People approaching their retirement continue to have to pay off their debts, which may include unsecured Car Loans, new research has revealed.
Key Retirement Solutions reports that over one in three people over the age of 55 have some form of outstanding debts
According to the firm, people within this age group have an average of £11,106 in unsecured debt each.
One in four was found to have outstanding loan payments, while a fifth owe money on their credit cards.
Dean Mirfin, business development director at Key Retirement Solutions, said: "The cost of living for the elderly has surpassed inflation over the past decade therefore it is more important than ever that consumers are aware of the dangers of approaching retirement with such large amounts of debt."
In related news, David Kuo, head of personal finance at fool.co.uk, recently urged people to look for "flexibility" and compare interest rates when considering taking out a loan.
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Car loan customers warned over green car claims
Environmentally-conscious motorists considering taking out a secured car loan to buy a new car have been warned about green claims made by manufacturers.
A study conducted by 4Car found that tests carried out by manufacturers to assess fuel economy and emissions do not offer accurate results.
Instead, 'real-world' tests undertaken by the website on eight supposedly low emission cars revealed all fell short of their official figures, Car Finance customers may be interested to learn.
Tim Bowdler, editor of 4Car, said the official test regime – which is done in a laboratory – is "too simplistic" and does not account for "real-world operating conditions".
"The batch of cars that we tested all claim to have 'green' credentials, but they are not as environmentally friendly or as economical as we've been led to believe," he commented.
Among the cars for sale tested by the website were the Golf Bluemotion, Skoda Fabia Greenline, MINI Cooper D and the HONDA Civic Hybrid.
Those with car finance and other road users looking for a greener car ought to look to vehicles with the lowest fuel consumption and emissions in the class of vehicle they prefer, Jay Nagley, publisher of Clean Green Cars recently said.
A study conducted by 4Car found that tests carried out by manufacturers to assess fuel economy and emissions do not offer accurate results.
Instead, 'real-world' tests undertaken by the website on eight supposedly low emission cars revealed all fell short of their official figures, Car Finance customers may be interested to learn.
Tim Bowdler, editor of 4Car, said the official test regime – which is done in a laboratory – is "too simplistic" and does not account for "real-world operating conditions".
"The batch of cars that we tested all claim to have 'green' credentials, but they are not as environmentally friendly or as economical as we've been led to believe," he commented.
Among the cars for sale tested by the website were the Golf Bluemotion, Skoda Fabia Greenline, MINI Cooper D and the HONDA Civic Hybrid.
Those with car finance and other road users looking for a greener car ought to look to vehicles with the lowest fuel consumption and emissions in the class of vehicle they prefer, Jay Nagley, publisher of Clean Green Cars recently said.
Q:
Why does the Toyota dealership in Daytona Beach, Fla., deem it good practice to add $3,000 to $6,000 to their Prius manufacturer suggested retail price, while St. Augustine Toyota (45 miles away) quotes an MSRP with no markup? They are both in the Southeastern Toyota district. You don't suppose Daytona Beach is taking advantage of people who really want to help reduce gas consumption and planet pollution, do you?
A:
There's no conspiracy here -- just supply and demand. One dealer asks more for a vehicle because it thinks someone will pay that amount. Or, the dealer plans to start out that high and then let buyers think they got a deal because they negotiated the dealer down by $3,000 to $6,000 from the revised sticker.
Why does the Toyota dealership in Daytona Beach, Fla., deem it good practice to add $3,000 to $6,000 to their Prius manufacturer suggested retail price, while St. Augustine Toyota (45 miles away) quotes an MSRP with no markup? They are both in the Southeastern Toyota district. You don't suppose Daytona Beach is taking advantage of people who really want to help reduce gas consumption and planet pollution, do you?
A:
There's no conspiracy here -- just supply and demand. One dealer asks more for a vehicle because it thinks someone will pay that amount. Or, the dealer plans to start out that high and then let buyers think they got a deal because they negotiated the dealer down by $3,000 to $6,000 from the revised sticker.
Prepare for worst if you co-sign loan
Q:
My significant other is interested in refinancing her car loan, but her credit could be better. I have a very good credit history and have agreed to co-sign. Do lenders view the signers equally or is one more heavily weighted? And do both names need to be on the title?
A:
Lenders look at both applicants' credit history and make an overall decision how likely it is that one or the other will eventually repay the loan.
My significant other is interested in refinancing her car loan, but her credit could be better. I have a very good credit history and have agreed to co-sign. Do lenders view the signers equally or is one more heavily weighted? And do both names need to be on the title?
A:
Lenders look at both applicants' credit history and make an overall decision how likely it is that one or the other will eventually repay the loan.
A word of caution: I am constantly inundated with e-mails from people who co-sign for girlfriends, boyfriends, brothers, sisters, even co-workers, and all these e-mails tell unhappy tales -- the person stopped making payments, ran off with the vehicle or otherwise left the co-signer holding the bag.
I don't care how much you love the other person or how reliable you think he or she is, don't co-sign unless you're prepared to take on the loan if the worst happens. And, yes, get your name on the title. It will make it easier to lay claim to the car if the deal goes bad.
Savvy shoppers may get car with card
A few weeks ago, I responded to a reader's question about the possibility of putting the purchase of a new car on a credit card.
Based on my personal experience -- and that of several friends who tried to do this -- I replied that most dealerships won't allow the full purchase price of a car to be put on a credit card.
Some will allow part of the purchase price -- sometimes as much as $5,000 -- to be put on a card. But they balk at putting the full price of a car on a credit card because the dealership must pay the credit card company a fee that ranges from 2 percent to 3 percent of the purchase price.
With profit margins thin on many new car sales, dealers aren't eager to give away another $600 to $900 on a sale of a $30,000 vehicle.
After my response was posted, I received this e-mail from Matt Fadiman, vice president at Riverbank in North Andover, Mass.
"I have worked in banking and merchant card services for 15 years, and unfortunately (Jackson's) response was not accurate. He was correct that the dealer would pay an approximate 2 percent fee on the transaction. However, as per both the MasterCard and Visa merchant agreements, a participating merchant must accept that credit card (assuming it is valid and approved) for all purchases. The merchant cannot, by policy or practice, decide which transactions it will allow and which it will not.
"I do agree that in reality many dealerships will attempt to refuse to charge the sale on a credit card, but when pushed they will back down. I have purchased my last 4 cars all on credit cards. To say the least the dealer was not happy, but when presented with both a copy of the merchant agreement, and my declaration to pursue with the credit card company, they quickly reversed their position. My calculation is that between the rewards (cash back) and the zero percent rates on the credit cards, my savings were well in excess of $6,000."
I spoke with representatives from Visa, MasterCard and American Express, and while Mr. Fadiman is correct on some points, the reality most buyers face is not so clear-cut.
A spokesman for Visa e-mailed me this response, which mirrors MasterCard's position:
"U.S. merchants must follow basic card acceptance rules for all Visa transactions. Visa's rules do not allow merchants to impose a maximum transaction amount as a condition for honoring a Visa card. Our rules require merchants to always honor valid Visa cards regardless of purchase amount -- large or small."
But at American Express, the situation is different.
Spokeswoman Sarah Meron says that car dealers can refuse to put the full purchase price of a vehicle on an AMEX card.
"We would love everyone to put everything on his American Express card, but dealers have the leeway to limit transactions," she says.
There's another reality that makes this a very gray area.
Car purchases are negotiated deals involving many factors, including the purchase price of the vehicle, the value of a trade-in and the method the buyer is using to pay for the car.
A dealer can adjust the deal using any or all of those factors. A deal is not a deal until there's a signed contract, and all car sales contracts include a section on how the buyer plans to pay for the vehicle.
So, if a buyer tells a dealer he or she plans to finance the car through the dealer and then shifts gears and decides to pay cash at the last moment, the dealer can and likely will renegotiate the whole deal. After all, the dealer probably was counting on getting a fee from the bank or finance company.
So, it's not beyond the realm of possibility that when someone negotiates a price on a new car and then asks to put the amount on a credit card -- to take advantage of a zero-percent finance rate or reap frequent flier miles -- the dealer will refuse to go through with the deal or renegotiate the price to cover the cost of the credit card fee.
Doing that may be in violation of the dealer's agreement with the credit card company, and if you're savvy enough to threaten trouble with the credit card company, a buyer may be able to push through a deal. Or, maybe the deal is so lucrative already for the dealer that the store is willing to give back the cost of the credit card transaction.
Regardless, my bet is that the dealer's position will almost always prevail.
Based on my personal experience -- and that of several friends who tried to do this -- I replied that most dealerships won't allow the full purchase price of a car to be put on a credit card.
Some will allow part of the purchase price -- sometimes as much as $5,000 -- to be put on a card. But they balk at putting the full price of a car on a credit card because the dealership must pay the credit card company a fee that ranges from 2 percent to 3 percent of the purchase price.
With profit margins thin on many new car sales, dealers aren't eager to give away another $600 to $900 on a sale of a $30,000 vehicle.
After my response was posted, I received this e-mail from Matt Fadiman, vice president at Riverbank in North Andover, Mass.
"I have worked in banking and merchant card services for 15 years, and unfortunately (Jackson's) response was not accurate. He was correct that the dealer would pay an approximate 2 percent fee on the transaction. However, as per both the MasterCard and Visa merchant agreements, a participating merchant must accept that credit card (assuming it is valid and approved) for all purchases. The merchant cannot, by policy or practice, decide which transactions it will allow and which it will not.
"I do agree that in reality many dealerships will attempt to refuse to charge the sale on a credit card, but when pushed they will back down. I have purchased my last 4 cars all on credit cards. To say the least the dealer was not happy, but when presented with both a copy of the merchant agreement, and my declaration to pursue with the credit card company, they quickly reversed their position. My calculation is that between the rewards (cash back) and the zero percent rates on the credit cards, my savings were well in excess of $6,000."
I spoke with representatives from Visa, MasterCard and American Express, and while Mr. Fadiman is correct on some points, the reality most buyers face is not so clear-cut.
A spokesman for Visa e-mailed me this response, which mirrors MasterCard's position:
"U.S. merchants must follow basic card acceptance rules for all Visa transactions. Visa's rules do not allow merchants to impose a maximum transaction amount as a condition for honoring a Visa card. Our rules require merchants to always honor valid Visa cards regardless of purchase amount -- large or small."
