Posts Tagged ‘Accidents’

Getting better rates on your auto insurance is something that many people would like to do. So many are paying a lot of money, too much money – and doing it unnecessarily. By following a few simple steps, you could reduce your annual auto insurance costs, and save some money for those other projects you would like to do. Here are five steps that will enable you to reduce your costs.

1. Compare Car Insurance Quotes

This is one of the easiest things to do, because you can do it at any time of day, just by going online. You will want to find an insurance Web site that will allow you to get several quotes from different companies with just one application. When you do this, go to at least two different Web sites and get several quotes from both.

Before you get that new car insurance policy, however, you may want to do a little research to discover some things about the company if you are not familiar with that name. You might check with the Better Business Bureau to see if there are many complaints about them not paying for accidents, etc.

2. Read About Car Insurance

In order to really understand what you may be able to do without, in the way of options, you should have a good understanding of what the options cover. Greater savings will come from a greater understanding of what your needs really are. For instance, if you have a brand new car, you may not need the towing option for at least a year or two. You may also be able to do without car rental, too.

3. Increase Your Deductible

This is one thing that can give you a noticeable reduction. By increasing the amount of money that you pay in each accident, you put the insurance company at less of a risk. They like this, and will lower your rates to reflect the amount that you increase your part. Be sure, though, that if you have an accident tomorrow that you can afford to pay the deductible. You will be required to pay it before the auto insurance company will pay their part.

4. Get Less Coverage

Instead of buying the most coverage you can, it is a good idea to get the recommended amount. Also, if your car is more than 10 years old, you should probably drop the comprehensive part of your auto insurance. After 10 years, you may be paying more for your comprehensive than the car is worth. Save this money instead, and apply it to getting another, newer car.

5. Add Security Features To Your Car

If you live in a more urban area, or in an area where there is car theft, you can lower your car insurance rates by adding some security features to your car. These usually result in a discount with each new feature you have. This includes steering wheel locks, auto alarms, and satellite tracking systems.

Besides these things, you may want to talk to your car insurance agent to see if driving classes will also lower your rates. Having multiple cars insured by the same company, and staying away from cars that are the most likely to be stolen, or sporty, will reduce your rates, too.

Joseph Kenny
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/tips-on-how-to-you-can-get-better-auto-insurance-rates-119829.html

Up to 73,000 novice disqualified could have illegally returned to driving over the past 10 years says a recently published report.

Since the New Drivers Act was introduced in 1997, 160,000 novice drivers have been banned – and eight out of ten of these are aged under 24. This Act automatically cancels the licences of drivers after they have gained 6 or more penalty points on their licence within the first two year after passing their driving test. The strange thing is that government figures show that of these drivers, only about 50% of them have subsequently retaken and passed their driving test.

The fear is that many of these drivers have quietly returned to driving illegally without a licence. And experience shows that those who drive without a licence are also highly likely to be driving without road tax or car insurance. And it is precisely this category of drivers who have the accident rates. They have more, and more serious accidents, than any other drivers.

Who ends up paying for these accidents? Law abiding drivers! Two million drivers are thought to be on our roads without insurance. Within the average monthly premium, £30 is costed in to pay out for accidents involving uninsured drivers. So make no mistake, law abiding drivers pay for the destruction caused by uninsured drivers.

These findings have so distressed Government Ministers that they have commissioned a review of how the law is operating. It is almost certain that changes will be made to the law to plug the loophole and introduce new ideas to encourage novice drivers to drive safely and within the law.

In 2006 the average fine for driving without a licence was £71 but bearing in mind that the cost of taking the driving test in an evening or at the weekend, is £67, the fines are remarkably low. Add to this that many of these drivers are avoiding road tax and car insurance.

Surely, fines and detection rates must be increased. Disqualified drivers cannot be identified by speed cameras and if they are driving normally it is unlikely that they will attract the attention of traffic police.

The Driving Standards Agency agrees that the law is not working as intended. When it was introduced, the New Drivers Act was designed to promote safe and responsible novice drivers whist they gain experience on the road.

The Department for Transport acknowledge this saying “The Government take the safety issues linked to novice drivers very seriously. We have already announced a fundamental overhaul of the existing testing and training system. There is absolutely no excuse for people driving without a valid licence.”

