Car Finance Advice

How to Get Pre-Approved Auto Financing

2008-10-23T07:52:00.000-07:00

If you are looking to get auto financing, it is important to recognize that there are a variety of ways to finance your car. For example, you may wish to finance your car through a dealership auto financing program or you may wish to finance your car through a private lender, such as a bank. Regardless of which lender you work with, getting pre-approved for auto financing can make finding and driving away in the car of your dreams a reality.

Here's what you need to know about getting pre-approved for auto financing:

Pre-Approval

Pre-approved auto financing requires that you have approached a lender, such as a bank or auto dealership, and ask for a loan so that you can pay for a car. The lender will take a look at your credit history and credit score in order to determine what your risk level is. The risk level means that the bank wants to evaluate how realistic it is that you will be able to repay the loan in full on time.

For example, if a diner waitress making $33,000 a year was to approach a lender and ask for a loan of $100,000 to buy a customized Mercedes, the lender may determine that the waitress has a high risk of not being able to repay the loan. However, if the waitress were to request a loan for $11,000 to pay for part of a pre-owned vehicle, the lender may determine that there is an increased chance that the borrower will be able to repay the loan.

Choosing a Car

Once a borrower has been pre-approved for a loan, he or she needs to select the automobile that meets his or her budget and needs. Just because a lender allows the borrower to borrow a large sum of money to buy a car doesn't mean that the borrower has to use the entire sum of money for the car purchase. Remember: all of the money that is borrowed will eventually need to be repaid with interest.

The Left-Over Money is Not Play Money

When buying a car with pre-approved auto financing, if there is left-over money in your pre-approved loan that you are not spending on the car, you will probably not be able to spend that money on other items, such as groceries or rent. It simply means that you will not take out a loan for more than the amount that you are paying for the car. Therefore, use the pre-approved auto financing as a maximum amount of money that you will be able to spend, but certainly make sure that your car purchase suits your unique budget.

If you have any questions about auto financing and obtaining a pre-approved loan, contact a sales agent today. We're happy to determine how much auto financing you may qualify for as well as what types of vehicles may suit your budget!

Bad Credit Car Loans For Anyone

2008-10-23T07:51:00.000-07:00

Just about anyone can qualify for a bad credit car loan, no matter what a person's credit history or current credit score is. In order to get a car loan when you have bad credit, there are some things you need to know that can help you get the lowest rate and highest amount of money possible.

Here's a brief overview of what you need to know in order to get a bad credit car loan:

Understanding a Loan

When you approach a loan officer, it is important that you demonstrate to the loan officer that you understand what the terms of a loan are. Essentially, a car loan is money that is borrowed from the lender. That money will need to be returned to the lender over a pre-determined period of time. Because the lender needs to make a profit on the loan in order to stay in business, the lender will charge an interest rate for the loan. Therefore, be sure that you are comfortable talking about interest rates with the loan officer when you sit down for a chat.

Interest Rates

The interest rate for a car loan is the amount of money that the borrower will have to pay back to the lender in addition to the loan principal. For example, if you take out a loan for $10,000 in order to buy a car, you not only have to repay that loan, but you will have to repay interest on top of the loan. If you get an interest rate of 6 percent, then you would need to pay back an additional $600 on top of the principal amount of money that you borrowed.

Credit History

Your credit history will affect just how low the interest rate is for your loan and how much money you can take out. For this reason, borrowers with brad credit will usually have higher interest rates and lower loan caps than borrowers that have proven that they are able to repay loans on time. When you speak with a loan officer, be able to explain why you have bad credit. If you are able to prove to the officer that you are in a different position now than you were when you got the bad credit, you may be able to get a better interest rate. For example, you may need to show the loan officer that you have a job that will allow you to pay back the loan amount on a regular basis.

No matter how bad your credit is, it is always possible to get a car loan. The amount of the loan and the interest rate on the loan amount may vary a great deal depending on your credit history, but remember that getting a loan is always possible if you are in need. Contact one of our sales agents today to discuss loan options and to match your budget with a vehicle on our lot.

Finding a Car Loan After Bankruptcy

2008-10-23T07:49:00.000-07:00

If you've just discharged your debts and come out of bankruptcy it can be challenging to find an auto loan. You will need to check your FICO score after bankruptcy because if your score is too low you may be stuck with an exorbitantly high interest rate in the 10-15% range. That can add up quickly if you're buying a car over $10,000.

If you can scrape together some money, try to put 20-30% down on the car so you can reduce your monthly payment. If you have a trade-in car, try to sell that to a private party. A private party sale via Craigslist will get you much for your car than a dealer trade-in. Check out the blue book value first for your zip code so you know what to list it for.

If you buy a car from a dealership, don't be afraid to shop the loan around. They may offer you a low annual percentage rate, but also may get a better deal through your bank or credit union.

You don't have to wait for your bankruptcy filing to be completely finished before you start applying for car loans. Start searching for a loan and try to get pre-approved before you decide on your purchase. The last thing you want to do is find a car and then not be able to find the loan you need.

Whatever loan you decide on, check for hidden fees and prepayment penalties. There's no reason to accept a high interest loan where you can't pay down the balance when you get yourself back on your feet. Take the time to read the fine print, it can save you money and keep you from ending up back in bankruptcy.

Car loans customers can now choose four more Peugeot van shades

2008-09-23T13:08:00.000-07:00

Car Loan's customers looking to brighten up their next vehicle can now choose from four more Peugeot 207 Van colours.

In addition to Bianca White, drivers can now hit the roads in a Flamenco Red, Aluminium, Montebello Blue or Onyx Black 207 Van.

The vehicle first reached showrooms last September and the latest colours could be a nice change for motorists.

Peugeot said prices for the van start from £8,825 so those looking for approved Car Finance or a new car loan may see it as a potentially ideal choice.

Alternatively, a new Peugeot 407 for 2009 was unveiled last month and is another option for car loans customers.

A revised specification and enhancements to the exterior and interior are additions to the new 407, which the manufacturer said has "dynamic characteristics" and "exceptional road holding".

New colours for the saloon model include Moroccan Red, Hurricane Grey, Abyss Blue, Moondust and Thorium Grey.

Getting the best car rental deal

2008-09-15T14:03:00.000-07:00

If you're spending your own money on renting a car, there are pitfalls galore; and it pays to do your homework.

