Simple Tips in Basic Car Maintenance

Not everyone is a big fan of power cars who needs to know much about the details of a car. Many of us are an everyday person who commutes in a simple Honda Acura Integra or Toyota Corolla or other Japanese cars. If you are one of them, then all you need to know is the basic car maintenance to keep your car makes most of its service years. Here are some tips to help you with your car maintenances.

1. Engine oil

Check the oil level in your engine using a dipstick. Add more oil if needed since lack of oil can cause a serious damage to your car engine, sometimes beyond repair. Be wise and keep it sufficient before your car engine suffers any damage.

Have engine oil change frequently. The common frequency is every 3000 miles. However, if the oil has become dirty, you should change it immediately. To check if the oil is dirty, pour it on a clean sheet of paper and compare it to some fresh oil.

2. Tires

Make sure that your tires are in good condition every time you want to hit the road. Flat or wear tires are very dangerous for a safe driving. Many accidents happen because of them.

Check the pressure, wear, and tear of your tires. Inflate them to proper pressure. Change them immediately once you find them damaged or wear. Tires in good shape also help you to cause good mileage.

3. Brake

Brake is another important point in safe driving. Make sure that your brake functions as it is supposed to be before you are driving. It is quite difficult to fix brakes so you better get a professional help for it. Go to your nearest Houston auto repair once you feel that your brake does not work properly.

If you own an old car, then you may need to tune up your car. Old cars are not controlled by computer so that it needs to have some mechanical adjustments once in a while whenever it starts to work improperly.

Smart Tips for Getting Discounts in Renting Cars

Do you travel a lot? If you do, I suppose you have been already familiar with car rental coupons. If you haven’t heard anything about car rental coupons, then there is a big chance that you are one of them who always complain about the cost to rent a car.

If you are one of those disgruntled travelers, it is just about time for you to know that you can get a better bargain for your car rent price and save up some money in your travels. Use car rental coupons or enterprise car rental coupons, which are also known as discount codes, to get discount when renting a car.

In old days, these coupons could be found in the car rental counters or travel publications only. Yet, nowadays there are many sites which offer the coupons online. These online sites are really helpful since you can access them from the comfort of your home or office and don’t have to spend additional money on gas.

However, just like purchasing other things, you need to pay attention on what you buy. Renting a car with an enterprise car discount coupon can bring you great advantage in reducing the rental price, yet it can bring you disappointments too if you don’t feel bother to check your options first.

Usually, you cannot use your coupon on all cars available. The coupons can only be used on those cars which have higher prices compared to the others. Check the models and the rent prices of the cars that can be rented using your rental coupon. If you can find a cheaper car without discount coupon, you may want to have that car instead.

Check also the terms and conditions. Make clear whether the discount is applied only on the basic rental fee or not. Without ensuring this detail, you may end up spending more amount than you expected when you receive the bill which charges the insurance coverage, taxes, and other miscellaneous fee to you.

Browsing for Car Maintenance Online

You may think that there is no relation between internet and automotive. It may seem as if there is not, but it can actually be a great source of information which comes really handy when you need it.

If you are a new owner of a car, you may need a lot of advice in car maintenance. Apart from the manual given by the car manufacturer, you can get more comprehensive advice and tips in your car maintenance.

All you need to do is type the full name and type of your car in a search engine along with the word “maintenance”. For example, type “Ford Explorer DTCs P0171 maintenance” and press enter. In a second you will get many links which will connect you to the websites which contain the information.

Same thing goes to when there is damage that needs to be repaired. You will need help in finding the right place to get your car fixed. Now, you do not have to drive around your city to find the auto repair shops. Many auto repair shops already have websites nowadays so you can connect with them online.

If you have no idea yet where you can bring your car to, you can always check the shops available in your city again by using search engine. Use your town as keyword along with “auto repair” to find where all the auto repair shops available in your town. For example, type “Los Angeles auto repair” and the results will show you the list of links which can provide you information on the addresses of auto repair shops in Los Angeles.

Some websites even go further in helping you with your car damage. There are sites which can give you predictions on the estimated cost to repair the damage in your car. All you need to do is enter the information of your car’s type, year of making, service you need, the mileage of your car, and your zip code. With this application, you can estimate how many dollars you will spend for a head gasket replacement for your Ford Explorer, simple and easy.

Choosing the Perfect Dash Trim Kit for Your Car

Dash Trim Kits make your car interior look great. They are great to have and come in a variety of styles and materials. Some of the more common ones are real dash trim, carbon fiber dash trim, vinyl dash trim, oxford dash trim, and aluminum dash trim,. They can be easily installed as they are equipped with 3M adhesive on the back. The good ones provide superior perfect quality and perfect fit as they are cut using CNC laser cutting technology.

Carbon Fiber Dash Trim Kits are created out of heavy duty UV coated material and then finished with carbon fiber finish. Aluminum Dash Trim Kits are similar to carbon fiber kits in material, but they are given metallic aluminum finish.

Vinyl dash attaches to your existing dash trim and are very affordable. It is installs flawlessly and therefore provide great finished appearance. Real Dash Trim Kits are made of the material used for carbon fiber and aluminum kits, and come in similar options for finishes.

Finally, the Oxford Dash Trim Kits is the highest quality wood finish kits. They are the closest thing to real wood you can get and provide exceptional high gloss finish. They may be installed in vehicles as a typical factory setting trim and will meet or exceed the expectations in fitment and finish of car manufacturers.