We agree but words on paper are fine only if backed up with higher detection rates and far higher fines and sentences for those caught transgressing. We suspect that the Government will implement changes to the law, but we have little confidence that the necessary support from the police and judiciary will follow. So please do not expect any reductions in your car insurance premiums!

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Michael Challiner
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/young-disqualified-drivers-push-up-car-insurance-costs-for-all-679677.html

Plenty of us believe that we have adequate amount of car insurance coverage, regularly renewing our policies as they come due without giving much though to what our insurance provides. It only is when we’re in an accident or make the decision to switch to another carrier do we acquaint ourselves with what we have, with the former yielding unpleasant surprises for some drivers.

For one thing, liability, comprehensive, collision, uninsured motorist coverage, deductibles, and other language makes it difficult for some drivers to figure out what coverage they have. Include the limits of your coverage, $100K, $300K, $50K and how that coverage works and most of us have no clear understanding of what insurance coverage we have.

Frank N. Darras, who is known as America’s top insurance lawyer, offers some practical advice about insurance, “Make sure you are covered for any accident that could put you and yours in the poor house. Raise your limits on all the coverage you can afford and lower your premiums by raising your deductibles. If your car is older, why carry a low deductible on comprehensive insurance which pays for fire, wind, hail and glass breakage?”

Darras says, “Carriers also look at your age, driving record and the make and model of your car. Where you live plays an important role in determining premium. If you live in a nice neighborhood, there generally is less congestion, which means fewer accidents and probably not as many thefts. Most carriers want a three year history of how many tickets you have had and the accidents you have been in as part of the premium equation. The kind of work you do also factors into the premium equation. Do boring safe work and you will pay lower premiums.” “Finally, a high credit score can lower your premiums. Carriers believe the more responsible you are about staying current on your bills will translate into responsible driving.”

Darras offers these money saving tips:

– If you get a ticket, fight them or go to traffic school so they don’t stay on your record and cause your premiums to go through the roof

– Cover your teenagers on your policy so they are not the primary driver on an expensive car. By covering your kids on your policy you can take advantage of your insurance carrier’s multi-car discount as well

– If you get in a minor accident and damage is less than $500, see if you can pay the other driver outside your insurance to prevent your rates from skyrocketing

– At renewal time, check your premiums against the market, make sure you are receiving all of your discounts, like the good student and customer loyalty discounts

– Pay your bills on time if you can, credit scores count big in the premium mix

– Timely premium payments will also lower your underwriting risks and future rates

– Boost your uninsured motorist coverage. For about $100 more a year, you can have uninsured motorist coverage of at least $100,000. Remember, uninsured motorist coverage is protecting you if the other driver has none. When was the last time you went to the emergency room and were out of work for a month when your losses weren’t more than 25,000?

– If your car is older than 5 years, drop the comprehensive coverage, if it is older than 12 years, drop the collision

“Always keep a disposable camera in your glove compartment. If you are in an accident, make sure you take photos before any vehicles are moved. Minutes after the accident, the story will change, so make sure you have pictures,” says Darras.

Clearly, in these days of financial pressures, following advice shared by Darras and others can save you a lot of money. Auto insurance isn’t a water cooler topic but it is a conversation that needs to be started especially as we begin a new year.

Matthew C. Keegan
http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/when-it-comes-to-auto-insurance-being-street-smart-helps-704943.html

By Jospeh Welusz

With the cost of gas on the rise again, a lot of people are on the look out for better ways of commuting more than ever, more commuters are starting to car pool or use public transit. Many urbanites rely only on public transit and taxis to get around throughout the city; when they go on longer trips they rent cars. There are now at least 20 US cities where car-sharing clubs have been started. If you’re a club member you can rent a club owned car hourly. This gives people who seldomly need a car access to a vehicle without having to buy, maintain or store one while living in the city.

This is great until something happens. What are the consequences if you have an accident while using one of these vehicles? Who will be the responsible party to pay for injuries or damage?

