• Auto Insurance
    Top 5 commercial truck insurance providers

    Vehicle insurance takes care of the cost of repairs and any damages, not to mention legal expenses if you were involved in an accident with damage to property and self. It is a smart investment now to save money and cover vital liabilities and expenses if the need ever arises. Knowing where to buy the best insurance policies is the next step when it comes to securing your financials. The following insurance providers rank among the top companies in the country.

    Progressive Commercial Truck Insurance
    The company is among one of the largest insurance corporations when it comes to commercial insurance plans. Basic coverage includes damages for liability, injuries to your body, property damage, uninsured or underinsured motorist protection, any medical payments for recovery, and collision coverage. The insurance also provides protection for cars, SUVs, utility vans, bus, motorhomes or RV and different types of commercial trucks like bucket, catering and refrigeration units.

    Esurance Commercial Truck Insurance
    The basic coverage is very similar to that of Progressive insurance, but Esurance also provides comprehensive coverage for pet injuries, fire, theft, loading, unloading, towing, and labor costs for additional coverage options. Additional coverage is possible with affiliate partners through Commercialinsurance.NET with options available for many types of automobiles. A financial rating is one of the most important points to consider before buying insurance plans and Esurance has a favorable A+ rating.

    State Farm Commercial Truck Insurance
    Commercial business protection that includes coverage for employees, deliveries and many types of commercial vehicles are among primary features of insurance plans by State Farm. Personal injury, medical expenses, liability, and damage to property are services offered for the plan. State Farm also offers discounts for personal auto insurance. Note that discounts for commercial vehicles will differ and must be verified before you purchase.

    Allstate Commercial Truck Insurance
    Allstate may have the best customer services backed by a good financial rating and reputation, but there are limited options when it comes to truck-specific coverage. However, the insurance company underwrites its own policies and has a decent A+ financial strength rating. Additional coverage includes rental reimbursement for hired and non-owned automobiles also.

    Nationwide Commercial Truck Insurance
    The company offers flexible insurance policies custom made for every client. Apart from insurance coverage, the Nationwide commercial also offers plans for investments, banking, annuities, and even your retirement. While most insurance companies don’t offer an online quote, Nationwide provides a number of online quotes with the package or multipolicy discounts.

    Other popular commercial truck insurance providers include Titan Insurance, Farmers Insurance, Travelers, The Hartford, and Liberty Mutual insurance.

  • Auto Insurance
    Factors to consider before buying commercial truck insurance

    Commercial truck insurance is just one of the many expenses you will incur as an owner of a successful transportation or logistics business. It is not advisable to skimp on insurance as accidents can happen at any given point in time and without warning.

    Consider the following factors before you buy an insurance policy.

    Certification
    Standard certification is one of the factors to consider before buying any type of commercial truck insurance. Common industry standard certifications similar to ISO are important to separate the best policies and plans from hundreds of providers in the market. Apart from certification, rating agencies issue ratings that deem the insurance companies prudent to issue policies that are backed by good financials.

    Claims and settlement
    Filing claims and recovering the amount due are two separate things. You may be able to file a claim with the relevant authorities, however, the process of recovery will take both time and a lot of efforts. Check to see if the commercial truck insurance provider offers cashless claims in the garages that form part of the insurance network. A cashless claim process is easy to follow and convenient to manage when the time comes for settlement.

    Coverage
    Read the policy and compare carefully to identify general and specific coverage with possible exclusions from the terms and conditions. Read the fine print carefully as the devil is in the detail, hidden from plain view. Factors like driving record, different types of cargo, and even route options can also affect coverage.

    Type of policy
    There are many different types of commercial truck insurance that vary accordingly depending on the service provider. You can get online quotes and compare before narrowing down policies from the top insurance providers. For more details, you can contact insurance agents and get quotes.

    Credit record
    Your credit record will influence the terms and conditions of any commercial truck insurance policy you plan to purchase. Insurance companies review credit ratings and do a thorough background check of applicants to screen potential candidates. A clean and accurate credit report or rating will ensure a smooth screening process.

    The condition of the vehicle
    The premium that will be applicable for insurance policies will also be determined by the condition of the vehicle. For high end and luxurious semi rigs or trucks, the premium will be higher in comparison.

    Customer support
    At the end of the day, customer support is crucial. An efficient system to tackle consumer grievances and manage queries for current claims or process is necessary. The insurance company must be able to facilitate all your requests every step of the way right from the day you purchase the policy.

  • Finance
    5 best investment plans to live a stress free retired life

    Every individual saves for a comfortable retirement life. In order to enjoy a stress-free retirement period, it is important to invest at an early stage and plan your retirement to make the right investment decisions. Consider your current financial condition and set your retirement goal; based on the same, you may make investment decisions that will allow you to grow your wealth. Roth IRA accounts are highly preferred by investors due to the taxation benefit. Consider these investment plans during your retirement planning. When you withdraw the amount at the time of your retirement, you will not have to pay any tax on the same. There are a number of funds you can choose to invest in. Carry out a market research or consult the portfolio manager to make a well-informed decision. We have listed out the top five Roth IRA funds for investment during retirement planning in 2018.

