2009-02-16
Even if you are a safe driver with a stellar driving record, you might be seeing an increase in your auto insurance rates due to the lagging economy. Car insurance companies are raising their premiums across the board, and sometimes this is at no fault of your own. True, if you get a ticket or are in an accident you expect to see an increase in your auto insurance rates, but there are other reasons for this overall increase associated with the recession. Here are some of the economic causes for rising auto insurance rates:
Everything is More Expensive:
Everything is more expensive nowadays. From restaurants to auto parts stores, nearly every industry in America has raised their prices. This is because the cost of raw materials, energy, and shipping has increased, as well as other costs to do business. These costs are then passed on to the consumer at the end of a long chain of price increases. For example, auto parts suppliers are charging more for the parts they sell to service centers, so service centers are charging more for repair costs, so auto insurance companies are spending more to fix vehicles, and therefore consumers must absorb the cost by paying higher auto insurance rates. This chain of events also applies to health costs and other outlays by car insurance companies. Put simply, when the car insurance company must pay more, their customers must pay more.
Losing on Investments:
Another reason auto insurance quotes are going higher is the result of the poor investment performance. That is, car insurance companies are losing money in the stock market and other investments. Again, this is at no fault to the consumer, but they are the ones that will end up paying for the losses with higher auto insurance rates. Many car insurance companies use the money they collect from auto insurance premiums and invest it to grow that money. They invest the money in other industries to diversify their own holdings and make a profit. But, markets across the world have been underperforming, and therefore car insurance companies are either not making a good return on their investments, or even worse, they are losing money. To make up for these losses, auto insurance rates are rising for current customers, and new customers are being presented with high auto insurance quotes and rates.
Credit Rating:
Believe it or not, a driver's credit history also affects their auto insurance rates. No matter how good of a driver you are, or how long its been since your last accident, if you have poor credit you will pay higher auto insurance rates than if you had good credit. People with poor credit are deemed to be more risky to insure because they might not make their payments on time, or not make their payments at all. Therefore a poor credit rating means higher auto insurance rates. This applies even if you always pay your auto insurance premium on time, because a foreclosure or defaulted loan would negatively affect your credit rating.
Consumers can still find cheap auto insurance quotes online, however. Visit CarInsuranceQuotes.com and compare quotes from several different companies competing for your business. You'll find the cheapest car insurance quotes from respected companies across the nation.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
Why Are My Car Insurance Rates Going Up in the Bad Economy?
2009-02-16
Even if you are a safe driver with a stellar driving record, you might be seeing an increase in your auto insurance rates due to the lagging economy. Car insurance companies are raising their premiums across the board, and sometimes this is at no fault of your own. True, if you get a ticket or are in an accident you expect to see an increase in your auto insurance rates, but there are other reasons for this overall increase associated with the recession. Here are some of the economic causes for rising auto insurance rates:
Everything is More Expensive:
Everything is more expensive nowadays. From restaurants to auto parts stores, nearly every industry in America has raised their prices. This is because the cost of raw materials, energy, and shipping has increased, as well as other costs to do business. These costs are then passed on to the consumer at the end of a long chain of price increases. For example, auto parts suppliers are charging more for the parts they sell to service centers, so service centers are charging more for repair costs, so auto insurance companies are spending more to fix vehicles, and therefore consumers must absorb the cost by paying higher auto insurance rates. This chain of events also applies to health costs and other outlays by car insurance companies. Put simply, when the car insurance company must pay more, their customers must pay more.
Losing on Investments:
Another reason auto insurance quotes are going higher is the result of the poor investment performance. That is, car insurance companies are losing money in the stock market and other investments. Again, this is at no fault to the consumer, but they are the ones that will end up paying for the losses with higher auto insurance rates. Many car insurance companies use the money they collect from auto insurance premiums and invest it to grow that money. They invest the money in other industries to diversify their own holdings and make a profit. But, markets across the world have been underperforming, and therefore car insurance companies are either not making a good return on their investments, or even worse, they are losing money. To make up for these losses, auto insurance rates are rising for current customers, and new customers are being presented with high auto insurance quotes and rates.
Credit Rating:
Believe it or not, a driver's credit history also affects their auto insurance rates. No matter how good of a driver you are, or how long its been since your last accident, if you have poor credit you will pay higher auto insurance rates than if you had good credit. People with poor credit are deemed to be more risky to insure because they might not make their payments on time, or not make their payments at all. Therefore a poor credit rating means higher auto insurance rates. This applies even if you always pay your auto insurance premium on time, because a foreclosure or defaulted loan would negatively affect your credit rating.
Consumers can still find cheap auto insurance quotes online, however. Visit CarInsuranceQuotes.com and compare quotes from several different companies competing for your business. You'll find the cheapest car insurance quotes from respected companies across the nation.
Even if you are a safe driver with a stellar driving record, you might be seeing an increase in your auto insurance rates due to the lagging economy. Car insurance companies are raising their premiums across the board, and sometimes this is at no fault of your own. True, if you get a ticket or are in an accident you expect to see an increase in your auto insurance rates, but there are other reasons for this overall increase associated with the recession. Here are some of the economic causes for rising auto insurance rates:
Everything is More Expensive:
Everything is more expensive nowadays. From restaurants to auto parts stores, nearly every industry in America has raised their prices. This is because the cost of raw materials, energy, and shipping has increased, as well as other costs to do business. These costs are then passed on to the consumer at the end of a long chain of price increases. For example, auto parts suppliers are charging more for the parts they sell to service centers, so service centers are charging more for repair costs, so auto insurance companies are spending more to fix vehicles, and therefore consumers must absorb the cost by paying higher auto insurance rates. This chain of events also applies to health costs and other outlays by car insurance companies. Put simply, when the car insurance company must pay more, their customers must pay more.
Losing on Investments:
Another reason auto insurance quotes are going higher is the result of the poor investment performance. That is, car insurance companies are losing money in the stock market and other investments. Again, this is at no fault to the consumer, but they are the ones that will end up paying for the losses with higher auto insurance rates. Many car insurance companies use the money they collect from auto insurance premiums and invest it to grow that money. They invest the money in other industries to diversify their own holdings and make a profit. But, markets across the world have been underperforming, and therefore car insurance companies are either not making a good return on their investments, or even worse, they are losing money. To make up for these losses, auto insurance rates are rising for current customers, and new customers are being presented with high auto insurance quotes and rates.
Credit Rating:
Believe it or not, a driver's credit history also affects their auto insurance rates. No matter how good of a driver you are, or how long its been since your last accident, if you have poor credit you will pay higher auto insurance rates than if you had good credit. People with poor credit are deemed to be more risky to insure because they might not make their payments on time, or not make their payments at all. Therefore a poor credit rating means higher auto insurance rates. This applies even if you always pay your auto insurance premium on time, because a foreclosure or defaulted loan would negatively affect your credit rating.
Consumers can still find cheap auto insurance quotes online, however. Visit CarInsuranceQuotes.com and compare quotes from several different companies competing for your business. You'll find the cheapest car insurance quotes from respected companies across the nation.
Cheap Car Insurance
Finding cheap car insurance is important for many consumers. Even more important is finding cheap car insurance from a reputable company so you know your insurance policy will cover you when you need it. Fortunately, there are many things consumers can do to help lower their premiums and allow them to find cheap car insurance from companies they can trust. CarInsuranceQuotes.com wants our customers to get the best deal possible and that is why we offer these tips to help lower your premiums and ensure you get cheap car insurance from a highly respected insurance company.
Go Shopping- One of the biggest mistakes most consumers make when they purchase a car insurance policy is going with the first company they find. “If you want to find cheap car insurance, the best and easiest way to save is by shopping around the different policies offered by car insurance companies. You will want to get at least three different quotes from companies before you decide on which insurance policy is best for you. CarInsuranceQuotes.com allows our customers to view quotes from different companies so our customers can be sure they get cheap car insurance from one of our partners.
