Archive for October, 2006

What the Auto Insurance Companies Know About You?

Sunday, October 29th, 2006

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American values have always given top priority to the right to privacy. But are you aware of the amount of information you unknowingly pass over to your insurance company, when you apply for auto insurance. Most of this information ends up in database companies who make profit out of selling information about you.

Your credit is what most insurance company wants to know. They use this credit data to decide about your auto insurance policy premiums. Use of this practice has expanded drastically because through your credit information they get a clear picture about your history with your previous auto insurer. Even before you approaching them they have already placed you in a category through which they will not end up in the loosing side. To be fair, they precisely know what type of claim you are likely to make and not to make and what is the best premium for you.

Every auto insurance company scrutinizes your credit history acquired from the database company and gives you a rank, of which you are unaware of. The rank will categorize you under preferred, standard or high-risk. Next they look is your payment history. If you are a timely payer you will move towards the preferred category. But if you have a bad history of payment then you move the opposite direction. This entire ranking, which takes place without your knowledge, is due to the information you have passed over to your earlier auto insurance company. An odd activity the month before you buy your new auto insurance will put you under the high-risk group. The odd activity might even stop an auto insurance company from selling you the policy.

ChoicePoint and the Insurance Services Office (ISO) provide auto insurance companies with all the necessary information they need. Your name, address, phone number, claims, credit report, criminal record if any, and the most curious aspect any auto insurance company would like to hear, your driving history. ChoicePoint has a database called Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange or CLUE. The information they gather from your credit history, gives you a rank. When you apply for auto insurance, the company you applied asks for your rank and they immediately get the answer into what category you fit. The All Claims databases maintained by ISO, mainly looks into fraud. Unusual or suspicious behavior in your credit history will be notified to the insurer. They also maintain a record about the claims that have dragged on to courts.

Apart from this top auto insurance companies also have their own database. The government agencies of your state also have all the necessary information. If you are curious to know about your motor vehicle report you can approach your state’s department. TransUnion, Equifax, Experian are some of the companies who can provide you with your credit history. The CLUE report of ChoicePoint is also available but you have to pay for it. If you have any difference of opinion with the ISO’s All Claims report. You can acquire a copy and dispute it.

So, next time when you approach an auto insurance company keep it in mind that he knows a whole lot of things about you, which you are unaware of.

About the Author

Ms.Grace Navas is an insurance agent and regular contributor to Super-Value-Insurance.com. Super-Value-Insurance.com helps consumers compare online insurance quotes.

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area.  It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote

Learn to sell car parts on Ebay and Earn 300%

Friday, October 27th, 2006

I just completed an interview with Dave Lehr, a modest guy who turned his hobby of muscle cars into a full time business selling parts on Ebay. He has a simple system to find good parts to sell and makes over $2,000 per week.

You can get more information at www.auctionwizards.com

Kevin Schappell

 
icon for podpress  Ebay Auction Wizard Interview [8:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (4223)

Getting the Best Deal on Auto Insurance

Thursday, October 26th, 2006

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Shop around and do it yearly. Don’t just keep paying the invoice over and over without comparison shopping. Below are a few suggestions to help you get the best deal available on your automobile insurance policy.

Insurance agents really have a lot of leeway. They can price match and they can offer many discounts. There are also many decisions you can make about your policy that will save you a bundle. For example, if you change your deductible on your collision from a $50 deductible to a $1000 deductible, you’re inline for a huge premium savings. If you don’t think you could come up with $1000 out of pocket, then change it to a $500 deductible; you’ll still save a sizable amount on your annual premium payment.

You can also get more of a savings if you change your comprehensive deductible. Many people needlessly carry full coverage on their older vehicle. They originally purchased the vehicle new, paid for full coverage and to this day, continue to pay the same high rate. Their ten year old vehicle may be worth $1000 or less, yet they continue to pay $250-$450 every six months (total $500 to $900 dollars a year) to keep full coverage on their old vehicle.

However, if they have an accident and totaled their vehicle, the insurance company will only pay them the wholesale value of the vehicle. The amount they would receive could be $1000 or less. A vehicle that old just needs the insurance that protects the other person in case of an accident.