But at American Express, the situation is different.
Spokeswoman Sarah Meron says that car dealers can refuse to put the full purchase price of a vehicle on an AMEX card.
"We would love everyone to put everything on his American Express card, but dealers have the leeway to limit transactions," she says.
There's another reality that makes this a very gray area.
Car purchases are negotiated deals involving many factors, including the purchase price of the vehicle, the value of a trade-in and the method the buyer is using to pay for the car.
A dealer can adjust the deal using any or all of those factors. A deal is not a deal until there's a signed contract, and all car sales contracts include a section on how the buyer plans to pay for the vehicle.
So, if a buyer tells a dealer he or she plans to finance the car through the dealer and then shifts gears and decides to pay cash at the last moment, the dealer can and likely will renegotiate the whole deal. After all, the dealer probably was counting on getting a fee from the bank or finance company.
So, it's not beyond the realm of possibility that when someone negotiates a price on a new car and then asks to put the amount on a credit card -- to take advantage of a zero-percent finance rate or reap frequent flier miles -- the dealer will refuse to go through with the deal or renegotiate the price to cover the cost of the credit card fee.
Doing that may be in violation of the dealer's agreement with the credit card company, and if you're savvy enough to threaten trouble with the credit card company, a buyer may be able to push through a deal. Or, maybe the deal is so lucrative already for the dealer that the store is willing to give back the cost of the credit card transaction.
Regardless, my bet is that the dealer's position will almost always prevail.
If you spend tens of thousands of dollars on a car, you want to get something back for your investment when it's over. Inevitably, the value of your car will depreciate, but you'd like it to have as much trade-in value as possible.
This doesn't just go for buying a car. When you lease a car, the amount it will be worth at the end of the lease is critical in determining your monthly lease payment price. It's called residual value, an important factor to keep in mind if you're shopping for a new car.
In a list compiled by Automotive Lease Guide, or ALG, the 10 cars expected to hold value the most over the next five years are an eclectic group (sedans and small sport utility vehicles, among others). What do these cars have in common?
"You see a much better alignment of production with market demands," says James Clark, editorial director of ALG.
What about cars that will hold the least value after five years? "You'll see a lot of brands we traditionally have high-depreciation rates for," says Clark. Some of these vehicles are heavily used as fleet vehicles for rental car companies; some (i.e., Korean brands like Hyundai and its subsidiary, Kia) have perceived quality issues, even though Clark says the Korean brands' "quality has actually gotten a lot better, but their perceived quality is still low."
The 10 best and 10 worst autos for holding value over 5 years
Best value holders
1. Volkswagen R32
2. Jeep Wrangler
3. Mini-Cooper
4. Scion XB
5. Honda CR-V
6. Toyota RAV4
7. Infiniti G35/G37
8. Dodge Viper
9. BMW 1 Series
10. Nissan Rogue
Worst value holders
10. Hyundai Entourage
9. Chevrolet Malibu Classic
8. Kia Optima
7. Suzuki Forenza
6. Hyundai Accent
5. Kia Rio
4. Suzuki Reno
3. Kia Spectra
1. Lincoln Town Car
This doesn't just go for buying a car. When you lease a car, the amount it will be worth at the end of the lease is critical in determining your monthly lease payment price. It's called residual value, an important factor to keep in mind if you're shopping for a new car.
In a list compiled by Automotive Lease Guide, or ALG, the 10 cars expected to hold value the most over the next five years are an eclectic group (sedans and small sport utility vehicles, among others). What do these cars have in common?
"You see a much better alignment of production with market demands," says James Clark, editorial director of ALG.
What about cars that will hold the least value after five years? "You'll see a lot of brands we traditionally have high-depreciation rates for," says Clark. Some of these vehicles are heavily used as fleet vehicles for rental car companies; some (i.e., Korean brands like Hyundai and its subsidiary, Kia) have perceived quality issues, even though Clark says the Korean brands' "quality has actually gotten a lot better, but their perceived quality is still low."
The 10 best and 10 worst autos for holding value over 5 years
Best value holders
1. Volkswagen R32
2. Jeep Wrangler
3. Mini-Cooper
4. Scion XB
5. Honda CR-V
6. Toyota RAV4
7. Infiniti G35/G37
8. Dodge Viper
9. BMW 1 Series
10. Nissan Rogue
Worst value holders
10. Hyundai Entourage
9. Chevrolet Malibu Classic
8. Kia Optima
7. Suzuki Forenza
6. Hyundai Accent
5. Kia Rio
4. Suzuki Reno
3. Kia Spectra
1. Lincoln Town Car
The World of Professional Car Finance
Providing you fulfil their stringent lending criteria high street banks and many building societies will gladly lend you the money to buy a car in the form of a personal loan. The interest rate you will pay for that loan will vary depending upon your own individual credit rating and could range from the lowest advertised headline rate to much higher premium rates if you are considered a bigger risk.
Such high street financial institutions also lend money for many other purposes such as holidays, boats, home improvements and so on. However, companies who deal in professional car finance only provide loans for buying cars and that makes them experts in getting the right car finance deal for many car buyers throughout the UK.
There are many different ways to pay for a car in the UK, and these are the four most popular:
# Cash – pay the full cost of the purchase using your own cash.
# Part-exchange as deposit / cash – Use your existing vehicle as a deposit and pay the difference between its value and the purchase price of your new car with your own cash.
# Part-exchange as deposit / finance – Use your existing vehicle as a deposit and pay the difference between that and the purchase price with car finance.
# Cash deposit / car finance – those who have no vehicle to part-exchange can instead use cash as a deposit and pay the difference using car finance.
Professional car finance companies will be able to lead you through the last two options and help arrange a deal. You’ll also find that in addition to car finance they may also be able to offer incentives such as minimum part exchange values, cash backs or other promotions in order to tempt you to buy one of their vehicles. That is because most professional car finance providers are also car dealers and can guide you through the entire process of car selection, test-drive, negotiation and agreement to buy, and arrange your finance before you finally drive the car of your dreams off the forecourt.
Unlike with many high street banks and building societies residential status is not necessarily a barrier to successfully getting car finance. Whether you live with your parents, are a tenant or own your own home you will be eligible. In addition, those who may have a less-than-perfect credit record will often also be considered.
So, if you are thinking of upgrading your motor or even buying your first-ever car, head to a professional car finance dealer first; they conveniently keep everything all in one place, making the car buying process easier from start to finish!
Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.
Such high street financial institutions also lend money for many other purposes such as holidays, boats, home improvements and so on. However, companies who deal in professional car finance only provide loans for buying cars and that makes them experts in getting the right car finance deal for many car buyers throughout the UK.
There are many different ways to pay for a car in the UK, and these are the four most popular:
# Cash – pay the full cost of the purchase using your own cash.
# Part-exchange as deposit / cash – Use your existing vehicle as a deposit and pay the difference between its value and the purchase price of your new car with your own cash.
# Part-exchange as deposit / finance – Use your existing vehicle as a deposit and pay the difference between that and the purchase price with car finance.
# Cash deposit / car finance – those who have no vehicle to part-exchange can instead use cash as a deposit and pay the difference using car finance.
Professional car finance companies will be able to lead you through the last two options and help arrange a deal. You’ll also find that in addition to car finance they may also be able to offer incentives such as minimum part exchange values, cash backs or other promotions in order to tempt you to buy one of their vehicles. That is because most professional car finance providers are also car dealers and can guide you through the entire process of car selection, test-drive, negotiation and agreement to buy, and arrange your finance before you finally drive the car of your dreams off the forecourt.
Unlike with many high street banks and building societies residential status is not necessarily a barrier to successfully getting car finance. Whether you live with your parents, are a tenant or own your own home you will be eligible. In addition, those who may have a less-than-perfect credit record will often also be considered.
So, if you are thinking of upgrading your motor or even buying your first-ever car, head to a professional car finance dealer first; they conveniently keep everything all in one place, making the car buying process easier from start to finish!
Daniel Collins writes on a number of topics on behalf of a digital marketing agency and a variety of clients. As such, this article is to be considered a professional piece with business interests in mind.
Friday, August 29, 2008
It's not just green car insurance that Brits are choosing
In recent years there has been a rise in the number of companies offering green car insurance and other products to keep up with consumer demand for more environmentally friendly services, and this green mentality is also affecting the cars that people buy.
As they strive to reduce their personal impact on the environment – in this case their carbon footprint – British motorists are increasingly choosing a more environmentally friendly car, according to research from global information services company Experian.
Experian has found that the green credentials of a car affect the decision of which one to buy for 26 per cent of Brits, with more than half of motorists saying that they are concerned about the negative effect their car has on the environment.
Female drivers are more concerned about their environmental impact than their male counterparts, the research found, and are also more likely to let this affect their decision of which car to buy.
The study also revealed that drivers who change their car more regularly – those who keep each one for less than three years –are more likely to consider their carbon footprint when buying a new car compared to others who do not change their car for four years or more.
"Our research shows that the environment is clearly becoming a bigger concern for car owners." said Kirk Fletcher, managing director of Experian's Automotive division. "In our opinion, this is more likely to continue to grow rather than diminish and needs to be factored into the sales process.
"A car is the second biggest purchase a person is likely to make after a buying a house and customers concerned about the environment will have a lot of questions to ask before they make their final decision to buy. Dealers need to have this information to hand to enhance the possibility of a sale."
Meanwhile, research from Legal & General has revealed that Brits are happy to go green but only on their terms. Apparently, 82 per cent of them are annoyed that they are having green values forced on them by government and business initiatives, such as being charged for carrier bags in the supermarket.
However, almost all Brits – 98 per cent – say that they are taking steps to make their lives greener, such as getting green car insurance and recycling household waste, illustrating that they are more than willing to do their bit to fight climate change, but do not appreciate having it enforced upon them.
As they strive to reduce their personal impact on the environment – in this case their carbon footprint – British motorists are increasingly choosing a more environmentally friendly car, according to research from global information services company Experian.
Experian has found that the green credentials of a car affect the decision of which one to buy for 26 per cent of Brits, with more than half of motorists saying that they are concerned about the negative effect their car has on the environment.
Female drivers are more concerned about their environmental impact than their male counterparts, the research found, and are also more likely to let this affect their decision of which car to buy.
The study also revealed that drivers who change their car more regularly – those who keep each one for less than three years –are more likely to consider their carbon footprint when buying a new car compared to others who do not change their car for four years or more.