Raise your Deductible- A great way to get cheap car insurance premiums is by raising the deductibles they are willing to pay. By raising your deductible from $500 to $1000 you can lower the premiums you pay by up to 40%.
Combine your Coverage- Another easy way to get cheap car insurance is by combining your auto and home policies. Many companies offer breaks to customers that insure their homes and vehicles through the same company.
Stay Close to Home- The less you drive the less chance you have of being involved in an accident. Insurance companies understand this and offer lower rates to people who use their vehicles less. So, if you are looking for cheap car insurance, it may be wise to walk the two blocks to the store instead of driving.
Do the Math- If you own an older vehicle that is not required by a loan company to carry full coverage insurance then a great way to get cheap car insurance is to lessen the coverage on the vehicle. If the amount of the premium on the policy is more than 10% of what the car is worth than the insurance policy is probably not worth it.
Improve your Credit- Think of your insurance policy as a loan. When you apply for coverage, insurance companies check your credit history to help determine how much your premiums will be. If you want to find cheap car insurance it is wise to pay bills on time, apply for credit less and check your credit report periodically for errors.
If you feel you are paying too much for your premiums and would like to find cheap car insurance from a reputable company then the above tips are a great place to start. And when it is time to get quotes for your new insurance policy, let CarInsuranceQuotes.com do your research for you. CarInsuranceQuotes.com searches online for the lowest price premiums from reputable companies like Allstate, esurance.com and Farmers’ Insurance Group to help ensure our customers get cheap car insurance from the best companies.
Go Shopping- One of the biggest mistakes most consumers make when they purchase a car insurance policy is going with the first company they find. “If you want to find cheap car insurance, the best and easiest way to save is by shopping around the different policies offered by car insurance companies. You will want to get at least three different quotes from companies before you decide on which insurance policy is best for you. CarInsuranceQuotes.com allows our customers to view quotes from different companies so our customers can be sure they get cheap car insurance from one of our partners.
Raise your Deductible- A great way to get cheap car insurance premiums is by raising the deductibles they are willing to pay. By raising your deductible from $500 to $1000 you can lower the premiums you pay by up to 40%.
Combine your Coverage- Another easy way to get cheap car insurance is by combining your auto and home policies. Many companies offer breaks to customers that insure their homes and vehicles through the same company.
Stay Close to Home- The less you drive the less chance you have of being involved in an accident. Insurance companies understand this and offer lower rates to people who use their vehicles less. So, if you are looking for cheap car insurance, it may be wise to walk the two blocks to the store instead of driving.
Do the Math- If you own an older vehicle that is not required by a loan company to carry full coverage insurance then a great way to get cheap car insurance is to lessen the coverage on the vehicle. If the amount of the premium on the policy is more than 10% of what the car is worth than the insurance policy is probably not worth it.
Improve your Credit- Think of your insurance policy as a loan. When you apply for coverage, insurance companies check your credit history to help determine how much your premiums will be. If you want to find cheap car insurance it is wise to pay bills on time, apply for credit less and check your credit report periodically for errors.
If you feel you are paying too much for your premiums and would like to find cheap car insurance from a reputable company then the above tips are a great place to start. And when it is time to get quotes for your new insurance policy, let CarInsuranceQuotes.com do your research for you. CarInsuranceQuotes.com searches online for the lowest price premiums from reputable companies like Allstate, esurance.com and Farmers’ Insurance Group to help ensure our customers get cheap car insurance from the best companies.
Car Insurance FAQ
CarInsuranceQuotes.com has developed this Car Insurance FAQ for your convenience. Below you will find many answers to your questions about car insurance.
When shopping around for car insurance online, what information do I need to help make my purchase as simple as possible?
CarInsuranceQuotes.com understands that our customers may be hesitant about giving their personal information when shopping for car insurance online and that is why CarInsuranceQuotes.com only asks for the basic information and keeps all personal information safe and secure. To get an insurance quote, all you will need is your Zip code, information about your driving history and the driving history of other drivers in your household and the type of vehicles you own.
How much will it cost to get a quote for car insurance online?
Everybody hates to spend money for assistance when they could do the work themselves for free. That’s the beauty of getting a quote for car insurance online from CarInsuranceQuotes.com. CarInsuranceQuotes.com will search top rated companies for the best quote from a reputable insurer and it won’t cost you a cent. This will allow you to get multiple quotes for car insurance online without having to open your wallet.
How much time does it take to get a quote for car insurance online?CarInsuranceQuotes.com understands that our customers are very busy and don’t have time to spend hours or even days waiting for a car insurance quote. Because of this, CarInsuranceQuotes.com has streamlined the quote process so you can move on to other important issues of your day. The entire process of getting a quote for car insurance online takes under five minutes with CarInsuranceQuotes.com.
Can I get a quote for car insurance online at any time of day?
The short answer is yes! CarInsuranceQuotes.com, unlike your local insurance company, is open for business 24 hours a day. This allows our customers to get a quote for car insurance online when they are sitting at the breakfast table, on their lunch break or after they put the kids to bed.
What is the maximum amount of drivers or vehicles I can insure on one policy when I purchase car insurance online?
Most car insurance companies allow for a maximum of four vehicles and/or four vehicles to be insured on a single policy. This is the same whether you purchase your car insurance online or from your local agent.
Are there any other benefits to purchasing car insurance online?
Shopping for car insurance online offers many benefits to consumers. Some of the benefits include:• Convenience- You can shop for car insurance online from anywhere you have a computer and the internet and from any time of day.
• Comparison shopping- Shopping for car insurance online allows you to compare quotes and companies quickly and easily without ever having to leave your desk.
• Save money- Shopping for car insurance online cuts out the middle man, which allows you to save even more money.These are some of the more common questions people have when they are shopping for car insurance online. If your question has not been answered here feel free to contact CarInsuranceQuotes.com anytime by email.
When shopping around for car insurance online, what information do I need to help make my purchase as simple as possible?
CarInsuranceQuotes.com understands that our customers may be hesitant about giving their personal information when shopping for car insurance online and that is why CarInsuranceQuotes.com only asks for the basic information and keeps all personal information safe and secure. To get an insurance quote, all you will need is your Zip code, information about your driving history and the driving history of other drivers in your household and the type of vehicles you own.
How much will it cost to get a quote for car insurance online?
Everybody hates to spend money for assistance when they could do the work themselves for free. That’s the beauty of getting a quote for car insurance online from CarInsuranceQuotes.com. CarInsuranceQuotes.com will search top rated companies for the best quote from a reputable insurer and it won’t cost you a cent. This will allow you to get multiple quotes for car insurance online without having to open your wallet.
How much time does it take to get a quote for car insurance online?CarInsuranceQuotes.com understands that our customers are very busy and don’t have time to spend hours or even days waiting for a car insurance quote. Because of this, CarInsuranceQuotes.com has streamlined the quote process so you can move on to other important issues of your day. The entire process of getting a quote for car insurance online takes under five minutes with CarInsuranceQuotes.com.
Can I get a quote for car insurance online at any time of day?
The short answer is yes! CarInsuranceQuotes.com, unlike your local insurance company, is open for business 24 hours a day. This allows our customers to get a quote for car insurance online when they are sitting at the breakfast table, on their lunch break or after they put the kids to bed.
What is the maximum amount of drivers or vehicles I can insure on one policy when I purchase car insurance online?
Most car insurance companies allow for a maximum of four vehicles and/or four vehicles to be insured on a single policy. This is the same whether you purchase your car insurance online or from your local agent.
Are there any other benefits to purchasing car insurance online?
Shopping for car insurance online offers many benefits to consumers. Some of the benefits include:• Convenience- You can shop for car insurance online from anywhere you have a computer and the internet and from any time of day.
