Asking your local independent agent the right questions can mean big savings. Leading car insurer Progressive recommends asking these five questions:

Can I save by shopping around? Car insurance rates can vary by hundreds of dollars between carriers, so check the rates of several companies to make sure you’re getting the best deal. Last year, people who switched to Progressive and saved reported saving an average of $550 on their annual premium. And because an independent agent represents several companies, he or she can quickly and easily compare rates for you.

Am I carrying the right amount of coverage? Owners of older or inexpensive cars could consider dropping Comprehensive and Collision coverages. Doing that can save hundreds of dollars each year.

Is my policy up to date? If you’ve moved, gotten married, or bought a home, check with your agent – you may be eligible for lower rates.

Should I raise my deductible? According to the Insurance Information Institute, raising your deductibles to $500 could reduce your Collision and Comprehensive costs by 15 to 30 percent.

Do I qualify for any discounts? Ask your agent if your carrier offers reduced premiums for certain car features like anti-lock brakes. You might also be eligible for discounts if you pay in full, own a home, are a loyal customer, have no recent tickets or accidents, sign up for paperless billing, list another car on your policy, and more.

To learn more, talk to your independent agent or broker, or give us a call. A friendly agent is waiting to take your call!

Most states require at least a minimum amount of insurance to operate a vehicle, though a very small number of states may require some other evidence of financial responsibility. Generally, you are required to show proof of insurance to purchase a vehicle from a dealership, to obtain a driver’s license or to renew registration, so proof of financial responsibility is fairly difficult to work around.

Utah Attorney General Mark Shurtleff and Utah Governor Gary R. Herbert announced a landmark $25 billion joint federal-state agreement today with the nation’s five largest mortgage servicers over foreclosure abuses and fraud and unacceptable nationwide mortgage servicing practices

The proposed agreement provides an estimated $171,115, 273 in total benefits to the state of Utah. The total includes an estimated $45 million in direct relief to Utah homeowners and $102 million indirect relief and addresses future mortgage loan servicing practices. The state will receive direct payment of $22,987,615.

“This is the second largest settlement ever by the states and addresses serious misconduct against homeowners in Utah and other states,” says Shurtleff. “This agreement provides relief to homeowners and also stops the outrageous conduct that led to the mortgage crisis.” “I commend the diligence and hard work of Utah’s Attorney General and his staff to right a wrong,” says Governor Herbert. “We hope those affected by the foreclosure crisis will take advantage of the programs and resources available through this settlement. I hope this sends a message that this kind of fraudulent conduct is not tolerated.”

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Shaun Donovan and a bipartisan group of state attorneys general announced the national settlement today in Washington, D.C.

Utah borrowers who lost their home to foreclosure from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2011 and suffered servicing abuse would qualify. Approximately 23% of Utah homes are now underwater.

The unprecedented joint state-federal settlement is the result of a massive civil law enforcement investigation and initiative that includes state attorneys general and state banking regulators across the country, and nearly a dozen federal agencies. The settlement holds banks accountable for past mortgage servicing and foreclosure fraud and abuses and provides relief to homeowners. With the backing of a federal court order and the oversight of an independent monitor, the settlement stops future fraud and abuse.

Under the agreement, the five servicers have agreed to a $25 billion penalty under a joint state-national settlement structure
Here are highlights of the settlement:

•  Servicers commit a minimum of $17 billion directly to borrowers through a series of national homeowner relief effort options, including principal reduction. Given how the settlement is structured, servicers will actually provide up to an estimated $32 billion in direct homeowner relief.
•  Servicers commit $3 billion to a mortgage refinancing program for borrowers who are current, but owe more than their home is currently worth.
•  Servicers pay $5 billion to the states and federal government ($4.25 billion to the states and $750 million to the federal government). The state payments include funding for payments to borrowers for mortgage servicing abuse.
•  Homeowners receive comprehensive new protections from new mortgage loan servicing and foreclosure standards.
•  An independent monitor will ensure mortgage servicer compliance.
•  Government can pursue civil claims outside of the agreement, any criminal case; borrowers and investors can pursue individual, institutional or class action cases regardless of agreement.

The settlement does not grant any immunity from criminal offenses and will not affect criminal prosecutions. The agreement does not prevent homeowners or investors from pursuing individual, institutional or class action civil cases against the five servicers. The pact also enables state attorneys general and federal agencies to investigate and pursue other aspects of the mortgage crisis, including securities cases.

“This agreement addresses some breakdowns in the mortgage servicing industry but still allows us to go after other misdeeds,” says Chief Deputy Attorney General John Swallow. “Significantly, those who are still underwater in their homes could be eligible for principal reductions and loan modifications that would not otherwise be available had we gone to trial.”

The final agreement, through a consent judgment, will be filed later in U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., and will have the authority of a court order.

Because of the complexity of the mortgage market and this agreement, which will span a three year period, in some cases participating mortgage servicers will contact borrowers directly regarding loan modification options. However, borrowers should contact their mortgage servicer to obtain more information about specific loan modification programs and whether they qualify under terms of this settlement. Settlement administrators or state attorneys general may also contact borrowers regarding certain aspects of the settlement.

More information on the proposed settlement is available at these webs sites and phone numbers:
www.NationalForeclosureSettlement.com
www.HUD.gov
www.DOJ.gov
Bank of America: 1-877-488-7814
Citi: 1-866-272-4749
Chase: 1-866-372-6901
GMAC: 1-800-766-4622
Wells Fargo: 1-800-288-3212

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The 2002 Olympic Winter Games improved the Utah brand. For over two weeks, the world was treated to shots of our state’s unsurpassed natural beauty and our world-class facilities for hosting winter activities.

In all, 2.1 billion viewers in 160 countries and territories amassed 13.1 billion viewer hours of Olympic coverage. The estimated value of print media exposure value during the Games tallied $22.9 million.

“There was literally no escaping Utah for those 16 days,” said Lane Beattie, president and CEO of the Salt Lake Chamber, who served as chief Olympic officer during the Games. “We still see the benefits to this day. People want to come and ski the Greatest Snow on Earth—especially after they have seen the greatest skiers performing at a world-class level on it.”

Coverage of the Games included national and syndicated stories, USA Today stories, Sports Illustrated features and thousands of stories in major media markets.

Even before the Games officially began, the torch relay brought 11,520 torch-bearers and traveled in 46 states.

In the skies, 2.2 million airline passengers viewed the 27-minute Bud Greenspan film called Discover Utah.

Follow-on Utah advertising has reached tens of millions of people in targeted markets, and Utah continued to receive positive media attention from the Torino and Vancouver Olympic Winter Games.

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