Usis Consumer Report Request: Fill & Download for Free

0:00-0:30In a Nutshell: Paying off credit cards can improve credit scores substantially as outstanding debt is the second most heavily-weighted factor in calculating scores. We examine factors that determine credit scores and evaluate two case studies where loan seekers paid off credit debt to improve scores. If negative marks on your credit report are the cause of your low score, it is advised to find a credit repair service to help remove them.USI found that a startling number of Americans know little about credit scores, including more than a quarter of respondents not knowing ways to raise or maintain their scores. It seems that a common question among Americans would be, based on the evidence in the study, “How much will paying off credit cards improve a score?”There are many ways to improve credit scores and paying off revolving debts is one of them. Credit cards and other outstanding debts is the second most important factor considered when determining your FICO score – the most widely used credit score by lenders. Therefore by reducing the amount you owe your score will increase, but by how much is determined by other factors.One quick way to raise your score is to hire a credit repair company that can remove negative marks on your credit reports that lower your score. Lexington Law is our top recommended credit repair service.Lexington LawFree consultation: 1-855-200-2394Most results of any credit repair law firmClients saw over 9 million negative items removed from their credit reports in 2016More than 500,000 credit repair clients helped since 2004Cancel anytimeBetter Business BureauIn Business SinceMonthly CostReputation ScoreSee BBB Listing2004$89.9510/10Lexington Law’s past clients have seen an average of 10.2 negative items removed from their credit reports within four months.There’s No Fixed Amount of Points Your Score Will ImproveBecause each individual’s credit report is unique and there are many factors that determine one’s score other than credit card debt, there’s no set amount of points your score will improve from doing any one action that applies to everyone.How Much Your Score Improves Depends on Your Outstanding BalanceSomeone who pays off $1,000 on a card with a $5,000 limit isn’t going to see the same score hike that someone paying off a maxed out card will. This is because of your credit to debt ratio. The generalized rule is for every open account you have, you want your credit utilization to be below 30 percent.Always keep your credit utilization below 30 percent.Example: If you have a card with a $1,000 limit, you never want to have more than $300 charged on it.How Long it Takes You to Pay Your Credit Card Debt Also MattersThe manner in which you pay your credit card debt also contributes to the rate at which your score improves.For instance, if you stop using the card and continue to pay it down month after month until it is eventually at a $0 balance or at least below 30 percent utilization, your score will very gradually increase by a few points here and there, assuming all of your other credit accounts are in good standing. If you pay the balance in full, you’ll notice a moderate point increase much sooner.The best way to see what actions can improve a score and by how much is to use a credit analyzer tool. A credit analyzer can tell you how to improve your score based on the amount of cash you have on hand to pay your debts, as well as how much of a point increase to expect per action.Case 1: Credit Score Increase of 42 PointsMr. & Mrs. Doe were in the market for a new home and needed a mortgage lender in the month of October. Their credit score was 678, but to receive the best rates a 740 and above is needed. Without a better credit score, the mortgage would cost them an additional $4500 on a $200,000 loan amount.To determine the easiest and quickest way for the Doe’s to up their score, a credit analyzer was run and three actions were suggested (in order):Pay down the balance on Credit Card 1 of $3595 to $231 – Score impact: +44Pay down the balance on Credit Card 2 of $1583 to $173 – Score impact: +8Pay off Credit Card 2 of $1582 to $0. This reduces the number of accounts with a balance. Score impact: +3The reason paying down Credit Card 1 had a much higher score impact for the Does was because they were using 119.8 percent of their limit, beyond maxed out.When all was said and done, the Doe’s decided to pay Credit Card 1 in full, and their score was raised to a 720 by December. The Doe’s did not receive the full credit score impact because of other accounts on their credit reports, including running up more debt on Credit Card 2.By raising their score from 678 to 720, they saved $5,000 on a $250,000 mortgage loan.Case 2: Credit Score Increase of 81 PointsIn July, a borrower requesting a $200,000 loan had steady income and his 20 percent down payment ready. His student loans were paid off and he had no derogatory marks on