If you believe the advertisements, renting a car appears – on the face of it – to be a stress-free, easy transaction. You front up to the counter, hand over your credit card, sign a few documents, accept the keys to your near-new, filled-to-the-brim vehicle, and drive off into the sunset.

And for corporate customers driving on the company credit card, that's how smoothly it can go. Car rental companies love corporate customers because they have deep pockets and offer plenty of repeat business. For the well-heeled corporate customer, great deals and gold cards are the norm.

But when you or I walk into the car rental outlet, the game changes. Corners may be cut, inclusions may be excluded, and there are pitfalls galore for the uninitiated. So here's a few tips from the experts on how to really drive your dollar further.

Rule 1: Book your car when you book your flight.
Much like the airline business, the earlier you book, the better deal you'll get. If you arrive at your destination and front the counter for a rental car, you will pay top dollar – and most likely you won't get the size or type of car you want. Instead of a Corolla, you'll simply get what the company has on offer and pay the maximum rate to boot. Most rental companies do not charge a cancellation fee either, so if your plans change there's no financial penalty.

Rule 2: Know what you want.
Car rental companies don't segregate vehicles by brand name. They split their fleet into cars which fit specific categories, usually aphabetical and usually defined by size, engine capacity and features. An A-class car, for instance, could be a Hyundai Getz, or a Holden Barina, or a Kia Rio, while a B-Class could be a Corolla or a Pulsar. The bigger the car, the more you'll pay. And don't expect to get the specific brand of car you see pictured in the brochure because you are sure to be disappointed. If you have need of a specialised vehicle, such as a people-mover, make your booking weeks in advance.

Rule 3: Shop around, and take advantage of special deals.
A handful of car rental companies control the bulk of the business and are fiercely competitive. You'll find most are within $5 of each other on competitive category cars but from time to time, they'll cut rates to woo customers. Corporate “partnerships” also means reduced rates are offered through credit card providers (Amex, etc) or airline frequent flyer memberships. Surf these websites and scan the brochure material to milk these relationships for a potential further 10-20 per cent discount; a little homework here can save big bucks, particularly on a medium-to-long term rental.

Rule 4: Read the terms and conditions.
Yes, it's a pain but there are a myriad of traps hidden therein. Some of these include: failing to nominate a second or third driver (if he/she has an accident, your insurance is null and void); and driving on dirt roads (the large rental companies allow you to go on any gazetted road while smaller ones don't permit it unless you're renting a soft-roader SUV or 4WD).

Rule 4: Check your rental car for damage before driving away.
If the car has any noticeable scratches or dents, these should be noted and co-signed by a company representative on the agreement form. If not, you may be liable for the insurance excess (as much as $2000).

Rule 5: Ask for an all-inclusive quote for a specific period of time.
That way you won't get any nasty surprises from extras like the airport concession recovery fee (which some rental companies sneak on the agreement as a percentage on the complete deal). However, companies generally don't like to include insurance costs in their quotes, because this is a negotiable process and depends on how much excess you are willing to pay in the event of a prang.

Rule 6: Watch out for the hefty “one-way” fee.
If you are only planning to drive from one destination to the next (say, Sydney to Brisbane) and leave the car there, rental companies will charge extra to return the car to its point of origin. As a general rule of thumb, the further the distance (from point of origin), the higher the charge.

Rule 7: Refuel the car before returning it.
Car rental companies charge double the market rate ($2.40 or more a litre) to top the car back up, and then add it to your credit card.

How to Save on DUI Car Insurance

2008-09-13T14:37:00.000-07:00

Owning transport vehicles is very much expensive nowadays. There are two reasons as to why this is so:

1. The cost of fuel is rising crazily.
2. The cost of car insurance is rising crazily too.

And one has to take into consideration the cost of maintaining a car and other operation costs as well.

One nightmare to think about is the cost of insurance. Insurance is good because the car owner is assured of any money compensation once something awful happens to the vehicle. Never mind that it's required by law!

Cars are not necessarily cheap, you know.

However, the bad news about insurance is, the yearly premiums to pay can really burn a hole in the wallet. And if nothing bad happens to the car, like it does not get into any accident, or worst, gets car-napped, the money just goes happily into the pockets of the insurance companies. But of course, one does not really wish for anything bad to happen, right?

That's the double whammy when it comes to car insurance.

But then what if an accident did occur? And in the worst possible light possible, the accident occurred because the driver was DUI or driving under the influence?

How does the insurance quote the car owner on that?

First, DUI is against the law. It is practically common sense to not drink and drive!

However when circumstances just occur, how does one save on DUI car insurance? As you likely know, it gets extremely expensive. We looked at some things our friends in Georgia did to lower their costs.

Some companies hold a niche in offering car insurance for those involved in DUI. They might have more competitive and attractive rates than those who does not specialize. Look for those companies as they may offer some very competitive rates, but be sure to include traditional insurance companies as well. Get lots and lots of quotes.

One way to get a lot of quotes quickly is to use online quote tool to canvass the rates available. There are many of online quote tools to choose from. One can see what a state like Georgia is offering at a given time. This saves a whole lot of effort on the car owner's part.

The other thing to remember is that while a DUI is a large "negative" mark, that doesn't mean "positive" marks still don't count! Insurance plans offer discounts for things like students, driving experience, good grades, taking safety courses, and so forth. Take advantage of every one of these discount credits you can, no matter how boring a driving safety class sounds.

If you're not a member, also be sure to check with your auto club for discounts and programs that may help. They may be able to provide you with a good deal on insurance, or help you find programs and classes that will give you discounts.

Also, consider downgrading the car. Older, more inexpensive cars tend to be cheaper to insure. Plus with gas prices nowadays, you might want to downgrade to a smaller vehicle. You may even be able to sell your car for a cheaper one to help pay for the new insurance bill.

Of course, even after much looking around you will find that DUI car insurance will never be what you'd call cheap, so please be responsible and never drive under the influence again!

