Car Insurance Savings Tips

Looking for car insurance savings tips? Find out how to save money on your car insurance policy.

(NC)—If you're looking for ways to save money on your car insurance, the following useful tips will help.

Drive carefully

Drivers with no accidents, tickets or insurance claims almost always pay less for their auto insurance coverage. With a less than perfect driving record, you can find yourself paying much higher insurance premiums over the years.

Make sure all your cars are on the same policy

Most insurance companies offer a "multi-vehicle discount" for customers who insure more than one car on the same policy.

Insure both your car and home with the same company

Again, this may qualify you for a discount called the "multi-line discount.” Most companies offer this discount as an incentive to get your home insurance business, too.

Ask about other discounts you might be able to get

Additional common discounts include anti-theft, winter tire, age, low mileage, occupational and auto club discounts, all of which could save you money, if they are available and if you qualify.

Increase your deductibles

The higher your deductibles, the lower your insurance premium, so raise them as much as you can. Keep it affordable though, because this amount is how much you'll have to cover if you need to submit a claim.

Get quotes if you have moved, or are moving

Don't assume your current auto insurer will continue to offer you the best rate at your new address. After moving, the best advice is to compare car insurance quotes. It's the only way to know you're still getting the best insurance rate possible.

Don't believe the myths about auto insurance premiums

Auto insurance premiums vary across insurers. In fact, each insurer's car insurance rates are so unique to them that it's likely safe to say that no two are alike.

Shop around

With car insurance comparison services like www.kanetix.ca, you can get online quotes from competing insurers to see if you can save money on your premiums.

Compare apples-to-apples while shopping

When comparing car insurance quotes, make sure you're consistent and include the same deductibles, coverages, and limitations so to achieve like rates. At comparison sites, like Kanetix.ca, where you can compare rates side-by-side, they'll do this task for you.

Talk Cars With The Best Of Them

Quick Stop Online Can Give Any Non-Car Guy The Info Needed To Talk Cars With The Best Of Them

(NAPSI)-With football season upon us, you know your buddies will be talking about cars over a few cold ones. But you don't know anything about cars! Don't put your foot in your mouth or lose points on your "guy" card by confusing a stick shift with a crankshaft, a Dodge Challenger with a Chevy Camaro, or a V-8 engine with a V8 drink.

A quick stop at some popular Web sites can arm you with all the information you'll need to hang tough and engage in serious car talk with the best of them.

• AutoTrader.com has about 3 million new and used cars listed for sale. Visit the site to check out best-selling models, compare car specs and prices, get the inside skinny on options and upgrades and more. From the Honda Accord to the Nissan Z, they're all here, so do your research and be ready with the facts, figures and model info that will have you at the center of the conversation.

• BP's Web site, BPInvigorate.com, can help you "get smart" on what's going on in your car's engine, and offers tips on helping cars run younger for longer (check tire pressure, get regular tune-ups, remove unnecessary weight from the trunk) and how to get more miles out of every tank. Share some of these simple tips to keep the conversation rolling and help your pals keep their cars running younger for longer.

• Toyota popularized the hybrid in the United States, so what better place than Toyota.com to get the info you need to sound like a hybrid expert? Learn the difference between mild and full hybrids, what regenerative breaking does and even how a solar-powered sunroof works and what good it does. Hybrids are mainstream now, so weave some of this info into your next car talk.

These sites are just as helpful if you're a woman who is married to, dating, the daughter of or otherwise connected to a rabid car guy and you're hoping to keep up the next time he starts talking RPMs, MPG and MPH (revolutions per minute, miles per gallon and miles per hour).

Car Care Experts Give Tire Tips

Car Care Experts give Tire Tips that save money and promote safer driving. And aren't car safety and saving money something we are all interested in?

(NAPSI)-Car care experts urge vehicle owners to pay special attention to four of the most important features on their car or truck-their tires. Regular tire maintenance saves money and promotes safer driving.

"We know many drivers may be tempted to put off vehicle maintenance to save money," said David Campbell of GM Goodwrench. "But neglecting your tires can cost more money in the long run and put you, your passengers and other drivers at risk if your tire fails on the road."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries occur each year as a result of crashes attributed to low tire pressure.

Here are four things you need to know to care for your tires:

1. Rotate Tires

Because each tire on a vehicle performs different tasks, they wear at different rates. Regular rotations allow tires to wear and wear out evenly, minimizing tire noise and allowing tires to be replaced in sets of four, which is preferable. Check the owner's manual for recommended rotation intervals, but every 7,500 miles is the average.

Irregular tread wear occurs fastest when the tire is at full tread depth, so the first rotation is especially important.