his credit report. But when his credit was run, his score was 698. The same credit analyzer tool was used and determined he could potentially increase his score by 102 points.Here is what the credit analyzer found:Pay down the balance on Credit Card 1 of $3629 to $652 – Score impact: +84Reduce the total debt of non-mortgage accounts by paying down the balance on Credit Card 1 of $3629 to $300 – Score impact: +18The borrower paid off his card in full. When his credit was re-run in August, his score was 779, up 81 points. The case study states that the borrower likely didn’t receive the full credit score impact because of a lack of reported balances on credit accounts.By raising his score from 698 to 779, he saved $3,000 on a $200,000 mortgage loan.The 4 Other Factors That Determine Your FICO Credit ScoreBy now you know that paying your credit card debt will improve your credit score, but what else makes up your FICO score?These percentages are used to calculate FICO scores, the credit score used by 90% of lenders.1. Payment History – 35%Payment history is the largest factor used in determining your FICO score. This includes on-time payments, so if you’re trying to improve your score, whatever you do, don’t let a payment run late or be missed.2. Length of Credit History – 15%What this means is how long your accounts have been opened. Generally, a longer established credit history results in a better score, assuming the accounts are in good standing. FICO looks at the age of your newest account, oldest account, and the average age of all of your accounts combined.3. Types of Credit – 10%What types of credit do you have? A mortgage, student loans, credit card debt, medical bills, retail accounts…all of these are considered.4. New Credit – 10%You never want to open too many new accounts within a short amount of time. “Research shows that opening several credit accounts in a short period of time represents a greater risk – especially for people who don’t have a long credit history.”The Road to Recovery: How to Boost Your ScoreBy boosting your score you’ll receive lower interest rates and increase your chances of approval for all types of loans and credit decisions.Your credit report information is updated frequently, so when you begin making positive changes it won’t take very long to notice improvements if you’re consistent. Other than paying down your credit card debt, there are other actions you can take.The Consumer Federation of America suggests these four actions for improving your credit score:Consistently pay bills on time every month.Do not max out, or even coming close to maxing out, credit cards or other revolving credit accounts.Pay down debt rather than just moving it around, as well as not opening many new accounts rapidly.Regularly check credit reports to make sure they are error-free.

Insurance:What is Insurance?Insurance is a contract, represented by a policy, in which an individual or entity receives financial protection or reimbursement against losses from an insurance company. The company pools clients' risks to make payments more affordable for the insured.Insurance policies are used to hedge against the risk of financial losses, both big and small, that may result from damage to the insured or her property, or from liability for damage or injury caused to a third party.InsuranceUnderstanding How Insurance WorksThere is a multitude of different types of insurance policies available, and virtually any individual or business can find an insurance company willing to insure them, for a price. The most common types of personal insurance policies are auto, health, homeowners, and life. Most individuals in the United States have at least one of these types of insurance, and car insurance is required by law.Businesses require special types of insurance policies that insure against specific types of risks faced by a particular business. For example, a fast food restaurant needs a policy that covers damage or injury that occurs as a result of cooking with a deep fryer. An auto dealer is not subject to this type of risk but does require coverage for damage or injury that could occur during test drives. There are also insurance policies available for very specific needs, such as kidnap and ransom (K&R), medical malpractice, and professional liability insurance, also known as errors and omissions insurance.Insurance Policy ComponentsWhen choosing a policy, it is important to understand how insurance works.