Really Cheap Auto Insurance - How to Get the Cheapest Auto Insurance

2008-09-13T14:36:00.000-07:00

Looking for really cheap auto insurance? Everyone interested in buying really cheap auto insurance tries to save money in insurance premiums. There are different ways to shop for really cheap auto insurance and we are going to discuss the same for all our visitors on this page. In case you do not own a car and are planning to buy one then consider asking your auto insurance agent about the cars that have cheaper insurance premium, please also remember to get more options before making a decision. Understand it this way, If your car is more likely to get stolen, mostly likely you're required to pay high premium, try to know what cars make to the list of good cars for insurance companies, and try to think the way they do.

10 Easiest car to buy insurance:

1. Oldsmobile Silhouette
2. Pontiac Montana
3. Saturn L Series Wagon
4. Chrysler PT Cruiser
5. Saturn L Series Sedan
6. Chevrolet Venture
7. Chevrolet Astro
8. Saturn Vue
9. Jeep Wrangler
10. Oldsmobile Bravada

Remember, the larger cars and trucks are usually the easiest and cheapest to insure, as long as they don't do heavy damage to other vehicles in an accident. If you total another person's vehicle, your rates will definitely increase.

Top 10 hardest car (most expensive) to get insured:

1. Lexus IS 300
2. Land Rover Discovery Series II
3. Audi S4
4. Jaguar X-Type
5. Mercedes SLK Class
6. Lexus GS 430
7. Land Rover Freelander
8. Mitsubishi Montero
9. BMW X5
10. Toyota 4Runner

Top 10 most stolen car:

1. Honda Civic
2. Toyota Camry
3. Honda Accord
4. Dodge Caravan
5. Chevrolet C/K 1500
6. Ford F-150
7. Dodge Ram Pickup
8. Acura Integra
9. Toyota Pickup
10. Nissan Sentra

The best possible way to have really cheap auto insurance is to drive safely and do not get tickets. Make sure to negotiate with your insurance company about your clean driving record, and if they hesitate to provide you really cheap auto insurance, try another you surely will get the benefit of being a good driver. Ask the agent or the company upfront if they are offering any discounts. You might save some cash on the insurance purchase. Even if you have an old car that has a very low selling value, make sure that you have proper insurance plan to protect yourself in case of an accident.

Oh ya, a short note from me, Insurance companies are inter-linked with each other, it's better to be honest with them. That's why providing precise and accurate information to get free auto insurance quotes is really important , make sure you give the same information to every insurance company. Don't simply try out by filling the quotes with different information, they have information exchanged everyday and they would know. You will end up getting free auto insurance quotes which are much more expensive and there will be no chance to lower the premium down.

Choosing Comprehensive Car Insurance

2008-09-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

You've gotten a letter through your door, slipped your finger beneath the flap, and opened it up. When you pull it from its envelope you find that it is a letter from a car insurance firm, inquiring if you would like to buy comprehensive car insurance with their company. And now you are lost. What is comprehensive car insurance? Is it any different from your current policy? Is it really worth switching? This article will help you understand it a little better.

Comprehensive Car Insurance is the most expensive, but also the most complete car insurance policy that you as a driver are able to get. Every company offers three main policies, from third person car insurance to comprehensive. But not every company offers the same type of comprehensive car insurance coverage.

Firstly, the basic features of comprehensive coverage are that you, as a driver, will be covered against injuring or damaging the property of somebody else, just as with a third person policy. Secondly, this type of policy offers coverage against theft or fire of your car. These are usually some of the benefits and extra features offered in a third party fire and theft policy. Lastly, the extra basic feature included in comprehensive policies is that you are insured against damage incurred on your own car.

Each company offers other individual features with comprehensive coverage. There are companies which also offer you cover against any items which may be stolen from your car, as well as offer you insurance on your medical bills if you are injured during a car accident. But as a consumer you will have to look closely at your comprehensive policy to see if these are included.

Now the most important question of them all comes into play. Do I need comprehensive coverage? The answer might not be that simple as it is usually dependent upon many variables, but here are few that can help you decide.

If your car is an old vehicle running on its last legs, it probably would not be a wise decision to add extra coverage. If you plan to buy a new car in the near future you should take the extra money that you would have spent on a comprehensive car insurance policy and put it towards the car.

Now on the other hand if you have just purchased a new vehicle and it is one of those cars that are usually targeted for theft or otherwise, it would be a wise choice to carry complete coverage. Having a comprehensive car policy is also usually a requirement in order to obtain auto financing as well.

Overall, comprehensive car insurance is the most fully rounded form of car insurance that you are able to buy and though it is also the most expensive, it is usually the best type of policy to have if you can afford it.

Getting That Great New Car With Car Credit

2008-09-08T14:37:00.001-07:00

The credit crunch currently gripping Britain has seen a sudden reduction of loan availability in the UK and the situation shows no sign as yet of getting any better. Perhaps it's time to seek some alternative ways to pay for necessary expenses - like a new car.

Unfortunately, you can never be sure when your car might break down to the extent that you're better off just buying a new one. There are a number of reasons where a new car may be necessary for, such as an addition to the family or getting a new job where you need to travel. For victims of the credit crunch and those who toil to receive bank loans, it could be an even bigger struggle to get a loan to help you afford it.

For most people, a vehicle is the second largest investment they'll make, following a mortgage on a home. Even used cars are expensive and not everybody has a lump of money resting in their bank account waiting for such an expense - which is why credit from a dealer or motor broker could provide an excellent alternative to an uncertain or overpriced bank loan.

So what is car credit? Well, car credit is a financial agreement between the buyer and seller that allows the buyer to repay the cost of the car by instalment over a period of time, which means that payment is made more manageable.

You can apply online, over the phone and in person with many companies, so if you really want that Nissan Primera, you could arrange to get it with relative ease. Your seller will offer you car credit based on the level of repayments you could afford, including interest and other costs associated with the finance arrangement. However, the same goes for bank loans and when these are unavailable, car credit opportunities can really prove useful.

Many people use car credit when they find it difficult to get a loan, have bad credit now or in the past, or have been refused loans previously. However, during the credit crunch, it's already harder to get a bank loan so more people are turning to car credit as a result.

Essentially, car credit is just a loan from your seller instead of from the bank. By keeping your finances grouped in such a manner, you could find it easier to keep track of your expenses. The company you use will also be likely to communicate with you and ensure that the process is running smoothly.

It's important to do your research and shop around while looking for car credit companies, but you can rest assured that many will say 'yes' when you apply and in many cases you will get approved car credit within hours of your application.

