Mortgage Refinancing Help: Carriers

“It's better to follow the 2% Rule which suggests that you can enjoy the benefits of a home refinance if your mortgage refinance rate is 2% lower than that on your current loan. The interest savings will help you recoup the costs you've paid for the new loan provided you stay in the property for a certain period of time (break-even period). However, there are no-cost as well as low-cost refinance loans wherein the costs are included into the loan. But you can expect comparatively higher rates on such loans. Moreover, these loans are limited when the market is in a credit crunch. ”

Don't escrow taxes and insurance. Unless you're undisciplined, avoid putting monies in escrow to cover your property taxes and homeowner's insurance. There's usually a fee for this privilege that runs under 1 percent of the loan amount, in states where it's allowed. "Paying the fee will allow you to time your tax and insurance payments to your benefit," says Bank South's Steve Austin. For instance, you may be able to prepay taxes that are due next year and use those payments to reduce your current tax bill. Moreover, you get to hang onto your money longer. That may be an advantage when interest-bearing accounts start paying more.

See also:

• Business: Financial Services: Insurance: Holding Companies (28)
• Business: Financial Services: Insurance: Wholesale and Distribution (102)

The St. Paul Travelers Companies, Inc. » Provider of property casualty insurance and surety products and of risk management services to businesses and individuals.

USAA » Offer insurance and diversified financial services to officers and enlisted personnel in the United States military and National Guard. Offers auto, property, life, health, and annuities.

Sentry Insurance » Products include auto, home, business, commercial, life, and motorcycle insurance. Also offers pension and mutual fund products.

Hammond National Insurance Company » Established in 1822 in Hammond, Indiana and run by a fourth generation of the Gescheidler family, offering a full line of personal and commercial insurance policies. History, photos, awards, FAQ.

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. » A diversified company with major interest in GEICO, life insurance, annuity sales and sales of jewelry. Headquartered in Omaha, NE. (NYSE: BRK.A and BRK.B)

The Co-operators » A Canadian-owned, multi-line insurance company that provides home, auto, life, farm, business, and group insurance. Also offers financial security products, including RRSPs. Find an agent or request a quote.

Zurich North America » Insurance and risk management organization that provides business insurance and risk management solutions to a variety of commercial enterprises.

GuideOne Insurance » Product lines offered are life, health, annuity, auto, commercial, church, motorcycle, boat, home, mobilehome, retirement, private schools and colleges, and senior living communities.

Assurant Group » provide creditor-placed homeowners insurance, warranties and extended services contracts, health insurance, group life insurance and pre-funded funeral insurance.

ARDAF Insurance-Reinsurance » Romanian insurance and reinsurance company. Offers life, health, and commercial insurance products.

American Family Insurance » Offers vehicle, property, business, farm and ranch, health, and life insurance products. Site provides quotes, agent contacts, product descriptions, bill payment, and claim information.

Bancinsurance Corporation » Underwrites and sells specialized property and casualty insurance, and provides workers' compensation administration and cost control services to employers who self-insure this coverage. (Nasdaq: BCIS).

American International Group, Inc. (AIG) » International insurance and financial services organization, with operations in approximately 130 countries and jurisdictions.

Pekin Insurance Group » Made up of four organizations, together underwriting property, casualty, life, individual, business, and group products. Located in Illinois and serving several midwest states.

Great American Insurance Company » Engaged primarily in specialty property and casualty insurance businesses and in the sale of retirement annuities, life and supplemental health insurance products. A division of American Financial Group.

The Mutual of Omaha Companies » Family of eight companies that offer life, annuities, health, property and casualty, long-term care, and Medicare supplement. Site has customer service, FAQs, glossary, agent locator, and health/dental provider directories.

The Wawanesa Mutual Insurance Company » A mutual company owned by its policyholders, writes a full line of insurance products Canada-wide and in California and Oregon.

Amica Insurance Company » National mutual company offering insurance for auto, home, life, flood, and boat. Site offers online quotes for some of Amica's products.

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company » Provider of insurance for life, auto, and home. Also offers many financial and asset management services.

Allstate Insurance Company » Offers insurance for autos, homes, property, life, mortgage protection, and business. Calculators and tools, an agent locator, access to Allstate forms, and safety tips.

The Chubb Group of Insurance Companies » Working with independent agents and brokers, member insurers provide a full range of insurance and risk management services for individuals, homes and businesses.

The Motorists Mutual-American Hardware Insurance Group » Offering insurance products for home, auto, life, and business. Report a claim online. Locate an agency or claims branch office.

The Hartford Financial Services Group » Offers a complete line of personal insurance and financial service products, including auto, homeowner's, life, annuities, and mutual funds.

Acceptance Insurance Companies, Inc. » Provides specialty property, casualty, and crop insurance. Company profile includes agent and affiliated services, as well as employment information. (NYSE: AIF)

Farm Bureau Insurance - Tennessee » Tennessee - ffers homeowners, auto, and life insurance and annuity products in Tennessee. Company, product and agent information are available.

Liberty Mutual Group » A diversified financial services company, including a multi-line property and casualty company, a financial services company, and a life insurance company.

Allmerica Financial Corporation » Underwrites property and casualty, surety, life insurance and annuity products; Offer short term installment loans to small and medium sized businesses. Corporate, financial, investor, and employment information. (NYSE: AFC)

Farmers Insurance Group » Provides insurance products including automobile, life, homeowners, renters, small business, snowmobile, and teachers liability insurance plans; and financial services including annuities, IRAs, and mutual funds.

State Farm Insurance » Provider of auto, renters, and life insurance.

Country Insurance & Financial Services » A full range of insurance and financial planning services. News and information about the company, available policies and services, agent search, a game zone for teaching kids about safety.

Markel Insurance Company » Provides property and casualty coverages for children's camps, child care centers, martial arts and gymnastics schools, social service organizations, and other niche markets. Also offers accident and health coverages for sports organizations and varied types of equine related coverages. Includes product listing, application, claims information, and news.

SAFECO » Operations include property and casualty insurance, life insurance, annuities, surety, commercial credit, asset management and financial services distribution operations.