• Comparison shopping- Shopping for car insurance online allows you to compare quotes and companies quickly and easily without ever having to leave your desk.
• Save money- Shopping for car insurance online cuts out the middle man, which allows you to save even more money.These are some of the more common questions people have when they are shopping for car insurance online. If your question has not been answered here feel free to contact CarInsuranceQuotes.com anytime by email.
Car Insurance Quote
Whether you are a first time car buyer or a collector of classic automobiles, finding the best car insurance quote is important to protecting your vehicle. But, many people pay far too much for car insurance because they don't take the time to research companies, and shop around.
Fortunately, finding cheap car insurance quotes from reputable companies is easier than you think. CarInsuranceQuotes.com has partnered with companies like AIG, Nationwide and Progressive to help our customers get the quotes for insurance they deserve at a price they want to pay.
Car insurance benefits are numerous, but more importantly, having auto insurance is mandatory in many states.A common misconception about getting car insurance quotes online is that you will have to spend hours navigating through company websites and give out all your personal information to find the rate you are looking for. CarInsuranceQuotes.com has taken all the hassle out of the process.
All you need to do is enter your Zip code and answer a few general questions and CarInsuranceQuotes.com will search our partner companies to find you the lowest quotes available. And the entire process takes less than five minutes! Besides finding a car insurance quote quickly and easily, CarInsuranceQuotes.com offers other benefits to our customers. Some of these benefits include:• Quote Comparisons- You wouldn’t buy your car without finding out if you can find the same model cheaper and shopping car insurance quotes should be no different.
That’s why CarInsuranceQuotes.com will come back with multiple quotes for you to look at and then make the decision on which company you like the best.• Lower prices- By getting insurance quotes online, you cut out the middle man. This allows companies to offer lower prices to their customers.• Convenience- By shopping online with CarInsuranceQuotes.com you can find the best rates from the comfort of your own home. No more phone calls or personal meetings with pushy insurance agents trying to sell you coverage you don’t need.And these are just a few of the many benefits you will discover when you shop insurance quotes online. Visit CarinsuranceQuotes.com to find more for yourself.CarInsuranceQuotes.com wants our customers to be well informed when they shop for car insurance. That is why CarInsuranceQuotes.com offers informative articles that will help you make the best decision possible on car insurance policies. Some of these articles include:• Car Insurance Resources- Information on different places to get car insurance quotes.• Car Insurance FAQ- Commonly asked car insurance questions people have when they shop for car insurance quotes online.• Car Insurance Tips- Things you can do to lower your car insurance quotes today and for the future.And many more! These are just a few of the advantages of getting your car insurance quote through CarInasuranceQuotes.com. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for insurance for a new car or a better deal on the vehicle you already own, CarInsuranceQuotes.com is your one stop shopping experience when you’re looking for vehicle insurance and more.
Fortunately, finding cheap car insurance quotes from reputable companies is easier than you think. CarInsuranceQuotes.com has partnered with companies like AIG, Nationwide and Progressive to help our customers get the quotes for insurance they deserve at a price they want to pay.
Car insurance benefits are numerous, but more importantly, having auto insurance is mandatory in many states.A common misconception about getting car insurance quotes online is that you will have to spend hours navigating through company websites and give out all your personal information to find the rate you are looking for. CarInsuranceQuotes.com has taken all the hassle out of the process.
All you need to do is enter your Zip code and answer a few general questions and CarInsuranceQuotes.com will search our partner companies to find you the lowest quotes available. And the entire process takes less than five minutes! Besides finding a car insurance quote quickly and easily, CarInsuranceQuotes.com offers other benefits to our customers. Some of these benefits include:• Quote Comparisons- You wouldn’t buy your car without finding out if you can find the same model cheaper and shopping car insurance quotes should be no different.
That’s why CarInsuranceQuotes.com will come back with multiple quotes for you to look at and then make the decision on which company you like the best.• Lower prices- By getting insurance quotes online, you cut out the middle man. This allows companies to offer lower prices to their customers.• Convenience- By shopping online with CarInsuranceQuotes.com you can find the best rates from the comfort of your own home. No more phone calls or personal meetings with pushy insurance agents trying to sell you coverage you don’t need.And these are just a few of the many benefits you will discover when you shop insurance quotes online. Visit CarinsuranceQuotes.com to find more for yourself.CarInsuranceQuotes.com wants our customers to be well informed when they shop for car insurance. That is why CarInsuranceQuotes.com offers informative articles that will help you make the best decision possible on car insurance policies. Some of these articles include:• Car Insurance Resources- Information on different places to get car insurance quotes.• Car Insurance FAQ- Commonly asked car insurance questions people have when they shop for car insurance quotes online.• Car Insurance Tips- Things you can do to lower your car insurance quotes today and for the future.And many more! These are just a few of the advantages of getting your car insurance quote through CarInasuranceQuotes.com. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for insurance for a new car or a better deal on the vehicle you already own, CarInsuranceQuotes.com is your one stop shopping experience when you’re looking for vehicle insurance and more.
Your Car Company Is Dead. Now What?
What exactly is happening to each brand?
Right now, all we know is that GM and Ford are looking to end their ownership of certain brands. That doesn't mean that the brands themselves will necessarily end. It is much cheaper for Ford and GM to sell them to another company rather than close the brands. The best case scenario for many of these brands would be to find a buyer and continue selling cars.
While Ford had some success selling its Land Rover and Jaguar brands to Tata Motors last year, with the credit markets tight, it might be harder for Ford and GM to sell such brands as Saab (in fact, Saab just filed for bankruptcy, indicating that a sale isn't likely) and Volvo. Selling domestic brands like Saturn is even more difficult -- so difficult that General Motors doesn't even appear to be planning on a sale. If that's the case, Saturn will close its doors. Hummer is in the same situation. GM announced that Pontiac will likely continue, but as a small, performance-oriented brand with a trimmed model lineup.
What happens to my warranty?
If you own a car from a brand that's up for sale or is likely to be closed, your warranty will be honored. A warranty is a contract between the car company and you; if the car company is sold, the new owner takes over the obligation. If the car company closes, the parent company is still responsible for the warranty. You may have to travel a bit further to get your car serviced, particularly if your local dealership has closed, but your warranty will continue to be honored.
What happens to my dealership?
As car companies shut their doors, it is likely that they'll take some dealerships with them. Even without car companies dying, dealerships all over the country are going out of business because of slow sales. While no one can say what will happen to every local dealership, there are some precedents for what happens to them when a car company goes under. When Isuzu announced that is was leaving the U.S. market, some dealerships closed shop, while others stayed open as parts and service shops. Many of the dealerships that sold other brands alongside Isuzu stayed open and still provide service and warranty work for Isuzu owners.
Will I be able to get parts and service for my car?
Anyone who has ever had a classic car can attest to the difficulty of finding replacement parts for a car that's no longer made. However, modern car owners are lucky in this respect: many of the car companies on the chopping block share components with models from companies that will continue. So, you don't have to worry about getting parts for your Saturn Aura because it shares many components with the Chevrolet Malibu. Also, because so many of these cars will be on the road for years to come, parts manufacturers will continue to make replacement parts. At the same time, mechanics will have already trained on these cars, so finding a qualified one shouldn't be too hard.
Is now the time to buy from a doomed brand?
While there are likely to be heavy discounts on cars from discontinued brands, a lot of buyers will wonder if the deals are worth taking. The answer depends.
Most of the cars from the brands on the chopping block are good cars -- they aren't going to turn into pumpkins the second the brand closes its doors. But, they may lose their value more quickly than cars from brands that are continuing. If your car company is bought by another company, your car's depreciation should be relatively stable. After all, Jeep has been bought and sold many times, but Jeep models are still popular, which translates into value for owners.