From there, it's just a case of choosing your dream car and then driving away.

Auto Financing Bankruptcy - Is it Possible to Obtain Reasonable Auto Financing After Bankruptcy?

2008-09-08T14:36:00.000-07:00

Obtaining good auto financing after bankruptcy can certainly be a challenge, as you will have the bankruptcy on your credit file, and therefore companies will be very hesitant to lend you money.

Fortunately, however, you do have options available to you other than just paying cash for everything. Here is some important information to help you get the money you need after filing.

To start out with, you need to realize that, as soon as your bankruptcy case has been eliminated, you can apply for a loan for your car. However, generally speaking, if you don't have any time at all, you will end up paying enormous interest rates, and it really doesn't pay off to get a loan immediately after bankruptcy.

If at all possible, you definitely should wait a minimum of 6 months, and even a year would be best before applying for auto financing after bankruptcy, as this will save you a lot of money in interest rates.

Obviously, waiting can be tough, particularly if you lost your car through bankruptcy; however, all is not lost. If you do have any available cash, simply pay for a cheap car with cash, and you should be set for at least the six month waiting period. If not, try to find public transportation to take.

The bottom line is, there are many ways you can avoid getting a loan within the immediate 6 months, and you should explore all the avenues available to you. If you wait 6 months for auto financing after bankruptcy, the rates you pay will be much more reasonable.

Generally speaking, if you apply for auto financing right after bankruptcy, you will be paying around 3 percent interest higher. This might not sound like a lot, but it can dramatically raise the amount of money you owe over the course of the loan, so again, if at all possible, you want to wait a little while before applying.

However, don't let this discourage you from applying. Remember, once you've applied for bankruptcy, this is certainly not the end of the world. Now, it's time to get a fresh start.

Starting to develop a reputation as somebody who pays off their bills reliably is very important, which is why you want to pay for as many things with credit as possible, which will enable you to achieve great auto financing bankruptcy rates when the time comes.

From the Car Credit Highway to the Motorway

2008-09-08T14:32:00.000-07:00

Your own form of transport brings with it a sense of being in control and a certain level of personal efficiency comes with car ownership. Best of all, no opportunities escape your grasp because they are not compatible with public transport.

Some people simply want their own car, while for others it is an essential part of their existence and one which they cannot live without. Circumstances determine the importance of having a vehicle; not living near a train link for the morning commute, getting kids to school or being self-employed.

So even during times of economic downturn, this is not an area to cut corners; rather a time to research the market and find the best deal. Once you are firm in your mind that you want or need a car and its usefulness is no longer in dispute, thoughts turn to the best ways of getting one; more specifically, financing the purchase.

Applying for loans or approved finance for a vehicle is relatively common and next to a mortgage is one of the major reasons people approach a bank or other lending institution for money. Times are harder just now; everyone is feeling the pinch and although lenders have tightened their restrictions, there are still good deals out there for car finance.

Like any other loan, monthly repayments, interest rates and the small print are important factors. Not to be forgotten either is the delicate balancing act of what kind of car you want versus what kind you can afford. As always with personal finance, compromise is part of a successful outcome.

During a credit crunch like the one being experienced now, it pays to be a little more precise with your finances - it is best to create a personal budget with the possibility of a jump in interest rates, higher travel fares and energy bills as well as everyday price increases associated with inflation. All of these can affect your ability to meet your car loan obligations.

At times like these, interest rates and favorable repayment terms may not be as kind as you would ideally like, so it is best to shop around for deals that offer good value in terms of breakdown cover, repairs and insurance. Strong competition between lenders means many will offer something attractive to try to secure you as a client so there is a good chance you will find something genuinely beneficial to your circumstances.

Car credit plans are less paper intensive these days and speed, efficiency and convenience are looked upon by lenders as a good way to develop their reputation. Online or over the phone, you'll find the process is completed quicker than you think and the journey from desire to keys in hand is not a long or arduous one.

Even during times when the economy is not at its best, there is flexibility and understanding as well as an awareness that things change and improve over time. Credit options are out there and you will be surprised and delighted to learn that good long term value exists.

Importance of choosing the right car loan

2008-09-05T11:03:00.000-07:00

This week sees the launch of the new 58 car registration plates, and given the current economic climate it's important that buyers get the best car loan deal available to them.

Michelle Slade, analyst at Moneyfacts.co.uk, says: "Getting the finance choice wrong could prove a costly mistake ... Before opting for the convenience of forecourt finance, it's worth checking out how this compares with other deals on the market. There are over 40 providers offering a range of unsecured loans and many offer different rates depending on if you apply online or over the telephone.

"On a £5K loan, the difference between choosing the best and worst loan deal could cost you an extra £769, while the wrong choice on a £10K loan could see you out of pocket by more than £2.4K - or to put it another way, increases the cost of financing your car by a massive 14%."

Importantly, the advertised rate on most car loans is a typical APR, and whether you qualify for it depends on your credit score. Car loan customers should always shop around to make sure they're getting the best deal. The total repayment figure should be considered, along with any payment protection insurance, to get the full picture of which car loan option offers the best value.

Limited car credit for luxury cars

2008-09-05T10:46:00.000-07:00

The credit crunch has affected the sales of high performance vehicles to the extent that Luxury car maker Bentley is reducing production.

The plant in Crewe plans to reduce shifts and hours for models that have sold slower, a move that will cost at least 50 agency jobs. The car maker, established by Walter Bentley in 1919, planned to reduce the production by 15 per cent through brief to unions yesterday.

Bentley's car range starts from around £115,000 for a new model to up to £230,000 for the most expensive. However, few people are able to gain this amount of car credit in the current climate, so production has been scaled back.

This cutback is the newest in the long line as BMW, Land Rover and Mercedes have all done the same with their least selling models. Models affected by the crunch also include the Porsche 911 along with 12-cylinger models by Audi, Mercedes and BMW, down 13 percent in the year.

This drop in sales has been down to rising carbon taxes, raised petrol prices and general reluctance due to tough economic conditions.

This goes to show that people of all financial status are not safe from the turbulent economic crisis, whether they require large amounts of car credit or not.

