The biggest consideration in how much your insurance premium will cost is the car itself – and more specifically the insurance group it falls into. So don’t just buy off the price of the car it self – check the insurance group. Speedy cars or those more likely to be stolen will fall into higher groups, and young drivers, especially, will struggle to be able to afford the premiums on such cars.

Check out the competition

You should never accept your renewal quote without checking out the competition. Comparison sites are a quick and easy way of getting a multitude of quotes, which you can then compare yourself against the independents such as Aviva and Direct Line. Even if a company was expensive one year, it may not be the next – especially as you reach certain ages or lose points off your licence.

Add an older named driver

If you’re younger than 25, adding an older family member as a named driver could be a good move – especially one with lots of no-claims bonuses and a clean license.

Increase your voluntary excess

The voluntary excess is the amount of money you have to pay towards any claim you make e.g. you have to pay the first £250 of a £2000 claim. Increasing that excess to for example £500 could reduce your premium. Make sure it’s an amount you could afford though as putting the amount on expensive credit cards would soon see that saving negated.

Buying online

As companies continue to try to save the costs of call-centre wages, they might offer you a slightly cheaper if you buy online.
Build and protect your no-claims bonus
Companies no-claims driving bonuses vary but, whoever you’re with, building up a healthy no-claims bonus is a sure fire way of keeping your insurance premium down.

Pay it all at once

Paying your insurance premium in an up-front lump-sum is usually cheaper than paying it by direct debit over six months. However, if you’re putting that lump sum on a credit card that you’re not going to clear at the end of the month – check the interest rates.

Avoid Motoring Offences

There’s nothing worse than working hard to get your premium only to watch it go back up for stupidly running a red light or speeding. Apart from the initial fine, you’ll pay for it on your insurance for the next five years.

On Monday, May 6, you can participate by tweeting in response to RepairPal (@RepairPal) using the hashtag #MomsCar or posting on RepairPal’s Facebook page (Facebook/RepairPal) with an answer to the question, “Why does your mom deserve a free car repair?”

RepairPal simplifies life on the go for busy moms while also making sure she’s treated like a queen – and no one wants their mom treated unfairly –did you know that 71% of people who own/lease a car think repair shops are condescending to women? Surely, neither you nor your readers want your mom grouped in with those who are ripped off at the repair shop.

With RepairPal, she’ll be able to track her car’s repairs, call for roadside assistance, and find a trusted and fairly priced repair shop for her car care needs. It’ll give her a sense of ownership and expertise that may have been previously handed off to Dad.

So get your tweets or posts ready and feel free to share this with your community! The contest ends on Friday, May 10th.

About RepairPal:

RepairPal is the leading provider of auto repair and maintenance information to consumers. The RepairPal Top Shop network helps you find a repair shop you can trust, and the RepairPrice Estimator ensures you never pay more than you should. We also offer an extensive database of articles, reports, and references from our in-house repair experts and community of car owners.

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Being educated on all aspects of driving is at the forefront of importance.

Is Everyone OK?

Check your body and other passengers for injuries if able to do so. Receiving medical care within the first hour is crucial. It’s recommended to call for help even if you don’t believe anyone has sustained serious bodily harm. By contacting authorities, the police can officially document the circumstances of the collision. This collected information may aid you in the future when trying to prove your case if lawsuits are filed.

Move Your Vehicle

Once your vehicle is at rest, immediately move it (if you can) off the road. With impatient drivers likely to either speed around the crashed cars or express their displeasure at your disruptive car accident blockade, remove your car from the flow of traffic so that you don’t multiply the risk of creating a destructive chain reaction.

Contact Insurance

There exist clauses which void the insurance claim if you do not report your car accident within a certain time frame. Report a car accident in a timely manner to avoid any issues — the day of the crash is best. Insurance companies will assist you through the process and inform you on how to proceed. Even with minimal damage to your vehicle, file a claim — seemingly minor repairs can often exceed the cost of your deductible.

Exchange Information

Write down all relevant information. Start with names, addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth and license plate numbers of all involved parties — even witnesses. Ask if the address is current. Don’t take anyone’s word that the information they’re giving you is true. Ask to see the proper documents — driver’s license, car registration and insurance information. It’s vital to record this information so that you can pass it along to your insurance provider.