Handy Tips in Buying a Used Car

People have their own reasons when they decide to buy used cars. Most people take the economical aspect, knowing the fact that used cars are definitely more affordable and economical with the price down to only one third of new ones. Some others look more into the sentimental and challenge aspects. They buy used cars because of they want to restore and modify them with their own creativity. Whatever the reason is, buying used cars is risky. You have to be very careful when you decide to buy a used car. Below here are some tips that can be handy.

Most of used cars have passed their warranty time of mileage. However, see if you can buy an extended warranty for it. This extended warranty will save you a lot of money since you don't have to pay for your car repairs.

Check the car's history report. True that this will not simply make the car to be worth buying, but at least you can tell if the car has some bad records which make you have to think twice before you buy it. For example, the car may have had an accident or a rolled back odometer. Check how long the car has been used by the previous owner. Check on the mileage and the drive time of the car. The more the mileage and the DriveTime, the less price you should get.

If you do not know much about car, ask someone who is knowledgeable about car to inspect the car for you. He or she can tell you the real condition of the car. This can save you from bad purchase and save you a lot of money.

Do a research on several dealers before you decide to buy from one dealer. Compare the prices and the services. Don't buy a car when you still have hesitation. Do not buy a car which needs some minor repairs too. These repairs can cost you more money than you expect. The last one, treat the salesperson nicely. If they like you, they can be very helpful to you.

Tips in Choosing Car Insurance Company

Nowadays, we have insurance for almost everything valuable in our lives. For your undoubtedly valuable expensive classic car, you should have one too. Whether you buy your classic car for the fun of restoring it or for investment sake, is a must.

There are many car insurance companies available. Before you decide which insurance company is best for your car protection, the following are things to consider in your car insurance comparision.

Price

Different company will quote different price. There will be also different insurance packages that are offered by each company. A car insurance comparision needs to compare the prices and packages offered from at least three different companies. Remember that usually insurance company also has special insurance for classic car due to its uniqueness. Surprisingly, the price of insurance for classic cars is less than for regular cars.

Service

Choose the insurance company which give good service. This means that the company has a good record in handling customer’s questions and claims fairly. The last thing when making a car insurance comparision is to determine what you will expect when you have an accident, which may be another disaster with your insurance claim procedure.

Financial Solidity

Choose a company which has sound finance for the next many years. You can see the ratings made by independent rating agencies.

Licensing

Make sure that the insurance company you choose has a license to operate in your state. You can contact the state insurance department to see which companies are in the list.

Usually, an insurance company will have three different categories for old cars. They are veteran, vintage, and classic cars. Veteran cars are those which were manufactured before 1903, vintages are the ones which were made between 1903 and 1933, and classic for cars made after 1933. A car can be included as classic car if it is already more than 15 years old.

Make a careful research for choosing your car insurance company. Your classic car is a very valuable item; make sure you have provided a good and reliable protection for it.

Top Three Ways to Save On Your Auto Insurance

What you do not know, could be costing you. There are many ways to save on car insurance, but it is usually up to the buyer to find these savings. Why is this? Insurance agents work on commission unless they are a new agent in a company. There are good agents and there are some that are not so deserving. This is why it is important to shop around for quotes.

If you know what discounts apply to you but an auto quote is still exaggerated, move on. Knowing your discounts can help you to quickly weed out agents who are excessively overpricing their rates. When you receive a quote that meets with your approval, it is still good to keep a watch on your policy and renewal costs. There are some legitimate reasons for slight, occasional price increases; however, renewal gouging is not one of them.

Types of Individual Related Discounts include:

*Federal and Military

*Good payer

*Group Affiliation

*Loyal Customer/Long term renewal

*Low Mileage -Miles driven to work or school (10 miles or under is the best discount.)

*Part time driver -10%, 20%, etc. when there are multiple drivers and only one or two cars. (Note: You have to be very specific on asking for this discount because it is not a "common" listing for young or middle aged drivers. Adversely, for the elderly, 25% is actually required for a driving discount by some companies, which in essence affords a certain safety sensitivity.)

*Safe Driver -1.) Accident Free at 3 and 5 years -2.) Defensive Driving Class

*Senior Driver -1.) PIP -2.) 55 and Retired

*Student Driver -1.) Grade Average B or higher -2.) Under 21 Student Resident on a campus 100 or more miles away.

Types of Car Discounts include:

*Economy car

*Farm or Ranch Vehicle (used exclusively for work on property)

*First titled new car

*Utility Vehicle (for a specific type of pick-up truck)

Types of Car Safety Feature Discounts:

*ABS (Full anti-lock braking system)

*Airbags -1.) Driver air bag -2.) Driver plus passenger air bags

*Anti-theft devices

*Automatic Daytime Running Lights

*Passive restraints or automatic restraint systems, aka seat belts. (Even if your seat belts are automatic, ask for this discount. It is not yet commonly advertised as a discount, though wearing seat belts is required by law in most of the United States.)

Types of Multiple Policy Discounts:

*Boat and car

*Car and Home

*Car and Life Insurance

*Motorcycle and car

*More than one car

*Renter's Insurance and car

*RV and home

Any two of the above policy items combined, within a single company, are considered multiple policies.

Once you find a reasonable agent and have observed your policies and renewals, if all is well, do your best to stay with that agent. Dedication, in this case, works both ways and should prove to be mutually beneficial towards saving on your car insurance.

Top Four Things To Check Four To Make Sure Your Auto Insurance Coverage is Adequate

he legal minimum insurance coverage requirements in the United States are determined on a State by State basis, however you may want additional car insurance coverage if your automobile crashes into a neighbors garage after being hit by lightening. The reason you may want and/or need additional auto insurance coverage is because there are multiple types of damage that could occur in this type of accident, and the costs associated with such are potentially lofty.

