High Risk Auto Insurance - How to Get the Best Rate

Have your been classified as a high risk driver? Are you looking for auto insurance that won't cost you an arm and a leg? Here's how to get high risk auto insurance at the best rate possible.

High Risk Auto Insurance

High risk auto insurance is a type of insurance issued to:

* People with bad driving records

* Teenage boys and girls

* Drivers who own expensive sports cars or "muscle" cars

* People who live in a high-crime areas

Getting Cheap High Risk Auto Insurance

If you've been classified as a high risk driver you're going to pay more for your insurance than the average driver, but you can still bring your insurance costs way down. Here are the steps you need to take:

1. Pay all your fines, then call your department of motor vehicle office to clear your driving history.

2. Call your insurance agent to find out what steps you can take to downgrade your high risk category, such as taking a drivers ed course.

3. Switch to a low risk car such as a late model Honda or Ford sedan that has safety features like airbags and anti-theft devices.

4. Raise your deductible to an amount you can afford. Raising it from $250 to $1,000 can save you up to 40% on your yearly premium.

5. Purchase you car insurance through your homeowners or renters insurance company to get up to a 15% discount.

6. Consider dropping your collision and comprehensive coverage if your car is worth less than your premium plus your deductible.

7. Ask your agent for any discounts you may be eligible for such as senior discounts, low-mileage discounts, drivers education discounts, and other discounts.

8. Compare rates through an insurance comparison website. Because auto insurance rates can vary by hundreds, even thousands of dollars a year from one company to the next, comparing insurance rates will save you the most amount of money on high risk auto insurance.

The advantage of using an insurance comparison site is that you only have to spend a few minutes at one site to get multiple quotes, rather than spend hours on end visiting single company sites or calling individual insurance agencies.

Tags:
Automotive

10 Ways To Make Car Fuel Last Longer

Fuel prices are steep and always rising. Car owners need to find ways to make their car fuel last longer. If you can squeeze a few more miles out of every gallon imagine the savings you can make on fuel costs. The world is constantly finding out ways to use transportation that is affordable and eco-friendly. There are solar battery powered cars as well as hybrid cars in use. However the majorities are still using petrol or diesel powered vehicles.

Whether you drive a two seat car, economy car or a sedan or a sports model that runs on gas you need to master ways in which you can make fuel last long. Here are a few tips given by automobile experts that will give an increase in miles per gallon (MPG):

1. Read driving tips give by the AAA. Drive at optimal fuel efficacy speeds and use the right gears at the right time.

2. Keep the car serviced and in top mechanical condition. Learn how to listen to the car and diagnose any knocks or strange sounds.

3. Ensure that the car air filter is clean. Fuel economy is greatly enhanced with a clean air filter. When an air filter gets clogged it blocks air flow and reduces engine efficacy. So remove the filter and hold it up to check if you can see light through it. Use a filter that can be cleaned and is better for the environment.

4. Always ensure that tires are in good condition and that they are properly inflated. Use the parameters recommended by the car manufacturer and make it a point to check tire pressure whenever you fuel the car.

5. Watch the speed fuel economy decreases with increased speeds. So drive within the speed limits and watch the difference in fuel consumption.

6. Try not to speed and brake constantly. Driving at a steady pace keeps shifting to a minimum and aids fuel economy. Ever watch how trucks drive at a constant pace? They don’t brake and speed like cars do and yet arrive at a destination in the same time frame. When you brake to a stop and restart the car much more fuel is used.

7. Learn all about acceleration and revs. Stopping and starting hurts the car and fuel use. If your car is an automatic accelerate moderately and allow the transmission to shift gear smoothly. Otherwise shift gear early so that the engine does not go wroom. Slowdown if you see a stop light changing well in advance so that you don’t have to brake suddenly.

8. Use the air conditioning sparingly. At lower speeds the AC will gobble fuel. So get used to air from the outside. Enjoy the breeze and roll down the windows.