However, if your company closes its doors, your car could depreciate steeply, making that great discount you got at the dealership seem like less of a deal. Still, if you intend to drive the car for years to come, then depreciation is less of a factor. If you're looking for a car you can sell in just a few years, consider a car from a company you know will be around for a while.
Right now, all we know is that GM and Ford are looking to end their ownership of certain brands. That doesn't mean that the brands themselves will necessarily end. It is much cheaper for Ford and GM to sell them to another company rather than close the brands. The best case scenario for many of these brands would be to find a buyer and continue selling cars.
While Ford had some success selling its Land Rover and Jaguar brands to Tata Motors last year, with the credit markets tight, it might be harder for Ford and GM to sell such brands as Saab (in fact, Saab just filed for bankruptcy, indicating that a sale isn't likely) and Volvo. Selling domestic brands like Saturn is even more difficult -- so difficult that General Motors doesn't even appear to be planning on a sale. If that's the case, Saturn will close its doors. Hummer is in the same situation. GM announced that Pontiac will likely continue, but as a small, performance-oriented brand with a trimmed model lineup.
What happens to my warranty?
If you own a car from a brand that's up for sale or is likely to be closed, your warranty will be honored. A warranty is a contract between the car company and you; if the car company is sold, the new owner takes over the obligation. If the car company closes, the parent company is still responsible for the warranty. You may have to travel a bit further to get your car serviced, particularly if your local dealership has closed, but your warranty will continue to be honored.
What happens to my dealership?
As car companies shut their doors, it is likely that they'll take some dealerships with them. Even without car companies dying, dealerships all over the country are going out of business because of slow sales. While no one can say what will happen to every local dealership, there are some precedents for what happens to them when a car company goes under. When Isuzu announced that is was leaving the U.S. market, some dealerships closed shop, while others stayed open as parts and service shops. Many of the dealerships that sold other brands alongside Isuzu stayed open and still provide service and warranty work for Isuzu owners.
Will I be able to get parts and service for my car?
Anyone who has ever had a classic car can attest to the difficulty of finding replacement parts for a car that's no longer made. However, modern car owners are lucky in this respect: many of the car companies on the chopping block share components with models from companies that will continue. So, you don't have to worry about getting parts for your Saturn Aura because it shares many components with the Chevrolet Malibu. Also, because so many of these cars will be on the road for years to come, parts manufacturers will continue to make replacement parts. At the same time, mechanics will have already trained on these cars, so finding a qualified one shouldn't be too hard.
Is now the time to buy from a doomed brand?
While there are likely to be heavy discounts on cars from discontinued brands, a lot of buyers will wonder if the deals are worth taking. The answer depends.
Most of the cars from the brands on the chopping block are good cars -- they aren't going to turn into pumpkins the second the brand closes its doors. But, they may lose their value more quickly than cars from brands that are continuing. If your car company is bought by another company, your car's depreciation should be relatively stable. After all, Jeep has been bought and sold many times, but Jeep models are still popular, which translates into value for owners.
However, if your company closes its doors, your car could depreciate steeply, making that great discount you got at the dealership seem like less of a deal. Still, if you intend to drive the car for years to come, then depreciation is less of a factor. If you're looking for a car you can sell in just a few years, consider a car from a company you know will be around for a while.
Your Car Company Is Dead. Now What?
There are some unhappy gearheads right now. As part of its effort to become profitable, General Motors announced it is shrinking its lineup from eight car companies down to four. On the chopping block are Saturn, Saab and Hummer, with Pontiac likely to continue, but on a much smaller scale. Ford has also announced that it is paring down brands to focus on its core of Ford, Lincoln and Mercury cars.
But as auto enthusiasts mourn the passing of brands that gave us the incredible off-road prowess of the Hummer H2 or the venerable American muscle of the classic Pontiac GTO and Trans-Am, regular Joe Saturn Driver is left with a lot of questions. Here's what you need to know:
But as auto enthusiasts mourn the passing of brands that gave us the incredible off-road prowess of the Hummer H2 or the venerable American muscle of the classic Pontiac GTO and Trans-Am, regular Joe Saturn Driver is left with a lot of questions. Here's what you need to know:
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Choosing the Right Auto Insurer
Updated on June 27, 2008.
Your Choices
· Internet Quotes
· The 800 Guys
· State Farm and Allstate
· Agency Writers
· Last Resorts
FINDING A GOOD deal on an auto insurance policy isn't easy these days, especially if you live in a high-cost state like New Jersey, New York or California. So when looking for coverage, be prepared to do some research. In some states, more than 200 companies write auto policies, so even if you get a half-dozen quotes, you're only scratching the surface.
(In others, you'll have less than 50 to choose from.) And even once you find a company with great rates, there's no guarantee you'll get them. After all, you may not qualify for a simple reason, like a poor driving record. Worse yet, you may find that the great rate evaporates once your policy comes up for renewal in six months or a year.
So be on your guard. To lock in the cheapest deal, you may have to insure with a company you've never heard of and switch providers fairly often. Either way, it pays to shop around. Here's a guide to the most efficient way to find a good deal.
Internet Quotes The Web is a great place to start your search. You can get quotes both from the Web sites of insurers like Geico Direct and General Electric's Electric Insurance and from services like InsWeb.
Your Choices
· Internet Quotes
· The 800 Guys
· State Farm and Allstate
· Agency Writers
· Last Resorts
FINDING A GOOD deal on an auto insurance policy isn't easy these days, especially if you live in a high-cost state like New Jersey, New York or California. So when looking for coverage, be prepared to do some research. In some states, more than 200 companies write auto policies, so even if you get a half-dozen quotes, you're only scratching the surface.
(In others, you'll have less than 50 to choose from.) And even once you find a company with great rates, there's no guarantee you'll get them. After all, you may not qualify for a simple reason, like a poor driving record. Worse yet, you may find that the great rate evaporates once your policy comes up for renewal in six months or a year.
So be on your guard. To lock in the cheapest deal, you may have to insure with a company you've never heard of and switch providers fairly often. Either way, it pays to shop around. Here's a guide to the most efficient way to find a good deal.
Internet Quotes The Web is a great place to start your search. You can get quotes both from the Web sites of insurers like Geico Direct and General Electric's Electric Insurance and from services like InsWeb.
How Much Auto Insurance Do You Need?
Updated on July 9, 2008.
Coverage Types: ·
Bodily Injury Liability
Property Damage Liability
Personal Injury Protection
Uninsured Motorist Protection
Collision and Comprehensive
Extras
ONE TRIED AND true way to reduce your auto insurance premium is to hike the deductible on your collision coverage and skimp on your liability coverage. Sometimes this can make sense, but often it's not worth the extra risk. In this section we'll explain several of the coverages you're likely to be offered as you shop for insurance (some are mandatory). Then we'll help you figure out how much to carry of each type.
Bodily Injury Liability This coverage, which is required in most states, compensates the driver of the other car and its passengers in the event you get into an accident. It also covers the passengers in your car. The main consideration here is protecting your assets against lawsuits that arise from auto accidents. "But I'm a careful driver," you say. It doesn't matter. You can get sued even if the accident is not your fault.
Bodily injury
liability is sold in standard increments that designate both how much coverage you have per person in an accident, with an additional limit per accident. For example, if you buy bodily injury worth $100,000/$300,000, each of the people you injured could be compensated $100,000, but only up to $300,000 per accident.
How much coverage you need is a function of what assets you have to protect. If you make $30,000 a year and rent your apartment, $50,000/$100,000 should suffice. But if you make more than $75,000 a year, own a house worth $150,000 and have $40,000 in mutual funds, you should consider at least $100,000/$300,000 of coverage. Our Net Worth Calculator can help you estimate just how much coverage you should get.