"Our research shows that the environment is clearly becoming a bigger concern for car owners." said Kirk Fletcher, managing director of Experian's Automotive division. "In our opinion, this is more likely to continue to grow rather than diminish and needs to be factored into the sales process.
"A car is the second biggest purchase a person is likely to make after a buying a house and customers concerned about the environment will have a lot of questions to ask before they make their final decision to buy. Dealers need to have this information to hand to enhance the possibility of a sale."
Meanwhile, research from Legal & General has revealed that Brits are happy to go green but only on their terms. Apparently, 82 per cent of them are annoyed that they are having green values forced on them by government and business initiatives, such as being charged for carrier bags in the supermarket.
However, almost all Brits – 98 per cent – say that they are taking steps to make their lives greener, such as getting green car insurance and recycling household waste, illustrating that they are more than willing to do their bit to fight climate change, but do not appreciate having it enforced upon them.
Car loans soar in popularity
The number of consumers taking out car loans from vehicle dealerships has rocketed over the past year.
Tim Moss, head of loans at moneysupermarket.com, said the current popularity of car loans was driven by two factors. "Firstly, personal loans are extremely hard to get at the moment, but with car finance, your loan is secured against the metal, so it's a lot less risky for the company. Secondly, while people used to turn their noses up at car finance because they could get a loan for 6.5 per cent somewhere else, they're now going away and either realising that car finance is cheaper than any personal loan they can get, or their only option."
A car loan may traditionally have been regarded as a more expensive form of borrowing than a personal loan, but the credit crunch has changed that. Most high street lenders have been increasing their interest rates over the past year. A typical personal loan now costs 7.7 per cent, compared with 6.5 per cent this time last year.
In a further spot of good news for car loan customers, it's now possible to obtain new cars at knock-down prices. A fall in demand for new cars has meant a number of manufacturers are offering competitive prices to shift their stock. Moss spoke of his own experience: "I just bought a Renault, which had a list price of £21,500, for £14,000 - brand new."
Tim Moss, head of loans at moneysupermarket.com, said the current popularity of car loans was driven by two factors. "Firstly, personal loans are extremely hard to get at the moment, but with car finance, your loan is secured against the metal, so it's a lot less risky for the company. Secondly, while people used to turn their noses up at car finance because they could get a loan for 6.5 per cent somewhere else, they're now going away and either realising that car finance is cheaper than any personal loan they can get, or their only option."
A car loan may traditionally have been regarded as a more expensive form of borrowing than a personal loan, but the credit crunch has changed that. Most high street lenders have been increasing their interest rates over the past year. A typical personal loan now costs 7.7 per cent, compared with 6.5 per cent this time last year.
In a further spot of good news for car loan customers, it's now possible to obtain new cars at knock-down prices. A fall in demand for new cars has meant a number of manufacturers are offering competitive prices to shift their stock. Moss spoke of his own experience: "I just bought a Renault, which had a list price of £21,500, for £14,000 - brand new."
Spectrum of car finance providers getting broader
A study carried out by a professor from the University of Buckingham has revealed that a broader range of options for car finance exist than ever before.
Professor Cooke's study showed that point of sale finance has slumped between 1997 and 2006, because it suffers from a weak image and is often perceived to be uncompetitive.
A whole host of other car finance options have emerged, such as manufacturers' finance houses and high street bank finance. These companies have won business from car dealers by aggressively promoting their car finance products.
From 1997 to 2006, the used car market in the UK has consistently been about three times the size of the new car market. Private buyers account for about half of total new car sales and virtually all used car sales.
In the same period, franchised dealers' new private car finance penetration fell from 52 per cent to 41 per cent, while used car finance penetration dropped from 53 per cent to 30 per cent. Independent dealers' used car finance penetration dropped from 40 per cent to 20 per cent.
Professor Cooke's study showed that point of sale finance has slumped between 1997 and 2006, because it suffers from a weak image and is often perceived to be uncompetitive.
A whole host of other car finance options have emerged, such as manufacturers' finance houses and high street bank finance. These companies have won business from car dealers by aggressively promoting their car finance products.
From 1997 to 2006, the used car market in the UK has consistently been about three times the size of the new car market. Private buyers account for about half of total new car sales and virtually all used car sales.
In the same period, franchised dealers' new private car finance penetration fell from 52 per cent to 41 per cent, while used car finance penetration dropped from 53 per cent to 30 per cent. Independent dealers' used car finance penetration dropped from 40 per cent to 20 per cent.
Car loan customers offered Daihatsu deal
Car loan customers looking for a good deal could consider purchasing the new Terios Kiri model from Daihatsu.
Only 250 vehicles will be made available to car loan customers and other motorists. The price will be £13,895 on-the-road - slightly above the £12,995 price tag of the original Terios 1.5 S.
Drivers who pick up the new Kiri model will be driving five-spoke alloy wheels, roof rails and a hard spare wheel cover. The car is available in a unique metallic green paint colour.
Speaking of green, environmentally-conscious car loan customers may be interested to learn that the Kiri emitted 185g CO2 per km. This could enable them to benefit from lower car insurance premiums, as many insurers reward customers who choose eco-friendly vehicles.
In a statement, Daihatsu said: "The award-winning Terios range has a high standard specification which includes air-conditioning, power-steering ... and full-time four-wheel drive with electronic centre diff-lock."
The Times has described the Daihatsu Materia as "push[ing] the parameters of standard car design".
Only 250 vehicles will be made available to car loan customers and other motorists. The price will be £13,895 on-the-road - slightly above the £12,995 price tag of the original Terios 1.5 S.
Drivers who pick up the new Kiri model will be driving five-spoke alloy wheels, roof rails and a hard spare wheel cover. The car is available in a unique metallic green paint colour.
Speaking of green, environmentally-conscious car loan customers may be interested to learn that the Kiri emitted 185g CO2 per km. This could enable them to benefit from lower car insurance premiums, as many insurers reward customers who choose eco-friendly vehicles.
In a statement, Daihatsu said: "The award-winning Terios range has a high standard specification which includes air-conditioning, power-steering ... and full-time four-wheel drive with electronic centre diff-lock."
The Times has described the Daihatsu Materia as "push[ing] the parameters of standard car design".
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Online Car Insurance Revolution
An article on how the internet has changed and revolutionised the way in which we look for and purchase our car insurance policies with the intervention of online car insurance price comparison companies.
The UK consumer market place for car insurance has been revolutionised over the past few years by the massive impact of the internet and the accessibility of advertising information at fingertip availability via the web.
Microsoft boss Bill Gates once envisaged that every home would have computer and it certainly looks as though this will come to fruition. The love of the internet and what information it can provide pleases every age group, every taste and almost every market place.
One of the biggest commercial market places is the motor industry, and the accompanying market of car insurance is likewise immense. It wasn't so long ago that drivers looking for cheap car insurance were totally reliant on informed and chanced luck in finding a value for money car insurance premium.
Advertising was pretty restricted to papers, telephone directories and TV adverts with consumers having to spend great lengths of time shopping around, usually until they got totally bored and gave in to the cheapest policy they had managed to find.
Online car insurance has been dramatically revolutionised by the addition of a new wave of web based price comparison companies. These insurance aggregators allow shoppers to input their personal and driving details into their online car insurance systems once in order to retrieve dozens of results from insurance company quotes from insurers offering their most competitive prices on a whole range of polices from motor insurance to home insurance.
The impact of these online price comparison companies on the insurance providers has been quote dramatic because the motorist insurance consumer now has access to market rates which is making a lot of companies look at pricing strategies which is great for competition and great for the consumer.
Andy Higgins has been publishing online articles for years and currently writes for News Media Studios where he created the Article Feeder business solution
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Rates For Auto Loans
Financial institution and banks provide auto loans, which is in common practice among leading industries. Still due to ignorance many people is not benefited through best loan possible from these institutions. Borrowers needed a loan on immediate basis and they don't bother about the market rates comparison or even loan terms. However, it does not have to be that way. In this scenario internet plays a vital role in it.
Rates for Auto Loans
Many websites are now dedicated on interest rates almost all the parts in the country. This makes it very easy to find out the rates on which borrowers of that area availing the car loan benefits. Collect this information and make a list of it. After collection of all types of rates then, start comparing between them. Based on data and statistics you can easily determine which company or financial institution you should to prefer.
Auto loans quote online
Now a day, you can get different quotes from different lenders in few seconds through online. This is beneficial to borrower to get best loan quotes with different features intact. Borrowers have the choice to get more and more significant selection out of many. Many online lenders work effectively with financial companies to provide online auto loans. Based on individual situation these online lenders able to get you, finance regardless of good credit, bad credit, no credit etc.
Compare Auto Loans with each other
Comparison-shopping can be done based on pre-approved auto loans through several lenders. Compare their terms and conditions, which the special company providing you auto loans. You can easily eliminate financing companies one by one through Apple to Apple comparison method. At the end, you will get the leader with reputation in loan finance that definitely suits your needs.
For a great resource to get best online auto loan quote please go to:
Monday, August 25, 2008
Auto Insurance Basics
For all drivers out on the road, there is a general consensus when it comes to driving; it is very dangerous. There are an infinite amount of problems that may arise when you are driving. Things can even happen when you aren't driving. Sure, millions of people own cars and drive daily without a single problem, but by the same token there are probably just as many accidents, tragedies, and just plain bad luck occurrences that take place with people and their cars every single day. For that reason, we have auto insurance.
Auto insurance is available to protect you and your loved ones that travel with you from car crashes, vandalism, theft and natural disasters. Your vehicle is protected financially while the people are protected against injuries. If that reason alone is not enough to get an auto insurance policy, the next reason to purchase a policy will be. It's the law.
All 50 states require minimum coverage liability. Some states have additional requirements, check with the state you reside in to ensure that you at least meet the minimum. Another reason to get auto insurance, one that affects the majority of drivers, is the fact that most auto finance companies require not online insurance, but full coverage insurance, as long as your vehicle was purchased through a loan. Now that we have discussed the reasons for having an insurance policy, let's move on to the details of the bare minimum coverage, liability insurance.