9. For long road trips used recommended stock wheels. They offer greater fuel efficiency than wider cooler looking tires.

10. When you buy a car don’t go for looks look at aspects of fuel efficiency and mechanics.

Log on to the internet and keep abreast with reviews and tips given by automobile gurus on saving fuel and increasing the efficiency of the car. Websites like that of the AAA and road safety police also have great recommendations for motorists.

Drive happily and save fuel.

Tags:
Automotive

Donating Car: Why Bother?

More and more people are deciding to donate their cars to charity. There are now thousands of charities that are now choosing to take cars in lieu of cash donations.

People chose to donate cars to charity for many reasons.

The first reason is for the car donation tax. In the US, taxpayers who donate to charity (any charity) can write the value of that item off of their taxes. When you donate cars to a charity, make sure to get a donation receipt and keep it for your records for April.

While some people do not need a car donation tax credit, they still donate their car to charities because they believe in the work of the charity. Charities such as the Kidney Foundation and the American Diabetes Association do wonderful work to find cures for different debilitation and deadly diseases. There are drop off locations in each state for these and thousands of other charities.

People are donating car to charity because they have been touched by the specific charity. For example, families touched by Habitat for Humanity (either by working on a house or having been given a house) can donate a car to the charity to help others find a house they can be proud of.

Donating car to charity is an easy way to get rid of a car. With the price of gas as uncertain as it has been the last few years--not to mention the money needed to insure multiple cars--many families are deciding to downsize their vehicle fleet to save money. Other empty nesters are getting rid of cars they do not need anymore after their children moved out and purchased their own vehicles. Rather than letting the vehicle rust in the driveway, these couples are donating car to a charity they like.

Mostly, people donate cars to charity because it makes them feel good! Something happens when you give to other people, either your time, a box of food, or even donating car to charity. We feel better about ourselves when we are not focused on ourselves but on others. Knowing that your car is going to be used to help others is probably the best thing you can do for yourself when you have an old car you do not want anymore.

There are thousands of websites of charities accepting car donations available through a quick web search. Do a bit of research and you will be able to find the perfect charity to which you can donate your car.

Tags:
Automotive

Move Your Auto Insurance While Moving

Moving to a new house has a whole set of problems. Moving can also be a very expensive proposition. Whether you are shifting from one block to the next or to a different state entirely, you are going to have to spend a lot of money. Buying the house or paying the deposit on a rented apartment is not the end of the expenses that you shall have to take care of. You will have to hire some moving company to help you shift. You will have to go and apply for all kinds of new documents which shall demand payment right away. A number of costs will be incurred even as you try to become comfortable at the new place.

Thus, it may be a good move to look for ways and means to cut down on costs even as you change your address. One major expense that you might encounter while you shift will be that of insurance. You will be landed with the job of obtaining an insurance policy for your home. So, you will be shopping around for a policy that combines affordability with protection. At this time, it would also be a good idea to begin your looking out for inexpensive auto insurance.

You will have to update the information on your auto insurance policy anyway. At this time, it may be a smart decision to scout and see if you can come across an auto insurance policy which is less expensive. If you are shifting from a big city to a smaller town, you might just find some cheaper car insurance rates. This is because big cities have more traffic, more accidents, and filing claims is usually the rule. In smaller towns, fewer claims are made, and this results in lower premium rates for car insurers. Moreover, it may also be probable that your insurance company does not operate in the town to which you are moving. In such a scenario, you have no choice but to sniff out a new insurance company.

A number of insurance companies bring out great bargains for those who buy more than one insurance policy at a time. So you must inform your insurance agent that is providing you with home insurance that you would be looking at auto insurance. Multiple-policy insurance tends to be a great way to save as insurance companies encourage their clients to go in for more and more insurance plans by providing lower rates. No matter how you look at it, moving is costly. Hence, saving money becomes essential if you don't want to end up broke.