[Important: Three crucial components of insurance policies are the premium, policy limit, and deductible.]A firm understanding of these concepts goes a long way in helping you choose the policy that best suits your needs.PremiumA policy's premium is its price, typically expressed as a monthly cost. The premium is determined by the insurer based on your or your business's risk profile, which may include creditworthiness. For example, if you own several expensive automobiles and have a history of reckless driving, you will likely pay more for an auto policy than someone with a single mid-range sedan and a perfect driving record. However, different insurers may charge different premiums for similar policies; so, finding the price that is right for you requires some legwork.Policy LimitThe policy limit is the maximum amount an insurer will pay under a policy for a covered loss. Maximums may be set per period (e.g., annual or policy term), per loss or injury, or over the life of the policy, also known as the lifetime maximum. Typically, higher limits carry higher premiums. For a general life insurance policy, the maximum amount the insurer will pay is referred to as the face value, which is the amount paid to a beneficiary upon the death of the insured.DeductibleThe deductible is a specific amount the policy-holder must pay out-of-pocket before the insurer pays a claim. Deductibles serve as deterrents to large volumes of small and insignificant claims. Deductibles can apply per-policy or per-claim depending on the insurer and the type of policy. Policies with very high deductibles are typically less expensive because the high out-of-pocket expense generally results in fewer small claims.So let's define insurance scheme:What is an insured scheme?There are two kinds of scheme that landlords can use to register a rental security deposit: custodial and insured. ... Under a custodial scheme, the money is held by the scheme provider; under an insured scheme, the landlord can keep the money in their own bank account during the tenancyNow we will define what is online banking fraud:Internet Banking Fraud is a fraud or theft committed using online technology to illegally remove money from a bank account and/or transfer money to an account in a different bank. Internet Banking Fraud is a form of identity theft and is usually made possible through techniques such as phishing.So let's take a closer look into online banking fraud and how to avoid it:Internet banking fraudsInternet Banking Fraud is a fraud or theft committed using online technology to illegally remove money from a bank account and/or transfer money to an account in a different bank. Internet Banking Fraud is a form of identity theft and is usually made possible through techniques such as phishing.Now internet banking is widely used to check account details, make purchases, pay bills, transfer funds, print statements, etc. Generally, the user identity is the customer identification number and password is provided to secure transactions.But due to some ignorance or silly mistakes you can easily fall into the trap of cybercriminals.Here are some simple tips to prevent you from falling into the trap of cybercriminals. Remember, simple ignorance or oversight can make a huge dent in your hard- earned savings.Securing your account: Avoid online banking on unsecured wifi systems and operate only from PCs at home. Never reveal the password to anyone. Do not even write it on a piece of paper on a diary. Just memorize it. It should be alphanumeric and change it frequently.Never reply to queries from bank online about account or personal details. The personal information should not be kept in a public computer or in emails.Phishing: A person's personal details are obtained by fraudsters posing as bankers, who float a site similar to that of the person's bank. They are asked to provide all personal information about themselves and their account to the bank on the pretext of database upgradation. The number and password are then used to carry out transactions on their behalf without their knowledge.Phishing involves using a form of spam to fraudulently gain access to people's online banking details. As well as targeting online banking customers, phishing emails may target online auction sites or other online payment facilities. Typically, a phishing email will ask an online banking customer to follow a link in order to update personal bank account details. If the link is followed, the victim downloads a program which captures his or her banking login details and sends them to a third party.Spam: Spam is an electronic 'junk mail' or unwanted messages sent to your email account or mobile phone. These messages vary but are essentially commercial and often annoying in their sheer volume. They may try to persuade you to buy a product or service, or visit a website where you can make purchases, or they may attempt to trick you into divulging your bank account or credit card details.Nigerian Scam: Nigerian or Frauds 409 or 419 are basically the lottery scam in which some overseas persons are involved to cheat innocent persons or organizations by promising to give a good amount of money at nominal fee charges. Their intention is to steal money in the form of fee against the lottery prize.Spyware: Spyware such as Trojan Horse is generally considered to be software that is secretly installed on a computer and takes things from it without the permission or knowledge of the user. Spyware may take