How much you'll pay to increase your bodily injury liability coverage depends on several factors, including your age, marital status and driving record. It also depends on where you live. For example, in rural Cortland County, New York, a 35-year old married male would pay an average of $87 annually to boost his coverage from $25,000/$50,000 to $100,000/$300,000, according to the New York State Department of Insurance. In Manhattan, however, where the frequency of bodily injury is much higher, that same man would have to shell out an average of $251 more a year.
One more option: If you have substantial assets, buy $300,000 in bodily injury on your auto policy and $300,000 on the liability portion of your homeowners policy. Then spend another $150 to $300 for a $1 million umbrella policy, which covers you against all manner of liability claims. Should you want still more coverage, the cost for an additional $1 million in coverage is minimal: It's typically $75 to increase your coverage to $2 million, and then $50 for each million after that, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Coverage Types: ·
Bodily Injury Liability
Property Damage Liability
Personal Injury Protection
Uninsured Motorist Protection
Collision and Comprehensive
Extras
ONE TRIED AND true way to reduce your auto insurance premium is to hike the deductible on your collision coverage and skimp on your liability coverage. Sometimes this can make sense, but often it's not worth the extra risk. In this section we'll explain several of the coverages you're likely to be offered as you shop for insurance (some are mandatory). Then we'll help you figure out how much to carry of each type.
Bodily Injury Liability This coverage, which is required in most states, compensates the driver of the other car and its passengers in the event you get into an accident. It also covers the passengers in your car. The main consideration here is protecting your assets against lawsuits that arise from auto accidents. "But I'm a careful driver," you say. It doesn't matter. You can get sued even if the accident is not your fault.
Bodily injury
liability is sold in standard increments that designate both how much coverage you have per person in an accident, with an additional limit per accident. For example, if you buy bodily injury worth $100,000/$300,000, each of the people you injured could be compensated $100,000, but only up to $300,000 per accident.
How much coverage you need is a function of what assets you have to protect. If you make $30,000 a year and rent your apartment, $50,000/$100,000 should suffice. But if you make more than $75,000 a year, own a house worth $150,000 and have $40,000 in mutual funds, you should consider at least $100,000/$300,000 of coverage. Our Net Worth Calculator can help you estimate just how much coverage you should get.
How much you'll pay to increase your bodily injury liability coverage depends on several factors, including your age, marital status and driving record. It also depends on where you live. For example, in rural Cortland County, New York, a 35-year old married male would pay an average of $87 annually to boost his coverage from $25,000/$50,000 to $100,000/$300,000, according to the New York State Department of Insurance. In Manhattan, however, where the frequency of bodily injury is much higher, that same man would have to shell out an average of $251 more a year.
One more option: If you have substantial assets, buy $300,000 in bodily injury on your auto policy and $300,000 on the liability portion of your homeowners policy. Then spend another $150 to $300 for a $1 million umbrella policy, which covers you against all manner of liability claims. Should you want still more coverage, the cost for an additional $1 million in coverage is minimal: It's typically $75 to increase your coverage to $2 million, and then $50 for each million after that, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Travel Insurance
We are pleased to offer you a range of travel insurance options through the Worldcare Travel Insurance product, provided by Mondial Assistance.
Mondial Assistance is authorised by Allianz to enter into and arrange your policy and deal with and settle any claims under it. Mondial Assistance also administers all emergency assistance services and benefits of the Worldcare Travel Insurance product.
Insurance is underwritten by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited ("Allianz") and arranged through ETI Australia Pty Limited trading as Mondial Assistance, (AFSL No 245631 ABN 52 097 227 177).
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Who is Mondial Assistance Australia
Like Allianz in Australia, Mondial Assistance Australia and its parent , the Mondial Assistance group, are owned by the global Allianz Group. Founded in 2000, Mondial Assistance companies have over 50 years expertise in travel insurance and more than 25 years in assistance and service solutions.
Mondial Assistance Australia was launched to cater for international travellers who required medical assistance and insurance. Mondial product range has now expanded to include automotive assistance, travel insurance, medical assistance and overseas student health cover.
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Tell me about the Worldcare travel cover
Travel insurance provides you with security and protection whilst you are travelling domestically or internationally. The Worldcare travel policy offers:
- International and Domestic cover
- Policy cover options (single, couples, family)
- Competitive premiums
- Pre-departure medical advice
- Cancellation policy (cancellation fees & loss of deposit)
- Luggage, medical & repatriation cover
- 24 hours a day, 7 days a week emergency assistance
- 10 day claim settlement period
Pet Insurance
For even the most caring pet owner, it is impossible to predict the expensive vet and surgery fees that accidents or illnesses can bring.
When you renew with Petplan we are there throughout your pet's life to ensure they can receive the quality care they deserve.
With more than 30 years of experience in pet health insurance in the United Kingdom, Petplan is now providing peace of mind to dog, cat and horse owners across Australia.
Get a pet insurance quote today! Visit www.petplan.com.au or call Petplan on 1300 738 225 for more information.
Landlord Insurance
You deserve proper protection for your investment property and the belongings that you provide for your tenants.Allianz offers reliable, comprehensive landlord insurance ensuring your property is in safe hands.
You have worked hard to establish your investment property and the regular income that it provides.
Allianz landlord insurance gives you confidence that your investment property is covered should something go wrong.
The Allianz Group gives more than 80 million people in 70 countries around the world the confidence they need in life’s important moments.
And in Australia, more than 2 million policy holders rely on Allianz for their insurance.
Landlord's insurance is exclusively available online
Get a landlord insurance quote in minutes!
Please refer to the Landlord Insurance Policy Document (Product Disclosure Statement) for full details on policy coverage with specified limits and exclusions.
Car Insurance
Whether it’s your pride and joy or the family wagon, Allianz provides reliable protection on the road so you, your loved ones and your vehicle are in safe hands, whatever road you choose.
No matter how careful you might be on the roads, with thousands of other drivers there are always dangers beyond your control.
Allianz offers reliable, cost-effective and comprehensive car insurance cover, so you and your loved ones can hit the open road with confidence.
The Allianz Group gives more than 80 million people in 70 countries around the world the confidence they need in life’s important moments. And in Australia, more than 2 million policy holders rely on Allianz for their insurance.
People often grumble about rising car insurance costs.
Why do prices go up?Clearly, there are many factors that influence the quote you will be given. Some are personal to you and will be discussed in another section of this guide.
Others depend on the level of benefits you want from your motor insurance policy.
Details of these – which you can pick and choose between and thereby influence the price you pay – are also detailed elsewhere.
But there are factors that you have little or no control over and depend on outside circumstances.Here are some factors that influence how much you pay for your motor insurance.
1) The soaring cost of litigation: drivers are more likely nowadays to claim for personal injury, like a serious case of whiplash, and the amounts paid out for injuries are much higher than they used to be.
Insurers have attempted to intervene to control these costs. But courts that find in favour of claimants still make very significant awards in cases of serious injury or death.
And from the point of view of claimants, this is a positive thing.
2) NHS costs: accident and emergency departments can now claim for cost of treatment from the insurance company.
This includes ambulance costs.If you are the blameless victim of an accident, the bill will be paid by the opposite party’s insurer. Conversely, if you are to blame, your insurer will have to pick up the tab.
NHS bills can, perhaps surprisingly, be very expensive.
3) Uninsured drivers: official statistics say that one in 20 drivers is uninsured. But recent research carried out by pollsters Mori suggests that this figure is more like one in 10 drivers, albeit that the uninsured period in many cases may run to just a few days or a few weeks.
This is cold comfort to someone who is involved in an accident with an uninsured driver.
This adds around £30 to the average annual premium.Ironically, this can produce a Catch-22 situation: as premiums get higher it becomes even more tempting for some people not to take out car insurance.
