What Your Minivan Should Have

By: Joe Ratzkin

When it comes to practicality, nothing comes quite close to
owning a minivan. A minivan is also known as a multi utility
vehicle, or MUV, and also known as a multi purpose vehicle, or
MPV. It is just like a van however, it has rear side doors and
windows and its interior can actually take in around seven
people or more. It also could take in various types of cargo.
Thus, the very reason why when it comes to practicality, people
often choose minivans.

Aside from your minivan holding a large amount of people and
cargo, a minivan should also have adjustable pedals and
telescoping steering wheel. This would be a good thing for
parents or drivers of minivans to be comfortable. Adjustable
pedals and telescoping steering wheels are of big help to people
who are not physically that long.

A center folding storage tray always helps a lot especially to
those with kids who would have to eat inside the minivan. Simply
described, a center folding storage tray is actually just a tray
with cup holders. They fit in between the front captain chairs.

The automobile world calls this mirror the overhead convex
mirror. However, to parents and to guardians, they call this a
conversation mirror. It works as a spyglass. Parents and adults
in the front could simply look in the mirror and they would be
able to see what is going on at the back without having to turn
their heads. This assists parents to keep the whole situation at
the back in control.

A low tire pressure warning system is another feature that your
minivan should have. This gives the drive the ample amount of
information regarding their wheels. Of course, it is important
to have the tires inflated just right. If they are over inflated
or under inflated, the chances of having a blow out or of
meeting potential accident situations are increased.

A reverse sensing system or a rearview camera would serve as
your eyes. They are extremely helpful especially when backing up
a driveway or a parking lot. The thing is, with a minivan, you
cannot see much at the back especially if you have a group of
children with you as passengers.

With all the amazing technological breakthroughs in the
automotive industry, Car
Parts Rush stands by its commitment of delivering
excellently engineered Ford parts
to go with Ford's efforts of sustained production of
environment-friendly vehicles.

About the author:
Joe Ratzkin is an avid fan of anything automotive. This 34-year
old bachelor wanted to be a mechanic when he was a kid but
changed his mind and became a freelance writer and researcher
instead. He is currently based in Chicago, Illinois.

Making Your Visit to the Mechanic a Short One

By: Stacey Wilson

Sometimes, it really does take a long time for some auto repair
or maintenance shop personnel to assist you in your needs.
Standing in line may be one of the worst things that you would
have to do. However, there are actually ways on keeping your
trip to the mechanic shorter than usual.

The visit need not be that time consuming. All you would have to
do would be to actually plan ahead of time. That way, you would
know when to go to the garage and prepare all the needed
information that they would surely be asking about once you
bring your vehicle to the shop. Aside from that, take that extra
step and communicate with the shop. They would be able to
provide you with information when would be the best time you
could bring in your vehicle without you having to wait on
queues.

If you are bringing your vehicle to a maintenance shop, go
through your car owner's manual first. Check the maintenance
schedules. Be very aware of the limits and of the dates, the
deductibles, as well as the length of coverage of the whole
warranty of your vehicle. As you go over the manual, take note
of the scheduled maintenance. Make sure that you do complete the
recommended maintenance as outline in the manual. This is very
important. You would be actually just wasting time at the
maintenance shop arguing about service when it was a fault on
your end. You see, some shops and service centers deny any
further maintenance services if the scheduled maintenance is not
performed.

Major problems could occur even to the newest vehicles. If it
happens to your vehicle, bring your vehicle to the nearest
service department as soon as possible. This way, you actually
are reducing your vehicle's chances of suffering from further or
additional damage. Some major problems with vehicles could
actually result to greater and much more complicated problems if
not corrected immediately. The lesser the damage to your
vehicle, the shorter would be your trip to the shop.

Meanwhile, Auto Parts
Fast provides vehicle owners the best value for Eagle parts
online. It is actually one of the web's most powerful and
advanced auto parts shopping systems.

About the author:
As a former news correspondent for an auto-related website,
Stacey has gathered extensive knowledge and experience in the
automotive industry. This 34 year old mother of two from Memphis
is a genuine car lover.