Take Pictures

With today’s technology, you’re likely to have camera capability on your cell phone. Snap photos of the damage, or lack thereof, on all vehicles involved. Take pictures from various angles and distances. Capture license plates and perhaps the people related to the collision. Pictures are more reliable than words — images are concrete proof of the actual happenings at the scene of the crash. You’ll never know when these pictures will help you escape a legal jam, so take as many photos as possible.

Other Tips

• This may be obvious, but never flee the scene. Nothing implies guilt like a dubious absence. And the police may charge you with hit and run penalties.
• Ask the police to fill out an accident report.
• Never admit fault. There may have been other factors involved which caused the collision.
• Draw a diagram of the car accident as you experienced it while it is fresh in your mind. Write down the street where the crash occurred and note any cross streets or landmarks.
• Discover more vital tips in the cars guide section on the website of Jean Jennings’s, a television personality and President of Automobile magazine.

Knowing the proper steps to take when an accident happens can help you stay calm after a crash. It’s crucial to know what to do so you aren’t left with an expensive insurance bill or legal damages for something that wasn’t your fault. As long as you stay informed and aware, you can drive safely and be prepared.

Author: Randy Paulson

Randy has been working on cars since he was 12 and his father showed him how to replace a spark plug.

Lower Sales Tax

Buying a pre-owned vehicle may mean you get to avoid paying costly sales tax. While many states charge sales tax on new cars, this is not necessarily the case with used cars. Since sales tax, interest and other fees can often be thousands of dollars, this can add up to some pretty significant savings.

Lower Registration Fees

Registration fees will probably be a lot less. As anyone who has purchased a new car probably knows quite well, the first time you open the envelope with the vehicle registration renewal paperwork enclosed can lead to a serious case of sticker shock. Most states base the registration fee on the value of the car and its model year. Depending on what type of pre-owned vehicle you purchase, this can save you hundreds of dollars a year.

Where to Search

Spread the word among your friends and family that you are in the market for a used car. Just like you network when you are looking for a new job, use the power of your contacts to help you get a decent pre-owned car. Chances are good that someone you know is either selling a nice used car, or knows someone that is. Do you want to work with a trusted local dealership, or call the number on the For Sale sign of the car you saw parked at the local Starbucks?

Car Connection states the mechanics at the dealership will typically inspect all pre-owned vehicles that are for sale, checking them carefully for any mechanical problems or issues. They should also offer a written guarantee to back up their work and any promises or guarantees. Second, dealerships tend to have a wide selection of used cars all in one spot. Rather than driving around from private seller to private seller, shoppers can browse for a pre-owned vehicle and conduct variety of test drives all in one convenient location. Buyers can usually arrange for financing through the dealership, and the employees will typically complete all of the paperwork for the buyer, which can avoid a long wait at the local MVD.

The Internet has helped us to become smart shoppers about all purchases, and finding a used car online is no exception. If you find a car that looks appealing on craigslist, the site has a section on how to avoid being scammed.

However there are ways to make the journey to your job a little less stressful. Top of the list, to turn around your travel experiences, is to invest in a new car. Keep an eye on the latest new car deals on offer to get something more comfortable for your commute, like something from the Cooper MINI collection. If your budget won’t stretch to a brand new motor, then simply take to staring out the window, there are everyday elements of your commute that are guaranteed to lift your mood. The ultimate roadside people-pleaser is the comedy traffic sign, so keep your eyes peeled for something similar to one of the following side splitters to help turn your frown upside down:

Outrageously inaccurate information
These baffling signs can be seen wherever you’re trying to get to. Whether its signs positioned next to each other giving you completely conflicting information or it’s the broken sign on the motorway where half the wording has failed to illuminate. One way traffic signs that point in both directions are also a favourite as are weather-worn signs that seem to point straight up. Take comfort in these everyday blunders, they’ll keep you feeling chipper all the way to work.

Toad trouble
It might be puerile, but happening upon the hazard sign depicting our favourite hopping friend can often end in fits of laughter. We all know deep down they are there to protect frogs and toads from careless cars but if you’re travelling with a particularly gullible companion, it’s great to try and convince them that there’s a toad-shaped threat just up ahead!

Sign not in use
This pointless sign guarantees a smile.

Mind the moose
It’s unlikely you’ll spot this spectacularly funny sign in the UK. But if you find yourself in the US on business, this baby is bound to make you chuckle. Here at home, the nearest you’ll get is the “watch out for the deer” warning; but this could still raise a chortle if you commit the moose alternative to memory.