In the above accident 1) a person or persons may have been in the garage and injured, 2) the garage itself may be damaged, 3) any vehicles housed in the garage may also be damaged, 4) equipment and/or goods may also be a liability expense for the driver and 5) your own vehicle might be broken by the lightening and/or collision. If the driver is determined to be liable for one or more of these events within the auto accident, the following types of insurance coverage may apply:

* Vehicle value(s)
* Bodily injury self, passengers, other motorists
* Non-vehicle property liability
* Natural hazard liability

I: Minimum State auto insurance requirements

Your State's Department of Insurance is a valuable consumer resource for assessing legal auto insurance requirements and personal auto insurance decisions. Legal requirements are the minimum amount of insurance car drivers are required to have. In some States only limited liability auto insurance is required whereas in other States liability and personal injury auto insurance are required.

This U.S. auto insurance requirements map illustrates what insurance must be purchased for vehicles registered in the corresponding States. In addition to minimum auto insurance requirements, personal factors such as vehicle value, regional auto values, fault Vs no fault States, and anticipated medical costs, and budget can be included in determining whether or not your car insurance provides adequate coverage.

II: Probability, Personal Preference and Insurance coverage capability

Assessing the probability of such an event and balancing that with your personal auto insurance preferences and coverage capability is part of the function of assessing your car insurance coverage needs. For example, in your neighborhood, town or region vehicle values may average a dollar value different than in other areas. In such case, acquiring insurance for exorbitant liability amounts may be impractical or unnecessary. Statistical information pertaining to auto claims can be found to aid you with your car insurance coverage decision, the Insurance Information Institute being one such source of information.

III: Vehicle value(s) and Bodily Injury

Your vehicle may be a brand new luxury model or a used model that has attained a value lower than the insurance deductible for the cost of damage. Depending on the type of vehicle you drive, you may or may not want to have personal vehicle insurance coverage in excess of minimum liability requirements. Bodily injury involves your and other people's lives and not their property and is more valuable in the eyes of auto insurers. The out of pocket expenses for bodily injury can be massive, making bodily injury coverage a valid consideration.

To further illustrate bodily injury likelihood, according to the National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 16 thousand auto fatalities are estimated to have occurred in the first of half of 2009 alone. This does not include the million of accident involving some form of bodily injury that occur each year. Keeping this in mind, the probability of bodily injury is relatively high and thus may be a conscionable factor in your insurance coverage decision.

IV: Real estate, public property and other liability

In some cases your vehicle may be damaged or destroyed from reasons other than collision such as natural hazard or vandalism. Your automobile may also be stolen or damage public or private property. In such cases a type of insurance coverage called comprehensive coverage may be purchased. This type of auto insurance coverage costs extra, but you may want to consider it more of a necessity if one or more of the following:

* Your vehicle model is among top 10 most stolen vehicles
* Vandalism and crime is high in your neighborhood and/or city
* Lightening strikes, earthquakes and tornados are common in your locale
* Road conditions near and around your residence are potentially destructive

Additionally, since not every auto owner and driver has the same kind of insurance, you may still be required to pay for damages inflicted on a person, persons or vehicle(s) not fully covered by insurance even if you are not at fault in an auto accident. This type of liability is covered by uninsured motorist vehicle and bodily injury insurance coverage. In some States uninsured motorist insurance is a requirement up to a certain dollar amount, however in other States this type of insurance is optional.

Summary:

Researching your States insurance requirements, and assessing your own insurance needs through weighing probability with cost and preference and then consulting with an insurance agent can all help you assess if your car insurance provides adequate coverage. In the car insurance assessment some of the more important factors to consider are bodily injury, State laws, vehicle age and value and coverage amounts. The more coverage and the lower the deductible for the coverage, the greater the insurance premium can be. As will all insurance, assessing adequate coverage is somewhat a personal decision beyond legal requirements, but this personal decision may be more informed after understanding the auto insurance variables discusses in this article.

Secrets for Getting Great Auto Insurance Rates

Prices are sky rocketing and it is no different for auto insurance rates. Auto insurance rates can be reduced though. You just have to know what to look for an how to go about obtaining the many discounts available through auto insurance companies.

Here are some ways for you to get great auto insurance rates:

Driving Safely
The biggest way to get great auto insurance rates is to be a safe driver. Stay alert when you are driving. Drive the speed limit so that you don't get pulled over. Don't drink and drive either. If you get points on your license, your auto insurance rates will sky rocket. Avoid getting into accidents that are your fault. This is one thing that will insure that your insurance rates won't go through the roof.

Good Credit
Your credit counts when you get auto insurance. If you have good credit, your insurance rates will be reasonable. If you don't, your insurance rates will be extremely high. You can't take that chance. There is no point in wasting your money to get the same coverage as everyone else at a much higher rate. Be good to your credit rating and your auto insurance rates will be good to you.

Discounts
Take advantage of all discounts offered by insurance companies. You can get discounts for the type of car you drive, how many cars are on your insurance and even the type of safety gadgets you have on the vehicle. It pays to find out what your insurance companies offer discounts for and take advantage of them. You can get great auto insurance rates simply by paying attention to these things.