Deceptive Car Dealer Ads and Activities - Pervasive As Ever

By: David Maillie

You hear them on the radio and TV everyday. Some have outrageous
ads and sales gimmicks. "Push, pull or drag your trade in for
$4000 minimum trade", "Best price in the world!" "Best bumper to
bumper warranty ever - we cover everything." "Repo'd car sale
today." Bet you didn't know that these ads can be and usually
are very misleading and can be illegal.

According to Leslie Anderson, AAA, Misleading advertisements
and deceptive marketing from car dealers has been on the rise in
recent years. Car dealers, due to a struggling economy are
resorting to grey market sales tactics and ads. Many of these
ads are either borderline or even illegal in nature. With all
the publicity in recent years of scams and illegal business
activities by businesses from every state you would think most
states would have toughened up their laws and started to crack
down on bad car dealers. Only one state, New York, has really
done anything.

There are laws already on the books that make many of these
advertisements and such illegal, but few states will even look
into these activities. In New York, if you run a Push, Pull or
Drag sale the odds are you will get fined. The thinking behind
New Yorks laws is that if you promise someone a set figure for
their vehicle it should not be factored into the discount or
markup of the newer, replacement vehicle. This is deceptive
advertising. Yet I hear these same ads, with even higher amounts
promised on the radio and TV in North Carolina and South
Carolina all the time. Then there's the matter of expressed and
implied warranties.

Expressed and implied warranties are actually covered under
federal laws. Every car dealer must have a federally approved
warranty disclosure placed in the window. This is to show if a
warranty exists and what is actually covered. This was done as
there was too much discrepency in the past with car salesman
blurring the line of what is really covered and what isn't. On a
recent drive from North Carolina to South Carolina I saw 11 used
car dealerships that did not have these in the windows - at one
we found they were in the glove compartment. When we asked the
salesperson why it wasn't in the window he said it wasn't
necessary. In New York, every car dealer you drive by or visit
will have these prominently displayed.

Then you have the usual lies - car dealers advertising a
repossession sale, cream puffs, etc... They will lie about the
origination of cars just like in a recent Carfax ad. Oh that was
just a little fender scratch (complete repaint from a 50mph
accident) or new upholstery (due to a flood and complete
submersion). These repossession sales, like Repo Joe, do a media
Blitz and claim they have all repossessed vehicles for a great
buy. When in fact they probably don't even have one repossessed
car that is for sale. Most car dealers get their cars from
either trades or local auctions.

Regardless of what they claim they most likely do not know the
vehicles history. You can't even rely on Carfax 100% as many
vehicles are repaired without full salvage disclosure or even
any repair history. A carfax report is only as good as the
information that is actually entered into the system. Before you
rely on that Carfax or what the dealer says is the cars history
listen to this - Tennessee attorneys Frank Watson and David
McLaughlin charge that Carfax's ads promise more than it can
deliver. "Carfax fails to disclose the limitations of their
database," says Watson. "People think they have a little
insurance policy on their Carfax report, and it's just not
accurate," says McLaughlin. Carfax is an online company that
searches databases for a vehicle's history, claiming to be "your
best protection against buying a used car with costly, hidden
problems." But, critics say when it comes to many accidents,
online reporting companies fall short. A class-action lawsuit
against Carfax claims the company doesn't have access to police
accident data in 23 states.

This article should be a wake up call to car buyers to be more
on the alert to car dealer scams, lies and untruths. It should
also be an alert to states from Oregon to Florida that more
needs to be done to curb bad car sales tactics. Most car dealers
aren't small mom and pop organizations. They are large million
or billion dollar companies that will do anything to make a
dollar. Even crossing the line or blurring what is legal and
what isn't. And according to one big dealer in Charlotte, North
Carolina whom didn't want his name or dealership mentioned for
obvious reasons - "its all about that bottem line and if we get
caught, thats what our lawyers are for. Per another car dealer,
"it's a buyer beware market: Buyers must beware and be
detectives too."

