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How Does Car Insurance Work

Many of us know we have to have car insurance(or car insurance northern ireland) in order to get our license and tags. However there are some that don't really understand the actual policy or how it works to protect us. There are also different requirements for having a loan or lease on a vehicle rather than just owning it out right. Insurance companies ask a lot about our daily lives such as how we use the car, where we park it, and other aspects of driving to ascertain the risk we might pose to the vehicle they are covering.

Car insurance works in that we choose a level of coverage whether it is just liability or includes comprehensive and collision. There is also a choice in the amount of actual coverage regarding motorist, uninsured motorist, and medical. The amounts and type of coverage you choose is what will determine the premium you will pay on a month to month, six month, or yearly basis depending on the terms of your policy.

The amounts you have chosen and the type of coverage will tell the car insurance company how much they will have to pay out in the event of an accident caused by you or another driver. In other words they cover the damage that affects the car. For certain damage like windshields you will have a deductible that you have to meet in order to process a claim. If you have damage to your car from a break in, a rock thrown at the windshield, or an accident that you have been in you have to report the issue to the company in order to get a payout. The car company is going to ask for full details regarding the claim, the information from the accident claim, such as any ticket given to you and of course any damage to the other car if you caused the accident. They will ask that the car be taken to one of their mechanics that they have in their company logs. The mechanic is then going to report the amount of damage and how much it will cost to fix it. The car insurance will then take the quote and all information. In some cases they may consider the car totaled and will not offer any settlement towards fixing the car.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/how-does-car-insurance-work-315908.html

First Car Buying Tips

I don't know about you, but when I bought my first car I didn't have a lot of information to go on for the process. I admit I had two cars previously to the first car I bought, but those deals were made by my father. He was the man with the money and he was paying for the cars outright. So when I decided to trade in my car for a different model and a newer vehicle I needed a little help from those who had bought cars before. I didn't want to make a mistake and get an unfair deal from a dealership or private owner. The great thing was I had my parents to help me find the information I needed to purchase that car. I even had my mom come help me make the deal. It took us a little over five hours and closing the joint, but I walked away with one of the best deals on a 2000 vehicle that I could have for my financial state as well as my credit history.

Car Buying Tips

What you need to know about buying your first car is quite simple. First you need to know all about the car you are interested in buying. You need to know what that car would cost new, what the used retail price is for a dealership as well as a private sale, and what condition the car is in. You also need to know if it has any bells and whistles added on to it as that will affect the price. Kelly Blue Book and other consumer reports will allow you to find out all of the information you need for a general search. Armed with this information you can negotiate a fair price. If you have a trade in you should also know the value on that for trading it in to a dealer as opposed to selling it privately.

You also need to know about your credit history. You need to know where your credit scores stand. You also want to know where you will stand regarding the dealership score. The look at your FICO score as well as a risk score that they calculate. They are basically looking to see if you can afford the car you are interested in buying. If you don't have a credit history that is very lengthy you can expect any car loan to be offered a little higher than seems fair. They are just trying to establish your risk and since you don't have much of a history they consider you more of a risk.

Once you know both the car facts and the financial situation you are in you are ready to deal. You let the dealerships know that you have done your homework. Also let them know you are willing to walk away if the deal isn't to your specifications, not there. There are several tactics they can use like saying, "We have to make some profit," or "I work on commissions." You have to be in control not the other way around.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/first-car-buying-tips-314790.html

Michigan Speeding Warning

Update: Yep, a hoax. I should have tried Google, as suggested. Here it is from the MSP directly.

I got this email forwarded to me, one of those friend-of-a-friend chains that goes through a hundred people and winds up in your inbox. I don't know if it is reliable, so take it for what it is worth. If anyone can comment on the truthfulness of this chain mail, please comment.

Subject: Heads Up in Michigan.

Heads Up, In February, Michigan will launch a 30-day speeding ticket
frenzy.

The state estimates that 9 million dollars will be generated in
speeding tickets. 1 million will go to pay state troopers overtime.

There will be 50 state troopers on duty 24/7 patrolling the
following highways AND MORE!

I-75 North and South
I-94 From Ann Arbor to Port Huron
Entire length of I-96 & I-696
I-275 North and South
M-10 Lodge Fwy


Now, 5 mph above the limit can justify a ticket, and every state
trooper is supposed to pull a car over and write a ticket every 10
minutes. They have issued 30 brand new unmarked Crown Victoria
cruisers and they are bringing all their part timers on full time.


* Wear your seat belt,
* have nothing hanging from the rear view mirror,
* do the speed limit - use cruise control if you have it,
* no cracks in your windshield,
* and use your turn signals!