Driving Distance
The further you have to drive each day, the more your insurance rates will be. If you commute in your car to and from work at a long distance, you could be paying much more than you have to. If you can make a change in the distance between work and home, your insurance rates could drop drastically. The longer you have the drive, the more chance there is to get involved in a car accident. That is the reasoning that the insurance companies use to determine your rates. If you want great auto insurance rates, try cutting back on the distance you have to drive in order to get to and from work.

Getting great auto insurance rates is easier than you think. Know what the discounts are, drive safely and don't have to drive too far. These things will drastically reduce you insurance rates. Keep your credit rating in good standing because this will make the biggest difference in your auto insurance rates. There is no point in paying much more for auto insurance when you don't have to. It's like throwing money in the trash when you do.

Top Reasons Why Driving Experience Affects Your Auto Insurance Premium

Why Does Auto Insurance Cost So Much?

With auto insurance rates going up every year, one may wonder where all of your hard-earned money is going. Will your insurance company pay to repair or replace your car if it is involved in an accident or is stolen? The answer, in most instances, is yes. That is if the insurance company doesn't determine that you have intentionally damaged your vehicle or have been instrumental in the disappearance of your vehicle.
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It is true that driving records affect insurance rates for all drivers. Drivers having many driving violations on their record and drivers having accidents attributed to them, drive insurance rates through the roof for drivers with good driving records. In this way the insurance company doesn't have to front the cost for these unsafe drivers. All drivers, even safe drivers, pay the bill for careless driving habits. In fact, many insurance companies do not penalize careless drivers for accidents, even if it is their fault. Some insurance companies even advertise accident forgiveness. Does this mean that the insurance companies condone reckless driving so that they can raise rates for all insured drivers and seemingly justify it to any inquiries?

What if you do not have any claims in the past five years? If you do not have any violations or accidents on your record you might receive a whopping 10% discount on your auto insurance. This means that if you pay $150.00 a month you only get a $15.00 discount, not even enough to eat out at a fast food restaurant with your spouse. In the meantime, your rates may go up more than 10% since insurance companies consider themselves to be fortune tellers and predict that you will have a claim in the near future. Therefore you may have to pay for a predicted accident, whether or not you have one.

But is it really the cost of repairs from accidents or the cost of replacing a stolen car that determines how high insurance rates go? Or is it the exorbitant salaries and compensation packages paid to the executives of auto insurance companies? Or could it be the enormous amounts paid for advertising? Perhaps it would be prudent to do some research into where your insurance dollars are really going.

Insurance companies may use some of your insurance premium dollars to hire consultant firms such as Compensation Resources, Inc., to study and advise insurance companies how much their executives should be compensated. While the average American struggles from paycheck to paycheck during this recession, how much compensation are the executives of big auto insurance companies receiving? One only needs to look at some annual salaries and benefits of executives of two of the biggest auto insurers to answer that question. Forbes.comreported the net take home pay of Progressive's CEO, Glenn W. Renwick, for the year 2008 as $5,854,408.00, which includes his base salary of $778,846.00. This occurred in 2008, a year in which Progressive reported a net loss and declined to pay investors any dividends because of the claimed loss. Further, Renwick's accumulated wealth was reported as $80,940,311.00 by Equilar. On April 22, 2009, Forbes reported that the total compensation package for Thomas J. Wilson, II, the CEO of Allstate Insurance Company is $2.92 million. It was recently reportedby the Miami Herald that the new CEO of AIG, Robert Benmosche will receive $3 million in cash and $4 million in stock under his annual compensation package. The average American worker should be so lucky as to have such spendthrift firms such as Compensation Resources, Inc. looking out for them. Instead, the average American pays these outrageous salaries and provides inflated benefits to these gluttonous executives. Also it makes one wonder if these enormous amounts are paid to the executives so that the company can report a net loss and consequently not pay their fair share of tax.

What about all the money insurance companies spend on advertising? Insurance companies use some of your insurance premium dollars to hire high dollar companies to produce commercials and even more of your insurance premium dollars to air them. On January 11, 2009, Insurance Journal reported that Progressive bought the naming rights of the Cleveland Indians stadium, formerly known as Jacobs Field, for a paltry annual fee of $3,600,000.00 for sixteen years. Of course, that is quite a savings over the 30 second spots that cost approximately $3 million during the Super Bowl. This is why will you see two or more Progressive or Allstate commercials for every commercial break during your favorite games and your favorite television shows. It is very possible that during every commercial break during the Super Bowl, there may be a smirking pitchwoman asking a prospective customer if money is a bit tight or a pitchman stating that meatloaf and Jenga at home are more fun than an evening out. So the purchase of the naming rights to Jacobs Field by Progressive was a real bargain. After all, $3.6 million is only 1% of what Progressive spends on advertising annually.

Auto insurance companies do their very best to convince consumers that they are in business to provide the best coverage for the best price to their insured drivers. Perhaps Progressive's annual 2008 report to their shareholders best sums up their most important goal when it states: Progressive's most important goal is for our insurance subsidiaries to produce an aggregate calendar-year underwriting profit of at least 4%. It further states: Progressive is a growth-oriented company and management incentives are tied to profitable growth. Do those statements sound like the auto insurance companies are looking out for the best interest of their insured drivers and providing the best price to consumers or do they sound like Progressive is looking out for its bottom line first and foremost?