About the author:
David Maillie holds numerous patents including his recently
awarded patent for headlight repair, cleaner and restorer. He is
always striving to create new products that save the consumer
money: MDwholesale.com

Hybrid Cars - The Cars Of The Times!

By: David Maillie

Hybrid cars are a fusion of technologies. Unlike standard cars
moving on a single propulsion system, hybrid cars are driven by
the power of multiple propulsion systems. Most common among
these hybrid vehicles are those cars that use gasoline and
electrical energy as their source of power. Serious
experimentations with ethanol or plant based oils are also being
conducted.

History The history of hybrid cars runs back to the time when
inventors were strongly battling to switch over from
steam-powered automobiles to electrically driven carriages. At
best, these could be termed as trials and were limited to
working with just one, two or few models. Success on a
mass-scale came about the beginning of the twentieth century;
however, it was not until 1999 (on the verge of the 21st
century) that America saw the launching of the hybrid car on a
commercial-scale, to be bought and used by the mass.

Components

The hybrid car driving mechanism consists batteries, an electric
motor, a fuel tank, a gasoline engine, a generator and a mode of
transmission. Each part has its definitive role and keeps a
hybrid car running.

How Do They Work?

As said, the dual mechanisms employed in these hybrid vehicles
make use of both gasoline and electric energy to set the
vehicles into motion - while gas cause the internal combustion
engines (ICEs) to function, the electric batteries supply power
to the car's electric motors. The recent car models are even
converting kinetic energy (produced by the engine) into electric
energy to charge the batteries.

Conclusion Hybrid cars with their comparatively smaller gasoline
engines contribute to the pollution-free, greener environment
cause. Moreover, with their sleek, aerodynamic designing and
ultra light materials joining hands to give these vehicles
driving force of about 60-90 horsepower, you can be sure that
the hybrid cars will rule the automobile industry until the
arrival of new eco-friendly, efficient cars.

About the author:
David Maillie holds numerous patents including his recently
awarded patent for headlight repair, cleaner and restorer. He
can be reached at M.D. Wholesale: MDwholesale.com

Nine Secrets to Maintaining Your Car

Robert Sikorsky’s little book Drive It Forever offers invaluable tips to keep your car going the extra mile. His stellar advice could save you a year’s worth of car payments or more!

The smoother you drive, the longer your car will run. Stopping and starting, fast lane changes, scratching off all lead to shorter life for your car.

Naturally, you can’t drive at all without stopping and starting. But your goal is to keep moving smoothly any time that you can. Does it look like a stoplight is about to turn green? Then slow down and if possible, gently keep moving until the light changes.

Less engine idle means less engine wear, says Sikorsky. If you have to idle longer than 30 seconds, you may as well turn the engine off and start it when you’re ready to roll. So turn off the car if you’re waiting in parking lots, waiting on others to ready themselves for travel, if you have to go back in the house for something, etc.

And never rev up the car while it’s not moving.

If you’re driving in “bumper to bumper” barely moving traffic, it’s wise to turn your air conditioner off. This saves a lot of wear on your car. The engine has to work overtime if the air is on and you’re stopping and starting frequently.

You’ve probably heard that it’s good to take your car out periodically for a good drive on the highway now and again, and that’s good advice. This allows your engine to get fully warmed up and helps get rid of some deposits built up by short trips.

If it’s below freezing, try not to take your car out on short trips of less than five miles. Sikorsky says this is one of the worst possible conditions for your car.

Don’t cruise around a parking lot forever, trying to find a spot. Go ahead and park further away and get in a little exercise.

Avoid accelerating suddenly unless there’s an emergency situation. Putting the pedal to the metal may get you someplace today, but tomorrow you may end up hitching a ride from a neighbor.

If possible, don’t park your car headed uphill. When you’re ready to start it later, the engine will have to use extra power to pull itself. It’s better to park headed downhill than uphill.

Driving on dusty roads cuts your gas mileage considerably as well as adds to engine wear.