You will most likely think that the club has insurance to pay for any accidents that occur, and it’s
possible. Although, you might not want to rely on the club’s insurance:

* It’s out of your control if the club is late with a payment and unknowingly has no coverage.
* Your particular vehicle may not be covered under the policy if it was not on the original policy. You have no guarantee that the club’s policy will automatically cover a newly acquired automobile.
* A policy condition may be ignored by the club, giving the insurance company amble reason to deny the claim.
* The policy itself may not include coverage to you for this particular type of loss.
* The policy may have low limits possibly to low to fully cover the loss.

As a car club member you most likely have no control over the amount and/or terms of the club’s insurance policy, nor will you have any say if claim arises. These same issues come up if you rent a car or borrow a friends. As odd as it may sound, you should think about purchasing your own Discount Car Insurance policy.

There are special Non-owners policies you can purchase from most well known insurance companies. This type of policy provides auto coverage to specifically named persons in the policy when they use an automobile they don’t personally own.

If you own a vehicle and have a policy this coverage is already added in for you, but if you don’t own a vehicle you will need to purchase this special coverage. The policy will include the following coverages for named individuals:

* Coverage for Liability (injuries or property damage)
* Medical Payment Coverage
* Uninsured or Underinsured Motorists Coverage

Every state offers their own coverage requirements, so be sure to ask your insurance agent when getting Free Insurance Quotes about this coverage in your area. If you happen to purchase an automobile, the policy will provide these coverages automatically for up to 2 weeks.

It’s critical that you know the insurance this policy offer only goes into effect after the vehicle owner’s coverage is exhausted. Also remember only specifically named persons are covered not all family members unless they are specifically named on the policy. This policy does not include any type of coverage for damage to the vehicle you are driving. When you speak with your insurance agent they can explain all the options available. Since this type of policy only offers limited coverage the cost may be considerably inexpensive.

Driving a vehicle always puts you at risk, whether you borrow, rent or own the Vehicle. Make sure you have the coverage in place encase of a large financial liability loss.

Joseph Welusz
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/is-a-nonowner-automobile-insurance-policy-correct-for-you-748124.html

The state of California is known for its high prices. The cost of living in general is much higher than the cost of living in many other locations. California also requires relatively high levels of auto insurance coverage to be carried, resulting in extremely high insurance premiums. While car insurance rates will always be higher in California than in many other areas, a bit of persistence can result in a significant savings.

If you are looking for car insurance in California, be sure to look for and follow general money-saving suggestions on the internet and in consumer magazines. Be sure to shop around carefully as well, as insurance rates may vary immensely from one provider to the next. California insurance companies are permitted to charge based on how much they have paid out in general. Therefore, you may find yourself penalized for someone else’s accidents.

Make sure that you are aware of the current California state minimum requirements for insurance coverage levels. Many companies have their own in-house minimums which may be much higher. If you are insuring an old low-value car, you may not need insurance beyond the state requirements, so insist that the company give you this quote. Additional coverage may be necessary depending on your financial resources and whether your car is financed.

Discounts are available for groups ranging from retirees to full time students. The best bonuses go to Safe Drivers. Maintaining a clean driving record is the number one thing that you can do to keep your rates as low as possible. Ask your insurance agent whether you qualify for any additional bonuses.

Buy your insurance online. Companies such as esurance.com offer comparison shopping between many different policies. Their rates are often lower because there is no middleman insurance agent drawing a commission. Be sure that you are comparing identical plans in terms of deductible, coverage and added insurance products.

If you have the financial resources, consider raising your deductible. Good drivers who are unlikely to have an accident can save significantly on their monthly payments simply by raising their deductibles. Just keep in mind that you will need to be able to afford the deductible if something does happen.

Remember that cars are classified into groups, and certain groups are more expensive to insure. Your driving record will also play a part. Young drivers will pay more to insure sports cars than other types of cars and more to insure sports cars than will older drivers with good records. Check into insurance rates for a car you are considering.

While car insurance rates remain high in California and truly cheap car insurance may not exist, it is possible to find insurance that is not outlandishly expensive. Shop around, look for discounts, raise your deductible and drop unneeded coverages. In this way you can find insurance that will cover your needs without breaking your monthly budget.

Levi Quinn
http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/finding-cheap-auto-insurance-in-california-111477.html

Automobile insurance is one of those necessary evils in life; many people don’t want car insurance because of the cost, but most people aren’t sure where they would be without it. In many countries having enough auto insurance to compensate others following an accident where you are at fault is compulsory and failure to carry the insurance can result in imprisonment.