Another method to save more on your insurance is by combining your vehicles and other insurance together to get you additional savings. All insurance companies offer a multi-car discount (if yours doesn’t, it’s time to switch companies). Further, many will discount more if you have your homeowners or renters policy with them.

There are a few other discounts that you may not be taking advantage of. It seems obvious, but make sure you are getting the correct rate for your age. There are discounts for various ages than can save you lots of money. Check with your agent on this one. Also alarm systems on your vehicle are usually good for a discount. Additionally, anti-lock brakes and air bags can also help lower your premiums.

Don’t just keep paying the invoice when it comes in. Your insurance bill should be an automatic trigger for you to make a few phone calls to see if you can save even more money on your auto insurance premiums.

About the Author

Brennan Howe is owner of www.freeinfosites.com. Where you can find information on a variety of topics including car buying tips.

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area.  It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote

5 Easy Steps To Lower Your Auto Insurance Quote

Sunday, October 22nd, 2006

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It was not too long ago when contracts were made on a handshake and a promise. Individuals were not particularly concerned with things like insurance because they relied upon the goodwill of their neighbor to compensate them for wrongful damage. For a variety of reasons, including an increase in the speed and cost of auto wrecks, auto insurance soon became an important purchase for responsible individuals. Not long after, the federal government mandated that auto insurance be carried, at least minimally, by all car owners. The increase in the need for auto insurance over the last 10 years has led to increases in the complexity of insurance, while at the same time, amplifying the need to be more cost conscious in auto insurance purchases.

Buying auto insurance today requires as much dexterity as buying the automobile itself. It is important to know the factors that an auto insurance company considers when offering quotes. This will allow you, as the consumer, to know what steps you need to take in order to qualify for a lower quote. The five easy steps to a lower insurance quote are:

1. Portray yourself as a ’safe’ candidate: Insurance companies are interested in managing risk. Consequently they offer drivers who are less likely to get into wrecks or at a minimum into wrecks of less severity, a lower insurance quote.

-Maintain a clean driving record, free of traffic violations or accident claims.

-Install anti-theft devices in your vehicle.

-Attend a Drivers Safety Training program.

-Buy a ’safe’ vehicle. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety together collect information on safety related aspects of different vehicles. Buy an automobile that is officially designated as ’safe’.

-Park your vehicle in a garage.

2. Show your Credit worthiness: As a risk management entity, insurance companies are also worried about getting paid on time. If you can show yourself to be credit worthy, there is less risk of you not making your payments on time, thus warranting a lower rate.

-Maintain a good credit score and clear up any errors on your credit.

-Cut down on the total number of outstanding credit cards to 2 or 3.

3. Practice Financial Wisdom: The way in which you structure and pay for your policy can lower the risk that an insurance company faces with respect to you as a customer. By taking steps to lower their risk, you receive a lower insurance quote and policy.

-Buy an annual policy instead of a six monthly coverage to get you a lower rate that remains the same for a year.

-Opt for automatic payment deductions from your bank account or your credit card to avoid getting charged for mail payments.

-Increase your deductibles on comprehensive and collision policies to reduce on the rates.

-Get loyalty discounts by buying your home and auto insurance from the same company.

4. Assess your Insurance Needs accurately: This is obvious, the more coverage you get the more it will cost you. Add-ons are killers in the insurance business, strip your policy down to just the minimum of what you need.

-If your vehicle is not used much or you have an old car with little market value, opt for minimum liability alone. It will cost you less.

-After fulfilling the legal mandate on auto insurance, insure according to your needs alone.

5. Other wise things that you can do: There are a number of other considerations that go into your insurance quote. Some of them are not reasonable steps to take, while others you can do with little effort which can translate into substantial savings.

-If your car is used only for a particular purpose, make your agent aware of it, as this will limit the cost.

-Students that make good grades are often eligible for a discount.

-Give up smoking; it can help you get better quotes.

-Change your occupation if you can help. A delivery boy carries a higher risk than a storekeeper.

About the Author

Sam Caldrone recommends that you visit http://www.smartautoinsurance.com for more information on getting an auto insurance quote.