2. Check Tire Pressure

Underinflated or overinflated tires can cause premature or irregular wear, poor handling and reduced fuel economy. To find the recommended tire pressure for your vehicle, look on the vehicle door edge, door post, glove box door or inside the trunk lid. It also appears in the owner's manual.

The air in tires is measured in pounds per square inch, or psi. The simple act of regular tire pressure checks can help maximize tire performance and durability, save fuel and help reduce the risk of tire failure. Digital gauges make tire pressure checks easy, so never "eyeball" tires because they can look fine even when they're underinflated.

Even in vehicles equipped with tire pressure monitoring systems, Goodwrench recommends checking them at least once a month-including the spare-when the tires are cold (the vehicle hasn't been driven for three hours).

3. Check Tread Depth

The tread connects a tire to the road. When that tread is worn, the tire can't make optimum contact with the pavement. Worn or bald tires are especially dangerous in wet conditions.

Tire wear depends on several factors, including driving style and tire maintenance habits. Tire tread gauges are inexpensive and can be found at auto parts stores. One way to know when to replace your tires is when tread wear indicators appear. These "wear bars" look like narrow strips of smooth rubber across the tread.

4. Don't Overload Your Vehicle

A vehicle tire placard also shows the maximum load of the vehicle. An overloaded vehicle puts excessive wear on tires as well as vital suspension components. Remember that load also includes baggage carriers and trailer weight.

For more tire care information or to locate your nearest Goodwrench technician, please visit www.goodwrench.com.

Buying A Used Car?

Buying a used car? Expert tips to speed, ease the process, make sure you know what to look for when you go to buy that used car.

(ARA) - The approach of summer means just one thing to car buyers - the opportunity to score a great deal, especially on some used vehicles that dealers are motivated to move out of their inventory as 2010 really gets rolling.

Bargains can be hot at this time of year for those who know how to shop smart for a good used car. With "Cash for Clunkers" a fading memory and Americans still looking to buy used cars rather than investing in new ones that depreciate as soon as you drive them off the lot, the used car market is hotter than ever.

Brian Bossone, one of the creative minds behind SPEED's popular "Pinks All Out" series, knows a lot about used cars. After all, the series features common folks who buy and build or rebuild their own race cars to compete in the popular drag racing show. Bossone offers a few tips to help you ensure you're buying the used car of your dreams, rather than the lemon of the year.

Here are the top items you should inspect when buying a used car:

1. Look for paint and body repair. Evidence of body work could mean the car has been in an accident.

2. Check for fluid leaks. Any leaking fluid, from oil to windshield washer, could mean the car needs a costly repair.

3. Look at the engine. Does it sound smooth or rough? Does it smoke excessively?

4. Evaluate the overall wear and tear on all parts of the vehicle. Is the wear commensurate with the age and mileage on the vehicle?

5. Has the car been driven by someone who smoked in it? Transported pets or small children in it? All those things can leave odors behind in the vehicle - smells you might have to live with or go to great lengths to eliminate as the new owner.

6. What was the primary usage of the vehicle and are most of its miles highway or local driving?

7. Are all accessories in working order? The sunroof is great ... unless the motor to open it doesn't work.

8. How is the drivability? Do the brakes squeak? Does something in the passenger cabin rattle? Does the steering vibrate?

Avoid common mistakes, like buying on impulse without researching simple things like the resale value of the vehicle compared to similar makes and models, available vehicle history reports that list accidents and other issues and price comparisons with multiple sellers or online sites.

Be sure to ask for an inspection by a qualified source and request copies of vehicle maintenance records. Check online feedback on vehicle-specific forums for actual owner opinions and comments on common issues.

While local newspapers and neighborhood used-car lots can be great resources for finding good used vehicles, don't overlook online ones as well, Bossone advises. Craigslist.org, Racingjunk.com, eBay.com and Autotrader.com can also yield quality used vehicles.

Finally, when you think you're ready to buy, take the car to a mechanic you trust and ask him/her some key questions, including:

* Will this vehicle pass local or state inspection?
* Do you see any signs of paint repair, accidents or frame damage?
* Have you ever worked on this type of vehicle and are you aware of any trends toward excessive repairs for this make and model?
* Would you buy this vehicle if you were in the market for one and if not, what would deter you?

"Used cars continue to be a great deal for value-minded buyers, and with a little smart preparation, you can be sure your 'new' used vehicle gives you many years and miles of good service," Bossone says.

"Pinks All Out" airs every Thursday at 8 p.m. Eastern time on SPEED. Visit www.SpeedTV.com to learn more.