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الأربعاء، 23 أكتوبر 2019

The Coolest Car Insurance Mobile Apps 2019

More and more, car insurance companies are creating their own unique car insurance apps. Far beyond providing basic insurance quotes, these auto insurance apps can provide feedback on your driving skills, find the cheapest gas prices in your area and even help you locate your car in a crowded parking lot. With that in mind, below is a list of some of the top picks you’ll find on the market today. Keep reading to learn more about each app, and help to decide which ones you’d want to try out.

The 4 Coolest Mobile Apps for Car Insurance

Here are our top picks for the best car insurance apps around. While all these apps are free to download, for most of them, you do have to be a member of the car insurance company listed in order to get the full benefit of putting their app to use.

Best for the Commuter: Metromile

Metromile sets itself apart from other car insurance companies by offering a pay-per-mile pricing model. This model is best for people who don’t drive very far, like those who don’t drive often, work from home or have a short commute to work. You will have to be a Metromile customer in order to use the app.

At its core, the app serves to help you track your miles so you know where you stand in terms of your monthly car insurance expenditure. On top of its tracking capabilities, the app has lots of other useful features that can help commuters stay up-to-date on their vehicles.

For instance, the app also works with Metromile’s in-car mile tracking device to give you diagnostic updates on your car’s overall health. If your check engine light comes on, the app can help you decode its meaning and recommend nearby mechanics who can help you fix the problem.

Beyond that, Metromile’s app also has a feature that can help you find your car in a packed parking lot. In certain cities, it will also provide alerts for occurrences such as street cleaning so that you can avoid getting a ticket.

Best for Saving on Gas: Esurance Fuelcaster

If saving on gas is your main goal, than Esurance Fuelcaster is the right app for you. How it works is simple. On the app’s homepage, simply provide your current location or zip code and, in return, you’ll be shown all of the gas stations in your area.

Esurance Fuelcaster shows you the current pricing data for each gas station and will give you a recommendation on whether to buy today or wait until tomorrow based on how gas prices are set to fluctuate. Both features aim to ensure that you find the lowest price for gas around.

Best of all, unlike most of the apps on this list, you don’t need to be insured by Esurance in order to get the benefits.

Best for the New Driver: Allstate Drivewise

If you’re just getting behind the wheel for the first time, you may want to consider using the Allstate Drivewise app to track your driving habits. The app tracks different aspects of your driving such as your speed, how hard you brake and accelerate and the times of day that you drive. This data provides you and Allstate with feedback on whether or not you’re a safe driver, so you will need to have Allstate insurance in order to use Allstate Drivewise.

While just the thought of knowing your driving is being monitored may be enough to instill better driving habits in some, the biggest perks is the savings you could get. If Allstate determines that you’re a safe driver, you may be deemed eligible for extra discounts on your car insurance. Though, you can rest easy knowing that Allstate will not raise your rates in the event that you don’t get the best feedback from the app.

Best for Parents: Esurance DriveSense

In particular, parents of new teen drivers may want to consider enrolling in Esurance’s DriveSense program. Similar to Allstate’s Drivewise app, DriveSense uses a telematics device that plugs into the onboard diagnostics port of the car your teen drives most. Install the Esurance DriveSafe app on both your and your teen’s phone to monitor potentially dangerous driving habits such as texting and driving, speeding and hard braking.

As the parent, you can select whether or not you want alerts to be sent to your phone whenever your teen engages in these risky driving behaviors. That way, you can make sure your child stays safe behind the wheel and help coach them on developing better driving habits for the future.

While you don’t have to be an Esurance customer to use the DriveSense app, customers who enroll could save $100 with a safe driving discount.

The Bottom Line

Car insurance companies are getting increasingly creative when it comes to the auto insurance apps that they offer. While the ones listed above are our favorites on the market right now, only you know which apps will be the best fit for you. If you’re in the market for a new insurance provider and some extra savings, check out Esurance DriveSense and Allstate Drivewise.

The post The Coolest Car Insurance Mobile Apps 2019 appeared first on The Simple Dollar.



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Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union Mortgage Review

Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU) was founded in 1952. Headquartered in Live Oak, Texas, RBFCU is one of the nation’s largest credit unions, although it began with just $45 in deposits. The credit union now has more than half a million members and carries $6 billion in assets.

In 1995, RBFCU merged with Central Texas Catholic Credit Union. RBFCU’s mortgage options include conventional fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages, FHA, VA, and Construction and Land loans.

RBFCU Background

RBFCU started in 1952 with just $45 in deposits. Initially, the credit union’s name was Randolph Federal Credit Union but was later changed to Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union. In 1995, the credit union merged with Central Texas Catholic Credit Union, helping it grow to represent a more substantial part of Texas. RBFCUNEWLOGO_0

The credit union gained several branches and even added branches in retail stores with the new merger. Now one of the country’s largest credit unions with half a million members and $6 billion in deposits, RBFCU continues to serve several large Texas metro areas: Dallas, San Antonio, Austin, and Corpus Christi. Members must live, work, or worship in these areas or be members of specific groups to join. 