4) Stock markets: few people realise that insurers try to “stockpile” funds so that they can pay out in the case of claims. This means money taken in premiums is often invested until it is then paid out.
This strategy is more obvious in the case of home insurance, where storms can lead to very large – and sudden – claims. But to a lesser extent it also applies in the case of motor insurance policies.Inevitably, this is not much use if markets are plummeting.
Again, the recovery in world stock markets since 2003 is what has helped keep premiums at “reasonable” levels.
Sadly, like any financial product, car insurance can be a minefield of difficult terminology and confusing jargon.
moneysupermarket.com wants to help you find the right car insurance deal for you and so we`ve compiled a guide to help bust through the jargon.
ABI group – Your car will be given a specific ranking based on the level of risk involved with each car type and model.
Approved repairer – Repairers recommended by your insurers.DOC cover – Otherwise known as Driving Other Cars.
Fault/no-fault claim – A no-fault claim is when the insurer can recover the costs from someone else.
A fault claim is if they cannot recover the costs regardless of whether the accident was your fault.
Indemnity - Insurance policyholders are put in the same financial position after a loss as they were immediately before it.
IPT – A Government tax charged as a percentage of car insurance premiums.
Loss adjuster – Investigates the legitimacy of claims.
Material fact – Failure to disclose material could invalidate a policy, such as driving convictions.S,D&P - Social Domestic & Pleasure.
A description of how you plan to use your car.Settlement – When an insurer pays a claim.TPO – Third Party Only.
Under-insurance – For example insuring your car for £8,000 when the car is worth £10,000.
Insurance companies will almost always scale down claims as a result.
ULR cover – Uninsured loss recovery – better known as legal expenses cover, which you can add on to your motor insurance policy.
Uninsured losses – Elements not covered by your policy such as hire charges.Underwriter – Person who decides whether to accept a risk and calculates the premium.
Motor insurance jargon buster
Sadly, like any financial product, car insurance can be a minefield of difficult terminology and confusing jargon.
moneysupermarket.com wants to help you find the right car insurance deal for you and so we`ve compiled a guide to help bust through the jargon.
ABI group – Your car will be given a specific ranking based on the level of risk involved with each car type and model.Approved repairer – Repairers recommended by your insurers.DOC cover – Otherwise known as Driving Other Cars.Fault/no-fault claim – A no-fault claim is when the insurer can recover the costs from someone else. A fault claim is if they cannot recover the costs regardless of whether the accident was your fault.Indemnity - Insurance policyholders are put in the same financial position after a loss as they were immediately before it.
Sadly, like any financial product, car insurance can be a minefield of difficult terminology and confusing jargon.
moneysupermarket.com wants to help you find the right car insurance deal for you and so we`ve compiled a guide to help bust through the jargon.
ABI group – Your car will be given a specific ranking based on the level of risk involved with each car type and model.Approved repairer – Repairers recommended by your insurers.DOC cover – Otherwise known as Driving Other Cars.Fault/no-fault claim – A no-fault claim is when the insurer can recover the costs from someone else. A fault claim is if they cannot recover the costs regardless of whether the accident was your fault.Indemnity - Insurance policyholders are put in the same financial position after a loss as they were immediately before it.
Six Car Care Myths and Mistakes
Myth: Time to 'winterize'
Car maintenance doesn't need to be tied to the seasons. Other than possibly changing to winter tires, modern cars don't require special attention at this time of year the way that your parents' car might have.
"There's really not anything to do anymore," says John Ibbotson, workshop supervisor at Consumer Reports' Connecticut test track. Ibbotson maintains the magazine's fleet of test vehicles.
At least nothing you shouldn't be doing already. In other words, check your owner's manual, not the weather forecast.
Maintenance aside, during colder months, you may want to keep more gas in your car's tank, says Robert Sinclair, a spokesman for the car owners' group AAA. That's because air carries moisture and water that can freeze and crystallize.
The more gas in the tank, the less air - and less chance of ice forming inside where it could get into fuel lines and cause trouble, he says.
Mistake: I don't need a tire gauge
You should regularly check the air pressure in your tires using a tire gauge. That's especially true now, because you're more likely to find them low as winter approaches. The air inside your tires is getting colder too, so it's shrinking. Even if air isn't leaving your tires, the pressure inside is going down because of contraction.
Your tires will lose about one to two pounds of pressure for every ten degrees of outside temperature, says Sinclair.
If you have a new car, it probably has a tire pressure monitoring system that turns on an amber dashboard warning light when the tire pressure falls too low. As with most "idiot lights," however, by the time that light comes on, your tires are already lower than you should ever let them get.
Likewise, don't wait until your tire "looks low." Tires often look low when they're not and vice-versa.
The air pressure in your tires should be checked in the morning before you've driven on them, advises Ibbotson, which is when they're at their coldest.
The recommended tire pressures in your owner's manual or stamped someplace in your car - usually inside the driver's door - are recommended for when the tire is cold, not after it's warmed up. (You should go by those numbers, not what it says on the tires, in case the car requires a certain pressure for proper ride and handling.)
Myth: Wait, it's still warming up
Some people insist that your car will last longer if you let it idle until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
It's true that running cold is harder on an engine than running warm. The oil is thicker, and it takes a little time - very little, really - for it to flow to all the parts of the engine that need it.
But letting the car sit while the engine is running doesn't help anything. It just wastes gas and pumps out needless fumes. You might as well get on your way.
All you need to do is drive your car gently until the engine is warmed up. No smoky burn-outs first thing in the morning. Just go easy and keep those engine RPMs down until everything's toasty, and you'll be just fine.
Five to ten minutes of easy driving is about all it takes before most cars are ready to rev, says Sinclair.
Driving gently for a few minutes helps your brakes, too, says Sinclair. They also need a chance to warm up.
"Brakes go to from zero to 200 degrees or so in an instant with a hard stop," he says.
That kind of sudden temperature change promotes warping of brake rotors, he says. Better to make a few slow stops at first so the brakes can heat up gradually.
Myth: Coolant lasts forever (or not at all)
Some drivers never bother about changing their coolant. Others are probably changing it too often.
You should change your coolant about every four years, Ibbotson advises. Coolant chemicals last longer than they used to, and newer engines aren't going to be damaged by leaving it in long.
When you do change your coolant, Ibbotson advises using a premixed formulation rather than adding tap water, which contains minerals that can cause trouble.
If your coolant says it should be mixed, use distilled water and don't use less water than recommended, says Sinclair. Coolants are designed to work best with a certain amount of water, and not using enough will make them less effective, not more.
If you live in an extremely hot or cold climate, your should give your coolant more frequent attention, said Sinclair. Still, it's something you should be doing on a regular schedule, at most once a year, not just when the weather changes.
Mistake: Honest Abe knows when you need new tires
You may have heard about doing the "penny test" to see when it's time to get new tires. Some experts want to toss that coin test in favor of the quarter.
The penny test is simple. Hold a penny so that you can see Abraham Lincoln's head. Now insert Lincoln's portrait, scalp-side down, into a groove in your tire tread. If your can still see the top of his head, it's time for new tires.
That works because the distance between the edge of a penny and the top of Lincoln's head is about 2/32 of an inch (in normal speech, that would be 1/16 of inch, but tire treads are measured in 32nds of an inch).
But now some experts advise a more conservative approach. Instead of Lincoln's head on a penny, use George Washington's head on a quarter. That's about 4/32, or 1/8, of an inch. In track tests conducted by the tire Web site TireRack.com, using a quarter instead of a penny resulted in 24 percent shorter wet-road stopping distances.
If you can see Washington's wig, your tires are as close as you'll want to get to being bald.
Myth: I need to change my oil...a lot
Many people still believe they should change their car's oil every three month or 3,000 miles. But that advice doesn't take into account improvements in engines or oils. Not that changing it more often is bad for your car.