    • TIAA-CREF Lifecycle Retirement Fund
      This investment generates a high return over a long period of time through income and capital appreciation. It invests in institutional class shares or other funds of the trust and in other investment products. This fund is ideal for investors who are already entering retirement.
    • Vanguard Target Retirement Income
      This fund is a part of the Vanguard target-date series and is suitable for those in retirement or those looking for a target date fund with a conservative strategy. It has retirement dates of 2015 through 2065 in five-year increments. This is the best when you are planning your retirement. It allocates 30 percent of the funds into stocks and 70 percent into bonds. Its parent company, Vanguard is the largest mutual fund provider in the country and offers an array of mutual funds to choose from.
    • American Century One Choice in Ret Port
      The main purpose of the investment is to seek current income followed by an appreciation of capital. It invests into American Century mutual funds, which represent a variety of asset classes and investment styles. It allocates the major portion in stocks followed by bonds and a small portion in money market funds.
    • USAA Target Retirement Income Fund
      There is capital appreciation and current income with this investment. It allocates 35 percent of its net assets into funds that invest in equity securities of alternative asset classes and the remaining 65 percent is invested in fixed income securities.
    • Fidelity Advisor Freedom Income Fund
      The investment strives to generate a higher return with principal preservation. It invests in bond funds, domestic and international equity funds, and short-term funds.

    Consider the prevailing retirement annuity rates and weigh your options when making an investment decision during the retirement planning. Determine the amount you want to receive at the time of your retirement, consider your current financial position, and make your investment decisions accordingly.

  • Finance
    Top funds for retirement planning that you should know

    One of the best investment moves you can make is to open a Roth IRA account when you are planning your retirement. It is a legal tax shelter and you will contribute money that has already been taxed. Hence, you will not be taxed again when you withdraw the amount. The interest earned on it is tax-free as well. You only need to keep the money in the account for a certain period of time and upon your retirement, you can withdraw the money, which goes straight to your pocket without any deductions.

    Top Roth IRA funds for 2018
    It is easy to open an account and invest in the IRA fund. Choosing the fund can be a little difficult. However, there are a number of options that will help you maximize your wealth.

    • Vanguard High Dividend Yield
      This fund generates high income and keeps an eye on the index of stocks that have an above-average dividend yield. It is top heavy, which means the biggest stocks make up a significant percentage of its assets and its top holdings including large stock companies. It is a high dividend yield fund, which means before you retire, the dividends will assist your investment compound quickly and you will be able to take complete advantage of the tax benefit of the IRA. It may offer a reliable stream of income after you have retired. This retirement planning fund has a low expense ratio, which means you get to keep most of your gains.
    • Vanguard Dividend Appreciation
      This is one of the top Roth IRA funds for generating income in the long term. If you are planning for your retirement dividend stocks are considered to be an ideal long-term performer in the market. They have an appeal for the investors who want their combination of income and growth to increase in the long term. This fund has high liquidity and a low expense ratio. It looks for stocks that have a strong track record of growing their dividend payouts over time. This strategy leads to significant dividend growth and above-average yield. It is for those investors who do not need maximum income right now but want to increase their chances of bigger payouts in the future and plan for their retirement.
    • iShares Core S&P Mid Cap ETF
      The fund invests in smaller companies that have produced marginally higher returns than large caps. With this fund, most of the return is generated from capital appreciation rather than the yield. The fund has more than 400 companies and is downright cheap with a low expense ratio.

    Investors need to have knowledge about the retirement annuity rates when making an investment decision during retirement planning. In order to generate higher wealth in the long run, it is important to start saving and investing at an early stage.

  • Finance
    Choose from the top performing IRA funds for 2020

    An Individual Retirement Account or IRA is an ideal resource to help you in your retirement goals. The accounts have a tax advantage, which ensures you do not have to pay any tax when you withdraw funds from the account at the time of retirement. Many individuals do not consider opening a retirement account on their own; for them, the planning for retirement begins and ends with the employer’s retirement plan. However, it is important to keep in mind that the retirement plan chosen by the employer may not provide enough for you. This is why you should open a Roth IRA account and make your investment. Anyone with an income can open a Roth IRA account.

    Here are our top picks for Roth IRA funds for 2020.

    Target Retirement 2050 Fund
    This is a lifecycle fund, which starts out with stocks and tapers into bonds over a long period of time. It allows you to take a risk while you are young and reduces the risk of the fund as you reach your retirement age. This fund covers the much-needed gap in most investor’s portfolio. It fits perfectly for “buy and hold” and has a higher rate of return.

    500 Index Fund
    This fund is filled with the best large-cap companies and is the closest to tracking the US economy as it invests in top 500 biggest companies based in the country.

    Buffalo Discover Fund
    This is a growth fund, which is fairly small. This means managers can make well-informed decisions across the small and midsized companies. The portfolio managers research the market and maintain a disciplined approach to finding opportunities in order to generate higher returns.