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area.  It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote

Dodge Dakota Sport Plus Quad Cab 4WD Pricing and Research

Sunday, October 22nd, 2006

Get a Price Quote on a New Dodge Dakota
Get a Repair Manual for a Dodge Dakota
Get an Insurance Quote For Your Dodge Dakota
Vehicle Specifications

When shopping for an Dodge online, it’s best to do your research first and find out the true invoice price for the car. You can find invoice pricing at websites like Edmunds.com After you know the invoice price of your Dodge, the next step is to get a price quote. I use Invoice Dealers to get a price quote from a local dealer. This service puts you in touch with a dealer in your area and most of the time results in the lowest price without having to haggle on price. Once you get a price quote you can compare it to invoice price and negotiate through email. This keeps you out of the showroom and gives you the edge when negotiating.

Every owner should have a repair manual for their car, even if they never lift a wrench on their car. AllData has a cool Online Repair Manual for your Dodge which has excellent indepth repair procedures, as well as Recall and TSB information. The Recall and TSB information is very valuable for all car owners and could save you tons of money when taking your Dodge in for Repair.

Available Trim Levels for the Dodge Dakota:
Sport Plus Quad Cab 4WD

Specifications:

Trim Level: Sport Plus Quad Cab 4WD

Pricing:

Invoice Price: $24,012 *
MSRP: $26,340 *
Destination Charge: $645 *

Dimensions:


Number of Doors: 4
Standard Seating: 5
Wheelbase:
131.10
Curb Weight (Manual Trans): 4424
Curb Weight (Auto Trans): 4466
Front Leg Room: 41.90
Rear Leg Room: 36.00
Front Shoulder Room: 57.20
Rear Shoulder Room: 57.40

Warranty Information:

Basic Warranty: 36/36,000
Powertrain Warranty: 84/70,000
Rust Warranty: 60/100,000

Drivetrain Information:

Engine: Std. - 3.7L 210 hp V6(3701,210 @ 5200 RPM,235 @ 4000 RPM,12/SOHC,3.66 X 3.57,9.1:1,Gas/SEFI,No,No) | Opt. - 4.7L 230 hp V8(4701,230 @ 4800 RPM,295 @ 3200 RPM,16/SOHC,3.66 X 3.40,9.3:1,Gas/SEFI,No,No)
Displacement (Liters): 3.7
Horsepower: 210 @ 5200 RPM
Torque: 235 @ 4000 RPM
Valve Configuration: SOHC
Fuel Type: Gas
Turbocharger: No
Supercharger: No
Transmission: Std. - 5-Speed Manual Overdrive | Opt. - 4-Speed Automatic Overdrive

*All information is accurate for the 2004 Model Year. For current pricing please check with Manufacturer or other Research Sites online.

The New Auto Insurance Conspiracy Theory

Wednesday, October 18th, 2006

 

When you signed on the dotted line for your new auto, it seemed like you were on top of the world. You went shopping at the right time, and felt like you got a steal on the price. And then, the insurance bill came in the mail and the bottom on your perfect little world dropped out. What happened?

People buying a new auto for the first time may not realize this, but the bank will require them to keep full coverage on their car for the length of the loan. Now, you can get away with only liability coverage when you don’t finance a car - but things work a lot differently when the banks get involved, don’t they? You might even think that there is some sort of conspiracy going on involving the banks and insurance companies. While it is a good theory, the truth is that banks need to be sure that they will get their money, so they require full coverage insurance on a new auto. After all, who would continue making payments if the car were all smashed up because of an accident?

But why are these rates so high?

A lot of factors are involved in determining insurance rates on a new auto. The age of the driver, his driving record, the number of accidents on his record, and even where he lives - all these are factored into the rate. Because the costs of repairing a new auto are so high, insurance companies have to charge steep rates to recover their losses in the event of a wreck.

Isn’t there anything I can do to lower these rates?

Auto insurance on newer vehicles will be steep, but there are things you can do to get lower rates. One of the best ways to save money is to shop around. While all insurance companies use statistics to set their rates, they do not all interpret these statistics the same way. Never, ever insure your new auto with the first company you call!

You can also raise the deductible you will pay in the event that you wreck your new auto, and in return receive lower rates. The higher the deductible, the lower the auto insurance premiums for your new car will be.

Come on, what else can I do? These rates are killing me!