Insurance is designed to protect against any loss that comes out as a result of an accident, giving some relief to those found liable for accidents facing expensive lawsuits and giving the victim with suitable compensation through the system. Because of this, most people end up being fairly relieved that they have automobile insurance at some point in their driving career.

Getting cheap car insurance online, even the most basic of packages, can wind up saving you an awful lot of strife on the road when you get into an accident. In fact, more people are choosing cheap car insurance online as their sole automobile insurance provider than ever before because of the ease in which it is accessible.

Car insurance online comes up with a valid quote for your insurance needs by calculating your vehicle type, your driving record, the roads you are most apt to drive on and the amount of time you will spend driving per month. From these variables, a car insurance provider can come up with a quote for their customers and can start to orchestrate a plan for delivering the best insurance possible.

Tesco, Britain’s leading automobile insurance provider, is one website that contains an awful lot of information that can help you come up with an online quote. Getting your car insurance through Tesco can be a brilliant way to go about insuring your car in the UK because of the alternatives to some of the basic plans, including ample special features and a ton of unique vehicle-specific variables that can be plugged into your overall plan.

Tesco car insurance has various no-frills style insurance packages that enable customers to mix-and-match some of their policy points in order to come up with a good policy that suits their needs.

Along with looking online for automobile insurance, there are other things you can do to get low car insurance rates to come your way. The top tip that most experts offer is to shop around. Look online, offline and everywhere in between for the best low car insurance rates.

Another idea is to make sure that all of the vehicles you will be insuring are located on the same policy. This is a good idea because it enables you to save up to or around ten percent per car through “multi-vehicle” discounts. An idea along these lines that some companies also offer is the “multi-line” insurance, meaning that if you insure your home and your car with the same company, you will end up with a discount on both pieces.

There are many opportunities to save money on your automobile insurance if you look in the right places. You can choose a higher deductible, for example, and save a good amount of money on your car insurance through that route. You can also drop collision altogether if you have an older car, enabling you to cut some fiscal corners and bring down your overall rate. The best option for saving money on your automobile insurance is, however, to not end up using it by driving safely.

Graham Johns
http://www.articlesbase.com/non-fiction-articles/finding-the-best-automobile-insurance-online-108560.html

What is the SR-22?

The SR-22 is a certificate that you are have auto insurance. This is also necessary if you’ve been intricate in the any accident and had no auto insurance or if you’ve been convicted of earnestly drunk when driving a car. BMV in Maine will merely accept the SR-22 from auto insurance company that is certificated to sell auto insurance in Maine. Can own insurer strike out or decide not to renew my auto insurance in Maine?

First 70 days insurer can decide to end the policy for different reason that isn’t ban by law in Maine and including the next: if you don’t paying for award,cheat or distortion affecting the policy or require, if license of driver suspension.

Ending for any of the next reasons is ban by law in Maine: the age,information about credit .

The auto insurance company not returning all my reward after the policy was ended. What to do?

It can be because your scope protracted to the point paid for by antecedent reward, or you can be assessed a annulment punishment.Contact auto insurance company to know more details.

The juvenile just got the license. The auto insurance company has added this juvenile to policy. He’s not going to drive my auto. Can they do that?

You have many people in your family and it means every man can have an access to the household vehicles. The policy also includes every member of family as an insured over your policy.

Also auto insurance companies are only allow to charge for inhabitant which have the license of driver. A learner-driver cannot be direct added to your auto insurance.

Why is auto insurance rate highest for youthful drivers?

Youthful drivers have shown that have a greatest rate of damages and accidents, crime, and next auto insurance losses. Auto insurance rates are planned in a way that drivers who have bigger accidents or damages and losses paying higher rates and money than drivers with some losses and accidents. Why the previous auto insurance company registered the BMV when company ended the policy?

Eden Ali
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/auto-insurance-certificate-sr22-in-maine-192377.html

If you are one of those people who think auto insurance is a scam, beware. There could be some major payout in your future. Car insurance is extremely valuable, particularly in today`s society as more and more people find themselves involved in accidents that aren`t even their fault. You can literally be the safest driver around and still end up in a car accident. While it may not have been your fault, you may still be liable for some of the damages and this is where it comes in very handy to have auto insurance.