Oil prices close at 5-month low on US gas report

2008-09-04T14:13:00.000-07:00

Oil prices closed at their lowest level in five months Thursday as a lower-than-expected drop in U.S. gasoline supplies gave traders more reason to believe that a cooling economy is forcing Americans to drive less.

Light, sweet crude for October delivery fell $1.46 to settle at $107.89 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. It was the lowest settlement price for a front-month contract since April 4.

Crude prices have fallen for five straight sessions, extending an almost two-month slide as traders shift their attention away from supply-threatening storms and back toward a stronger dollar and evidence of falling demand.

On Wednesday, oil prices settled 36 cents lower at $109.35 a barrel, a day after a dramatic, nearly $6 plunge in response to less damage from Hurricane Gustav than the oil industry feared. That brought crude prices in sight of $100 a barrel, a level not seen since April 1.

A smaller-than-expected drawdown of U.S. gasoline stocks was the primary driver of Thursday's declines.

In its weekly inventory report, the Energy Department's EIA said U.S. gasoline stocks fell by 1 million barrels to 194.4 million barrels for the week ending Aug. 29, less than the 1.8 million-barrel drop analysts surveyed by energy research firm had Platts expected.

Jim Ritterbusch, president of energy consultancy Ritterbusch and Associates in Galena, Ill., said the inventory numbers may have been skewed by market irregularities caused by Gustav, but he said the market appeared to be taking the figures as more evidence of falling demand.

"It's safe to say gasoline demand is still very weak. So far we haven't seen enough of a drop in pump prices to really alter that trend," Ritterbusch said.

At the pump, a gallon of regular slid less than a penny overnight to a new national average of $3.678, according to auto club AAA, the Oil Price Information Service and Wright Express. Prices remain well above the year-ago average of about $2.792 a gallon but have fallen more than 10 percent from the July 17 record average of $4.114 a gallon.

A stronger dollar also weighed on oil prices Thursday. A rising greenback spurs investors to shift funds out of commodities like oil and precious metals, which are traditionally bought as hedges against inflation.

Meanwhile, energy output in the Gulf of Mexico began to slowly come back online after the passage of Gustav. Some oil companies in the western Gulf whose equipment wasn't in the path of the storm began ramping up operations Wednesday and Thursday.

However, 95.2 percent of oil production in the Gulf and about 87.5 percent of natural gas output remained shut down as of Thursday. The Gulf area is home to a quarter of U.S. oil production and 40 percent of refining capacity.

Crude has dropped about $38, or 26 percent, since surging to a record $147.27 a barrel on July 11, as a U.S. economic slowdown spreads overseas and curbs demand for petroleum products.

"Consuming countries like the U.S. and Japan are facing economic problems," said Tetsu Emori, commodity markets fund manager at ASTMAZ Futures Co. in Tokyo. "I think we're heading toward $100 a barrel and if we break that, to between $88 and $95."

Still, analysts caution prices could spike again on an unforeseen geopolitical event or if OPEC countries scale back output. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries is scheduled to meet next Tuesday in Vienna and has indicated it may take action to defend the $100 a barrel level.

The EIA also said U.S. crude stocks tumbled unexpectedly last week. Crude supplies dropped by 1.9 million barrels to 303.9 million barrels; analysts had expected supplies to increase by 500,000 barrels.

Meanwhile, inventories of distillate fuel, which include diesel and heating oil, fell by 400,000 barrels to 131.7 million barrels. Analysts expected stocks to rise by 1.1 million barrels.

In other Nymex trading, heating oil futures fell 5.51 cents to settle at $3.0237 a gallon, while gasoline futures fell 2.64 cents to settle at $2.7404 a gallon. Natural gas futures rose 5.8 cents to settle at $7.322 per 1,000 cubic feet.

In London, October Brent crude fell $1.76 to settle at $106.30 a barrel on the ICE Futures exchange.

Oil: How low can it go?

2008-09-04T14:09:00.000-07:00

Gustav has come and gone. And fortunately, New Orleans has been spared the type of damage after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita three years ago.

That's also good news for those living outside of the Gulf region. Fears that crude prices would spike dramatically higher due to massive disruptions of oil production proved for naught. Oil prices fell Tuesday, hitting their lowest point in nearly 5 months.

Talkback: Will oil go below $100 or back towards $150?
"The fact that oil has come down is a sign that perhaps the worst is over. Predictions that oil would go to $200 a barrel now seem more like a fleeting possibility," said Kenneth Kim, economist with Stone & McCarthy Research Associates in Princeton, N.J..

Still, even though crude prices have slipped more than 25% since hitting a record high in mid-July and the average price of a gallon of gasoline has fallen more than 10%, it's not yet a huge cause of celebration.

After all, at about $108 a barrel, the price of oil is around 50% higher than it was a year ago. Gasoline is higher by a third at $3.68 a gallon.

"It's easy to lose sight of the fact that six months ago we would have considered these prices exorbitantly high. We've got a ways to go before consumers feel much relief," said David Resler, chief economist Nomura Securities International Inc.

And don't expect Detroit to be too excited either. Auto makers GM (GM, Fortune 500), Ford (F, Fortune 500) and Chrysler are expected to report another dismal round of monthly sales later Wednesday as consumers continue to shun gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks.

How much further does the price of oil need to fall before consumers can really feel more confident?

Oscar Gonzalez, economist with John Hancock Financial Services in Boston, said that he thinks the record high prices of oil and gas from earlier this summer effectively eliminated the benefit from this year's tax rebates.

So he thinks prices probably need to fall further to reach a level that would actually lead to higher demand. His best guess is a price somewhere between $80 and $90 a barrel.

"If you see prices at the $80 level, you could see more rapid global economic growth than currently expected," Gonzalez said.

Kim thinks that oil hitting $80 in the next few months is certainly possible. However, he conceded that predicting oil prices is almost like calling a coin toss and added that with another few months to go in hurricane season, there could be more wild swings in oil prices.

Kim also pointed out that the recent slide in oil prices has a lot to do with weakening economies globally.

The good news is that if demand continues to fall in Europe and Asia, inflation pressures in the United States may subside as a result. But the bad news is that the pullback is further evidence that the U.S. economy is probably in recession and that the rest of the world may soon be following suit.

In addition, Kim said that though oil prices have been falling lately, this may be trumped by more bad news on the labor front. The government has already reported a loss of 463,000 jobs through July. On Friday, economists are predicting another loss of 75,000 jobs in August.

