Posts Tagged ‘auto insurance’

Winter Driving Means Don’t Take Chances

Posted on February 5th, 2010 by by Adriana Noton

Driving during the winter months take preparation and following a couple of very good rule. The first being, if you do not have to go anywhere, don’t. Then always give yourself extra time during winter driving and make sure your vehicle is in the best shape. Also, always stay with your vehicle should you get stuck.

Before winter arrives take the time t winterize your vehicle. This means seeing a professional for a vehicle check up. Besides winter tires, you’ll also want your vehicle in tip top shape, which can keep you from being stuck in sub zero temperatures.

Make sure your mechanic checks out your brakes, does any tune up work, checks all fluids including wiper fluid and installs new windshield wipers if needed. This is all winter preparation and can allow you to drive if you have to with a healthy vehicle.

Then winterize a bit more with an emergency preparedness kit. This is not just for alerting people of a stranded vehicle with flares and such, it’s also for you. Make sure you have a gallon of water, flashlights, extra batteries and simple high energy foods such as chocolate or energy bars. You’ll also want to through in hats, gloves, insulated boots and a few blankets. Of course, it doesn’t help to look online for auto insurance quotes and ensure your car insurance covers everything you need.

Many people have been found easily through gps capabilities in their cell phone, but a dead battery can’t help you much so make sure you have a cell charger and fully charge your phone before heading out. Also there are hand cranking flashlights that can also charge your cell phone in an emergency, so carry one of those as well.

When it comes to vehicle troubles in the winter, it’s a well known fact that people can easily get confused in snow and winter conditions. If you have vehicle troubles, stay with your car, your survival rate is higher than if you try and walk out.

Winter driving means driving slower and a general rule of thumb is to never go faster than you can control a slide or collision. This can allow you to maneuver around another vehicle that’s having problems, just plan for a longer estimated time of arrival.

You’ll find many recommend that a good set of snow tires makes a big difference. Purchase the best winter tires you can afford and you’ll soon understand why they are recommended, you’ll be able to control your vehicle easier and won’t loose traction as quickly. This may mean having two sets of tires, and check your local laws concerning studded tires and sipping.

Today’s weather forecasts are a lot more accurate so be sure to keep an eye on the weather report before you head out and use your cell phone to check for changes along your route. Often, you’ll have an hourly forecast that can warn you of impending snow or ice conditions.

Winter driving means preparing yourself and your vehicle, not heading out unless you have to, allowing extra time and following a few general rules. Winterize your vehicle, stay with your car or truck if you get stranded, and make sure your cell phone is fully charged and you have charging capabilities.

Car Insurance Reviewed

Posted on January 21st, 2010 by by Tom Martens

The car insurers in South Africa are always designing insurance coverages to meet the needs of the different types of drivers, from the urban ones to the off-road ones.

Most South Africans should have Comprehensive Cover. In reality, 65 percent of auto owners in South Africa do not have any coverage. This is a shocking number especially in light of the rising rates of fatalities and injuries on South Africa’s roads. If you don’t have insurance, take stock of your situation. Can you afford to repair or replace your car in the event of an accident? Can you afford to repair or replace someone else’s car or property in the event of an accident that is your fault? What if your car is stolen, hijacked or vandalized? Owning and driving a car is risky business – that’s why you need car insurance.

Third Party Fire and Theft Cover are other options available, which will pay to repair or replace your vehicle if it is damaged or destroyed by fire or attempts to steal it. Third Party Only will cover you if an accident that is your fault damages other people’s property.

South Africa is home to a large motorcycle community, so it follows that insurers offer products designed especially for these drivers. Motorcycle cover provides the peace of mind that your motorcycle will be covered if it is stolen or damaged or if you damage someone else’s property in a motorcycle accident.

Because the great outdoors is such a large part of South African living, several products have been developed for the risks associated with outdoor travel. For off-road enthusiasts, there is Off-Road Comprehensive cover designed to cover the risks in this unique and unpredictable driving environment.

If you’re considering car insurance for the fist time, you may be surprised by how expensive premiums can be . Several factors drive these rates, and you have a certain amount of control on how they affect your premium.

Your age and driving record are important factors even if you cannot do anything much about them. Time is an important factor; you will pay more if you’re very young or have no history of driving. You will also pay more if you’ve had many accidents. On the other hand, if you’ve driven safely for a while, you will pay lower premiums.

If you are purchasing a new vehicle, the vehicle you are purchasing will effect your car insurance and the premiums. If you buy or own a vehicle that is expensive you will find that insurance will be more, sometimes this is due to the simple risk of theft.

Some companies have minimum safety requirements, but will discount your premiums if you exceed these minimums. Also consider where you keep your vehicle. If your car is parked in a high-crime area or even on the street overnight, you’ll pay for that risk.Another way to reduce your premiums is to increase your safety measures.

Take the time to research the different types of insurance and how they apply to your situation. As you shop, remember that the cheapest insurance is not always the best. Make sure the policy you choose meets your needs at a price you can afford.

Classic Car Insurance Tips

Posted on January 4th, 2010 by by Graham McKenzie

A classic car is a worthwhile investment. You need to protect that investment by making sure the car is properly insured. The coverage you need will depend on how you use the car.

There are three types of car insurance. Actual cash value is the most common type of car insurance. It pays out the depreciated book value of the car. Stated value allows the car’s owner to state a value for the vehicle that is greater than the actual cash value. Agree value guarantees the car’s owners will get all of their money back in the event that the car is a total loss.

All car insurance companies offer these kinds of policies. There is also a fourth kind of coverage, a classic car policy, which may be less expensive and less restrictive. To qualify for this lower-cost coverage, the insurance company many require that you have reached the age of 25, or even 30. It may limit the number of miles you drive the car to just 2,500 a year, sending out an underwriter once a year to check your odometer. Qualified agents can give you all the specifics about this kind of coverage.

No matter whether you opt for a standard policy or classic car coverage, be sure that your policy allows flexible use of your car. You want to be sure that you can use the car for an unexpected trip or exhibition without having to buy a rider or a new policy altogether. If you keep your vehicle in storage part of the year, be sure to tell you agent. Some policies offer lower premiums if you drive the car only certain months of the year.

When it’s time to choose a car insurance provider, do your research. Make sure you find a car insurance provider with the knowledge and experience in insuring classic cars. You want to make sure your car insurance provider knows how to properly protect your classic car investment without taking advantage of you. Research both standard insurance providers and classic car insurance providers. Shop around and get more than one insurance quote. Compare quotes and see which provider offers you the best deal. Just make sure the policy offered meets your needs. You don’t want to accept an insurance provider’s offer because the price can’t be beat, only to discover later that the insurance coverage is not what you need for your classic car and driving situation.

Regardless of what type of car insurance policy interests you, make sure you work with a qualified insurance provider. They can look at your exact situation and recommend the insurance product that will best suit your specific needs and protect your classic car investment the way it should be protected.