It Could Be Illegal

Depending on where you live, chances are it`s illegal to drive without insurance, so you`ll want to make sure that you have the minimum required, which is liability. Even in areas where you aren`t required to have insurance per se, you ARE required to have the money to cover an accident. You will need to actually prove that you can pay for damages, should they occur. This could be a big problem if you don`t have much money stored up in the bank.

Most drivers without auto insurance end up doing hit and runs, to avoid being caught, which usually results in jail time. It`s not a good idea to drive without auto insurance, but this isn`t the worst that could happen if you avoid it.

Since driving without insurance or the ability to pay for damages can hold some big consequences, you will want to know what they are in your area. Some states only charge a fine (often in the thousands) or impound your car, but many will include jail time.

Bigger Losses, Bigger Payouts

What happens if you are in a car accident and you haven`t purchased car insurance? You will be in big trouble, to say the least, particularly if the accident is deemed to be your fault. You will be responsible for any injuries and damages involved in the accident, which can grow very rapidly.

Not only will you be penalized for not having the appropriate insurance, you will also be required to pay out of your pocket. This can literally bankrupt someone and it can be extremely bad for your record. You could even lose your license, which negates the need to buy auto insurance after the fact.

A major car accident could end up costing you hundreds of thousands of dollars, plus fines and jail time. It`s really not worth it when you consider how little you would pay each month for peace of mind with auto insurance. Not to mention, if you are the one injured in an accident and the other driver has no insurance, you are really going to be in trouble. You`ll end up having to pay your own medical bills, which, as we all know, can get very expensive, very fast.

Driving without auto insurance could be the biggest risk you`ve taken in your life. While you will be saving money in the moment, there`s no telling when (not if, but when) you will be in an accident and need that insurance. Rather than paying a minimal amount along the way, you`ll end up being responsible for everything all at once and that`s a hit that most bank accounts just can`t deal with.

Rather than risk your savings, it`s far better to invest in auto insurance and simply pay by the month or year, eliminating the need to lose everything when you have a collision. The minimal amount of insurance will keep jail and fines at bay and doesn`t have to be terribly expensive.

Amy Nutt
http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/the-consequences-of-not-having-auto-insurance-576182.html

i’m planning to buy a car next year.
it will cost around 11000 and i’m planning to downpay 5000.
so 6000 left.
and my dad wants to pay that 6000 with his credit card so he can put the car under liability instead of full coverage.
our family has 2 cars each under my parents’ names.
so what is the best way to lower the insurance for me
i’m 21 yrs old guy no accidents or tickets.
our insurance company said it would be about 1600/yr for me..
is that average?
is there a way to lower the insurance?

best way is to raise the deductibles.. then talk about lowering certain coverages or shopping insurance companies.

I’m looking at buying or leasing a new car and am wondering how that’ll affect my auto insurance premium. Also, which features in a new car affect the premium. I’ve heard about red paint and sports cars causing higher premiums, but are there any other factors?

Try this site to find the best auto car insurance

http://saveautoinsurances.blogspot.com/

Here you can get quotes from different auto insurance companies in your area, its the best way to find an affordable auto insurance with a reliable company.

The car affects the premium. New cars are worth more than cars several years old, so they cost more than older ones. High priced cars cost more because the potential loss is much greater than for that of lower priced cars. Sports cars cost more because they’re supposed to have more accidents. I’m not sure that’s true, but that’s what the people who set the rates think. Also, cars that are stolen alot have high premiums. You also affect the premium. Do you have a good driving record? That lowers premiums somewhat. If you’re middle aged or older, your premiums are usually lower because older people are considered safer drivers than young ones. I’m not sure that’s true, but again, that’s what the people who set the rates think! Hope this helps ya!

I’m thinking about changing my auto insurance company soon. I’ll probably go to online to get a quote and the insurance.
When I looked through all the questions they ask for the quote, I noticed that they ask if there are any damages on the vehicles.
(There are few scratches here and there on my vehicle.)
If I answer that there are, they would ask me how did it get them and tell me that I should report those accidents.
But I don’t want to report and I don’t even want to fix them.
Therefore, I know it’s an immoral act but I want to answer that there aren’t any damages.

