fire and water damage coverage? What about theft coverage? Yes, even if you live in a good neighborhood, you could very well get robbed.

Before you begin calling local insurance companies for quotes, begin with your current company that holds the policy for your home. Most homeowner's policies will have an amendment that can be added to include such assets as art. You also may get a reduction in the rates since you all ready have coverage with this company. If you don't like the quote your current company gives you, and then begins shopping around to other companies. You may also want each company to give you two separate quotes, one for fire and water damage alone and one that includes theft coverage.

What if you cannot afford to cover your collection or your one special piece of art for the full amount of its worth? Don't fret. Think about it like this. Wouldn't it be better to be able to insure the piece for half of its worth than to not have it insured? If something would happen, you would get some money. Plus, you can always increase the coverage if your financial situation happens to improve.

Once you decide on a policy, actually read it. You should also understand what it covers and its terms. Ask questions. If you want to know if it will cover a fire that is caused from an electrical problem. Ask. You need to know the answers to the questions that are important to you.

You also need to be able to understand the fine print. If you don't understand it, don't be afraid to ask. It is the insurance agent's duty to help you understand.

Finally, once you take out the insurance policy make sure you keep up with the payments.

Now relax and enjoy your precious artwork, knowing you are covered if disasters strike.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Meier

A lack of insurance could leave many loved-up Britons under financial strain, a new study indicates.

Research carried out by Abbey Insurance reveals that almost half (42 per cent) of engagement rings across the country do not have a sufficient level of cover, with some 16 per cent of consumers uncertain whether or not they have taken out a policy. It was also claimed that just over a quarter of engagement bands are covered by existing policies. Overall, it was indicated that 75 per cent of people have some form of expensive finery, with the typical household owing 1,785 pounds worth of jewelery - a national total of 44 billion pounds.

However with prices of precious metals rising over recent months, it was suggested that a significant number of consumers could discover that their jewelery is under insured. Over the course of 2007, it was revealed that the cost of gold had surged by 32 per cent, with platinum also reaching record values.

Should consumers discover that they have to shell out of their own pockets to replace an expensive piece of jewelery, it is possible that their capacity to meet other demands on their spending, such as personal loans and utility bills, comes under strain.

The financial services firm reported that with some 1.8 million people preparing to bend down on one knee and propose marriage this year, a number of consumers should consider getting adequate insurance as soon as possible. It will also revealed that the average Briton reviews their home contents insurance policy just once a year.

Those looking for an effective way to fund purchasing an engagement ring or some other type of expensive jewelery, meanwhile, may find that a low-cost personal loan might be of assistance.

Lloyd Wilson, head of Abbey Insurance, said: "The number of people who don't think about insurance for their engagement rings and other precious items is quite staggering. With the average engagement ring costing around 1,200 pounds, it's important to arrange insurance immediately if you're one of the 1.8 million planning to propose this year. Rising precious metals prices could also result in lack of full cover, so we would recommend that people review their home contents insurance at least every six months to ensure that all their valued items and heirlooms are fully covered."

In addition, research carried out by the financial services firm revealed that consumers living in the Midlands and the north of England are the most likely to have engagement rings which carry an inadequate level of insurance. Meanwhile, a total of 14 per cent of consumers do not have any sort of cover for their jewelery.

Whether looking to purchase an engagement ring or simply to get their partner a luxurious treat, taking out a cheap personal loan could be of assistance to many consumers. The extra financial help that a cheap loan provides may also see borrowers left with enough disposable income to allow them to purchase an adequate insurance policy.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Abbi_Rouse