I’ve found Drive It Forever a valuable read! It’s personal, and easy to read, even if you’re mechanically challenged.

A New Car Buying Guide

By: Colin Ayres

If you're thinking about a purchase or just looking for a little
advice, this guide can help. The following information will help
you begin to research, compare, build, and price new cars
quickly and conveniently. In the end, you'll get better prices
on any of the models you are interested in. That means, for
example, obtaining multiple quotes, from multiple dealers,
before you ever step foot in a dealership. (Of course, you can
do it all via the Web.) Having at least three different quotes
during negotiations gives you a distinct advantage. Think of
these quotes as a reference point - the difference between a
good offer and a bad one.

In less than a decade, buying new cars has become a much easier
process via the Internet. There are two types of sites. The
first will sell you new cars directly. The second doesn't sell
directly, but will provide referrals to hundreds of the most
credible dealers. Both sites, however, are going to save you
money. They'll display invoice, MSRP, options, incentives and
rebates clearly. The most credible online resources will have no
hidden fees and virtually eliminate the inevitable haggle with
salesmen.

But there's more. The following is a step-by-step breakdown of
the entire buying process from beginning to end.

New Car Buying Guide Step One - Research prices online Search
for new cars to determine what average prices are, so you know
the difference between good and bad offers. Be sure to do
thorough research, so that you're paying a price near the
invoice and never over the average MSRP. Many sites offer
invoice pricing as well.

New Car Buying Guide Step Two - Request price quotes After
figuring out fair prices, request free quotes for your favorite
new cars from as many credible dealers as possible - you can do
this online. Afterwards, the most qualified companies will have
their dealer internet sales managers contact you, requesting
more details on the new cars you may be interested in
purchasing. Request prices with all applicable taxes and charges
included (not simply the MSRP).

New Car Buying Guide Step Three - Get your credit report Your
credit score is what is used to determine the APR you'll pay on
your loan. You should get a copy to ensure there are no errors,
and that you are receiving the rate you deserve.

New Car Buying Guide Step Four - Get rate quotes With your FICO
score in hand, you should apply to online lenders for the best
auto loan rates. Your bank, other banks, other lenders, the
dealership, and even your family. Shopping around for financing
can save you thousands over the life of your loan.

New Car Buying Guide Step Five - Research insurance companies
You should research insurance companies thoroughly as well. Some
specialize in offering plans to people with not-so-good driving
records and others (sometimes the same company) offer less
expensive plans for drivers with better-than-good driving
records.

New Car Buying Guide Step Six - Get insurance rate quotes
Insurance can be expensive, especially if you've been unlucky in
the past with accidents or citations, but it is necessary
precaution. Request quotes from the preferred companies you
found, and much like the search for the lowest car price and
loan rate quotes, pick the plan that offers the best protection
for the most reasonable price.

New Car Buying Guide Step Seven - Figure out your trade-in value
Use Kelly Blue Book to estimate the trade-in or private resale
value of your car. This will assist you when you are negotiating
the new car price, as the trade in value of your current car
will affect the new car price.

New Car Buying Guide Step Eight - Negotiating your new car
purchase Ready to negotiate? With the lowest quote on the make
and model you chose from your list of new cars, contact your
preferred dealers and see if they'll beat it - they tend to
compete with each other because they want your business.
Utilizing the Internet can provide you with hassle-free process
of creating a dialogue with dealers. For example, it is a lot
easier to stop emailing than it is to walk out of a dealership.

This guide will help speed the entire purchasing process up. And
probably, more importantly, save you money.

About the author:
Colin Ayres is a writer for Harbor Credit. He began his career
shortly after graduating from Yale University, where he soon
realized that Liberal Arts and copywriting have a lot in common.
To read more, visit www.HarborCredit.com.

Is There A Future For Performance Hybrids?

By: Peter Johnson

Some products are too good to be true; an oven that can cook a
turkey in 3 hours but is the size of a microwave. A pill that
promises to burn weight faster than you can pack it on. Many of
these products fall victim to their own folly. Consumers are
savvy bunch. At least we like to think so. However sometimes a
product actually does deliver the goods.