So here comes my question,
After the applications and all, do the insurance company ask the driver to go through the auto inspection?

If you need or want collision coverage, they will ask for photos of the vehicle from both sides straight on, front and rear straight on and three-quarter views from every corner. Therefore, you’re better off telling them about any damage on the car. That way, they protect themselves from spurious claims for pre-existing damage.

Hi!

I am with auto-insurance company X right now and due to few number of insurance claims that I had made, my insurance is going up. I am wondering if I try to switch to some company Y, will X share my claims information with Y?

Thanks!

Most of the time, yes they will find those prior claims.
Many insurance companies participate in a national database that tracks claims. They will also check you MVR records of any tickets or accidents. It is very difficult to slip one past an insurance company.
Fraudulently stating fewer claims than you actually have is not a good idea. If you filed another claim and the prior ones were discovered, they could deny the new claim, back charge you a higher rate, and/or cancel the policy on the spot.

Because your rate went up due to the claims, it’s not a bad idea to shop around, just make sure they are rating you with knowledge of those prior claims.

Austin auto insurance is an important part of your daily life. It may not seem like more than another monthly payment, but you are putting that policy to use every time you get behind the wheel. Not having car insurance in  can cost much more than a yearly premium if you have an accident or get caught driving without it.

A good policy doesn’t necessarily mean the cheapest policy, but you shouldn’t have to pay more than you can afford for auto insurance. When shopping for quotes through an Austin insurance company, there are some things you can do to get the lowest payments possible.

The first thing to look at when shopping for car insurance is what kind of vehicle you own. An new, expensive and/or sporty car will probably cost more to insure. If your vehicle is on the list of highly stolen cars, expect to pay a higher premium. Your Austin TX insurance agent will be able to tell you if your car is on that list. Also, an older vehicle that has a value of only a few thousand dollars can be inexpensive to insure because you can carry liability only, rather than paying for full coverage.

One thing you shouldn’t do when shopping for auto insurance is to get a policy that leaves you underinsured. Medical costs are getting higher each year, which means if you have an accident you may end up having to pay for what your cheap policy doesn’t cover. Find an Austin insurance company that will work with you to find the best coverage for your needs. If your premiums are still too high, consider driving a different vehicle that requires a lower priced policy.

Combine policies for a discount on your premiums if you have auto insurance coverage with the same company that carries your home and/or health insurance. Most Austin TX insurance companies offer discounts for multiple policies. Another way to get a discount on your Austin auto insurance policy is to have a clean driving record. Accidents and traffic violations can mean higher payments.

Buy from a reputable auto insurance company. Some insurance companies may offer lower monthly payments, but in the event of an accident you may find yourself with very little customer service and a much higher renewal premium.

Shop around for a combination of low rates, quality coverage and good customer service. Not every auto insurance company can offer all three of these important factors. When it comes to insurance in Austin, getting the best coverage comes down to contacting an insurance agent that is willing to work for you to get the coverage you need and a policy you can afford.

Visit the Austin State Farm Agent Bridgette Hearne website at http://www.bridgettehearne.com to get Austin auto insurance information or a rate quote.

Scott Hearne
http://www.articlesbase.com/insurance-articles/austin-auto-insurance-how-to-get-the-best-deal-736079.html

After moving into inner Atlanta because I’ve grown tired of a completely car dependent lifestyle, my auto insurance went from 70 dollars a month to nearly 160 based solely on my location.

Not only is this unfair and stupid, it seems to me to defy logic. I would think the suburban commuter who is spending lots of time in his car every day is more prone to claims than me, who barely has a reason to use my car anymore.

Ridiculous.
Clarification: We’re talking state minimum coverage here, so I wasn’t covered for theft in the first place.

Take a close look at your policy to see which coverages went up. I’ll bet there was a big jump in comprehensive coverage, which covers theft. Also, metropolitan areas are almost always higher than suburban areas because of more congestion which causes more accidents. Insurance companies don’t just randomly pick rates for certain areas, they have to back it up with their claims data when filing their rates with the state insurance department. If you really feel this is criminal then file a complaint with your state insurance department. if they feel the increase is not justified they will investigate and if your company is really doing something wrong it will get rectified.