All right, let’s start with the obvious: Slow down. Don’t drive your new auto like some Nascar speed demon! Tickets and moving infractions will definitely increase the rates for your new auto insurance. You can also try driving less, because insurance companies consider it to be less of a risk when people drive fewer miles with their new auto. Plus, this may increase your resale value down the road, when it is time to buy another new auto.

Insurance rates on a new auto, or an old one, are greatly affected by where you live. If the rates truly bother you, consider moving to some less populated area with a low crime rate. Buy an alarm for you new auto, and be sure to keep it in a garage when you sleep at night.

Is that it?

Well, there’s no guarantee that the insurance rates on your new auto will ever be great, but you can also try improving your credit score. Insurance companies see a correlation between credit score and driving habits, so they tend to give better rates to people with better credit. But in the end, insurance for your new auto will be significantly higher than the liability coverage you had when you were driving that “beater” that got you through college. Hey, that’s just part of the price you pay for driving a new auto. There are definitely ways to improve those rates, but you’ll need to get used to the fact that the good old days of “liability only” coverage are behind you.

About the Author

Albert Medinas has developed and maintains the website New Auto Junction, which answers the most common questions people have about purchasing a New Auto. Please visit us at http://www.newautojunction.com today.

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area. It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote

Benefits of getting auto insurance online

Sunday, October 15th, 2006

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Benefits of getting auto insurance online

Throughout the world if you want to drive your vehicle you have to get it insured. Having vehicle insurance means that driving is safe and at the same time affordable. It’s very stressful not to have insurance. Having a good insurance policy puts your mind at ease as you drive. It’s the basic duty of a vehicle owner to consider auto insurance seriously, because every time when you are behind the wheel you are running a risk.

Presently it’s possible for you to get auto insurance online, the internet offers you much options and convenience. You can even sit in the comfort of your home and apply for insurance. The following article throws light on the various benefits of getting auto insurance online.

Simple online tools

The simple online tools make getting online insurance very easy. The host of help online will help you to select the right type of insurance for you even though you know nothing about http://www.knowautoinsurance is a site specially dedicated to information regarding cheap auto insurane. It provides valuable ideas in relation to insurance resources and design tips.

About the Author

About the Author

http://www.knowautoinsurance is a site specially dedicated to information regarding cheap auto insurane. It provides valuable ideas in relation to insurance resources and design tips.

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area.  It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote

The Ins And Outs Of Auto Insurance

Wednesday, October 11th, 2006

Bodily Injury Liability, Collision, Comprehensive, Property Injury Liability. Do you know what these terms mean? If you are currently paying for any type of auto insurance, then these are some terms you should know to maximize the benefits of your plan(s).

Bodily Injury Liability. If you were at fault in an accident and others involved needed to go to the hospital and/or lost wages from missing work, those costs would come out of your pocket if you are not insured with Bodily Injury Liability. Anyone will soon realize how quickly those amounts can add up to. Many states require you to carry Bodily Injury Liability. This type of coverage can also help you in the event the other party takes legal action against you.

Collision Coverage. In the event you need repairs or replacements if your vehicle collides with another vehicle or property, you?ll need this. The higher the deductible you elect, the lower your premiums will cost you. If you?re at fault for something, well of course it would still be an accident, as I doubt you?d plan to run into that guard rail, but how much would you be able to afford to pay out of pocket for repairs? Don?t forget to check if this coverage is available in your plan!

Comprehensive Coverage. This is the coverage that pays for damage caused from falling objects, fire, certain natural disasters, theft and vandalism.

Property Injury Liability. Can you imagine how much it might cost should you accidentally drive into someone?s house? You wouldn?t want to be caught without property damage insurance should you need to pay for repairs to another vehicle, building or anything else you might hit. As they say, you can never be too sure what you may run into while driving!

With these different types of liability coverage, you?ll quickly discover that unfortunate accidents soon become less dreadful then they seem. For example, imagine if you crashed into the rear-end of another driver. Your liability coverage will kick in and pay for the damages that you caused with your insured vehicle. Imagine having to pay those damage costs yourself out of pocket!

It?s important that you understand the basics of what you are paying for and why it is necessary. By knowing these technical terms, you can make sure your auto insurance coverage is as complete and reliable as possible.