Monthly insurance premiums can be more than a monthly car payment or thousands of dollars a year, depending on the type of vehicle driven and the driving record of the insured. Auto insurance rates are at an insane level and you may wonder that since it is a law that you must have auto insurance if you own or operate a vehicle; shouldn't there also be laws to regulate how much insurance companies charge? No, there aren't any laws that limit how much an insurance company may charge for auto insurance, therefore insurance companies can take full advantage of consumers. But, isn't there a regulatory organization that monitors and oversees huge insurance companies' business practices? Yes, there is. Each state has a regulatory agency for insurance companies and each state has a different title for this regulatory agency. However, they do not regulate how much an insurance company may charge because insurance companies have convinced these regulatory agencies that it is not considered a right, but a privilege to operate a motor vehicle. Therefore, insurance companies can charge usurious rates and use your insurance dollars to line their executive's pockets and pay for excessive advertising.

Do consumers really believe what insurance companies have claimed for many years, that it is a privilege to own and operate a vehicle and that you must pay for that privilege? From the average consumer's point of view, it is not a privilege, but a necessity to own and operate a vehicle. This is due to the fact that public transportation is spotty and largely unavailable to most working persons. However, insurance companies apparently believe that consumers agree that it is a privilege to pay embarrassingly huge salaries to insurance company's executives and forfeit a big chunk of their hard-earned money to pay for the commercials that they bombard us with. But as you watch all those commercials while you write out that huge auto insurance check, just think of it as the commercials that you are investing in.

Top Three Things to Avoid if you Want Lower Auto Insurance Premiums

Whether you're buying your first car, or getting behind the wheel of your fifth vehicle, car insurance is something that you are going to have to consider. Driving without it is like swimming in shark infested waters without a cage. When you buy a car you have the option of buying insurance from the same place you purchased the car, or shopping around for a better deal elsewhere. The option is yours, and while they car shop may offer you a discount, that doesn't mean there won't be a cheaper option somewhere else. When you do take out car insurance, there are going to be a few things that may increase your premium.

1 - Your driving history is important. If you have made claims in the past for accidents where you were at fault, than your insurer will be forced the set a higher premium for you, because you are a higher risk client. Insurance companies want to insure you, but they don't want to be paying out on claims regularly. The same goes if you don't have a driving history. Taking out car insurance for the first time will cost you more than if you had been driving for a few years and held a good driving record.

2 - Age sometimes works for you and sometimes works against you. It's true that young males between the ages of 18 and 25 will pay a higher premium for their car insurance. They are definitely a high risk client. The less driving experience you have, and the younger you are, you're going to pay a higher car insurance premium. Your age and inexperience works against you here.

3 - The type of car you purchase will also have a huge influence on how the insurance company calculates your premium. The flashier your car, the higher your car insurance premium is going to be. A brand new BMW is going to fetch much more for insurance than a trusty second hand Toyota. When shopping for a car, it's best to consider how much you can afford to pay for insurance premiums. The price, make, model and year are going to have an influence on your total car insurance premium.

These are just three major factors that affect how much you're charged for your car insurance premium. Other than those mentioned above, your gender, education, car security, location and how much you plan to drive are also going to influence your premium. If you want a lower premium, make smarter choices when it comes to driving, get a clean driving record and buy a sensible car that isn't going to cost you a fortune in insurance.

Is the Auto Insurance You Buy Really Worth Its Costs?

Like health or homeowner's insurance, auto insurance protects against financial expenses incurred as a result of damage to self or property. This may not happen every day, but there's always the chance it will. In this sense, auto insurance is worth the money and the peace of mind it provides.

At the same time, 'car insurance' of one type or another, and/or proof of financial responsibility is mandated in all 50 U.S. states where it is not considered an option. Therefore, drivers must be proactive in reviewing their auto insurance policy regularly to adjust limits and to see if they're getting the best deal for the money.

What the world Would Look Like Without Auto Insurance

While drivers don't really think about it when paying their monthly car insurance payment, the World would be disastrous without auto insurance. For example, a driver distracted by talking on a mobile phone while driving strikes another car that results in damage and personal injury. Even though both drivers know who is at fault, the point is moot because both drivers are now responsible for paying for their own car damage and injuries.

The victim in the accident could conceivably take the other driver to court to recoup damages, but the trial would take months, perhaps even years, due to the high volume of other accident cases clogging the court system. Thus in all likelihood both drivers would be equally responsible for the accident. Not exactly fair since the person talking on the mobile phone was clearly at fault.

In a world without auto insurance, drivers would quickly become buried in debt and legal problems that they may never be able to recover from. Thus, car insurance may not be fun to pay every month, but it provides a legal and financial safeguard in the event of an auto damage or bodily injury.

The Benefits of Auto Insurance

The main benefit of car insurance for drivers is protection against financial liability in the event of car damage or bodily injury. The driver only pays the deductible, and the auto insurance pays the rest. However, many drivers fail to consider the numerous additional perks car insurance has to offer:

* Rental reimbursement in the event the car is incapacitated due to accident damage
* Financial protection in the event of theft, vandalism, hail, fallen trees, animal strikes, and windshield cracking
* Covers cost of labor when keys are locked in car
* Provides roadside assistance in the case of a flat tire, dead battery, or out of gas scenario
* Provides coverage for damage to personal property inside the vehicle (e.g., clothing or luggage)
* Driver's auto insurance coverage extends to guest drivers
* Towing and labor coverage in the case of an auto accident or car breakdown

On average, auto insurance costs drivers $1000+ annually. However, its financial protections and additional perks such as roadside assistance, rental reimbursement, towing and labor, and coverage for cracked windshields definitely make car insurance worth the money.

Secret Tips for Buying Auto Insurance

Car insurance is one of those things required when you buy a car. You may not think you need it, but it is required. Here are some tips so that you don't break the bank.