Tags:
Automotive

Presenting the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L

Toyota Motor Corporation's Lexus division releases the details of the 2008 model year of the LS 600h L hybrid luxury sedan. According to Jim Farley, Lexus Group Vice President and General Manager: "The LS 600h L stands as the flagship for the Lexus brand by providing the highest level of technical advancements, ride comfort, safety and luxury of any vehicle in our lineup. Its development process mixed the old and the new. The old, through a Lexus-established build process that achieves an extraordinary fit and finish only attainable by our master craftsmen, and the new with cutting-edge engineering innovations. Through this combination the LS 600h L raises our own quality expectations and may rank among the most technologically advanced automobiles in the industry."

Like all other Lexus hybrid models, the LS 600h L also feature the Lexus Hybrid Drive powertrain. This exclusive technology is dubbed as the "automotive industry's most advanced gas-electric hybrid system developed to date". The system combines the power of a new 5.0-liter V8 gasoline engine with two powerful electric motors and large capacity battery pack. The engine is also equipped with an electric-motor driven Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-iE) as well as Electrically controlled intake cam. This combined powertrain system develops 438 horsepower and allows the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in just 5.5 seconds. In addition, the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L is a certified Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV), thanks to its advanced fuel systems to reduce harmful exhausts emissions like the hydraulically controlled two-way exhaust system and the newly developed Hydrocarbon Adsorber and Catalyst (HCAC) system. Moreover, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rated the engine to have an estimated miles per gallon (mpg) fuel efficiency rating of 20 city and 22 highway.

As a full hybrid model, the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L can operate solely on electric power or a combination of gasoline engine and electric motor. Electric power is provided by a 288-volt DC Nickel Metal Hydride (Ni-MH) compact battery pack, as well as two motor generators - MG1 and MG2. Lexus offers a dual-stage electronically controlled continuously variable transmission to completes the powertrain package for the LS 600h L.

Other technical features of the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L include full-time AWD system, unique Torsen limited-slip differential (LSD), multi-link front and rear-suspension systems, front suspension and optional active stabilizer, large front and rear ventilated disc automotive brakes, Electronic Power Steering (EPS), and Variable Gear Ratio Steering (VGRS).

The 2008 Lexus LS 600h L also embodies the company's L-finesse design philosophy. Outside, this luxury hybrid sedan features low front grille and deep-drawn fenders, stylish projector-type headlamps with blue crystal rings, world's first night-time LED low beams, and blue accents on the front headlamps, taillamps, badging, and engine cover. The LS 600h L rides on a 19-inch seven-spoke aluminum alloy wheel design wrapped with all-season tires.

Inside, the 2008 Lexus LS 600h L offers passenger space and luxury comfort. The cabin comes with genuine semi-aniline leather with stitching. Leather trim conquers several interior components including the seats, instrument panel, upper front doors and door armrests. Other features include wood-trimmed and chrome-plated shift knob, wood-trimmed assist grip, hard disk drive (HDD) Lexus Navigation system with a backup camera and Bluetooth technology and voice activation, XM factory-installed satellite radio with real-time traffic, standard 19-speaker 450-watt Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound audio system, climate-controlled front seats, heated rear seats, heated steering wheel, power rear sunshade, one-touch open/close power trunk, power door closers, headlamp washers, SmartAccess with push-button start and card key, electronic parking brake, Intuitive Park Assist, laminated side glass, and Advanced Parking Guidance System (APGS). Active and passive safety systems include Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system, EPS, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Antilock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Advanced Pre-Collision System (APCS). A wide array of airbags include advanced front airbags for the driver and passenger, knee airbag for the driver, front seat mounted side airbags, and side-curtain airbags. The 2008 Lexus LS 600h L also comes with a wide range of optional packages. The Premium Package consists of climate comfort rear seats with a heat/cool knob, rear power seats with memory, rear power headrests, rear seat side airbags, and Lexus Link and APGS. Another package, called the Premium Package II offers additional features like heater control panel, four-zone climate control, rear audio controls, additional wood trim, rear air purifier, rear cool box, rear headliner and side air ducts, power rear-door sunshades, and rear seat entertainment system with power ceiling mounted nine inch screen. Lastly Lexus offers the Executive Class Seating Package II, which includes all features in the Premium Package II and adds power right rear seat with multi-function massage, rear-seat wood-trimmed table, and rear-seat entertainment system with wireless headphones.