"It doesn't hurt the engine, says AAA's Sinclair. "It might hurt your pocketbook."
Rather than relying on an arbitrary - and outdated - rule of thumb, read your cars owner's manual for the recommended oil change interval. It will usually be longer than three months/3,000 miles. Many cars can go twice that long before needing an oil change, says Sinclair.
New synthetic oils can be left in even longer, sometimes tens of thousands of miles, says Sinclair.
But Consumer Reports' Ibbotson recommends sticking with the car manufacturer's suggested oil change interval regardless of what the lubricant's manufacturer may claim.
Copyrighted, CNNMoney. All Rights Reserved.
Car maintenance doesn't need to be tied to the seasons. Other than possibly changing to winter tires, modern cars don't require special attention at this time of year the way that your parents' car might have.
"There's really not anything to do anymore," says John Ibbotson, workshop supervisor at Consumer Reports' Connecticut test track. Ibbotson maintains the magazine's fleet of test vehicles.
At least nothing you shouldn't be doing already. In other words, check your owner's manual, not the weather forecast.
Maintenance aside, during colder months, you may want to keep more gas in your car's tank, says Robert Sinclair, a spokesman for the car owners' group AAA. That's because air carries moisture and water that can freeze and crystallize.
The more gas in the tank, the less air - and less chance of ice forming inside where it could get into fuel lines and cause trouble, he says.
Mistake: I don't need a tire gauge
You should regularly check the air pressure in your tires using a tire gauge. That's especially true now, because you're more likely to find them low as winter approaches. The air inside your tires is getting colder too, so it's shrinking. Even if air isn't leaving your tires, the pressure inside is going down because of contraction.
Your tires will lose about one to two pounds of pressure for every ten degrees of outside temperature, says Sinclair.
If you have a new car, it probably has a tire pressure monitoring system that turns on an amber dashboard warning light when the tire pressure falls too low. As with most "idiot lights," however, by the time that light comes on, your tires are already lower than you should ever let them get.
Likewise, don't wait until your tire "looks low." Tires often look low when they're not and vice-versa.
The air pressure in your tires should be checked in the morning before you've driven on them, advises Ibbotson, which is when they're at their coldest.
The recommended tire pressures in your owner's manual or stamped someplace in your car - usually inside the driver's door - are recommended for when the tire is cold, not after it's warmed up. (You should go by those numbers, not what it says on the tires, in case the car requires a certain pressure for proper ride and handling.)
Myth: Wait, it's still warming up
Some people insist that your car will last longer if you let it idle until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.
It's true that running cold is harder on an engine than running warm. The oil is thicker, and it takes a little time - very little, really - for it to flow to all the parts of the engine that need it.
But letting the car sit while the engine is running doesn't help anything. It just wastes gas and pumps out needless fumes. You might as well get on your way.
All you need to do is drive your car gently until the engine is warmed up. No smoky burn-outs first thing in the morning. Just go easy and keep those engine RPMs down until everything's toasty, and you'll be just fine.
Five to ten minutes of easy driving is about all it takes before most cars are ready to rev, says Sinclair.
Driving gently for a few minutes helps your brakes, too, says Sinclair. They also need a chance to warm up.
"Brakes go to from zero to 200 degrees or so in an instant with a hard stop," he says.
That kind of sudden temperature change promotes warping of brake rotors, he says. Better to make a few slow stops at first so the brakes can heat up gradually.
Myth: Coolant lasts forever (or not at all)
Some drivers never bother about changing their coolant. Others are probably changing it too often.
You should change your coolant about every four years, Ibbotson advises. Coolant chemicals last longer than they used to, and newer engines aren't going to be damaged by leaving it in long.
When you do change your coolant, Ibbotson advises using a premixed formulation rather than adding tap water, which contains minerals that can cause trouble.
If your coolant says it should be mixed, use distilled water and don't use less water than recommended, says Sinclair. Coolants are designed to work best with a certain amount of water, and not using enough will make them less effective, not more.
If you live in an extremely hot or cold climate, your should give your coolant more frequent attention, said Sinclair. Still, it's something you should be doing on a regular schedule, at most once a year, not just when the weather changes.
Mistake: Honest Abe knows when you need new tires
You may have heard about doing the "penny test" to see when it's time to get new tires. Some experts want to toss that coin test in favor of the quarter.
The penny test is simple. Hold a penny so that you can see Abraham Lincoln's head. Now insert Lincoln's portrait, scalp-side down, into a groove in your tire tread. If your can still see the top of his head, it's time for new tires.
That works because the distance between the edge of a penny and the top of Lincoln's head is about 2/32 of an inch (in normal speech, that would be 1/16 of inch, but tire treads are measured in 32nds of an inch).
But now some experts advise a more conservative approach. Instead of Lincoln's head on a penny, use George Washington's head on a quarter. That's about 4/32, or 1/8, of an inch. In track tests conducted by the tire Web site TireRack.com, using a quarter instead of a penny resulted in 24 percent shorter wet-road stopping distances.
If you can see Washington's wig, your tires are as close as you'll want to get to being bald.
Myth: I need to change my oil...a lot
Many people still believe they should change their car's oil every three month or 3,000 miles. But that advice doesn't take into account improvements in engines or oils. Not that changing it more often is bad for your car.
"It doesn't hurt the engine, says AAA's Sinclair. "It might hurt your pocketbook."
Rather than relying on an arbitrary - and outdated - rule of thumb, read your cars owner's manual for the recommended oil change interval. It will usually be longer than three months/3,000 miles. Many cars can go twice that long before needing an oil change, says Sinclair.
New synthetic oils can be left in even longer, sometimes tens of thousands of miles, says Sinclair.
But Consumer Reports' Ibbotson recommends sticking with the car manufacturer's suggested oil change interval regardless of what the lubricant's manufacturer may claim.
Copyrighted, CNNMoney. All Rights Reserved.
Family & Home
With belt-tightening in fashion this year, here are some examples of money-conscious gadgets featured at this year's Consumer Electronics Show...read more
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- Score Deals on Early Spring Merchandise
Gas Engines Get Upgrade, Challenge Hybrids
10 Ugly Truths Your Grocer Will Never Admit To
As Prices Rise, Some See $2 Gas
5 Ways to Save on a Gym Membership
Tech Trends to Expect in 2009
5 Gadgets You Should Buy Now
Celebrity Charity Auctions
Best Cameras for $300 or Less
Cheap Apps to Make Your Smart Phone Smarter
Top Car Safety Picks for 2009
Top Safety Picks
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named its "Top Safety Picks" for 2009 Tuesday. 72 cars vehicles earned the top honor which is more than double last year's winners and three times 2007's recipients.
The Top Safety Pick award covers autos that earned the IIHS' best possible ratings for front, side and rear impact protection, and they are available with electronic stability control (ESC), which helps a driver maintain control during emergency maneuvers.
Ford and its Volvo Subsidiary had 16 winners, including the Ford F-150. Honda and its Acura unit had 13 winners. The IIHS, which is funded by insurance companies, pointed out that Honda, Acura and Subaru each have at least one Top Safety Pick in every vehicle class where they compete.
For the first time ever, every class of vehicle tested had a winner, except for microcars. "Consumers are the biggest winners," Institute president Adrian Lund said in a statement. "No matter what kind of vehicle buyers may be considering, now they can walk into just about any dealership and find one that affords the best overall protection in serious crashes."
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named its "Top Safety Picks" for 2009 Tuesday. 72 cars vehicles earned the top honor which is more than double last year's winners and three times 2007's recipients.
The Top Safety Pick award covers autos that earned the IIHS' best possible ratings for front, side and rear impact protection, and they are available with electronic stability control (ESC), which helps a driver maintain control during emergency maneuvers.