Shop around

The bigger companies may advertise a lot and they may have cute or funny commercials, but don't let that fool you. Sometimes you can find insurance for a much lower price, and you won't be subsidizing a corporation's advertising budget either. So forget the Geckos with British accents and the funny cavemen, and concentrate on finding a reliable insurance company that offers a quality product without the big advertising budget.

Assess Your Situation

Your insurance rates depend greatly on where you live, what type of car you drive, and how old you are. This is called "risk assessment", and it is a gamble on the part of the insurance company that your statistics predict what kind of driver you will be.

Some of the factors that usually mean you will pay more for insurance are:

• Younger drivers generally have to pay more for insurance.
• Drivers with poor driving records also pay more.
• A poor DMV report with a lot of points will mean that you pay more.
• If you live in a larger busier city you will generally pay more.

The bottom line? Safer, slower, and less expensive cars will lower your monthly bill. Obviously driving a Lamborghini will make your premiums soar. That Toyota Tercel doesn't seem like such a bad idea after all, now does it? You should be aware that you can also go to traffic school to remove points from your license.

Choose a payment plan

Car insurance companies are very clever about how they advertise their rates. They may split up the premiums into low monthly payments but require a hefty down payment. If you are able to pay for the entire year in advance, this can save you some finance fees. Be sure to only do this if you can afford it. Otherwise, try to strike a balance between the downpayment and monthly payments to maximize your savings. It is important to find a payment plan that works best with your budget.

These are just some basics when it comes to shopping for car insurance. Above all else, be sure that you are getting the coverage that you need. If you are driving an old relic, chances are that you don't need to be paying for comprehensive insurance, since the car has very little value. Good luck insurance shopping and remember to get a great deal!

Top Reason Why Getting An Auto Insurance is a Necessity

Yes, you need car insurance. I do not need to tell you that you are breaking the law without it.
If you are asking this question chances are you feel you cannot afford insurance. I am here to tell you YOU CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO HAVE INSURANCE.

I was recently in an auto accident where a person driving an SUV with over-sized wheel/tires slammed into our van while I was stopped for four children crossing the street at a crosswalk in front of my daughter's school.

I did not have insurance. As a result, though I suffered injuries, I have no claim to pain and suffering, which would have been a good amount of money. Plus, I got a letter in the mail the other day telling me I have until March 10 to show up to court with $350 bail for not being insured.

This accident has cost me a lot of money all because I had no insurance. Even though I did not caused the accident, I was the scapegoat for not having insurance.

So, buy insurance. There is no excuse not to, not even poverty.

There are many places on line to buy insurance. It was much easier than I thought, and I feel extremely stupid for believing in whatever excuse I had not to buy insurance.

I have insurance now and will for the rest of my driving years.

Just bite the bullet, you will be better off in the long run.

*update: I went to court... I get to pay a small service fee and serve 45hrs in community service or opt to pay $380...

Top Reasons For Buying Auto Insurance from an Independent Agent

Insurance is part of your financial security. Think about what kind of setback you would have if your car is wrecked in an accident, you don't have the proper coverage, and you need to replace the car. Do you have enough funds set aside in an emergency fund? This is what is referred to as self-insuring. Only when you have the cash to replace the car would an honest, trust-worthy insurance professional recommend that you not carry insurance.

Not having the proper coverage on your car is one of the most common mistakes people make when they try to purchase coverage online, or over the phone. Many customer service representatives that you speak with are not educated regarding the insurance laws in your particular state.

Independent insurance agents represent the insurance companies that they do business with, but they do not work for those companies. Direct writers of insurance are employees of the company, and collect their paychecks from the insurance company. Examples of these direct writers would be State Farm, Allstate, or Geico.

When you purchase insurance from an independent agent, that agent has the ability to review your policy periodically, and shop it if there is a premium increase or a coverage change. This practice saves you time and money. There are a few questions that you should ask any agent when you are reviewing your policy, and perhaps looking for a new insurance company to protect you.

Here is a brief list:

* Liability coverage

My policy has $300,000 limit of liability, and in today's world, that much money wouldn't go very far if I was being sued. What is the difference in premium if we look at increasing that limit to $500,000 or even $1,000,000? (You will find typically it is not that much to increase.)

* Physical Damage

What does comprehensive cover? What does collision cover? Is there much of a difference in premium to assume more risk and increase my deductibles? (Be sure to put your deductible amount in your emergency fund!)

* Miscellaneous

Is there emergency roadside assistance on my policy? Is there any coverage for glass breakage? What happens if I go on vacation and have to rent a car; does this policy cover that car, too? (This last point is very important as every insurance company handles this differently.)

Armed with a little new information on purchasing car insurance will hopefully give you peace of mind when making decisions that affect your financial security.

Tips for Getting Auto Insurance in Florida

Insuring your vehicle in Florida is fairly similar to insuring in other American states. But of special concern is obtaining auto insurance when you live in Florida on a part-time basis. These tips will help you understand the importance of properly insuring your vehicle in Florida, protecting you from any unpleasant surprises. After a quick briefing on the Florida insurance policy the focus will shift to the insurance needs of those new to living in Florida, or those temporarily living in Florida.

Auto insurance policy

Your auto insurance policy in the state of Florida has six components. Each one provides specific coverage to protect you in the event of an unforeseen loss.

1. Bodily injury liability

This section provides coverage for you should your actions cause injuries to someone else. You may end up harming another driver, your fellow passengers, or pedestrians. This coverage helps to defray the medical costs associated with the accident. Even more significant are the rising court case costs; you want to be able to protect your home and other assets should you be sued. Bodily injury liability insurance will protect you from possible financial ruin.