"Even if oil continues to come down, the thing you have to keep in mind is if we get continued job losses, any benefit from lower oil prices might be erased by people losing their jobs. So we're not out of the woods yet," Kim said.

Finally, Resler points out that some consumers may not be convinced that oil prices are going to keep heading lower. So even if they continue to fall, Resler thinks that consumers may be wary for the next few months.

"There is going to be this lingering suspicion that oil prices will rocket back higher," he said. "There's going to be a lot of anxiety and consumers are going to remain cautious and constrained by the fact that they are still paying much higher prices for gas than they did at the beginning of the year."
"Prices have to move a good bit lower for the shock effect to be completely gone," he concluded.

Getting the Best Teenage Auto Insurance

2008-09-03T08:51:00.001-07:00

If you are a parent and your kids are now teenagers, you will have noticed that teenage kids are really eager to get moving on automobiles. Also ensuring that they start the driving experience having the proper insurance coverage is very important. A teenage auto insurance policy is a good start, below are trusted tips on how to obtain teen car insurance.

Teenager drivers are easily carried away by the glamor associated with driving and this is a very good reason why their accident rates are high. We all know that with a high risk occurring frequency, rates and premiums point upwards. Basically these high rates drop from the age of 25.

It is easy for teenage drivers to get booked because they are actually learners that can't wait to start driving and when they are 25, they would have about 3, 4 or even 5 accidents to their credit. Sending your teens to drivers education classes or drivers school gives you discounts. Note that you can save up to 20% if they pass and get the accompanying certificate.

If your teen passes with a "B" average or higher, he or she gets a discount worth of another 20%.

You will get lower rates if your teen's driving record is clean. The first bad driving ticket should be seen as a pointer to a natural human lapse and not a grave sin but should be well noted so as to learn from.

It's wise to explain to your teens why car insurance is important for teenagers. You will be doing a lot of safe keeping by telling them the dangers they face if they do not have their insurance policy up and running.

Car Insurance Tips

2008-09-03T08:49:00.000-07:00

Wherever you live, if you want to drive a car you will need to have the correct insurance. It's absolutely breaking the law to drive without being properly protected by a car insurance policy, getting the best insurance policy to suit your requirements is vital to ensure you are adequately protected and not paying any more than you should be.

Car Insurance is normally based on a three main factors

The Car
The Driver
Where you live

The Type of Car Let's take a look at the car first, Most of us are happy to have any car that will get us to the shops and back reliably and in reasonable comfort with enough space to contain all the shopping that a busy family needs! Some of us like to have speedy or highly modified vehicles that are more fun to drive and tell everybody about us - a form of expression if you like. Its the latter category that is likely to have the more expensive insurance premiums. Generally, the higher the value of car the greater the insurance costs. The higher the performance of the vehicle, the more expensive the insurance will become. The more modified, the heavier the insurance. It's always worth checking what the appropriate insurance is going to be before you buy a vehicle and this way you won't find yourself in a awkward situation where you have spent your hard earned money on the car, but then can't really afford the car insurance, who has now got a red face? The Driver Now let's take a look at the driver. This is usually based on previous experience.

If you are a new or young driver you are going to have to pay higher insurance rates. If you have a bad track record and prior claims; then again you are likely to be punished for this with a more expensive premium. You should also consider any other driver you may want to insure on your car and their prior experience. This will all affect the final charge you have to pay annually. Where You Live Where you live is crucial for Insurance companies as they can assess the likelihood of any damage or theft from or of your vehicle, depending on your locality. In nutshell if you live in an inner city, the chances are that, the premium will be higher, because there is likely to be a general higher crime rate. If you live in the suburbs then the cost is likely to be less except if that particular area has social problems.

Once you get out into rural areas; in most cases, that is where you will find the cheapest insurance rates. Deciding on what Car Insurance you need There are dozens different insurers out there, offering many alternative policies. You should start by thinking what you need your policy to cover - do you want it to cover damage to your auto or just somebody else's (third party, which is the minimum you can have to be within the law), do you need an agreed value for your car or a courtesy car whilst yours is being repaired? Do you only drive a small amount so a limited mileage policy would be suitable? Is your car a classic and can it be insured as such? How much excess premium do you want to pay? This is the amount you pay when claiming before the insurance payout, the higher the excess the lower the premium. Finding the right company Once you have asked yourselves these questions (and answered them!) get in touch with a few companies and get different quotes. Don't be shy to say what quotes you already have as they may be prepared to go lower.

Take note of what advantages each policy brings you, some offer breakdown cover, or a discount in your first year, see what you prefer. A lot of research can be done online and some firms offer "online" discounts which can save you more. Always ensure that your insurance company is properly registered, its worth asking friends who they use and would recommend. Price comparison sites are also very good but I have found that you need to verify that that is the cheapest quote, don't forget they get a commission too! I recently went direct to a company who were not the cheapest on the comparison site, and they came up 10% lower than the cheapest, so how does that happen? The moral here is simply doing your own research. Although car insurance may seem highly priced, being properly covered is vital. Don't risk not having proper insurance - remember you will be committing an offense if you don't have car insurance cover.

Car finance with Mr Money

2008-09-02T14:01:00.000-07:00

Once-unloved, Seat is becoming increasingly confident. First it says its all-new Ibiza is beautifully designed and built, then it claims that "perfection does have a price" - which is £8,995 and up.

While I have my doubts that this humble Spaniard (or any other supermini) qualifies as "the perfect car", I do admire the company for its self-belief, and the fact that it's now equal to Fiat, its former parent.

But are the boys from Barcelona paying enough attention to the potent competition from Ford, whose equally new, pretty and exciting incoming Fiesta is available from just £8,695?

Also, Seat seems to be conceding that its latest Ibiza model will only do up to 47.9mpg in varied driving conditions. Rival Honda claims 55.4mpg for its latest £9,000-plus Jazz unveiled this week - see above - but the equivalent Combined economy claim from Ford is an astounding 76.3mpg, making the Fiesta ECOnetic the UK's most economical family car.

Let's not forget that slightly larger hybrid models from Toyota, Honda and Lexus are dirtier, thirstier and more expensive than the 98g/km Fiesta.