About The Author
Dr. Drew Henry operates a network of auto-related websites, including http://www.4thdimensioncarclub.com, http://www.ibuyingcar.com and http://www.ibuyingnewcar.com. Visit his sites today for more articles and resources!

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area.  It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote

How To Get The Best Auto Insurance Deals

Saturday, October 7th, 2006

Ever wonder what it takes to get the best auto insurance deals? Simple. Shop around and do it yearly. Don?t just keep paying the invoice over and over without comparison shopping. Here are a few suggestions to help you get the best deal available on your automobile insurance policy.

There are also many decisions you can make about your policy that will save you a bundle. As an example, if you change your deductible on your collision from a $50 deductible to a $500-$1000 deductible, you?re inline for a huge premium savings. If you don?t think you could come up with $1000 out of pocket, you can change it to a $500 deductible.

You can also get more of a savings if you change your comprehensive deductible. Many people needlessly carry full coverage on their older vehicle. They originally purchased the vehicle new, paid for full coverage and to this day, continue to pay the same high rate. Don?t make the same mistake: talk with your insurance company and see if there?s a better rate for older automobiles.

Here?s another great trick: combine your vehicles and other insurance together to get you additional savings. All insurance companies offer a multi-car discount (if yours doesn?t, it?s time to switch companies). Further, many will discount more if you have your homeowners or renters policy with them.

Often times, there are also other discounts that you may not be taking advantage of. It seems obvious, but make sure you are getting the correct rate for your age. There are discounts for various ages than can save you lots of money. Check with your agent on this one. Also alarm systems on your vehicle are usually good for a discount. Additionally, anti-lock brakes and air bags can also help lower your premiums.

Never just keep paying the invoice when it comes in. By following some of the above tips and tricks, you?ll be saving a lot of money on your auto insurance bills.

About The Author
Dr. Drew Henry operates a network of auto-related websites, including http://www.firstautostore.com, http://www.southernautorental.com and http://www.car-auto-loans.net. Visit his sites today for more articles and resources!

Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area.  It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote

The Ins And Outs Of Auto Insurance

Wednesday, October 4th, 2006

Bodily Injury Liability, Collision, Comprehensive, Property Injury Liability. Do you know what these terms mean? If you are currently paying for any type of auto insurance, then these are some terms you should know to maximize the benefits of your plan(s).

Bodily Injury Liability. If you were at fault in an accident and others involved needed to go to the hospital and/or lost wages from missing work, those costs would come out of your pocket if you are not insured with Bodily Injury Liability. Anyone will soon realize how quickly those amounts can add up to. Many states require you to carry Bodily Injury Liability. This type of coverage can also help you in the event the other party takes legal action against you.

Collision Coverage. In the event you need repairs or replacements if your vehicle collides with another vehicle or property, you?ll need this. The higher the deductible you elect, the lower your premiums will cost you. If you?re at fault for something, well of course it would still be an accident, as I doubt you?d plan to run into that guard rail, but how much would you be able to afford to pay out of pocket for repairs? Don?t forget to check if this coverage is available in your plan!

Comprehensive Coverage. This is the coverage that pays for damage caused from falling objects, fire, certain natural disasters, theft and vandalism.

Property Injury Liability. Can you imagine how much it might cost should you accidentally drive into someone?s house? You wouldn?t want to be caught without property damage insurance should you need to pay for repairs to another vehicle, building or anything else you might hit. As they say, you can never be too sure what you may run into while driving!

With these different types of liability coverage, you?ll quickly discover that unfortunate accidents soon become less dreadful then they seem. For example, imagine if you crashed into the rear-end of another driver. Your liability coverage will kick in and pay for the damages that you caused with your insured vehicle. Imagine having to pay those damage costs yourself out of pocket!

It?s important that you understand the basics of what you are paying for and why it is necessary. By knowing these technical terms, you can make sure your auto insurance coverage is as complete and reliable as possible.


Do you know if you are getting the best deal on auto insurance?

Spend a few minutes of your time and get multiple quotes from Agents in YOUR area.  It will be the best 10 minutes you will ever spend, and you wallet will thank you !

Click Here To Get a Quote