2. Personal Injury Protection

This section deals with the medical costs arising out of injury to you the driver. It also includes provisions for paying any lost wages during your recovery time. In the case of your death, funeral costs may be covered but beware that the normal payouts for such costs are quite low.

3. Property Damage Liability

You may cause damage to someone else's property while driving your vehicle. This coverage extends to cover the costs of damage to another vehicle, a public structure such as a lamp post or utility pole, and structures such as buildings.

4. Collision

Collision coverage includes damages caused by hitting another car, object or rollover, or potholes. In Florida, if you are found at fault in an accident, your policy will pay the costs to repair your vehicle less the deductible. If you are found not at fault, your insurance company will try to recoup their payouts from the other driver's company.

5. Comprehensive

Comprehensive coverage kicks in when you are a victim of theft or damages caused by perils including fire, vandalism, hail, windstorm and flood among others. The most common compressive claims filed are for cracked or broken windshields.

6. Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Coverage

If you are involved in a collision with a driver who does not have insurance or does not have enough insurance this section will ensure you receive any payouts due.

Insuring your vehicle in Florida

If you are one of the many people escaping the cold by spending part or all of your winter in Florida, you will need to have your vehicle insured in Florida as well as your home state. This requirement helps protect drives as the population increases during the winter months and keeps everyone on the roads safe.

Even if you live outside of Florida, you must obtain and maintain auto insurance in Florida. Otherwise you will be forced to turn in your vehicle tag and registration. When you register your vehicle in Florida, you must submit proof of Florida insurance and original vehicle title to the local county tax collector's office.

Florida insurance requires that you arrange your policy with a company that is capable of providing information by electronic means to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. This way, authorities can easily determine that you are properly registered and insured in Florida. You also need to have a valid driver's license to obtain insurance in Florida, or at least take all necessary steps to get your license within 30 days of applying for insurance.

If you are not properly insured

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles has the right to suspend your license, vehicle tag and registration if you are caught driving without proof of Florida insurance. The suspension period is for three years or until you obtain your proof of Florida insurance.

Minimum insurance requirements in Florida

Your insurance policy will have to meet the following minimum limits under these coverage sections if you have a valid Florida license plate:

*$10,000 Personal Injury Protection

*$10,000 Property Damage Liability

*If you have a record of driving convictions or a previous accident, you will need to carry Bodily Injury Liability.

Arranging for auto insurance in Florida is important for all drivers, especially those spending a few weeks or few months in the state. Properly insuring and registering your vehicle will make your stay in Florida memorable for all the right reasons; not for unfortunate losses.

How to Maintain Your Hot Rod and Other Belongings When You Move Out

Moving is always not easy. There's so many things to think of and manage. You basically move all aspect of your life from one place to another. From the physical aspect such as your furniture, households, and cars to the non-physical aspect such as your contact address.

Moving all your belongings is quite a tricky thing to do. Nowadays, there are many moving companies which can help you with your moving. While ordinary household goods are quite easy to pack and load, moving your hot rod will be difficult. You must want an extra handling with your beloved car. There are two ways in solving the problem. You can either ride your hot rod to your destination if the distance is close enough to drive, or you can find a professional moving company which has experiences in moving cars which need special handling.

The other task to do is moving your address. You need to notify all of your acquaintances, correspondences, friends, including the companies who send you bills about your address change. Now, this may take some time and effort. There's definitely no moving company which can help you with this, meaning, you have to manage to do it by yourself.

The easiest thing is spreading the news about your new address to your relatives and acquaintances. With today technology, it must not be too difficult to do. Phone and email are two most effective ways to spread the news. After you are done with that, don't forget to notify your bank about your new address so they can send your bill to the correct address. Notify the companies which you have subscription in such as newspaper, magazine, and satellite TV.

There are some people who wonder if they can continue their Directv subscription after they move, especially when they move the long distance across the state. The answer is you can. All you need to do is contact your local Direct TV office and they will tell you what to do. For example, if you move from California to Texas, you need to contact the Direct TV in California first and then they will help you to move your subscription to Texas.

The preparation and process of moving can be very exhausting. It is better if you have planned your moving long before your moving day. Do one thing at a time so your hands won't be too full when the moving time is approaching. Most importantly, find the information you need to help you with the moving process.

BMW 5 Series GT : A Car with Flexible Interiors

BMW has just released its new 5-series. The BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo (GT) is a middle-sized car which features comfort, variability, elegance all wrapped up in one unique style. The car is a combination between modern style with classic Gran Turismo, resulting in an attractive neo-classic car.

It is finished with four frameless windows on the doors complete the elegant stretched silhouette and a coupé-like roofline. In the front, the car has the famous BMW kidney grill along with dual round headlights which are slanted back at an attractive angle. At the back, the muscular characteristic is confirmed with the L-shaped rear light clusters, enhanced by the LED technology which produces homogeneously illuminated rows of lights.

The special feature of BMW 5 series GT is the adjustable interior. Its rear seats are movable, giving the passengers the freedom to create their own spaces. The car's rear seats can be moved to the front to create more luggage spaces to a maximum 1,700 liters capacity. In standard position, the seats will provide the same leg space with the 7-series. The seat can also be elevated slightly to adjust to passenger requirements. Its interior also offers exquisite materials with large windows and optional panorama glass roof. The modern part of the car comes with the automatic air conditioning, an audio system, and AUX-in connector bush, plus advanced telecommunication and navigation system.