    JP Morgan Smart Retirement Income Fund
    This investment helps generate capital appreciation and increases current income. It is meant for retired investors or investors who would retire in the near future. It provides an exposure to varied asset classes by investing in underlying funds. It lays focus on fixed income funds more than equity and other funds.

    MFS Lifetime Income Fund
    This fund is for investors who are looking for a steady income while increasing their funds. It puts multiple stock and bond funds into a single investment and offers instant diversification. It has a mainly static portfolio that consists of corporate and US Treasury bond funds.

    These are some of our picks for the best Roth IRA funds of 2020 out of the many funds offered in the market. However, investors should carry out a thorough research and even check for retirement annuity rates and then make an investment decision based on their current financial condition and analyze their requirement of funds at the time of their retirement.

  • Finance
    5 popular Roth IRA funds to choose from

    Every individual spends a lot of time and efforts in planning for their retirement. The income generated throughout your life will help you live a comfortable life once you retire. A Roth IRA (individual retirement account) is an ideal place to park your funds for retirement. You can put money into the account after paying income tax on the same and then your account will grow tax-free. During your retirement, you will not be required to pay any taxes on the withdrawals if you follow the rules. It will give you more financial freedom than you have right now.

    Here are the best Roth IRA funds for 2018.

    The fund is an extensive planning tool and has a simple and quick account opening process. You may enjoy robust customer service at minimum account fees.

    Merrill Edge
    The fund has no minimum account balance requirement and offers robust customer service for minimal processing fees. It has a seamless integration and a single login access to the Roth IRA account and the Bank of America account.

    Ally Invest
    Ally Invest has a low commission and no minimum account balance requirement, which makes it an ideal choice for investors. It also has no annual fees and offers a solid suite of research for customers who are active and like to make investment decisions after thorough research. It also has the lowest fee per trade.

    E-Trade
    E-Trade has a large lineup of mutual funds in addition to an extensive library of retirement advice and tools. There is no minimum account balance requirement and no transaction fee for a number of mutual funds.

    Buffalo Discovery Fund
    The Buffalo Discovery Fund is a growth fund worth considering. It is fairly small, which means that the managers can make meaningful investments across small and midsized companies. It has performed well in the last five years and the portfolio managers have a disciplined approach to finding opportunities that will increase their returns.

    Fidelity Balanced Fund
    The Balanced Fund is also known as an asset allocation fund, which invests into assets and bonds. It brings stability and maintains a certain level of growth. It has generated significant gains in the last five years and it targets large-cap stocks. However, the bond portfolio remains conservative and that is how the balance is maintained between stocks and bonds.

    Investors need to consider the retirement annuity rates when making an investment decision. Starting early is the key here. In order to generate wealth in the long term, it is important to make investment decisions at an early stage and choose funds that have a strong growth history and meet your financial requirements.

  • Personal Finance
    Important things to know about W-2 tax forms

    A W-2 tax form is a statement prepared by the employers for their employees. This form includes details about an employee’s total earnings, Medicare earnings, Social Security earnings, and federal and state taxes that are withheld by the employee.

    Before you give the W-2 tax form to your employee, you should know about these important details of W-2 tax forms.

    Different parts of the W-2 tax forms
    W-2 tax forms contain numerous parts. Here is a brief overview of different parts of the W-2 tax form.

    • Copy A is the part that goes to the Social Security Administration (SSA). This part is printed on a red form that can be scanned using a laser scanner. In case you are filing a paper copy of the return, you must only use the paper provided by the SSA.
    • Copy 1 is for the locality, state, and city
    • Copy B part is for filing the federal tax return of the employee
    • Copy C states the records of the employee
    • Copy 2 is another copy for the locality, state, and city
    • Copy D is for the record of the employer

    Where can I find W-2 tax forms?
    One cannot copy the W-2 tax form from the Internet. As mentioned earlier, the Copy A of tax forms is printed on a special type of paper that can be scanned using a laser scanner, which cannot be found on any website. Only official forms must be used here. You can talk to your tax preparer and get your official W-2 tax forms.

    What information is required to be completed in W-2 tax forms?
    Information about your business
    This will include your business name, business address, employer ID number, and business State Tax ID number.

    Information about your employees You need to mention the Social Security Number or other tax identification number of your employee, the name and address of your employee, and the like.

    Information about employee income The information about total wages and withholdings of each employee for the last year has to be reported. Total Medicare wages, Social Security tips, total Social Security wages, total wages, and other compensation.

    Apart from these, you also need to state information on retirement plans and special benefits. Box 12 and 13 of W-2 tax forms talk about retirement plans and employee benefits plans respectively.

    What if there are errors made on a W-2 form?
    It is recommended to check for common mistakes in tax forms before you send them off to your employees. However, if you have submitted incorrect forms to Social Security Administration, then you must fill and complete W-2c forms. Ensure that you do not miss out on the final deadline for submitting the revised information along with the W-3 transmittal form, which needs to be resubmitted.