Ford and its Volvo Subsidiary had 16 winners, including the Ford F-150. Honda and its Acura unit had 13 winners. The IIHS, which is funded by insurance companies, pointed out that Honda, Acura and Subaru each have at least one Top Safety Pick in every vehicle class where they compete.
For the first time ever, every class of vehicle tested had a winner, except for microcars. "Consumers are the biggest winners," Institute president Adrian Lund said in a statement. "No matter what kind of vehicle buyers may be considering, now they can walk into just about any dealership and find one that affords the best overall protection in serious crashes."
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
How to make a car insurance claim - Each year, motor insurance providers pay out many hundreds of millions of pounds to people who have been involved in motor accidents or whose cars have been stolen or damaged in some way.
- What if this happens to you? Here is our easy-to-understand guide to making a car insurance claim.
- Inform the insurance company as soon as you can after the damage to your car has occurred. If your insurer has a 24-hour helpline, use that.
- Write down what happened as soon as you can and use that as a reference to make the written insurance claim.
- If the claim refers to a criminal matter – for example theft from a vehicle or of the car itself, make sure the crime is reported to the police. Get the incident number from the police: your car insurance company will want to know in the event of any subsequent prosecutions.
- Always ask the insurer to tell you exactly what you are required to do and what evidence will be needed to support your claim.
- Be consistent: it may look awkward if you want to change your story later on.
- Keep safe all documents that are relevant to the claim, and make sure the staff of the insurance company can get in touch with you when necessary.
- Keep all receipts and photocopy any correspondence linked with your car insurance claim. If you make or receive any phone calls, keep written records of those calls and make sure you get the name of the person you spoke to.
- Don`t take your car in for repairs and hope it will be paid for. Your insurance company will most likely recommend to you a garage, and you should consider taking your car there.
- Your company must agree to pay your car repair costs. Until then, any repair costs are your responsibility. So get concrete conformation about the state of your insurance claim before proceeding with your car repairs.
What is Car Insurance?
Car insurance is there to give you peace of mind and protection in the event of an unlikely or unpredictable loss.
Car insurance is there to give you peace of mind and protection in the event of an unlikely or unpredictable loss.Insurance companies take expert underwriting advice together with past experience to work out the chances and costs associated with any risk that they cover. These calculations give a 'premium' for each individual customer based on the likelihood that they will make a claim. If the claims happen, the insurance company pays out the amount of money they agreed to pay when they issued the insurance policy.
Primarily car insurance exists to protect drivers against liability in case you cause an accident and either injure another person or damage their property.
Most policies also offer additional cover such as accidental damage to your own car, fire damage or theft of your car or damage to your windscreen.
For some customers, your car insurance premium will be higher than the value of your car.This is because the primary part of your insurance cover is to pay for injury or loss to other people if you cause it, and this is very likely to be more expensive than replacing or fixing your vehicle.
How You Can Save on Car Insurance
How You Can Save on Car InsuranceBefore you compare rates, check out these money-saving tips for your car insurance.
- 1. Earn a low mileage discount. If you work from home, carpool or use public transportation, look for companies with discounts for low mileage, pay-as-you-go, or carpooling. And, tell your current insurance company if you're driving less these days; rates may be lower if you drive less than 10,000 miles each year.
- 2. Increase your deductibles. You may save 10 percent or more on your comprehensive and collision premiums if you increase your deductible from $250 to $500. And, if you car is really old, it may be time to drop comp and collision coverage completely—but only if you're willing to pay for repairs yourself.
- 3. Drive a hybrid. Some companies offer a 10% hybrid discount for cars in most states. (They also have a hybrid discount for boats and yachts!) If you're not ready for a hybrid, pick a low-profile car with high safety ratings, because your insurance will be lower, too. The Top Safety Picks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety is a good place to start.
- 4. Drop coverage you may not use. If you're paying for Roadside Assistance, Towing and Rental Car coverage, you might do without—especially if you have AAA or roadside help provided by the auto company. While these are low cost coverages, dropping them might save you an additional $50–75 a year.
- 5. Keep an eye on your credit report. Payment history is an important factor for most auto insurance companies. Paying your bills on time and maintaining a good credit history may qualify you for lower rates in many states. When it comes to insurance bills, using EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) could save you monthly installment fees, which can be as much as $5 to $7 per payment.
- 6. Don't let your policy lapse. A short-term decision like missing a car insurance payment may result in a cancellation—and rates for a new policy that can be 25 to 50% higher than you're currently paying. If you can't pay the full amount due, ask whether a partial payment will keep your policy active.
- 7. Ask about student discounts. Most companies offer a 10 to 15% discount for high school and college students who maintain a B average. And, if your college student is more than 100 miles from home without a car, the rates are discounted year-round.
- 8. Drive safely. You may be eligible for a price break on your policy if you have a clean driving record for the past three years (five years for some companies). So, slow down, because even one or two traffic violations can increase your rate by $200–$400, depending on state laws.
- 9. Add an anti-theft device. While some cars have alarm systems, an aftermarket anti-theft device or tracking system, such as LoJack®, may give you a discount on comprehensive coverage, by reducing the chance of your car being stolen. If you park on the street or in urban areas, the peace of mind will be priceless.
- 10. Be a smart online shopper. Comparison shopping online can save you time and money. Just make sure you understand whether you're getting a "quick quote," which is just an estimate, or a bindable online auto insurance quote. There can be a big difference between an estimate and the final rate.
Saturday, February 07, 2009
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Owner:mahmood syed faheem
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Description: to spread awareness about nature care and health careCategory: Health Wellness & Fitness Miscellaneo us
Owner:mahmood syed faheem
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Friday, February 06, 2009
AAMI Car Insurance
Cover for damage to your own vehicle as well as damage your car may cause to another person's vehicle or property. Choose your own excess with Flexi Premiums.
http://www.aami.com.au/car-insurance/third-party-property-car-insurance.aspxAAMI Third Party Property Damage Car Insurance protects you against claims for damage that your car causes to another person’s vehicle or property. For personal injury to a third party, see CTP Insurance.
Policy DocumentsPlease read your Policy Document carefully and retain a copy by printing or downloading it. Access the Policy Documents for all AAMI Motor Insurance products here.
Renter's Insurance / Fire & Theft Contents Insurance
Only pay for the coverage you need
AAMI Renter’s Insurance / Fire and Theft Contents Insurance is low cost insurance, which may be suitable for renters or people in share accommodation.
It covers you for the two most frequent events for which you may need contents insurance protection – fire and theft – up to $25,000. This policy is designed to ensure you’re not paying for features you may not need.
At AAMI, we are committed to relieving your stress and helping you return to normality as fast as we can. While we can’t remove the heartache of losing a treasured item, we can quickly arrange for the repair or replacement of your home contents with new items using our well-known suppliers. One call to 13 22 44 or a visit to our branch and Customer Service Centre network, and we will take care of all the details for you.
In choosing to insure with AAMI, you will receive many more benefits than just a competitive price.
- Flexible payment options
With AAMI you also enjoy more choice when it comes to paying your premium. You can choose to pay your premium monthly or annually, whichever is more convenient for you.
- Easy share accommodation insurance
AAMI Fire and Theft Contents Insurance allows for multiple separate policies per household, so there’s no need to rely on your housemates to organise your insurance.
- One point of contact
For each claim, we appoint you with your own personal client manager who organises every detail from beginning to end, including arranging all quotes and repairs. If you want, you can also choose a supplier to provide a quote. There’s no paperwork and you’ll experience ongoing communication and personalised service throughout the process.
- New for old replacement
AAMI Fire and Theft Contents Insurance replaces your everyday contents new for old. That means in the event your everyday contents are destroyed by fire or stolen from your home, they will be replaced with new items up to the value of $25,000.
For more information, please see our Fire and Theft Contents Insurance Policy Documents or visit Common Questions.
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