Gran Turismo comes with three different engines options, 535i, 550i, and 530d. A closer look to each one of these model will show that the 535i engine is equipped with straight-six gasoline engine which allows max output up to 225 kW/306 horsepower at 5,800 rpm. The average consumption of fuel is 8.9 liter/ kms. The 550i engine uses V8 engine with max output of 300kW/306 horsepower at 5,500 to 6,400 rpm. The 630d engine uses straight-six diesel engine, same with Mercedes Benz GLK ,which can power up the output to 180 kW/245 horsepower at 4,000 rpm.

For you who like high speed, all three engine variants can reach speed of 250 km/h or 155 mph top. Of course you cannot compare the speed to the 2010 Ferrari since Gran Turismo is not meant to be a full spec sport car, but it definitely can compete with other four doors cars such as 2010 Volvo series which can only reach a maximum speed of 205 km/h.

Overall, Gran Turismo is an elegant car in style with a very comfortable specially designed interior to comfort its passengers. The flexible rear seats makes it perfect as the family car for the family holiday which needs a large space for the luggage. It is also equipped with the newest technology to provide you with even more enjoyable ride.

How to Get Your Classic Car into Great Shape for a Parade

Every city has its own parade. And in a parade, cars are mandatory. When you have a parade to participate with your own classic or antique car, these are the things you will need to know.

First, pay attention to the theme. Parades usually have themes. As a member of the parade, your car will also have to embrace the theme. Do not deviate from the theme or just participate without decorating your car. This will make your participation become pointless. Why would you participate in a parade if you do not make your car agree with the theme?

There are three ways to make you blend into the theme. You can decorate your car with a look that just suit the theme, play a music that describe or give reference to the theme, and post a sign or banner that shows words or picture that refers to the theme. These will make the crowd love your car and even have your car as their favorite in the parade.

To make the crowd even merrier, have candy or trinkets tossed around from your car. Adults love parade, but children definitely love it more. It can be guaranteed that there will be lots of children around watching the parade. Make their day by throwing away candy and see the smiling faces as the result.

The second thing to consider is the weather. Do not force your car to participate if it will not be able to stand the cold. You will have much trouble later on if it turns out that your car cannot make it. If your car is convertible, make sure you have all things necessary to deal with the weather such as blankets or jackets.

If the weather forecast predicts that it is going to rain, make sure you have made adjustments for your decoration. Rain water will most likely wipe away the glue used to attach some of your decorations, and some paints will be swept away by the rain. So make sure you use the particular paint and glue for your decoration.

The third thing to do is to always have emergency phone numbers programmed in your cell phone. Call the parade organizers to check if there are any changes in the plan. The numbers will also be useful if you face some troubles during the parade.

Before you join a parade, there are things to check too. First, check the route first. Do not participate in a parade with the field your car cannot handle. Classic and antique cars are sensitive, so pay attention to the route of the parade before you decide to join in. Second, check all the parts of your car and make sure that they are working in the best condition. Do not go into a condition where you have to pull up your car in the middle of the parade. That will not be a great thing to watch. Last thing, check that you have brought all the things you need. The poster, signs, giveaways, blankets for cold weather, etc.

If you have done all the things above, it means that you are ready to participate in your parade. Be the great participant and enjoy the parade fully!

How to deal with chips in your car paint

Nobody likes the paint chips in his/her car. The chips make the car looks old and ugly. Fresh and flawless paint is the dream of every car owner.

There are many things that cause chips in cars. It can be caused by a small bump in the parking lot or flying small rocks when you are driving on the rocky the road. Here is a method to deal with the chips in your car paint in the easiest way.

First thing is to know whether the chip in your car is just a nick in the paint surface or it comes with a dent. You also need to know if the chip has stayed long enough and rusts have been developed there. If that is the case, then it will need a more advanced treatment than the method that will be explained here. Please be informed that the method will take quite a long time to carry out and involve painting process.

Below is the list of the things needed to do the repair:

• Sand paper - wet or dry
• Metal Glaze – get the best glaze of metal to fix paint chips.
• A Paint Match – have the paint that matched your car color.
• Masking Tape & Paper - and possibly plastic sheeting.
• A Paint Spray Gun
• Paint Reducer
• Paint Hardener
• Mixing Cups
• Razor Blades
• Metal Prep Cleaner
• Lint Free Paper Towels
• Fine Grit Scotch Bright

After completing the items above, now we are ready to start the process.

First, cover the area around the chip with sand. Make it around 2 inches and use 220 grit wet sand paper around the chip. Now mix up the metal glaze with a line of hardener to make it harden faster. You can put the metal glaze on a cardboard and mix it there.

After the mixing is ready, use a razor blade to take and put the metal glaze on the chip. When it is already dry, use 220 grit sand paper to smooth it and then finish it with 440 grit wet sand paper.

Clean the area and mask the area you don't want to paint. Use prep cleaner or scotch bright. Never paint to the mask line since the line will not be out of your paint forever. You can also back mask to make the painting easier. Put the tape down, pull the edges closest to your work then fold it back gently. Hang your paper off on the fold back.

Now you can start the painting. Remember, if it involves a big chip, have a primer to get the best result. Sand your primer with 400 grit once it is dry and re-mask it again.

Don't forget to get the settings right on your spray gun. Put three coats of paint and wait for at least 15 minutes after each coat. If you use a base coat clear coat paint, use the clear coat next and wait 15 minutes between each coat.

Do not rush the process to get the maximum result. Be patient and do the process accordingly or you may fail the whole effort.