The Wacky World of Car Insurance

Car insurance is a legal requirement in the UK, and indeed most of the world, and yet there are some drivers who don't believe it's necessary. Now the law allowing police to seize any uninsured car has come into force, the number of uninsured drivers on British roads has fallen.

Traditionally, cars are insured against fire, theft, vandalism, and other damage from a third party. It's not so well known, however, that cars are also insured against Third Potato and Act of Cow…

No, you didn't read that wrong! In recent years, car insurance claims have actually been filed for more unorthodox reasons such as potatoes making a bid for freedom and getting lodged behind brake pedals, and cows deciding that a car looked like a tasty snack and having a lick, damaging the paintwork in the process.

And these are just the more believable motor insurance claims. Pity the driver who had a claim made against them because their car door opened by itself when they drove round a bend, launching a frozen kebab at a passing car and causing untold damage. Or the driver who suddenly found himself with a frozen squirrel as a passenger – the chilly rodent had fallen out of a tree and crashed through the unfortunate person's windscreen.

So when you're shopping around for that cheap car insurance policy, don't forget to ask if you're covered for Potatoes, Kebabs and Bovine Damage too…

Ford Canada Ad Misfire

This news item caught my eye in my daily auto news scan: Ford Apologizes For Ad Campaign.
What could it be? Another dead cat? Too gay? Not gay enough?

The ad in question used the phrase "Drive it like you stole it", displayed on a bumper sticker stuck to an Escape. You would think the problem was that it encourages aggressive driving (of an SUV no less, shocking!) but apparently what got the Canadians hung up was also its glorification of car theft. From CBC Canada:

“You look at that and you think, ‘what were they thinking?’” said John Douglas, Manitoba Public Insurance Inc. vice president of public relations and corporate affairs. “Auto theft is a high-profile public issue in Winnipeg and in every major city across Canada. We’ve all had issues with vehicle thieves driving recklessly and endangering people.”

Apparently, our manly lumberjack northern neighbors are rather sensitive. The Winnipeg Free Press online poll shows that the majority of online responders are in fact offended:

Poll Results

Did you find Ford's 'Drive it like you stole it' ad offensive?

Yes	56%
No	44%

Total Votes: 1666

I think the Canadians are being a bit too sensitive on this one. But someone at Ford marketing should be smacked with a wild salmon, because the whole premise is stupid. You don't drive an Escape "like you stole it", you put on flannel and hiking boots and you go run over some endangered fauna on the way to your lumberjack camp and hunting lodge. The car you might aspire to drive fast is the Mustang GT.

Online Car Insurance Quotes

If you are looking for car insurance, one of the fastest and best ways to get a great deal on insurance today is to get online and look for online car insurance quotes. There are so many car insurance companies out there, but long gone are the days that you have to go visit an insurance broker or call around trying to find a great rate. Instead, you can just get on your computer, and with a few clicks of the mouse you'll have what you need right on your screen. So, the following are a few of the best benefits that you can enjoy when you go online for your car insurance.

You Can Shop for

Car Insurance

at Home

One of the main benefits of checking out online car insurance quotes is that it gives you the ability to shop for car insurance at home. You'll save money on gas, which is a big consideration these days, and you won't spend your time driving from place to place looking for a decent quote. All you'll have to do is boot up your computer, get online, and start searching for the quotes you need.

The Quotes are Free and Instant

Another great benefit of going online for your car insurance needs is that the online car insurance quotes you'll get are free and instant. You won't have to pay a thing to get quotes, even from several different companies. As soon as you fill out their forms you'll get instant quotes, so you won't have to wait around wondering what they'll want to charge you. However, it is important that you always fill out these forms accurately or there may be a discrepancy with the quote you are given.

Quick Forms to Fill Out

The forms that you have to fill out online to go your online car insurance quotes are usually quick and easy to fill out. You won't have to worry about mountains of paperwork to complete; in fact, usually you can have the forms completed and submitted within about five minutes or so. So, going online for your car insurance quotes definitely makes it both quick and easy to get the car insurance quotes that you want and need.

Easy to Compare Rates

It is extremely easy to compare rates when you get online car insurance quotes as well. If you want to get the best deal on your car insurance, comparing rates is the best way to do so, and if you don't look online, it can take a lot of time to get and compare different rates for your car insurance. There are actually sites that will offer you multiple online car insurance quotes and show you which ones are the best deals for you, which is a huge help. So, if you want to compare the car insurance quotes to find the best deal, going online is definitely going to be the quickest and easiest way to do this.