And since superminis are primarily about attractive pricing, great fuel economy, low emissions and high tax breaks, the Fiesta is on course to become the small hatchback of 2008. Because don't forget, these once-tiny superminis are becoming physically bigger, more suitable for families, increasingly credible and more desirable than ever before. You will be choosing the right car if you opt for the Fiesta, Ibiza, Jazz newcomers, or the existing Mazda2, VW Polo, Vauxhall Corsa, Mitsubishi Colt, Fiat Punto, BMW MINI or \u02C7Skoda Fabia.

As to whether you'll be paying the right price depends on your ability to sniff out or haggle hard for a fair discount. It's now almost compulsory for retailers to reduce the prices of these and other mass-produced, factory-fresh cars. Alternatively, go for a free finance deal, which is a discount in another guise.

# After acquiring MG for a steal several years ago, the Chinese have so far buried the brand.

Despite all the eastern promises, only three MGs have been registered in Britain so far this year, giving the firm an official market share of precisely 0.00 per cent, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. On this evidence, the MG company, marque, model range and what remains of the echoey Longbridge factory all look doomed.

Forgive me, then, if I fail to get excited by this week's MG announcement that apparently hails the arrival of a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive model called the MGTF LE500.

It's claimed to be a very special limited edition (only 500 will be available in this country), but there is no word as to where it will be built, how much it will cost in the UK and whether more of the same MGTF LE500 models will be available in overseas markets in greater volumes and at lower prices.

# Dave Green, an unhappy reader, writes to complain that he's been quoted £3,500 to convert his Mitsubishi Shogun Sport to run on Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).

He politely suggests that it was misleading for me to state that petrol-powered cars and SUVs can be converted for a couple of thousand pounds, He has a point. I was wrong to quote £2,000 as a guide price for conversion. The figure should, perhaps, have been £1,150, which is the all-in price an organisation called Green Car Services (tel 020 3222 5333) was quoting days ago.

Obviously, the precise cost varies enormously according to the type of vehicle, but as a general rule, larger engines with more cylinders mean more work and expense - Mr Green's 2002 Shogun has a three-litre V6. Since the £3,500 he's been quoted for the LPG conversion is almost as high as the trade value of his car, he needs to shop around for more competitive quotes.

The irony here is that while his larger engine might cost him more to convert, the potential savings are so much greater as well.

Auto Loans With Bad Credit - How to Secure That Loan With Bad Credit

2008-09-02T13:53:00.000-07:00

Trying to secure auto loans with bad credit situations is tricky because it is your credit history that will give the lenders the full picture about your credit situation. It's obvious if you are reading this article that you most likely have concerns over your existing credit situation. Financial lending institutions will reject an application for an auto loan for people that have a bad credit history.

If you are an individual with a bad credit rating you are not alone. In today's environment there are many individuals with poor credit that are looking for car loans. However there are lending institutions that do offer people auto loans with poor credit but you will have to shop around and also do some homework.

Before you start searching for a loan the first thing you probably would want to find out is what your credit score is. Once you know what your credit score is now you can start searching for lenders that will offer individuals auto loans with bad credit. Now you can start asking for quotes and shopping for the best possible terms and conditions.

Things to pay close attention to are the interest rates and any other fees that they may charge for securing the loan. Don't be too hasty and go with the very first lender that is willing to provide you with the financing you need to purchase a car.

When you begin getting quotes and you find one that fits well into your current financial situation you can start contacting other financial institutions and try to negotiate a better rate or over all terms and conditions. Also you want to find a repayment schedule that best fits your current financial situation.

Typically auto loans with bad credit situations will have a higher interest rate in comparison to someone you has a good credit history. Once you have found the best deal possible and have secured your auto loan you will be on your way to repairing your credit history.

Bad Credit Refinance Auto Loans

2008-09-02T13:52:00.000-07:00

Many people suffering from bad credit want to buy a car or refinance an old loan. Most will wonder if they can refinance loans to get a better rate or monthly payment. Often times people are unaware of their credit and how it affects loans. Lenders understand many factors can contribute to a persons credit history and are always looking for new business. Some times people take loans without knowing the proper information before applying. The best advice is to research everything and get multiple opinions. Ask someone you trust for some advice.

Before you apply for a refinance it is advisable to get a copy of your credit report. There are many sites online that will offer a free credit report. Understanding your credit score will help you to negotiate the interest rate of your loan. If you don't know your credit score and are unprepared a lender can charge you a much higher rate. Also, you will be able to look at any negative items and dispute them if necessary. It may not be worth while to refinance if your credit is worse than before. You can weigh all factors to determine if your credit score and the loan rate are right for you.

You can get online and research some auto loan quotes. Many sites will give you at least 3 quotes. You will be able to have a good idea of what you might expect to pay. Always check the financing terms to make sure the payment will be something you are comfortable paying and the amount of the term. Sometimes people will refinance a loan to keep a vehicle and get the loan in their name. You can improve your credit rating by getting the loan in your name and making all of your payments on time.

Divorce is one way where you can apply for a new loan to get the car in your name. If you have had positive changes in your credit it is also a good idea to apply for some better terms. If your first loan has a co signer you can refinance the loan by yourself. Usually, people do not want to keep the car in both names so its advisable to get a new loan after divorce.

Many people can benefit from refinancing an auto loan. Changes in credit, life, co signers are all reasons to apply for a new loan. It helps to be prepared by getting a copy of your credit report before applying.

Issue Is Chrome disaster for Firefox?

2008-09-02T06:52:00.000-07:00

Google provides about 85% of the proceeds of Mozilla, creator of the browser Firefox. Despite the agreement, under which the company Google pays Mozilla for the right to run in a browser our search service, the day before it was extended until 2011, long-term future of Firefox is under the greatest threat.

John Lilly, CEO of Mozilla, not inclined to dramatize the situation. "This is another browser that enhances competition. Of course, we will have to compete with him ", - said in an interview Gigaom.com Lilly. "It is not surprising that they are doing browser. Google does many things that relate to his business - servers, energy. They suggest that could improve the browser, developing from the very beginning of his ", - said Lilly.

Source drew attention: the market for browsers Internet Explorer still occupies a good position, controlling, by various estimates, 50-70% of the market.

It is also worth noting: it was not clear how the future will develop the bold concept of Mozilla - for example, the draft of Aurora.