The lender is somewhat flexible with loan options and qualification terms. RBFCU is also very diligent about making sure borrowers are educated on their mortgage options, offering online checklists and tools to make sure applicants have the guidance they need.

Borrowers can estimate their home mortgage expenses and determine what they will need for documentation, too. RBFCU provides in-branch help with mortgage applications, although applicants can apply online as well. 

Currently, RBFCU is not on Trustpilot. The lender’s BBB rating is A+ with an average of 1/5 stars from customer reviews.

Randolph-Brooks Federal Credit Union (RBFCU) was founded in 1952. Headquartered in Live Oak, Texas, RBFCU is one of the nation’s largest credit unions, although it began with just $45 in deposits. The credit union now has more than half a million members and carries $6 billion in assets.

In 1995, RBFCU merged with Central Texas Catholic Credit Union. RBFCU’s mortgage options include conventional fixed-rate and adjustable-rate mortgages, FHA, VA, and Construction and Land loans.

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Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union Mortgage Specifics

Fixed-Rate Loans

A fixed mortgage loan from RBFCU has consistent rates throughout the life of the loan, so borrowers can count on consistent mortgage payments until their loan is paid off. This makes it easier to budget. Of course, if rates go up, the loan’s fixed-rate remains the same.

This option may be best for applicants who plan to stay in their home for several years and lock-in a low-interest rate. For a conventional loan, 20 percent down is typical.

Adjustable-Rate Loans

Adjustable-rate mortgages have rates that are subject to change along with the market rate. This means the loan’s rate can go up or down, and borrowers could end up paying more for a home than they expected. Rates may also decrease, though, and usually start at a low rate at the beginning of the loan. Applicants who think they will sell soon or refinance may benefit the most from an adjustable-rate mortgage.

FHA Mortgage Loans

Getting a government-backed FHA mortgage loan from RBFCU may allow borrowers to qualify for lower down payments and low monthly payments when compared with a conventional loan. Applicants who meet income qualifications may pay as little as 3.5 percent down on an FHA loan.

VA Loans

For applicants with ties to the military, the VA loan may be a good option. VA loans are available to veterans, members of the armed forces, and surviving spouses. The VA guarantees these, so lenders like RBFCU may be able to provide more favorable terms than would otherwise be available to borrowers. Low or no down payment, fixed or adjustable-rate, and no private mortgage insurance (PMI) options may be available.

Construction Loans

Borrowers looking to build a new home typically need financing before they’re ever able to walk in through that front door. With a construction loan from RBFCU, their builder has a budget to work with, and the loan is provided with easier financing while the home is constructed.

Land Loans

A land loan from RBFCU makes it possible to buy just the land so borrowers can find the perfect location for their next dream home.

RBFCU Mortgage Experience

RBFCU has several different mortgage products available for members and extensive loan guidance on its website for applicants who want to learn more about mortgages and consider applying. Applicants can apply online and can also apply for prequalification so they can confidently make an offer on a home or know what to expect when refinancing.

Prospective applicants can also apply in-branch at one of RBFCU’s locations. Using an online calculator, borrowers can determine how much home they can afford and what their payments will probably look like. To get a quote and become prequalified, applicants will need to provide personal information about their identity and credit.

By scheduling an in-person meeting with a loan officer or applying online, borrowers can begin the prequalification process.

RBFCU does require documentation for mortgage loan applications, which is a typical request for lenders to make. Borrowers will need to show that they can afford the monthly payments for the home they plan to purchase. To do this, they may be asked to turn in bank statements, W2 forms, tax returns from past years, pay stubs, asset documentation, and other evidence.

Each loan may have different requirements and credit standards. At RBFCU, the loan officers do try to work with borrowers to figure out the overall ability to repay the loan.

Lender Reputation

RBFCU is not on Trustpilot. The credit union’s BBB rating is A+ with customer reviews averaging 1/5 stars.

  • Information collected December 19, 2018

Mortgage Qualifications

Credit score Quality Ease of approval
760+ Excellent Easy
700-759 Good Somewhat easy
621-699 Fair Moderate
620 and below Poor Difficult
n/a No credit score Difficult

Although the credit union may offer loans to borrowers with no credit history or low credit scores, these options are usually more limited.Mortgage applicants who have credit scores at 760 and higher may receive the best loan offers from RBFCU.

Borrowers with scores between 700 and 759 may not receive the best options, but should probably have a few different choices. Applicants with “fair” credit may need an alternative or government-backed mortgage program and may not receive the best offers from RBFCU.

For the very best RBFCU offers, borrowers should have plenty of income and asset documentation for loan officers to review.

Debt-to-income ratio Quality Likelihood to get approved by lender
35% or less Manageable Likely
36-49% Needs improvement Possible
50% or more Poor Unlikely

RBFCU Phone Number and Additional DetailsRBFCU is most likely to offer favorable terms to borrowers with debt-to-income (DTI) ratios of 30 percent or less. Applicants who have higher DTIs may want to ask about RBFCU’s alternative and government-backed loan programs, to qualify for the best possible offers.

Homepage URL: https://www.rbfcu.org/
Company Phone: 1-800-580-3300
Headquarters Address: 11911 Burnet Rd., Austin, TX 78758-2901

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