Get a Recommendation
Check with your friends and family to find out whether a garage has been reliable for them in the past; have a garage lined up before you have to pay for repairs, as this will prevent the dangers associated with finding a garage at short notice.

Give Mechanics Notes
This means writing down what needs to be done to your car, and being prepared to negotiate over it. If possible, get a mechanic to sign a written contract, and keep a copy for yourself to prevent them from doing anything extra.

Check Quote Prices
Make sure that all charges for your repair work are included with an original quote; this should include VAT and any administrative costs.

Take Pictures of Your Car
If you’re unsure about a garage, take plenty of pictures of your car before taking it into the garage; these can then be compared when you get the car back to see if any problems were there beforehand.

Be Aware of Small Problems
Don’t leave small problems to build up – deal with scratches, engine problems, and anything that you can fix yourself before it can become more serious.

Don’t be Afraid to Challenge Mechanics
As long as you’ve done your research, you are within your rights to challenge mechanics on quotes. Don’t just accept their word on how much something should cost.

Get Guaranteed Parts and Services
Make sure that your parts and services are guaranteed by the garage – if they won’t provide this service, always take your business to another one.

Consider Your Local Dealership
Rather than going down an independent route, consider using your dealership for any repairs that are covered by your warranty; you may also be able to get a rental car for the time that your car is in the shop.

Get Estimates
This means getting several different quotes from a few garages; written estimates can be compared and used to see whether a garage will be competitive in terms of price.

Check Prices Online
Take the time to check the actual price of quoted costs from a garage before signing your car over – this can only take 10 minutes or so of your time with a phone or tablet at a garage. Again, don’t be afraid to drag out a process if you’re unsure – rushing into a contract can be an easy way to end up with a very expensive bill for the work done on your car.

About the Author
Rob James is a mechanic and a kit car enthusiast. His favourite car is the MINI cooper One Countryman. Rob can be found blogging about general maintenance, driving advice, and the different car rallies he attends.

Pros

1. You have to admit, with some cars like the Nissan Leaf. Toyota Prius Hybrid, the Chevy Volt and the Ford Focus all boasting gas mileage over 95 miles per gallon, that’s impressive. Regardless of which one you choose, you’ll definitely save money on gasoline. If your home is wired for solar energy, even charging your car won’t cost anything.

2. New cars are loaded with extras. Not only do they have all the newest styling cues but with built-in GPS, cell phones, internet connectivity, satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic air tire pressure monitoring, new cars are chock full of new gear that even the most tech savvy driver will love.

3. With all of the new mandated safety equipment and auto makers trying to one-up each other, new cars are safer than ever. Front air bags have been standard equipment for decades but now, side air bags and curtain cushion restraint systems have become standard in many cars now. Also, with updated engineering for crumple-zones and equipment displacement techniques, even cars without side air bags are still significantly safer.

Cons

1. Although auto makers have priced hybrids and electrics similar to their gasoline counterparts, there are some maintenance expenses that are unusual. That’s because with the electric hybrids and full electrics, there’s a huge battery pack that will have to be replaced at least once during the life of the car. These battery packs cost in the thousands of dollars, not the hundreds so when it quits holding a charge, that is a significant expense. Auto companies have created “battery programs” to help defray some of the expenses of batteries by breaking the cost down into an additional monthly payment but the cost is still there.

2. Because of the battery life, depending on where the car is in it’s battery life cycle, it’s resale value could be severely impacted. If you sell your car at the end of the battery cycle, it could take as much as $7,500 to $10,000 off of it’s ultimate resale value.

3. Driving range is limited, especially for full electrics. While the overall driving range is improving, current full electric cars and hybrids running on electric are usually good for about 30 to 50 miles before needing to be recharged. Of course, with a gas/electric hybrid, all you need to do is switch over to the gas engine but that dramatically reduces your overall gas mileage.
The best way to know if an all-electric or hybrid car will be in your best interest is to take a close look at your driving habits. If your daily commute is under the 50 mile round trip limit, you may well come out ahead.

About the author:

Denisse Troconis Aoun is an Online Marketing Consultant. Passionate about US Hispanics & LATAM market – Hispanic Creativity for Latinos! I’m focused. I create. I learn. I grow. I work with iNetGiant.