Liability coverage, as previously mentioned, is the national minimum coverage in the United States. There are three different types of protection: property damage liability, bodily injury liability, and uninsured/underinsured motorist protection. Property damage and bodily injury liability do not protect your property or your body if you are at-fault in an accident. Bodily injury liability will provide compensation to the other party you are involved in an accident with to pay for medical expenses for injuries or funeral expenses in the unfortunate event that someone is ever killed in an accident that you are legally deemed at-fault.
If you have property damage liability protection, and are in an at-fault accident, the insurance company will pay for repairs or replacement of the other person's car or property. Uninsured/underinsured motorist protection works a little bit differently. Although still a liability coverage, uninsured/underinsured protection covers you if you are in an accident that is the fault of someone that has no insurance at all or does not have adequate coverage to replace or repair your possessions. To make sure you have enough coverage, it is best to purchase above the minimum requirements.
Although liability coverage is generally inexpensive, because of the very limited protection provided, that does not mean all insurance is cheap. There are several factors that play a part in determining your insurance rates, including: your personal driving record, your age, your state, and the type of car you drive. Insurance companies do reward drivers for having a safe driving record with decreased rates. You can also lower your premiums by elimination optional protections, storing your car in a garage, or raising your deductible. If you raise your deductible, you will be responsible for a larger amount upfront before the insurance company begins to pay for claims, so that is something to keep in mind. Do you want to pay more over time or pay more in the event of an accident? Regardless of the route you take to get auto insurance, just be sure you get it, not only to cover you and your family, but also everyone else out on the road because unfortunately, accidents happen.
Is There Affordable Car Insurance For Drunk Drivers?
While drinking and driving is a big issue everywhere US drink drivers can still get themselves insured properly, but it will cost a lot more for comprehensive coverage most of the time, and also depending on how many offenses there has been.
But what is more important is that there is a crackdown from a new police initiative. In Staffordshire, the police force is looking into a pub ban for those who drink and drive and have been caught. This would not only keep more drunk drivers off the road, but this would also become an extra deterrent for those who are thinking about drinking and driving after a night out at the pub.
The major problem with the pub ban is that pubs are threatening to raise their prices if this happened because they will get less customers. This is something that many people will be against. Most people believe that they should not have to pay more at the pubs just because of someone else's mistake. The police only want to use this as a deterrent to drinking and driving, not to put businesses in trouble. But to keep drivers from drinking and then getting behind the wheel, police officers think that this is a good idea. But this does cause concern for those who are looking to keep their car insurance rates affordable.
Once someone gets caught driving drunk their car insurance rates immediately go up. But there is hope for those who are looking to move past their mistake and get affordable car insurance. UK drunk drivers are not always repeat offenders, so those who have made only one mistake will eventually have their car insurance rates brought back down, but with further action from the police and the idea of a pub ban, this could put drivers in hot water for much longer time than they expected.
If you have been caught drinking and driving, you will want to look into affordable insurance that does not penalize you for the mistakes that you have made in the past. You will also want to look into plans that offer a no claims discount so that you can get better rates further along the line. This is a great way to save money and still get the car insurance coverage that you need.
Friday, August 22, 2008
Auto Insurance Cover Abroad
The sun is about to set in the distance, the open road is ahead, and there is nothing between you and your destination but the car that rear ended you a few moments ago. This perhaps sounds like a bad day, but imagine if this happened to you while you were on vacation. Now go even further and imagine that this vacation was abroad and not on the familiar soil of the UK.
Planning ahead is always important, especially when planning your holiday road trip abroad. Not only is there the obvious to take care of, travel arrangements and packing, but there is also the not so obvious, having appropriate insurance for your automobile. A seemingly carefree drive into Europe will be exactly that, carefree, when you know you have proper insurance coverage ahead of time.
Many of us spend countless hours ensuring proper protection for our car for the daily commute or casual errand. However, many insurance programs only offer protection for basic road traffic accidents, and only sometimes offer third party coverage. Most UK insurance policies will not protect you against other damages while you are abroad. This leaves you vulnerable to theft, fire, flood, or even legal matters occurring after the accident.
It is important to know that you can get minimum basic cover from getting a Green Card for driving abroad. Note, however, that the Green Card will only offer you minimum coverage and that supplemental insurance will be necessary for any comprehensive claims. The Green Card for driving is an internationally recognised document that will provide basic coverage. You will no longer need this document in countries part of the EU; however, it will still be a necessity when travelling outside of the EU.
The Green Card in itself is free and certain insurance companies offer Green Card coverage that offers basic protection for your auto while abroad. This being said, it is important to extend your coverage before travelling. The cost of extending coverage is dependent on the duration of your trip and also on where you will be traveling. Laws and regulations differ from country to country, especially outside the EU, so it is important to be informed about what coverage is best for you.
This may also be a good time to evaluate if your insurance needs match up with your current provider. Having proper coverage, and more importantly having proper coverage for the right price, is integral in protecting your assets. By filling out a short form, the insurance specialists at SimplyFinance will do the searching to find the best auto insurance rate quote for your needs. Protection against emergencies is important to any of us.
Nothing is more stressful than being on holiday and having the inconvenience associated with improper planning. Being organised can help prevent that. When looking for supplemental holiday insurance coverage, check to see if breakdown coverage is something you would be interested in. Emergency roadside assistance, costs of repair, and emergency accommodation are commonly covered by breakdown coverage. The cost may vary depending on the coverage you want, but this cost will be worth it in reassurance alone.
Preparing for your trip by getting your vehicle serviced is another important step. Along with a last minute check-up, make sure to keep a spare set of keys and your insurance documents in a safe and secure place. Do not leave any important documents in your car, regardless of coverage. Also, make sure you have all important documents: passport, driver license, and international driving permit (if applicable).
Most importantly a vacation should be just that. It is important to be safe, and prepared, but to also have fun. With this information, you can make this the trip of a lifetime, and really feel as carefree as the road that lies ahead.
Bad Credit Auto Loans - Make a Deal Possible Even in Bad Credit
The market has the option to finance any kind of your auto deal depending upon your requirement. But, you may have problem their when your credit is really not perfect. Since, the need of buying an auto can be felt even in your bad credit condition, market is now making provision even for such cases. Now, bad credit auto loans are easily available that can be obtained to omit the hurdle of your credit profile that you usually have to face at normal loan facility.
Generally, the risk factor attached with your bad credit is compensated by taking a security from your part. For this you usually have to put your home or the vary auto as security that assures for the repayment and omit hurdles of your bad credit. On the other hand you can have this facility even without putting any kind of security that emphasize for a regular source of income with you when you opt for this option. A regular income source here assures the lenders for your repayment and paves way for the approval.
You can avail any sum here depending upon your requirement. Since, your requirement is attached with the price of a particular type of auto; here you usually get a finance of 90 to 100 percent of the price of auto as the loan amount. These loans are repaid within a somewhat shorter repayment period of 2 to 7 years.
You usually find a slightly higher rate of interest with these loans, as it helps you escaping the risk factor of your bad credit. However, the stiff competition among the borrowers has made this facility even competitive and helps you get better rate. For this, you can go for an online search that enables you contact several lenders at a time that help you compare among their different offers easily.
Bad credit auto loans now delete the worry of being intact with normal financial facility and help you get your desired auto deal even when your credit is not perfect. These facilities enable you find the required sum without any cap and repeals hurdle of price while you are dealing any kind auto buying.
Johns Tiel holds a master degree in Commerce from JNU. He is working as financial consultant in Chance For Loans. To find Bad Credit Auto Loans, debt consolidation loans, cheap rates personal loans that best suits your needs visit http://www.carssure.com/
Thursday, August 21, 2008
A Guide To Finding Good Motor Bike Insurance
Insurance policies are a tricky thing, especially if like me you struggle with your finances. However if you own a motorbike, moped or scooter, this is a necessary evil and provides safety assurance in case something goes wrong. People who look for motor bike insurance tend to find it difficult to search for a policy that works for them or tailored to their needs. What most new motorists do not realise is that it is not about whether the policy suits you in terms of working around your needs, it is about finding the policy that will cover all of the necessary costs in case of an accident or emergency.
Motor bike insurance is designed to cover you financially, should there be a problem of an unexpected accident, damage to your bike, damage to the other party's vehicle, third party damage etc. As much as this may seem like something you may be able to do without, it is in fact just something you will have to grin and bear the brunt about, as it is more damaging to your finances if you are up against the people of the court!
Paying for medical expenses and other damages is just another way of saying goodbye to your money or watching your pennies fall out of your pocket. There is no excuse and not really any way round it. However, motor bike insurance in particular does become cheaper as you become more experienced on the bike. New riders will naturally be quoted a higher price due to their inexperience of being on the road and the fact that they will be more likely to be involved in an accident.
Insurance for motor bikes are possibly more expensive than normal car insurances, so you will need to take a deep breath in before you begin your searching. Insurance for this type of vehicle is different due to the higher premium rates you will have to pay. This is standard and practically every motor cyclist will know that that is the case, because it is higher at risk of causing an accident than a normal car would. It can be debated that it is due to the driver, however, motorbikes are faster and designed to be used at a much higher speed.
As a way of reducing the prospects of having to spend out thousands of pounds on damages, it is wise to opt towards a comprehensive package rather than just a third party damage as this will cover you for everything, which will include damage to your bike, theft, fire damage, third party damage and extra costs such as medical costs, repairs to yours and the other party's vehicle. This is the most expensive insurance policy, it may be worth the price if you own an expensive designer manufactured bike.
Other types of motor bike insurance includes third party only cover or third party, fire and theft cover, which is ideal for people looking to save some money or unable to afford a fully comprehensive insurance cover. The best way to find one that you can afford and are more likely to gain value for money is to do your research and compare insurance prices. Find a medium of what you are likely to pay and equate this to how this will affect you financially. If in doubt there are plenty of insurance policy forums to keep you happy and posted about new deals.
You can also approach insurance, however, you should be careful of extra costs involved so be clear on what you are going to pay for and what the costs will cover.
Motor bike insurance is designed to cover you financially, should there be a problem of an unexpected accident, damage to your bike, damage to the other party's vehicle, third party damage etc. As much as this may seem like something you may be able to do without, it is in fact just something you will have to grin and bear the brunt about, as it is more damaging to your finances if you are up against the people of the court!
Paying for medical expenses and other damages is just another way of saying goodbye to your money or watching your pennies fall out of your pocket. There is no excuse and not really any way round it. However, motor bike insurance in particular does become cheaper as you become more experienced on the bike. New riders will naturally be quoted a higher price due to their inexperience of being on the road and the fact that they will be more likely to be involved in an accident.