You'll Save Money

Yet another benefit of going with online car insurance quotes is that you'll send money. Not only will you be easily able to compare rates to get a great deal, but many car insurance companies actually offer better rates to customers who get their insurance online. So, you'll be able to save money on car insurance, just by going online to get your quote.

As you can see, there are many great benefits to getting online car insurance quotes. They are easy to get, quick, and they'll help you save some money as well. So, if you are looking for a great deal on your car insurance, consider going online to get a quote today.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/finance-articles/online-car-insurance-quotesget-the-benefits-of-them-299335.html

CAFE Foreshadowing: GM Kills DOHC V8

The Edmunds news blog InsideLine has posted that GM has decided to cancel its future DOHC V8 intended for Cadillac, apparently to concentrate on its direct injection V6.

There may have been any number of reasons for this decision, and I am guessing cost was a big factor. GM probably decided it could make more money on its high-tech V6, while getting better fuel economy numbers as well.

As the new CAFE rules ramp in, I expect we will see a move away from V8 engines in cars and light duty trucks. I predict the automakers will try to meet the early CAFE standards in approximately this order:

• By adjusting powertrain mix. This is relatively easy and can be done now. Push consumers towards smaller engines, swapping I4s for V6s and V6s for V8s. Build fewer large engines, and bundle them with expensive options, to increase sticker price (and reduce demand). The I4 will become the most common powertrain in small and mid-sized vehicles. Timeframe: now.
• Adding technology to up-market engines. A base "appliance" sedan will be sold with a naturally aspirated I4 in the 1.8-2.5L range. The sport or luxury model would get an I4 with lots more power from turbocharging, direct injection, and other currently available tricks. Timeframe: 3 years out.
• Reducing weight. This one is tricky because doing it too aggressively can cause higher crash fatalities, one one hand, or dramatically increase vehicle cost on the other. Aluminum unibodies are fine if you are building $60,000 Jaguars, but they are not currently feasible for a $25,000 family car. Low hanging fruit include going to aluminum engine blocks and more high-strength steels for bodies. I think you will also see some tricks with interiors, such as thin mesh seats. There will be a move away from large, low profile wheels towards lighter weight designs. NVH may suffer as sound insulating materials are pared down to a competitive minimum. Timeframe: 3 years out.
• Reducing size. To reduce weight, and still have decent performance from a smaller engine, the key is to build a smaller vehicle. I expect more designs like the Honda Fit, where a high roof and upright seating position is used to compensate for a reduction in length. Large vehicles will still be built, but they will be up-market and low-volume. Timeframe: 5 years out.

In summary, what I predict is a more severe stratification of cars between economy and luxury, starting in the next 5 years or so. Most people will drive smaller cars with less powerful engines than they are used to buying now. People with more money to spend will be able to flaunt V6's and V8's, and larger body styles. Old school muscle cars like the Mustang and Camaro will be low volume, high price toys for wealthy (or very determined) buyers.

Car Insurance

Having lived in America and South Africa I have found it difficult moving back to a country where the individual is insured as opposed to the vehicle. It used to be the case that if I wanted to borrow someone's car that they'd sling me their keys and off I'd go safe in the knowledge that if the worst were to happen I'd be covered.

Forgetting the laws in England I recently suggested to a friend that I drove their car home for them from the pub. The idea was laughed at and not because of my questionable driving. The reason is the penalties for being caught are so severe. The same applies for lending a vehicle over a couple of days. It is often difficult to find insurers that are willing to cover you for a short amount of time. So borrowing a car for a single journey can end up being extremely expensive.

Fortunately there are an increasing number of insurance providers that see the importance of offering insurance over a short period. The period of cover can range between a single day to a whole month. This makes it popular with people such as students that return home in the summer and want to use their parents' car. It is also an extremely popular option for the ex-pat community that return to the UK for a break. With many providers offering deals specified for people that live abroad it can mean using a car is significantly cheaper than hiring.

Arranging temp cover for a vehicle is a simple process that can be completed online. It is the perfect option for when you want to test drive or purchase a new vehicle and want to drive it fully insured. Because many providers let you apply online you can often print out the insurance certificate and carry it with you. This will give you incredible peace of mind if you are off to test drive a vehicle that is being sold privately or driving a friend's vehicle for a single journey.

It is a perfect option for insuring a relative to drive your car if you are ill and can't drive. It is also a great option for when your car has broken down and you need to borrow your partner's car. It can be a very cost effective way of borrowing a car from a friend. The rental period for temp cover is short so can be a very small one off payment.