There are screen shots of browser Google Chrome

2008-09-02T06:38:00.000-07:00

Although officially Chrome remains unavailable, the site blogoscoped.com already posted the first screenshots of the new browser.

It is not difficult to see, line search offers options - of course, without a search service Google does not cost.

This zone with nine most visited sites.

Actual tasks manager browser, which allows us to see what exactly causes the problem to a lack of memory.
Google Incognito - allows arrange safe surfing without a trace in the browser.

Asterisk allows seemed to make a mark.

It is expected that the site will be available on the link http://gears.google.com/chrome/?hl=en (does not work).

Google imposes competition Firefox and Opera - launches the browser Chrome

2008-09-02T06:37:00.000-07:00

Google is intended to introduce today the beta browser, called Chrome, which should shake the position of existing browsers - Firefox, Opera and Internet Explorer. The best advantages of the new browser tells the comic, which can be found here.

In general, Google philosophy is this: the average Internet user spends in a much more time and engaged in various activities - says instant messages, send e-mail, forging social connections and, of course, works. Older browsers could not propose the most complete interaction of these elements (so believes Google), and therefore the company Brin and Page "decided to begin first".

In doing so, special attention was paid to work processes Chrome. According to the developers, the browser will work more stably, "leakage" of memory would be prevented, and each new tab will work in their own "sandbox" - and because of the script conceived work of all browser will not be disrupted. The new browser will open - like Firefox, which will increase its efficiency through a variety of plug-in and additions.

Will Google whether to propose a new concept, or the company simply re-invent the wheel? Learn about this will turn out very soon - Users Windows - fans of Mac OS and Linux will have to wait.

Maruti I Wished I Owned and Why

2008-09-01T14:11:00.000-07:00

Attention all car enthusiasts out there! I have a question for you. If you could own a Maruti, then which one would you own and why? In fact, even if you are not a car enthusiast this question is open to you. You need to be able to know about many different types of automobiles. This is the day that we are going to take a look at what Maruti. Think of this as a fun little game that you can play, and it can be played with any type of car. Today though we focus on Maruti autos. The best part about this game is that you can pick whichever Maruti you want! No one is going to judge you. I’ll start off the game by telling you a little bit about the Maruti that I would choose. Hopefully you enjoy why I picked this. If you do not then take time and pick your own!
Maruti SX4

I went through a list of many Maruti cars and the SX4 was the best one that I found. A lot of Maruti cars have a weird box feeling to them, but not his one. The Maruti SX4 has a cool design that I think translates into American driving very well. In my opinion, these have a definite look of a sports car combined with a luxury car. My color of choice would be white, and I would look like a blur as a weave in and out of cars on the roads! I was pleasantly surprised to see this car, because like I stated earlier, I am not a fan of the box shaped cars. The cool part about this car is it has a look that I would consider getting even if I was not playing this game, so I guess that really is just an added bonus I can cash in on!
What Does it Feature?

The Maruti SX4 really tries to take advantage of its cool European design. They also have started promoting world class “drive by wire” technology. Another cool feature that I have not read much on other cars is that the SX4 has the most ground clearance for its class of cars. You really do not realize how nice this is until you do not have it around. Safety is also something that you do not have to worry about because it comes with the top quality anti lock brakes, dual side airbags, and more. If you like to blast the stereo while you are driving then that is a plus as well. You can get the top audio system in this car. As you can see, it is not only a cool car, but it has the best features to back it up as well

Retiring people 'have unsecured loan debts'

2008-08-31T17:30:00.001-07:00

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.

Car loan customers warned over green car claims

2008-08-31T17:29:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-08-31T17:27:00.000-07:00

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.

Prepare for worst if you co-sign loan

2008-08-31T17:25:00.000-07:00

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.

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

2008-08-31T17:21:00.000-07:00

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.

2008-08-31T17:17:00.000-07:00

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

The World of Professional Car Finance

2008-08-31T17:09:00.000-07:00

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.

It's not just green car insurance that Brits are choosing

2008-08-29T02:48:00.000-07:00

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.

Car loans soar in popularity

2008-08-29T02:47:00.000-07:00

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 Â£21,500, for Â£14,000 - brand new."

Spectrum of car finance providers getting broader

2008-08-29T02:45:00.000-07:00

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.

Car loan customers offered Daihatsu deal

2008-08-29T02:42:00.000-07:00

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".

Online Car Insurance Revolution

2008-08-28T02:23:00.000-07:00

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

Rates For Auto Loans

2008-08-27T12:28:00.000-07:00

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:

http://www.carssure.com/

Auto Insurance Basics

2008-08-25T15:38:00.000-07:00

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?

2008-08-25T15:35:00.000-07:00

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.

Auto Insurance Cover Abroad

2008-08-22T14:46:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-22T14:38:00.000-07:00

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/

A Guide To Finding Good Motor Bike Insurance

2008-08-21T11:01:00.000-07:00

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.

How to Avoid Car Dealership Scams

2008-08-18T14:29:00.000-07:00

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!

Use a Payday Loan for Your First Car

2008-08-18T14:25:00.000-07:00

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!

Cheap Car Insurance Quotes

2008-08-13T15:38:00.000-07:00

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.

The 10 Cheapest Cars Per Mile Per Gallon

2008-08-12T01:44:00.000-07:00

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

All have an automatic transmission unless noted.

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.

How Will a Speeding Ticket Affect My Car Insurance Rates?

2008-08-10T14:37:00.000-07:00

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.

4x4s now 'worthless' in part exchanges

2008-08-10T10:48:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-10T10:41:00.000-07:00

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.

How to Successfully Claim a Car Warranty

2008-08-09T14:01:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-09T06:42:00.000-07:00

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.

Top 9 Car Finance Tips

2008-08-08T03:30:00.000-07:00

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.

BP Invests $90 Million in Verenium’s Cellulosic Ethanol Technology

2008-08-07T14:38:00.000-07:00

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.

Save on car insurance

2008-08-06T17:04:00.000-07:00

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

2008-08-06T15:08:00.000-07:00

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.

Colorado Car Insurance

2008-08-06T02:28:00.000-07:00

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.

Car Loans by Cars Sure

2008-08-05T11:23:00.000-07:00

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.