Insurance for motor bikes are possibly more expensive than normal car insurances, so you will need to take a deep breath in before you begin your searching. Insurance for this type of vehicle is different due to the higher premium rates you will have to pay. This is standard and practically every motor cyclist will know that that is the case, because it is higher at risk of causing an accident than a normal car would. It can be debated that it is due to the driver, however, motorbikes are faster and designed to be used at a much higher speed.
As a way of reducing the prospects of having to spend out thousands of pounds on damages, it is wise to opt towards a comprehensive package rather than just a third party damage as this will cover you for everything, which will include damage to your bike, theft, fire damage, third party damage and extra costs such as medical costs, repairs to yours and the other party's vehicle. This is the most expensive insurance policy, it may be worth the price if you own an expensive designer manufactured bike.
Other types of motor bike insurance includes third party only cover or third party, fire and theft cover, which is ideal for people looking to save some money or unable to afford a fully comprehensive insurance cover. The best way to find one that you can afford and are more likely to gain value for money is to do your research and compare insurance prices. Find a medium of what you are likely to pay and equate this to how this will affect you financially. If in doubt there are plenty of insurance policy forums to keep you happy and posted about new deals.
You can also approach insurance, however, you should be careful of extra costs involved so be clear on what you are going to pay for and what the costs will cover.
Monday, August 18, 2008
How to Avoid Car Dealership Scams
If you're planning to purchase a vehicle, either used or new, you need to be an aware and informed consumer. While the majority of car dealers are honest and sincere suppliers, there are scams out there that could cost you big money.
To get a run-down on some of the most common auto dealership scams taking place today, keep reading.
1. VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) Etching
The dealer will offer to etch the VIN onto a window, explaining that this acts as a theft deterrent and will help you quickly identify your car. The price will be set anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a thousand.
The dealer may even offer you a discount on this service, letting you have it for just a couple hundred dollars. What you don't know was that this can be done either at a mechanic's shop for twenty to thirty dollars or at home with an inexpensive etching kit.
2. Yo-Yo Financing Scams
In this scam, the dealer encourages you to take the car home, claiming they'll take care of all the financing details. A couple of days later, the dealer will call you to say he's having trouble setting up your financing, but can set up a new financing scheme directly through his dealership.
Of course, the new financing plan will cost you more interest and you'll be dealing directly with the dealer. If you have less-than-perfect credit, arrange to have all your financing taken care of before you even step foot on a dealer's lot.
Go to your bank or lending institution for an auto financing loan or line of credit so you don't even have to deal with dealership financing. Or better yet, if affordable, pay the entire auto cost with cash.
3. Extended Warranty Plan
Most dealers will try to sell you an extended warranty plan or service contract deal, and many of those will try to tell you it's a condition of your bank's auto financing. If a dealer tries this, ask him to put it in writing so you can take it to the bank and ask them directly.
Also, remember that many cars come with manufacturer's warranties, meaning you would therefore be paying for redundant and unnecessary coverage.
4. Prep Fees and Market Adjustments
Some dealers are notorious for marking up the price of a car, from claiming market adjustments for popular vehicles to charging you to "prep" the vehicle for sale. Arm yourself with local sales data on new models in your geographical location. Try the Kelley Blue Book pricing for new cars in your area to find out what other people are actually paying, and don't be persuaded to pay more.
Clearly the purchase of an automobile is a significant expense that merits due caution and some homework to ensure you are armed with all the information needed to search and bargain wisely. Those who rush into a transaction without a careful assessment of both the vehicle and terms of the sale are at a higher risk of being taken for a ride - and not in the car!
To get a run-down on some of the most common auto dealership scams taking place today, keep reading.
1. VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) Etching
The dealer will offer to etch the VIN onto a window, explaining that this acts as a theft deterrent and will help you quickly identify your car. The price will be set anywhere from a few hundred dollars to a thousand.
The dealer may even offer you a discount on this service, letting you have it for just a couple hundred dollars. What you don't know was that this can be done either at a mechanic's shop for twenty to thirty dollars or at home with an inexpensive etching kit.
2. Yo-Yo Financing Scams
In this scam, the dealer encourages you to take the car home, claiming they'll take care of all the financing details. A couple of days later, the dealer will call you to say he's having trouble setting up your financing, but can set up a new financing scheme directly through his dealership.
Of course, the new financing plan will cost you more interest and you'll be dealing directly with the dealer. If you have less-than-perfect credit, arrange to have all your financing taken care of before you even step foot on a dealer's lot.
Go to your bank or lending institution for an auto financing loan or line of credit so you don't even have to deal with dealership financing. Or better yet, if affordable, pay the entire auto cost with cash.
3. Extended Warranty Plan
Most dealers will try to sell you an extended warranty plan or service contract deal, and many of those will try to tell you it's a condition of your bank's auto financing. If a dealer tries this, ask him to put it in writing so you can take it to the bank and ask them directly.
Also, remember that many cars come with manufacturer's warranties, meaning you would therefore be paying for redundant and unnecessary coverage.
4. Prep Fees and Market Adjustments
Some dealers are notorious for marking up the price of a car, from claiming market adjustments for popular vehicles to charging you to "prep" the vehicle for sale. Arm yourself with local sales data on new models in your geographical location. Try the Kelley Blue Book pricing for new cars in your area to find out what other people are actually paying, and don't be persuaded to pay more.
Clearly the purchase of an automobile is a significant expense that merits due caution and some homework to ensure you are armed with all the information needed to search and bargain wisely. Those who rush into a transaction without a careful assessment of both the vehicle and terms of the sale are at a higher risk of being taken for a ride - and not in the car!
Use a Payday Loan for Your First Car
Use a Payday Loan for Your First Car
So you are fresh out of university and you got yourself a nice job. You’re earning quite well and you are all set to live a life of your own finally. There is only one problem – you need a car that you can call your own. You probably had one during your uni days – your parents might have gotten it for you or you inherited it from your dad. The thing is, it is probably going bonkers on you. As old as it is, you probably want one that would serve you better. Am I painting a familiar picture here?
I am sure that you would want a car of your own, something a bit better than that old piece of junk you have. Then again, being relatively new on the job, you might not have had enough time to save up for something flashy and brand new. How about a used car? Maybe you can find one for relatively cheap and yet do the trick.
So you find one for several thousand pounds, maybe less. What is your next step? You are probably thinking about dealer financing or taking out a car loan from your bank. Both are feasible, of course, but what if you could get some cash to augment what you might have stashed away in a much easier manner and without too much hassle?
For some cases, a payday loan could work for you. For example, if you only need about £1,000 to £1, 500 more to purchase that car using cash, you can save a lot more than if you took up the dealer’s offer for financing. Same thing for a car loan from a conventional bank. You merely have to look for a good payday loan provider and you could get that extra money that you need to pay for your car in cash.
What do you need to take out a payday loan? First, you must be at least 18 years old. Since you are out of university, I assume that you are over this age. Next, you must have a regular source of income. If you have that job, then you are good to go. You might have to be in that job for at least several months before a payday loan provider considers you as qualified, but that should be easy enough. You’d also have to provide proof that you have that job. You simply have to compile your latest pay stubs and then show them to your payday loan provider. You also need a current bank account so that the payday loan provider can deposit the money into the account as soon as possible.
So you’ve got all of the requirements, what do you do? Just go online and fill out the application form! Once you send it in, you will merely have to wait for an hour or so – maybe several hours – to get your approval. Then, you’ll get the money in your bank account within the next day, several days at the most. Before you know it, you’ll be driving your own set of wheels!
So you are fresh out of university and you got yourself a nice job. You’re earning quite well and you are all set to live a life of your own finally. There is only one problem – you need a car that you can call your own. You probably had one during your uni days – your parents might have gotten it for you or you inherited it from your dad. The thing is, it is probably going bonkers on you. As old as it is, you probably want one that would serve you better. Am I painting a familiar picture here?
I am sure that you would want a car of your own, something a bit better than that old piece of junk you have. Then again, being relatively new on the job, you might not have had enough time to save up for something flashy and brand new. How about a used car? Maybe you can find one for relatively cheap and yet do the trick.
So you find one for several thousand pounds, maybe less. What is your next step? You are probably thinking about dealer financing or taking out a car loan from your bank. Both are feasible, of course, but what if you could get some cash to augment what you might have stashed away in a much easier manner and without too much hassle?
For some cases, a payday loan could work for you. For example, if you only need about £1,000 to £1, 500 more to purchase that car using cash, you can save a lot more than if you took up the dealer’s offer for financing. Same thing for a car loan from a conventional bank. You merely have to look for a good payday loan provider and you could get that extra money that you need to pay for your car in cash.
What do you need to take out a payday loan? First, you must be at least 18 years old. Since you are out of university, I assume that you are over this age. Next, you must have a regular source of income. If you have that job, then you are good to go. You might have to be in that job for at least several months before a payday loan provider considers you as qualified, but that should be easy enough. You’d also have to provide proof that you have that job. You simply have to compile your latest pay stubs and then show them to your payday loan provider. You also need a current bank account so that the payday loan provider can deposit the money into the account as soon as possible.
So you’ve got all of the requirements, what do you do? Just go online and fill out the application form! Once you send it in, you will merely have to wait for an hour or so – maybe several hours – to get your approval. Then, you’ll get the money in your bank account within the next day, several days at the most. Before you know it, you’ll be driving your own set of wheels!
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Cheap Car Insurance Quotes
If it is time to get quotes for your new car insurance policy, let Carssure.com do the research for you. We ensure you get cheap car insurance quotes from the best insurance companies.
Every customer wants to get the best possible deal and that is why we offer tips and resources to help you get cheap car insurance from a highly respected car insurance company. If you wish to cut down your premiums and go for better car insurance quotes then follow these steps:
* Go Shopping - Review car insurance quotes from different insurance companies to be sure you get the best car insurance rates. As the biggest mistake that most of the consumers make when they purchase a car insurance policy is going with the first company they find. If you are looking for cheap car insurance, then 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.
* 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 Car Insurance 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. Various Car Insurance companies understand this and offer low car insurance 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 car insurance policy as a loan. When you apply for insurance coverage, car insurance companies check your credit history firstly, 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.
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. Search through Carssure.com for the lowest price premiums from reputable companies like Allstate, Esurance.com and Farmers’ Insurance Group and more.