Lexus plans to introduce several models over the next few years
that showcase hybrids as more than just fuel misers, but rather
as solid performance vehicles. An example of this is the 2007
Lexus LS 600h. With an all-new 5.0L V8 and a high output
electric motor, the All-Wheel-Drive LS 600h will produce 430hp
when it hits showrooms in the spring of 2007. It should also
qualify for a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) rating,
which means it'll be about 70% cleaner than the next closest
competitor. Are consumers ready to accept a hybrid as a viable
performance option?

The initial answer is absolutely. Upon further examination that
may not be the case...yet. Look at the Honda Accord Hybrid. With
253hp (SAE Net), it's capable of doing 0-60mph in 7 seconds.
It's the most powerful Accord ever but sales have been slow. In
fact, Honda may have to reduce production. At the same time,
4-cylinder hybrids such as the Honda Civic and Toyota Prius have
far less power but sales have increased. Sure this is not an
apples-to-apples comparison. The Civic and Accord are in
different segments, but it's surprising nonetheless. Perhaps
Honda should have produced the Accord hybrid with the 4-cylinder
engine instead of the V6. This would've reduced performance but
it would have increased fuel efficiency. It's a strategy that
Toyota is following with the 2007 Camry Hybrid.

Perhaps hybrid buyers are willing to shed some horsepower for
the absolute best fuel economy. Surely this is a small group but
it'll get larger as fuel prices increase. As long as a car has
respectable performance it seems that consumers want
technological advances to go into finding more ways to save fuel
than increase horsepower. Or perhaps customers are just
skeptical of anything that promises the best of both worlds. But
why wouldn't someone want great fuel efficiency and a lot of
power? Today, most hybrid owners aren't concerned with having
class leading horsepower. They want class leading fuel mileage.

Should Lexus be worried? I don't think so. Unlike the Accord
hybrid, Lexus won't have any immediate hybrid competitors.
Secondly, luxury car buyers put a lot emphasis on performance.
The new Lexus LS 600h may be looked upon as a performance sedan
that just happens to be a hybrid, instead of the other way
around.

As hybrids continue to evolve beyond a novelty, it's clear that
North American buyers continue to focus on the numbers. We just
don't know for sure what numbers they'll find more important.
Are North American car buyers ready to have it all?

About the author:
Peter Johnson is the chief writer for all-about-car-selection.com

Have you signed up for your free subscription to The Owners Manual yet?

What you should know before buying a used hybrid

By: Peter Johnson

There was once a time when hybrids were restricted to the
Hollywood crowd and college professors. However, over the last 6
years hybrids have become widely popular and can now be found in
garages of everyday people. As the hybrid market continues to
grow so too will the used hybrid market. What should you know
about buying a used hybrid? Read on.

The basics

Buying a used hybrid is like buying any other used car. Well,
sort of. The biggest concern when buying a used hybrid is
finding out the condition of the battery pack. These battery
packs can easily cost in excess of $5000 to replace. To ease the
concern of new buyers, manufacturers put an extended warranty on
the battery pack, hybrid control module, battery control module
and other related components. The warranty on these components
is usually 8 years or 100,000 miles. You'll want to confirm that
the warranty is transferable if it has not already expired. Just
like a regular used car, it's not wise to buy a used vehicle
that is from the first year of production for that particular
model.

Where to buy a used hybrid

Just like buying a regular used car, there are three typical
channels where the average consumer will find a hybrid car.
First you have certified pre-owned programs at new car
dealerships. Secondly, there are used car lots that are not
affiliated with a manufacturer; finally there are private
sellers.

The best place to buy a hybrid is through a certified pre-owned
program offered through a new car dealership. Toyota, GM, Honda,
Ford and others have these programs. Although they typically
cost more, vehicles from these CPO programs must undergo an
extensive inspection in order to be sold through the dealership.
Cars that fail these inspections end up on independent used car
lots. CPO programs offer better warranties and often come with
an exchange option if you're not happy with your purchase.
Private sellers will offer the cheapest price but you have no
recourse if something goes wrong.