personal information, business information, bandwidth; or processing capacity and secretly gives it to someone else."Trojan Horse" scheme unfolds when malicious software (malware) embeds to a consumer's computer without the consumer being aware of it. Trojans often come in links or as attachments from unknown email senders. After installation, the software detects when a person accesses online banking sites and records the username and password to transmit to the offender. People using public computers, in places like Internet cafes, are often susceptible to Trojans like malware or spyware.Check sites Url: Always check the URL of your bank's web site. Fraudsters can lure you to enter your user ID and password at a fake website that resembles your bank. If you see anything other than the bank's genuine URL, it has to be fake.Never enter your user ID or password or such sensitive information without ascertaining that you are on the right website. Always type the Web address of your bank into the browser address space. Never click on the link in the email.Fool-proof password: Change your online banking password at regular intervals. Also, avoid easy-to-guess passwords, like first names, birthdays, kid's or spouse's name and telephone numbers. Try to have an alpha-numeric password, one that combines alphabets and numbers.If you have several bank accounts, never use the same online banking password for all. Never select the option on the browser that stores or retains user name and password. As it can easily be cracked by cybercriminals. Also, never paste your password, always type it in. This little amount of `finger exercise' will go a long way in safety.Always check 'last logged': Most banks have a 'last logged in' panel on their websites. If your bank has it, check the panel whenever you log in. If you notice irregularities (like you are logging in after two days, but the panel says you logged in that morning!), report the matter immediately to your bank and change your password right away.Always log out when you exit the online banking portal. Close the browser to ensure that your secure session is terminated. Never exit simply by closing the browser.Keep your system up to date: Regularly check for security updates for your computer operating system. Most security updates are aimed at reducing risks to your computer, these may be data-related or otherwise. Make sure that your operating system and browser have the latest security patches installed. And, always install these only from trusted websites.Install a personal firewall to prevent hackers from gaining unauthorized access to your computer, especially if you connect to the Internet through a cable or a DSL modem.Public access can be injurious: Don't leave the PC unattended after keying in information while transacting on the website. Avoid accessing your bank online at cyber cafes or on a share or public computer. Also, avoid locations that offer online connections through wireless networks (Wi-Fi), where privacy and security are minimal.Follow Bank instructions: Banks say that appropriate upgradations are carried out from time to time by their IT departments for risk mitigation. They issue instructions to the customers to manage their accounts through virtual keyboards by way of which the characters typed by them are not identified by hackers. SMS alerts are also an important tool since any transaction carried out on account is reported to the account holder through an SMS.Protection: Learn the ways to protect yourself from online banking fraud schemes. Detect Trojans that appear on your PC in the form of viruses, spyware or malware through Antivirus Software, anti Spyware, and Adware. Also, learn to keep your cards, documents, and passwords safe, and monitor your accounts to safeguard yourself from bank fraud committed through identity theft.Now, let’s look at the services an insurance broker is supposed to provide you with:Services Your Insurance Agent Should ProvideBY MARIANNE BONNERUpdated October 02, 2018Insurance agents and brokers earn commissions on the premiums you pay for insurance policies. What services can you reasonably expect your agent or broker to provide in return for those commissions? This article will answer that question. For this discussion, any reference to an agent includes a broker.Knows Your BusinessYour agent should understand your business. He or she needs to know what your company does, how it operates, where it is located and other essential details. Your agent is not a mind reader. You know more about your business than anyone else. Your agent must rely on you to be forthcoming with information. Be sure to tell your agent if your business has any unique risks, such as a sideline operation or an affiliation with another business.Conduct a Risk AssessmentOnce your agent understands your business, he or she should help you assess your risks. Ask your agent what types of losses are typically incurred by businesses like yours and