Every customer wants to get the best possible deal and that is why we offer tips and resources to help you get cheap car insurance from a highly respected car insurance company. If you wish to cut down your premiums and go for better car insurance quotes then follow these steps:
* Go Shopping - Review car insurance quotes from different insurance companies to be sure you get the best car insurance rates. As the biggest mistake that most of the consumers make when they purchase a car insurance policy is going with the first company they find. If you are looking for cheap car insurance, then 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.
* 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 Car Insurance 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. Various Car Insurance companies understand this and offer low car insurance 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 car insurance policy as a loan. When you apply for insurance coverage, car insurance companies check your credit history firstly, 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.
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. Search through Carssure.com for the lowest price premiums from reputable companies like Allstate, Esurance.com and Farmers’ Insurance Group and more.
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
The 10 Cheapest Cars Per Mile Per Gallon
As car buyers are drawn to more fuel-efficient cars, a common challenge people face is how to get the most gas mileage for the money. Hybrids, for example, typically deliver the best fuel economy in their respective classes, but they sell for a premium. Begs the question: Is it better for your bank account to buy a small, less-expensive nonhybrid that still provides good, if not great, fuel economy?
If your goal in getting better fuel economy is to make every dollar count, the following list can guide you to some of today's best buys. Of the more than 260 vehicles that we've recently tested, these are the 10 cars that provide the best combination of low purchase price and high fuel economy.
Crunching the numbers
To get this list, we divided the as-tested price (including options and destination charge) for each vehicle we've recently tested by the car's overall mpg (including city and highway) in our fuel-economy tests. This tells you the price you'll pay for each mpg.
But gas mileage isn't everything. So, to ensure we aren't guiding you to cars that are mediocre in other areas, we selected only ones that meet our stringent criteria in performance, reliability, and safety for being recommended. And to make sure, the cars aren't going to blindside you with high ownership costs after you've signed on the dotted line, we selected only models that earn an excellent owner-cost rating.
Top 10 in price per mpg
| Model | As tested Price | Overall mpg | Price per mpg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honda Fit Sport (manual) | $15,765 | 34 | $464 |
| Honda Fit (base) | 15,245 | 32 | 476 |
| Toyota Prius (base) | 23,780 | 44 | 540 |
| Mazda3 i (manual) | 17,290 | 30 | 576 |
| Toyota Prius Touring | 24,803 | 42 | 591 |
| Nissan Versa 1.8 SL | 16,675 | 28 | 596 |
| Honda Civic Hybrid | 22,400 | 37 | 605 |
| Honda Civic EX (manual) | 18,810 | 31 | 607 |
| Hyundai Elantra GLS | 17,555 | 27 | 650 |
| Scion tC (base) | 17,115 | 26 | 658 |
Drawing on a price that's under $16,000 and good fuel economy in the low-to-mid 30's, both versions of the Honda Fit we've tested topped the list. That shows that you can pay more for a car with higher gas-mileage numbers (such as the Toyota Prius), but you won't necessarily get better fuel economy for the buck.
If you want a roomier car than the subcompact Fit, several compact cars made the list, including the Mazda3, Honda Civic, and Hyundai Elantra. And, despite their higher cost, three hybrids-two versions of the Toyota Prius and the Honda Civic Hybrid-made the list, based on stellar fuel economy results.
The lowest price per mpg in our analysis came from the Toyota Yaris and Hyundai Accent with manual transmissions ($370 and $425, respectively). But because they scored too low in our tests to be recommended, they didn't make the cut. Which cars are highest? With the Dodge Viper SRT10 and Mercedes-Benz SL550, you'll pay more than $6,000 for every mile-per-gallon. And you'll have to feed these engines requiring Premium fuel, as well.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
How Will a Speeding Ticket Affect My Car Insurance Rates?
So you are speeding along the freeway, making great time, when all of a sudden you see red and blue flashing lights behind you. Yep, it's your friendly highway patrol man ticket in hand for your lead foot. So how exactly does a ticket affect your car insurance?
Each time you get a ticket you get a certain amount of points against your license dependent on what state you get the ticket in. The more points against your license the higher your insurance gets. Unfortunately the more tickets you get the higher your insurance gets until you either can't afford the insurance any more or the insurance company drops your coverage. Don't worry it takes more than just one or two tickets for your insurance company to drop you.
So you have your ticket, how much is this going to cost you? It really depends on your car insurance company and your policy and what the ticket was for. If it was a non-moving violation then you're probably not going to see a raise. If it is a parking, speeding, or especially reckless driving, get ready for a rate hike. Usually what the average insurance company will do is first take away any safe driver discounts you may have had and then add a two to three percent increase on top of that. May not sound like much but multiply that by 12 months and it starts to add up.
So what can you do to prevent or at least lessen the cost on your pocketbook? Unfortunately in this case you will have to spend money to save money. Your first option is to see if the court will offer traffic school to keep the ticket off your record. If they do then take it. The cost of the class will more than be offset from the cost of an insurance hike. Unfortunately you can only choose traffic school for the first, sometimes the second ticket in the same year. So what then? If it's a second ticket, sometimes you can get the court to defer the payment of the ticket till the next year if you offer to pay double the ticket price. This can possible open other opportunities for you to get the ticket dropped from your record. Another option is that you can hire a lawyer to try to get the ticket removed. Two pretty expensive options, but still less than what you would be paying on your car insurance. No matter what, you are still responsible to pay for the ticket. Not paying your ticket can get your license suspended or even a warrant out for your arrest in some states.
As with most issues involving insurance, eventually you can receive forgiveness from the insurance company. If you drive safe your ticket will usually disappear from your record after 3-5 years depending on which state you live in. Honestly the best choice is not to speed in the first place. The cost of the ticket, plus the cost to fight the ticket, plus the cost of your increase in insurance, is just not worth it.
Each time you get a ticket you get a certain amount of points against your license dependent on what state you get the ticket in. The more points against your license the higher your insurance gets. Unfortunately the more tickets you get the higher your insurance gets until you either can't afford the insurance any more or the insurance company drops your coverage. Don't worry it takes more than just one or two tickets for your insurance company to drop you.
So you have your ticket, how much is this going to cost you? It really depends on your car insurance company and your policy and what the ticket was for. If it was a non-moving violation then you're probably not going to see a raise. If it is a parking, speeding, or especially reckless driving, get ready for a rate hike. Usually what the average insurance company will do is first take away any safe driver discounts you may have had and then add a two to three percent increase on top of that. May not sound like much but multiply that by 12 months and it starts to add up.
So what can you do to prevent or at least lessen the cost on your pocketbook? Unfortunately in this case you will have to spend money to save money. Your first option is to see if the court will offer traffic school to keep the ticket off your record. If they do then take it. The cost of the class will more than be offset from the cost of an insurance hike. Unfortunately you can only choose traffic school for the first, sometimes the second ticket in the same year. So what then? If it's a second ticket, sometimes you can get the court to defer the payment of the ticket till the next year if you offer to pay double the ticket price. This can possible open other opportunities for you to get the ticket dropped from your record. Another option is that you can hire a lawyer to try to get the ticket removed. Two pretty expensive options, but still less than what you would be paying on your car insurance. No matter what, you are still responsible to pay for the ticket. Not paying your ticket can get your license suspended or even a warrant out for your arrest in some states.
As with most issues involving insurance, eventually you can receive forgiveness from the insurance company. If you drive safe your ticket will usually disappear from your record after 3-5 years depending on which state you live in. Honestly the best choice is not to speed in the first place. The cost of the ticket, plus the cost to fight the ticket, plus the cost of your increase in insurance, is just not worth it.
4x4s now 'worthless' in part exchanges
Dealers are refusing to take 'worthless' gas-guzzling 4x4s in part exchange amid plummeting values for second-hand cars.
They say some are worth more as scrap as demand for steel soars.
Used car values generally are set to drop by 12% between now and Christmas, experts warned yesterday.
A three-year-old family car worth £5,000 will drop by £600. That means it is losing around £5 every day - leaving many owners spending more for it in repayments than it is actually worth.
Experts at price guide Parkers say the slump is the result of the Government's controversial proposals to hit millions of drivers with backdated car tax increases of up to £245, which they say have 'skewed' the market, and the soaring price of fuel.
The worst losers are the biggest 4x4s. Parkers' car-price expert Simon Harris said: 'These are proving impossible to part-exchange. There's no demand for petrol off-roaders and resale values are plummeting.
'Increasing fuel prices and the prospect of owners being liable for double the amount of road tax on certain high fuel consumption models means used car buyers are more wary before deciding on their next purchase.
'There is no appetite at present for thirsty 4x4s that would typically cost £100 or more to fill up with petrol as fuel prices continue to soar, and become liable for more than £450 a year in vehicle excise duty by 2010 for models currently two years old. It effectively means these vehicles are worthless. Dealers don't want to touch them.'
Andrew Harrison-Smith, owner of Peterborough-based independent Land Rover specialist Nene Overland, said: 'Values for big petrol-engined 4x4s are about £3,000 or perhaps even £4,000 lower than for the diesels.'
Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealer Association, confirmed some dealers are refusing to take in certain cars.
She said: 'The market for 4x4s has become tougher following the Government's announcement of revised vehicle excise duty rates for higher-polluting cars.' Adrian Rushmore, managing editor at EurotaxGlass's car price guide, predicted a 12% drop in used prices between now and Christmas.
Car sales fall but drivers will bear fuel hike
The credit crunch and rising fuel and tax costs have hit new car sales but motorists say there's miles to go before they would ditch their vehicles.
Figures have shown purchases of new cars plummeting in July, with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reporting 153,420 new cars registered in July 2008 - a 13% fall on the July 2007 figure.
But research from insurer esure claims that despite petrol prices increasing by more than 20% in a year, motorists would endure more hikes.
On average, motorists have said they are willing to pay up to £1.75 per litre for petrol - 60p more than the current Petrolprices.com average - before giving up their cars in favour of alternative transport.
Rising fuel prices and soaring household bills have conspired to make a new car an unaffordable luxury for more people, and sales have now seen steady decline for three successive months, according to SMMT figures.
'The July decline in total sales reflects the continued deterioration in consumer confidence being experienced across the economy,' says SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt.
'Vehicle manufacturers are doing their bit to support consumers, though, and new cars are now 22% more affordable than they were 10 years ago and new technology is delivering more fuel efficient motoring.'