Maintenance and repairs

Beyond regular oil changes and maintenance, most repairs should
be done at the dealership. These technicians are factory trained
and certified to work on hybrids. Other garages won't have the
equipment or experience to accurately diagnose and fix a
mechanical problem on a hybrid. To avoid any hassles, make sure
you live in the area of the dealership. Nobody likes taking a
day off to get their car repaired. To achieve the best mileage,
hybrids come equipped with unique low rolling resistance tires.
As the second owner, you'll need to replace these tires at some
point if they haven't already been replaced.

So is buying a used hybrid right for you? Well, that's a
question only you can answer. Overall, it'll likely cost more to
buy than a typical used car but you'll save money on fuel. Get
out your solar powered calculator but always remember you get
what you paid for.

For more information on hybrid cars click here.

About the author:
Peter Johnson is chief writer for all-about-car-selection.com

What to Do When the "Check Engine" Light Goes On

By: Joe Thompson

Sometimes, warning lights get people all frazzled and lose
control of the whole situation. Experts in the field of driving,
automobiles, and driving safety say that people should not panic
when this kind of thing happens to you.

If you notice that the "check engine" warning light suddenly
appears and alerts you, what do you exactly do? First, do not
panic and calm yourself down. It may become the very reason for
you to get into further trouble or accidents. The truth is,
these "check engine" warning lights could actually mean a couple
of things. So there is no need to panic. Remaining calm and
collected would keep you in control of the situation.

The "check engine" warning light is a part of the car's system
and onboard diagnostics. This is the computer part of the car
that monitors and controls the performance of your vehicle. It
also oversees the car's engine speed, ignition timing, fuel
mixture, and the like. The warning light comes on when this
computer detects something that is not correct.

What would be the best defense when the "check engine" warning
light comes on? It would be your owner's manual. Be sure that
you have read and understood important details of your owner's
manual. That way, you can check what the warning light is trying
to tell you.

Once the warning light comes on, try to pull over first. Then
try to look for signs of serious car problems that need your
immediate attention. Check the gauges. Your car may be just
overheating or there might be a low oil pressure.

It may be a very simple solution however it would help if you
try to tighten your gas cap. For most cars, if the gas cap is
not tightened enough, the "check engine" warning light goes on.

Try reducing your speed and the load of your vehicle. The loss
of power could actually trigger the "check engine" warning light
to go on. Or you can also try slowing down, or remove any
accessories that need the power of your engine.

If, however, despite your efforts at trying to check what could
be the problem and still you cannot find the source or the
problem itself, go to the nearest professional mechanic or
technician. By doing such, you are entrusting your vehicle to
people who have been trained and have the knowledge on such
situations.

If there are some parts that need changing, you can always go
online and find impressive parts and durable auto parts like
Scion parts from Auto Parts
Discount. They hold quality
Scion parts like Scion wheel covers, oxygen sensors and co
rner lights among many others.

About the author:
Joe Thompson is the owner of a successful auto body shop in
Ferndale, California. This 38 year old is also a prolific
writer, contributing automotive related articles to various
publications.

What's dealer's invoice cost?

What's dealer's invoice cost? This article will save you money
with the most accurate invoice information to get the best new
car deal!

By: AutosBargain.com Team

The "dealer invoice cost" is theoretically what the car dealer
paid the manufacturer for the car. The dealer will actually have
a printed invoice that shows this price figure. In fact, over
the years, between 25 percent and 45 percent of customers have
purchased their new car below dealer invoice price. In some
cases, the final prices are several thousand dollars below
dealer invoice pricing.