what you can do to prevent them. Your agent should help you review your options for managing risk. For instance, your agent may suggest that you set up a loss control program, buy an insurance policy, utilize self-insurance, and/or transfer risk to someone else via an indemnity agreement.Analyze Your NeedsOnce your agent has a basic understanding of your company's risk, he or she should analyze your coverage needs. Some types of insurance, such as auto liability and workers compensation, are compulsory. Others are not mandated by law but are crucial nonetheless. An example is ​general liability insurance. Some types of insurance (like auto physical damage coverage) are valuable but not always essential. To make the most of your insurance budget ask your agent to rank the coverages he or she recommends based on their relative benefit to your business.​Shop AroundThe next step is to submit applications on your behalf to one or more insurance companies. If you are using an independent agent, he or she should be familiar with the products offered by the insurers the agency represents. Your agent should also know which of these products will best suit your needs. Preferably, your agent will obtain quotes from several insurers. However, this may not be possible if your business is risky, has unusual characteristics or poor loss history. In that event, your agent may ask a surplus lines broker to obtain quotes from one or more non-admitted insurers.Review Quotes and Select the Best OptionOnce your agent has received quotes from the insurers, he or she should help you compare them. It is your agent's responsibility to ensure that the quoted premiums include the coverages you requested. If any of the premiums are too high or the coverage is lacking, your agent should try to negotiate a better deal on your behalf. Once the quotes have been finalized your agent should help you select the policy that best suits your needs.Monitor Your CoverageYour agent's job doesn't end once you have purchased a policy. Your business is likely to grow and change over time, and your insurance needs to adapt to those changes. Your agent should contact you at least once a year for a renewal update. If your insurance has been written by the same insurer for several years, ask your agent about marketing your business to other insurers. The marketplace may have changed since your coverage was written and better options may be available.Help With ClaimsIf your company sustains a loss, your agent should provide guidance in completing claim forms and submitting them to the insurer. The agent should monitor the claim to ensure it is processed promptly. If your claim payment is delayed or denied, perhaps due to missing or inaccurate information, your agent can talk to the adjuster on your behalf to speed up the payment process. Once your claim has been paid, your agent can help you determine whether the payment amount is fair and reasonable.Provide GuidanceYour agent should be available to answer questions related to your insurance coverage. For example, if you intend to travel outside the U.S. on business, your agent should be able to tell you whether your existing coverage will apply in a foreign country. Be sure to contact your agent right away if your business takes on a new risk (such as buying a new building) or undergoes a significant change.Serve as Your AdvocateYour agent should serve as your advocate in dealing with insurers on a variety of issues (not just claims). He or she should work with insurance company employees to resolve problems on your behalf. For example, suppose an underwriter wants to non-renew your property policy because you have sustained several losses. Your agent should work with the underwriter to negotiate a less drastic solution, such as a larger deductible.It’s a bit difficult to narrow down the best insurance brokers, that would provide the best scheme for online bank fraud, so what I am going to do is provide a list of the first 15 top brokers, and the services they provide- then you will make your choice:15 Largest Insurance BrokeragesBY MARIANNE BONNERUpdated December 10, 2018The 15 largest insurance brokerages of U.S. business are listed in the table below. The rankings are based on revenue earned in 2016. The source of the data is a list published by Business Insurance (an insurance news magazine) entitled "100 Largest Brokers of U.S. Business." When it created the ranking, Business Insurance did not include brokers that derived more than 49% of their gross revenue from personal lines business.Act on Behalf of BuyersInsurance brokers serve as intermediaries between insurance buyers and insurance companies. They differ from insurance agents, who sell policies under contractual agreements with insurance companies. Brokers act in the interest of insurance buyers. They have no authority to bind coverage or issue policies. To initiate coverage on behalf of an insurance buyer, a broker must ask an underwriter at the