Growth in demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles has offered some hope for the suffering vehicle manufacturing industry.
Last month saw a 19.4% increase in sales, sparked by rising petrol costs as well as hightened environmental concern.
'The industry needs the support of the Government in order to encourage the uptake of lower-emitting vehicles and ultimately lower the cost of motoring for consumers,' Everitt says.
Greener vehicles are likely to benefit from increasing interest over future years, with Britons keen to save money but reluctant to give up their cars.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
How to Successfully Claim a Car Warranty
Car warranties are extremely important to have whenever you purchase a new vehicle. However, claiming a car warranty can lead to extremely frustrating nights and regret for purchasing this type of useless protection. Yet, there are several steps you can take to ensure you will not be denied when trying to use your vehicles extended warranty that you paid for. These steps are fairly easy to follow, and in most cases you will find that claiming your auto warranty will be successful and easy when you stick to this guide.
The first step in claiming an auto warranty is to ensure that there aren't any major problems with the vehicle before you purchase it. If there are, ensure that the car warranty will cover these problems. This is the biggest mistake that most consumers make. Remember, that not all car problems are covered within a car warranty.
Always make sure that you maintain regular car maintenance. This includes changing the oil and making sure that all of the filters are in good condition. Make sure that you store all of these receipts and keep a record of any maintenance you do to the car. Always ensure that you have official receipts because most car warranties will not accept hand-written receipts done by yourself. Always keep a record of professional receipts, not just a notepad of when you had an oil change or whatnot.
Never add unnecessary wear and tear to your vehicle. This means drive your car carefully and do not go over terrain that will put unnecessary strain on your vehicle. Most car warranties will cover any type of mechanical malfunction, however, they will not cover normal wear and tear, thus it is important that you always care for your vehicle.
If there is a problem with any area of your vehicle, stop driving it immediately. The reason for this is because you don't want to add any additional damage to your vehicle that may cause your claim to be turned down. However, if your vehicle breaks down, many car warranties will cover the cost of having your vehicle towed to a location where it can be repaired.
Once your vehicle is at the mechanics, you will need to have them perform a complete evaluation of your car. As the mechanic is discussing the problems with your vehicle, make sure that you take notes and then date and sign the paper. Have the mechanic sign the paper as well and have them date it beside their signature. This will come in handy incase the warranty tries to dispute your vehicles problems.
Never let a mechanic start to repair your vehicle until your claim has been approved. Many car owners have ended up paying thousands of dollars out their pockets because their warranty ended up denying their claim. Never e-mail the warranty company. Always call and explain your claim with the company. Sometimes a mechanic will be able to file the claim for you, which is much easier. If this is your case, than you will only have to pay the deductible on your warranty and the mechanic will handle all communication with the warranty company.
6 Tips For Saving Fuel and Getting Better Gas Mileage
Barak Obama was all over the news recently, mocked by his opposition for saying we can conserve fuel by simply inflating our tires. Made for a great sound bite for the 24-hour news stations, but the thing is, he's right. According to experts, under-inflated tires can reduce your gas mileage anywhere from 3 to 15 percent.
So what else can you do to help lessen your gas consumption? I spoke with the experts at the NASCAR Technical Institute and Traffic.com, two groups that know a little something about fuel management. Here are their top tips for squeezing out more miles from every gallon.
1 - Check Your Tires
Tire pressure changes with changing temperatures, so it's important to check the pressure after all weather changes. An under-inflated tire not only reduces the life of the tire, but can cause your gas mileage to plummet by as much as 15 percent. (And they recommend rotating tires roughly every 5,000-10,000 miles to extend the tread life. With or without a pit crew.)
2 - Change the Air Filter
Dust and other impurities getting into the combustion chambers of your engine's cylinders results in wasted gas and weaker engine performance. Replacing a clogged filter can improve mileage by as much as 10 percent, which translates into more money in your pocket every gallon. Change the air filter every six months, more often if you live in a dusty location.
3 - Lighten Your Load
For every 100 pounds of extra weight, your mileage goes down by two percent. Take all that unnecessary junk out of the trunk, and while you're back there, check the air pressure on the spare.
4 - Check Your Spark Plugs
Spark plugs fire as many as 3 million times every 1,000 miles. That's a lot of heat and wear and tear. Dirty spark plugs cause misfiring, which wastes fuel by as much as 30 percent.
5 - Make Sure Your Cap is Tight
According to NASCAR's Tech Institute, nearly 20 percent of vehicles have gas caps that are damaged, loose or missing altogether, allowing that high-priced octane to vaporize, wasting some 147 million gallons of gas every year.
6 - Don't Be Idle
Obviously, sitting in bumper-to-bumper, stop-and-go traffic is a tremendous waste of fuel. Traffic.com recommends using the real-time traffic function available on many newer GPS systems to avoid backups and find clear routes, and updating the system's maps to find the quickest way to your destination.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Top 9 Car Finance Tips
Step 1: SET YOUR BUDGET
Set your budget and stick to it! Make a list of what you need the car to do. For example do you have a baby? Do you need a big boot? Do you have a large family or is it just for you? Do you want Diesel, Petrol or Gas etc.
Step 2: RESEARCH THOROUGHLY
Look on the internet for the various advice guides that tell you the recommended price of the car you are looking for. you can also find this sort of information in magazines. Make sure you keep an eye out for manufacturers’ recalls, and make a note of when the cam belt needs changing as this is an expensive repair that must be done when the manufacturer recommends.
If there is a problem with the cam belt it could inflict massive damage to your engine. Are the manufacturers still making the model you want? If they aren't, it could mean spare parts are hard to find and expensive.
Step 3: TALK TO FRIENDS
Talk to other car owners you see in the street, tell them you’re thinking of buy a car like theirs and ask about fuel consumption and reliability.
Step 4: COMPARE PRICES
Try not to get a car that has been driven over over 100,000 miles as they will need a little more attention and maintenance than a more modern car.
Get a local paper and see what is on offer, you will usually find that a Friday is a good time to look for used car prices. You will want to have a drive to local garages and dealers within a reasonable distance of where you live.
Step 5: THE TEST DRIVE
Always take the car for a test drive.
Make sure you test drive the car for at least 20 minutes, so you can be sure you are comfortable with it.
Take it on to a motorway or dual carriage way so you can open up fully. See how much it smokes when you use the throttle, all cars will smoke a little bit but it should not smoke after 2-3 seconds of going up through the gears, but if you get to 5th gear and it’s still smoking then you could have problems.
Before the car is moved for the test drive open the bonnet and check the engine is cold, always test drive the car from cold!
If when the car is first started it takes 2-3 turns of the key to start it could need a service and or parts changing. When you sit in it make you test all the buttons, electric windows and radio.
Step 6: THE NEGOTIATION
Always negotiate face to face, as you will see if the sales person (or owner) is trying to hide something.
Never try to negotiate over the phone, as any information given out could be denied later. Sales people will only try and bring you into the garage anyway.
Always stick to your budget.
If the car price, warrantee and finance deal is agreeable to you, say to the sales person that you want a coffee and 5 minutes alone to talk to your partner. Make sure that you are both happy with the deal. This five minute pause could save you from weeks of nagging later, or from spending thousands of pounds on a car which is not really suitable.
If you are getting a car loan from the dealer, always try and get road tax, warranties and a tank of fuel included in the finance.
Step 7: WARRANTIES
Always look at what the warranty doesn’t cover, as some warranties aren’t worth the paper they are written on.
If the warranty is a good one it should clearly state what is not covered.
Always try and get a better warranty if you are buying a second hand car from a dealer. They normally offer you the bronze warranty try and get at least silver as they normally go up to platinum. But remember that even platinum will not cover every single thing on the car.
If the dealer is confident in the car he should give you a 6 month warranty.
Again most importantly ask when the cam belt is due to be changed and try to get them to include it in the service that should be done before you pick the car up.
Also make sure if something does go wrong, the faulty part is replaced and has a new warranty.
Step 8: EVERYTHING IN WRITING
Make sure you get everything in writing.
Any work that was promised to be done will be done i.e. paintwork, dents removed, radio code and all other agreed items.
Get the service history if you can.
Step 9: GETTING THE KEYS
Most modern cars have central locking which uses an electronic key they can cost hundreds of pounds to replace. So make sure you get two keys and keep one in a safe place.
Thursday, August 7, 2008
BP Invests $90 Million in Verenium’s Cellulosic Ethanol Technology
It seems that BP is trying to make up for lost time — the worldwide oil giant has invested $90 million in cellulosic ethanol company, Verenium. This is BP’s first foray into the world of cellulosic ethanol (ethanol derived from non-food crops), and man is it a gigantic one.
The money will be distributed to Verenium over the next 18 months, with a likelihood of further investment and cooperation beyond that point. Under the agreement, BP will have broad access to Verenium’s research, production facilities, and technology.
Although relatively late to the fray, BP thinks this investment gives them the “most advanced technology for transforming [cellulosic material] to biofuels,” as Sue Ellerbusch, president of BP Biofuels North America said.
Verenium claims to have the edge in cellulosic ethanol production through genetic engineering of the microbes required to turn the cellulosic material (switchgrass, wood chips, sugarcane bagasse, miscanthus) into ethanol.
They also claim to have developed specialized enzymes that speed the ethanol-making process along. As Verenium points out, enzymes are important to the cellulosic ethanol process in the same way that spark plugs are important to igniting fuel in your engine.
We’ll see where this goes, but that’s a lot of cash and a serious confidence boster to Vernium’s shareholders.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Save on car insurance
When it's time to renew your car insurance, don't automatically sign up with your old insurer: You may miss a chance to save.
You can shop multiple insurers at carrsure.com, but major players like Allstate, Progressive and State Farm aren't on the site. You'll need to go to their sites or call an agent. As you look around, ask yourself these questions.
Am I saving as much I can?
- See what others pay. State insurance department websites list sample rates. Find your state's at naic.org.
- Up your deductible. The average driver pays $939 a year for car insurance but makes a claim only once every eight years. Raise your comprehensive deductible from $250 to $500 and collision from $500 to $1,000, and shave your premium by 10 percent or more. Over time, that will more than cover the higher out-of-pocket outlay if you ever make a claim.
- Drive less. If higher gas prices have you covering fewer miles -- you're carpooling, say -- you may get a rate break.