Why would a car dealer to
sell a car below the factory invoice price? Simply because the
factory invoice price usually doesn't reflect the real true cost
to the dealer: dealers often get "holdbacks", end-of-year
carryover allowances, factory-to-dealer incentive cash, and
other allowances that reduce the cost below what the factory
invoice shows. Although the factory invoice price is not the
dealer's true cost, it is a useful figure because for identical
cars it is the same for all dealers. That's why Autobargain.com
use car dealer's invoice as a reference
point for new car prices & quotes.

Invoice Price is
the manufacturer's initial charge to the car dealer. This
usually is higher than the dealer's final cost because dealers
receive rebates, allowances, discounts, and incentive awards.
Generally, the invoice price should include freight (also known
as destination and delivery cost). If you're buying a car based
on the invoice price (for example, "at invoice," "$100 under
invoice," "two percent over invoice"), and if freight is already
included, make sure freight isn't added again to the sales
contract.

There are many automotive websites show
dealer's invoice online, we've pick some of the most accurate
ones to ease you new car research. Finally, always remember to
see the actual dealer's invoice at the time of your new car
purchase to confirm the deal.

*ref link:
http://www.autosbargain.com/index.php?option=com_weblinks&catid=1
08&Itemid=4

About the author:
Everyone tries to negotiate the best new car deal in town, but
we simply don't know what the lowest price is.



AutosBargain.com
is dedicated to find the lowest new car prices online.
We receive hundreds of "vehicle purchased price" and update the
best new car bargain daily. New car buyers will no longer have
to negotiate blindly and save thousands of dollars on any new
car.

Lowering Your Auto Insurance Costs

By: Michael Silva

It is very important to understand that prices vary from company
to company, so it pays to shop around. Getting at least three
price quotes will serve you well. You can either call companies
directly or access information over the web. State insurance
departments are also a good source of prices and options
available.

The main reasons for buying insurance are to protect you and
your family financially and provide peace of mind. Finding a
company that is financially stable is very important. You can
check the financial well being of insurance companies using
rating companies such as A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. You
might also try some of the more popular consumer magazines.

You should also get quotes from different types of insurance
companies. Some sell through their own in house agents and
others through independent agents who offer policies from
several insurance companies. There are also insurance companies
that sell directly to consumers over the phone or via the
Internet.

Be careful that you don't shop price alone. Asking friends and
relatives for their recommendations is a smart thing to do.
Contact your state insurance department and find out whether
they provide information on consumer complaints by company. Make
sure and choose an agent or company representative that takes
the time to answer your questions and address your concerns.

Car insurance premiums are based in part on the car's sticker
price, the cost to repair it, its overall safety record, and the
likelihood of theft so make sure to check into insurance costs
before you buy a new or used car. Ask about discounts for
features that reduce the risk of injuries or theft. Things such
as daytime running lights and anti-theft devices for example.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety can provide you with
information that will help you decide what car to buy.

You might be able to lower your costs substantially by
requesting higher deductibles. Increasing your deductible from
$200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive
coverage cost by up to 30 percent. Before choosing a higher
deductible, be sure you have enough money set aside to pay it if
you have a claim.

Dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverage's on older
cars that are worth less than 10 times the premium is definitely
something to consider. You can research the value online at
Kelley's Blue Book.

Many insurers will give you a discount if you buy two or more
types of insurance from them or if you have more than one
vehicle insured with the same company.

Establishing and maintaining a solid credit rating can help cut
your insurance costs. Insurers are increasingly using credit
information to price auto insurance policies. Check your credit
record regularly and correct any errors promptly so that your
record remains accurate.

Some companies offer low mileage discounts to motorists who
drive a lower than average number of miles a year.

There are also companies that offer reduced rates to drivers
who get insurance through a group plan from their employers. You
may also qualify if you belong to a professional, business,
alumni or other groups and associations.

If you have not had any accidents or moving violations for a
number of years you may also qualify for a discount. Taking a
defensive driving or drivers education course may also qualify
you for a lower rate.



About the author:
Michael Silva has been conducting business on the Internet for
the past 9 years and has extensive knowledge in the areas of
marketing, promotion, training and affiliate programs. You can
find 1000's of articles on a wide range of topics by visiting
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