insurer to issue an insurance binder. Alternatively, the broker may issue a binder but no coverage will take effect unless the binder is signed by an underwriter or other authorized representative of the insurer.Broad Range of ServicesLarge brokers provide a broad range of services. While the specific services provided vary from broker to broker, many offer the following:Risk management servicesLoss control servicesClaims management servicesPrivate client services (personal coverages for wealthy individuals)Analytics (such as loss forecasting)Employee benefitsCaptives and other forms of alternative risk transferAffinity programs (insurance programs designed for groups, such as franchises)Mergers and acquisitions (help facilitate transactions and manage risks)Terrorism and political risk (help manage risks and secure insurance)Several of the largest brokers operate worldwide. Some, like Aon and Willis Towers Watson, is based in London. Others are headquartered in the U.S. Many maintain offices in foreign countries. Examples are Marsh, AON, and Willis. Others, such as USI and BBT, operate mainly in the United States. Some, like BB&T, our insurance subsidiaries of financial conglomerates.The first six brokers on the list are public companies and are listed on the New York Stock Exchange. HUB, Lockton, USI, Alliant, NFP, AssuredPartners, Acrisure, and Broadstreet Partners are private companies.Recent AcquisitionOne significant change that has occurred in the brokerage industry is the acquisition of Wells Fargo Insurance Services by USI Insurance Services. USI announced its intention to purchase Wells Fargo's insurance business in June of 2017 and finalized the transaction the following December. According to Insurance Journal, USI obtained various insurance operations from Wells Fargo. These include commercial insurance brokerage and consulting, employee benefits, property/casualty national practices, small business insurance, student insurance, and a program administrator called Safehold Special Risk.The Top 15Here are the largest 15 brokerages listed in descending order based on 2016 revenue. Note that the list includes insurance brokerages only. The largest 25 insurance agencies are included in a separate list.1. Marsh & McLennan Cos. Inc.​Revenue: $6,614,500,000Headquarters1166 Avenue of the AmericasNew York City, New York 10011Tel.: (212) 345-5000Website: Global Leader in Insurance Broking and Risk Management2. Aon P.L.C.Revenue: $6,065,933,500Global HeadquartersThe Aon CentreThe Leadenhall Building122 Leadenhall St.London, England EC3V 4ANTel.: +44 (0)20 7623 5500Fax: +44 (0)20 7621 1511Website: http://www.aon.com3. Willis Towers Watson P.L.C.Revenue: $3,733,440,000HeadquartersThe Willis Building51 Lime St.London EC3M 7DQTel.: +44 (0) 203 124 6000Website: Global Risk Advisor, Insurance and Reinsurance Broker4. Arthur J. Gallagher.Revenue: $2,888,409,000Global Corporate Headquarters2850 Golf RoadRolling Meadows, IL 60008Tel.: (630) 773-3800Website: Gallagher Insurance, Risk Management & Consulting : Gallagher5. BB&T Insurance Holdings Inc.Revenue: $1,809,175,000Headquarters3605 Glenwood AvenueRaleigh, NC 27622-1128Tel. Tel.:919-716-9770Website: McGriff Insurance Services6. Brown & Brown, Inc.Revenue: $1,762,787,105Headquarters220 South Ridgewood AveDaytona Beach, Florida 32115(386) 252-9601Tel.: 919-716-9770Website: Brown & Brown Insurance | Insurance & Risk Management Solutions7. HUB InternationalRevenue: $1,286,060,100Headquarters300 N. LaSalle St., 17th FloorChicago, IL Illinois 60654Tel. (312) 432-2558Website: Insurance Brokers | HUB International8. Lockton Cos. LLC.Revenue: $1,054,685,740Corporate Office444 West 47th St., Suite 900Kansas City, MO 64112Tel.: (816) 960 9000Website: https://lockton.com9. USI Insurance Services L.L.C.Revenue: $1,030,124,263Corporate Office200 Summit Lake Drive, Suite 400Valhalla, NY 10595Tel.: (914) 749-8500Website: Insurance Brokerage and Consulting10. Wells Fargo Insurance Services USA Inc.Revenue: $980,800,000Headquarters200 Summit Lake Drive, Suite 400Valhalla, NY 10595Tel.: (914) 749-8500Website: https://wfis.usi.com11. Alliant Insurance Services, Inc.Revenue: $966,769,832Headquarters1301 Dove St., 2nd FloorNewport Beach, CA 92660Tel.: (949) 756-0271Website: https://alliant.com12. NFP Corp.Revenue: $930,815,040Headquarters340 Madison AvenueNew York, NY 10173Tel. :(212) 301-4000Website: Insurance Brokerage and Consulting | NFP13. AssuredPartners Inc.Revenue: $820,926,226Headquarters200 Colonial Center Parkway, Suite 140Lake Mary, FL 32746Tel.: Tel.: (407) 804-5222Website: Insurance Broker & Employee Benefit Solutions14. Acrisure LLCRevenue: $639,312,851Headquarters25664 Prairie Creek Dr. SECaledonia, MI 49316Tel.: 800) 748-0351Acrisure | Top 15 Insurance Brokerages in the United States15. BroadStreet Partners Inc.Revenue: $423,200,000Headquarters580 N. Fourth St., Suite 450Columbus, OH 43215Tel.: (614) 993-3011Website: BroadStreet Partners - Insurance Brokerage in Columbus, OH