- Fix credit errors. Credit troubles can raise your premium. Order a free report at annualcreditreport.com and correct any mistakes that may be costing you.
Do I have the right amount?
- Don't confuse minimum with optimum. Every state sets a coverage floor, but that may be too low. Pros suggest $100,000 per person, $300,000 per accident and $50,000 for property damage. Carry the same amount in uninsured motorist coverage, says JD Howard of the Insurance Consumer Advocate Network. It will pay your bills if you're in a smashup with an uninsured or underinsured driver.
- Give up on your jalopy. Once your car is old, you can probably drop collision and comprehensive coverage. You'll pay as much in premiums over a few years as you'd pay to replace or repair the car. To gauge its current market value, look up used-car prices for your model at autotrader.com or kbb.com. If it's less than $2,000, kick the extra coverage to the curb (average savings: $431 a year).
Are the extras simply gimmicks?
- Forget "accident forgiveness" coverage. The promise: Pay a higher premium (7 percent to 15 percent with Allstate) and your rates won't go up if you wipe out. But paying more now to save money later doesn't add up, says Bob Hunter of the Consumer Federation of America. And it may be unnecessary: Some insurers forgive the first accident at no extra cost. Even Allstate does so if you've been a customer for five years.
- Reject "new-car replacement." The fear: Your new car depreciates like mad the second you drive it off the lot, so after an accident the insurance payout isn't big enough to buy a new model. The takeaway: Pass on this one too. It'll add slightly to your premium and won't kick in unless the car is totaled.
Can I afford to let my kids drive?
- Sit down. Adding a teen to your policy can double or even triple your premium, all the more reason to shop hard before your children get licenses.
- Read her report card. Most insurers offer discounts -- sometimes as much as 25 percent -- for students with a B average or better.
- Send him away. If your kid goes to a school that's more than 100 miles from home (without wheels, of course), you'll qualify for a lower rate.
- Get credit for being strict. Even if you would never give your teen the keys to the Jaguar, your insurance company may price your policy as if he drove the most expensive car in your garage, says Larry Tencer, a California insurance agent. Ask about this costly provision -- it could be reason enough to switch insurers.
Finance Your Car With Poor Credit
Cars don't look at your credit before they decide to breakdown. Anyone, with poor credit or great credit, could find themselves in a situation where they need an auto loan. Fortunately, those with poor credit do have options available for financing their vehicles.
"Bad Credit Car Loans"
One of the most common methods of purchasing a car with poor credit is with a "bad credit car loan". You can acquire these loans through auto dealerships, online lenders, and high risk lenders. Typically these loans are available for anyone with a credit score below 600. People can find themselves in this situation after a divorce, after bankruptcy, if they have little credit, or if they have made poor financial decisions. The "bad credit car loans" are designed to protect the lender. They have higher interest rates than conventional auto loans. However, it is in your best interest to shop around for a bad credit car loan
Risks of Shopping around
There is a risk of shopping around for an auto loan. Submitting loan applications to several different companies will lower your credit score even more. It is in your best interest to find an organization that will find various Bad credit car loans for you, but only check your credit report one time.
Home Equity Loan
Another way to get auto financing with poor credit is with a home equity loan. The interest rate on a home equity loan is usually lower than the interest rate on a "bad credit car loan". Another advantage is that the interest is tax deductible on a home equity loan. The one obvious disadvantage to this type of financing is that you are using your home as collateral. If you are not able to pay your loan, then you put your home in jeopardy.
Do not lose hope if you have poor credit. There are still options available to finance your car. Bad credit car loans, and home equity loans can help you achieve your goal of purchasing a new vehicle.
"Bad Credit Car Loans"
One of the most common methods of purchasing a car with poor credit is with a "bad credit car loan". You can acquire these loans through auto dealerships, online lenders, and high risk lenders. Typically these loans are available for anyone with a credit score below 600. People can find themselves in this situation after a divorce, after bankruptcy, if they have little credit, or if they have made poor financial decisions. The "bad credit car loans" are designed to protect the lender. They have higher interest rates than conventional auto loans. However, it is in your best interest to shop around for a bad credit car loan
Risks of Shopping around
There is a risk of shopping around for an auto loan. Submitting loan applications to several different companies will lower your credit score even more. It is in your best interest to find an organization that will find various Bad credit car loans for you, but only check your credit report one time.
Home Equity Loan
Another way to get auto financing with poor credit is with a home equity loan. The interest rate on a home equity loan is usually lower than the interest rate on a "bad credit car loan". Another advantage is that the interest is tax deductible on a home equity loan. The one obvious disadvantage to this type of financing is that you are using your home as collateral. If you are not able to pay your loan, then you put your home in jeopardy.
Do not lose hope if you have poor credit. There are still options available to finance your car. Bad credit car loans, and home equity loans can help you achieve your goal of purchasing a new vehicle.
Colorado Car Insurance
There are many factors taken into consideration when an insurance company provides you with a quote. The make and model of your vehicle can significantly impact your rates. Other contributing factors are your age, your credit history (just can’t seem to get away from that no matter what aspect of life you are dealing with), your driving record and your demographic location. If you live in what is considered a ‘high-risk’ area, this would impact your rates negatively causing an increase. Just like being on the road more often increases your chance of being involved in a motor vehicle accident, residing in a high-crime area will increase your chance of becoming a statistic. It is unfair, but an unfortunate fact of life.
When it comes to age there are two groups that are considered high-risk drivers: teenagers and those over the age of 65. It is a fact that new drivers don’t have the experience of their older counterparts and are more likely to be an accident due to that inexperience, lack of attention and alertness due to distractions. In the case of the senior citizen, a natural side effect of aging is a decrease in motor skill dexterity, response time, vision and hearing. In fact, under the age of 25, the insurance premiums are much higher than the 25 and older groups. Conversations by the operator of the vehicle with passengers, changing the CD or radio….all it takes is a few seconds of inattention for tragedy to strike.
Overall, the majority of Colorado auto insurance companies use the criteria aforementioned of age, make and model, demographics, credit history and driving record. But they in addition to those factors also take the costs of insurance all Colorado drivers and divvy up the costs including any lawsuits, settlements and other legal costs.
Many drivers would appreciate assistance in setting car insurance limits that are cost-effective and safe. You don’t want to be one of those drivers who pays too much for insurance but has insufficient coverage or is underinsured. Additional car insurance beyond minimum mandatory coverage decreases in expense as you purchase more. In particular you want to concentrate on bodily injury liability. When some people have gotten through calculation pain and suffering, medical costs of personal injury and lost wages it has gotten into the hundreds of thousands of dollars in a serious accident. Be smart. Protect yourself from losing your shirt in the event of a serious accident.
There is a difference between minimum, which would be the least amount by State law that you can be financially liable for and standard, which reflects the average amount for an automobile livability policy. The standard is $100,000/$300,000, the $300,000 for total bodily injury liability for all parties injured in a single accident. It is recommended that $300,000 to $500,000 be taken for personal injury liability even if that means less property damage coverage. Property damage in a comparison to personal injuries would be less expensive so it makes sense. Better safe than sorry.
When it comes to age there are two groups that are considered high-risk drivers: teenagers and those over the age of 65. It is a fact that new drivers don’t have the experience of their older counterparts and are more likely to be an accident due to that inexperience, lack of attention and alertness due to distractions. In the case of the senior citizen, a natural side effect of aging is a decrease in motor skill dexterity, response time, vision and hearing. In fact, under the age of 25, the insurance premiums are much higher than the 25 and older groups. Conversations by the operator of the vehicle with passengers, changing the CD or radio….all it takes is a few seconds of inattention for tragedy to strike.
Overall, the majority of Colorado auto insurance companies use the criteria aforementioned of age, make and model, demographics, credit history and driving record. But they in addition to those factors also take the costs of insurance all Colorado drivers and divvy up the costs including any lawsuits, settlements and other legal costs.
Many drivers would appreciate assistance in setting car insurance limits that are cost-effective and safe. You don’t want to be one of those drivers who pays too much for insurance but has insufficient coverage or is underinsured. Additional car insurance beyond minimum mandatory coverage decreases in expense as you purchase more. In particular you want to concentrate on bodily injury liability. When some people have gotten through calculation pain and suffering, medical costs of personal injury and lost wages it has gotten into the hundreds of thousands of dollars in a serious accident. Be smart. Protect yourself from losing your shirt in the event of a serious accident.
There is a difference between minimum, which would be the least amount by State law that you can be financially liable for and standard, which reflects the average amount for an automobile livability policy. The standard is $100,000/$300,000, the $300,000 for total bodily injury liability for all parties injured in a single accident. It is recommended that $300,000 to $500,000 be taken for personal injury liability even if that means less property damage coverage. Property damage in a comparison to personal injuries would be less expensive so it makes sense. Better safe than sorry.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Car Loans by Cars Sure
Applying for a car loan can be an unnerving experience; your finances are a very personal thing. At Cars Sure we are sensitive to your car loan needs as well as your credit history. We understand that bad things happen to good people and as such we treat all of our customers with the utmost sensitivity and respect.
Cars Sure was founded to help people with less than perfect credit to obtain car loans. We find you the best terms and conditions and your ideal car or truck. Your one stop shopping for car loans!
At Cars Sure, the car loan representatives carefully review every loan application. Before your application is submitted to any lender all aspects of your situation are carefully taken into consideration so as to be properly presented to the proposed lender. This guarantees you the very best loan rates available! We have years of experience and over twenty five million dollars in loans arranged.
Fill our car loan application and within as little as 60 minutes Cars Sure will be able to begin processing your car loan. We have the expertise to find you the best car loan with the lowest interest rate possible. It’s free, confidential and a professional will be able to match you up with the best terms and rate for your car loan.
Cars sure has many car loan lending sources throughout Vancouver, Victoria, Abbotsford, Nanaimo, Kelowna, Grande Prairie, Fort McMurray, Westlock, St.Albert, Edmonton, Sherwood Park, Leduc, Camrose, Red Deer, Rocky Mountain House, Calgary, High River, Olds, Lethbridge, North Battleford, Humboldt, Saskatoon, Yorkton, Regina, Portage la Prairie, Selkirk, Winnipeg, Halifax, Dartmouth, Bridgewater, Toronto, Hamilton, Oakville, Barrie, Sudbury, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, London, Kingston & Cornwall.
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