Tags:
Automotive

Car Insurance: Protect Your Assets

We all need to make the important decision about which car insurance we'll choose for our car. These days, not only do we need to find appropriate insurance for the vehicle we drive, but it is also required by law in almost every country. As a result, you need to make sure you keep the expiry date of your car insurance in mind.

Now, when it comes to car insurance, the other important matter is selecting an appropriate and reliable company that provides car insurance. In some countries, there are only state-owned automobile insurance companies that are allowed to offer car insurance to customers whereas in several other countries in the world, there are lots of insurance companies in the private sector too dealing in automobile insurance.

With this in mind, it is essential you choose a reliable company that offers competitive premiums for its auto policy. You'll also want to make sure the company is fair and effective if you should need to make a claim for accidental repairs, or any other insurance claims that may arise. It is at times such as these that you'll need to depend on your insurance company, which is why choosing wisely is so important.

Cheap auto insurance is something of a gamble. On one hand, the expense of car insurance is considerable and a factor that cannot be ignored. A company that can provide low rates and high levels of customer service may be an excellent selection. However, if the company does not do a good job of following up on policyholders' claims, cheap auto insurance may do nothing more than illustrate the adage that you get what you pay for.

Another key feature of an automobile insurance policy is the online insurance availability or lack of it. This feature is the most important for professionals, especially if their jobs include lots of travelling assignments. In such cases, access to online insurance becomes very convenient so that the customers can get extensions of their policies and make premium payments online, saving much time.

Life insurance is meant to protect our assets and, perhaps more importantly, our piece of mind in case of disaster. The knowledge that there is a large financial company looking out for you in times of trouble provides a sense of security at a time that is naturally highly emotionally fraught. If you can choose the right life insurance policy, then you can relax knowing that emergencies will be taken care of.

Tags:
Automotive

Buying A Used Car Using The Web

When it comes to buying a used car there is nowhere better than the internet to help you get started. There are a huge amount of websites where sellers list their cars along with photos and detailed descriptions and this is the easiest and quickest way to find the car of your dreams. However when it comes to buying the car, there are some things that you should take into account, with this is mind here are some tips for a buying a used car.

Before you even go looking for your car make sure you have a general idea of how much cars of similar age and type go for second hand. Also bear in mind the repair costs of the model, the safety aspects of that particular model and how much the car would cost to insure.

Once you have made contact with the seller and have gone to check the car over, it is essential that you get to see all documents related to the cars history. This will give you an idea of how well the car has been treated and if it has had all the check ups it should have had.

If you are buying your used car from a dealer then you have the right to see the written warranty that is provided by the dealer before you buy, this is one way of making sure of what you are getting before you commit yourself.

When you go to look at the car make sure that you give it a through inspection in good lighting and that you take it for a test drive. Where possible make sure that you test drive the car in most situations, for example up and down hills, in heavy traffic where you are stopping and starting and if possible a brief drive down the motorway. This will all tell you how the car handles and feels and pay particular attention to not only how the car handles but also how the engine sounds.

One of the best tips when it comes to buying a used car is if you know nothing about cars then make sure that you take someone with you who does. If you don’t have a friend or family member then it can pay to book someone from an auto club to go with you and look over the car. While of course this will cost you in the long run it can work out cheaper if the car is nothing more than an old banger.

Always remember that while you can get a good bargain when it comes to buying your used car privately you won’t have any warranty as such as you would get from a used car dealer. So usually you will buy the car “as seen” and this is the risk you take for saving a couple of hundred pounds or more on the car.

Whichever way you choose to go to buy your used car with a little common sense and by following the tips for buying a used car outlined above you can grab yourself a great bargain.

Tags:
Automotive