New Line of Remanufactured Automotive & Diesel Components Now Available Through Syd's Eastside & DRP

JASPER Remanufactured (Reman) Engines, Transmissions, Differentials, Marine & Electric Motors are Now Availabile at Syd's Eastside Auto and Diesel Rebuild Parts

Syd's Eastside Auto Parts is pleased to announce that we have acquired the sales rights for the nation's largest remanufacturer of gas and diesel engines, transmissions, differentials, marine products, performance products, alternate fuel engines and electric motors; JASPER Engines & Transmissions®. As JASPER covers both passenger automotive and heavy truck drivetrain applications as well as marine and electric motors, JASPER remanufactured (reman) engines, transmissions and differentials will be available through both of our websites at SydsAutoParts.com and DieselRebuildParts.com. We are currently updating the content on these two websites to reflect our new capabilities to offer the JASPER remanufactured parts line which was finalized last December, 2007.

JASPER offers remanufactured products that provide quality second to none. Their product line includes remanufactured gas engines, diesel engines, transmissions, differentials, marine components, electric motors and more. JASPER has even taken the lead in alternative fuels as an aggressive remanufactured engines converter for LP, CNG and Flex Fuel. JASPER has been an industry leader delivering superior quality remanufactured (reman) automotive products since 1942.

The following is an incomplete list of products in the JASPER Engines & Transmissions remanufactured product line:

LIGHT DUTY
• Gasoline Engines for passenger cars, light duty trucks, harsh duty trucks, industrial (non-automotive) applications, marine and high performance.
• Alternate Fuel Applications (LP, CNG & Flex Fuel) installation kits.
• Radiators
• Commercial Duty Engines such as for fire trucks, ambulance, recreational vehicles, towing, limousines and passenger cars.
• Marine Components include gas engines, stern drives, outboard motor units and velvet drives.
• Transmissions - front & rear wheel drive, domestic or asian, and automatic, standard or performance. And transfer cases, too.
• Commercial Duty Transmissions for recreational vehicles, towing and passenger cars.
• Differentials - Front & Rear in cars and trucks, Dana/Spicer, for Chrysler, Dodge, Ford and GM.

HEAVY DUTY
• Diesel Engines, both domestic and import, from midrange truck to industrial applications.
• Transmissions for transit or industrial/non-automotive applications as well as Highway Allisons.
• Differentials for trucks as well as industrial/non-automotive applications.

ELECTRIC MOTORS
• New Motors in Stock (AC & DC) fractional to 400 hp: Baldor, Marathon, Weg.
• Generators (Bus)
• Submersible Pumps

ALTERNATE FUEL
• Engines - LP, CNG and Flex Fuel.
• Parts
• Small Gas Engine Conversion Kits

PERFORMANCE ENGINES
• Through JASPER's Close Association with Penske:
• Class II Street rods, restored muscle cars & trucks, four wheel drive vehicles, recreational vehicles, towing & marine applications.
• Class III Racing

PERFORMANCE TRANSMISSIONS
• Class II Street rods, restored muscle cars & trucks, four wheel drive vehicles, recreational vehicles, towing & marine applications.
• Class III Racing

JASPER Authentic Custom Drivetrains
• Custom-built drivetrains
• Restored muscle cars and trucks
• Performance upgrades.

...and this is only a partial list.
Please call us for your individual needs.
1-800-505-5119


JASPER remanufactured products are built to industry specifications that are equal to or more exact than those used by the original equipment manufacturer. Every JASPER remanufactured product is thoroughly tested and/or inspected for quality assurance. And JASPER remanufactured products are backed by nationwide warranties - up to 3 years or 10,000 miles.

Why Reman?
The Remanufactured Difference Is...
The terms rebuilt and remanufactured are technically different:

Rebuilt

To rebuild is to recondition by cleaning, inspecting and replacing severely worn or broken parts. Serviceable parts which are found to be within the manufacturer's acceptable wear limits are reused.

Remanufactured

To remanufacture is to make as close to new as possible. The restoration of a component to the manufacturer's original performance and dimensional specifications, with updates as applicable. Most wearable parts are automatically replaced without regard to condition. All core material is closely inspected and checked against original equipment specifications for correct dimensional tolerances. Replacement parts are new and made in the same production process as the original equipment. Testing is performed to manufacturer specifications and original production standards.

Remanufactured products from JASPER provide a better value for your money, cost less and offer a substantial alternative to purchasing used vehicles of unknown performance or a new vehicle at great cost which depreciates immediately.

The bottom line is value, and JASPER remanufactured products provide more bang per buck in terms of longevity, durability and performance... what else is there? Give us a call for your best prices on JASPER remanufactured automotive products! 1-800-505-5119

Links:
Syd's Eastside Auto Parts
Diesel Rebuild Parts