5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Junk Car Scrappage Program

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/07/23 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off on 5 Things to Consider When Choosing a Junk Car Scrappage Program

So, you’ve finally decided to replace your old gas guzzler with a hybrid, but now you need to choose the right scrappage program to take your clunker off your hands. Here are five factors to consider when choosing a junk car collection program.

Price

If you’re hoping to sell your junk car for cash, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible. Some programs pay you a set cash amount, regardless of your car’s condition. However, many programs base your cash payment on the make, model, year, and condition of your car. Many of these junk car programs provide an estimate tool on their website so you can make sure you’re getting the best offer for your vehicle.

Reputation

Before you contact a company to come pick your clunker up, do your research. Check out their website. Read online reviews and testimonials. Ask friends, neighbors, and family member who have exchanged a car through a voluntary scrappage program about their experience and recommendations. Working with a reputable, reliable company ensures that you will receive the agreed-upon compensation in the timeframe the program gives you.

Convenience

Some scrappage programs require that you bring your car to a junk yard, while others will send a tow truck right to your home. If your junk car can no longer be driven, look for a scrappage program with pickup options that work with your schedule. If you go with a pickup program, make sure they serve your specific area. Many scrappage companies have restrictions on the amount of distance they will go to collect your car. For most programs, you’ll be paid either when your car is picked up or when you drop it off at a scrap yard.

Environmental Impact

Junk car programs were created to get energy-inefficient vehicles off the roads to reduce air pollution, but some programs are eco-friendly in name only. Environmentally-conscious vehicle scrappage programs repair cars that are not considered a “total loss” vehicle and recycle parts from the cars that they scrap. Many scrappage companies recycle tires, vehicle fluids, batteries, and the scrap metal produced from demolishing the vehicle.

Don’t hesitate to ask about the company’s environmental impact. If the response is vague (or if there’s no explanation of the programs recycling process on their website), the company may be disposing of the cars they collect irresponsibly. Look for a program that doesn’t treat their environmental impact lightly. Improper disposal of car materials can create safety hazards and overcrowded landfills. The chemicals in car fluids can pollute groundwater and hurt wildlife, while scrap tires house disease-carrying insects and rodents and may cause dangerous, hard to control tire fires.

Requirements

Some programs have a set of requirements that your vehicle must meet in order for it to be exchanged. These requirements may include:

  • Record of a previously failed SMOG test
  • The car has been insured for the last six months
  • The car can still be driven
  • The car was made more recently than 1987

Requirements may vary from company to company or by state. If your car doesn’t meet the requirements of one company, keep looking. There are many programs that accept vehicles regardless of condition.

Considering these factors when choosing a car scrappage program can help you get the best deal for your junk car.  

Image Source: Wikipedia

Car Insurance: How Much Coverage Is Too Much

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/07/22 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off on Car Insurance: How Much Coverage Is Too Much

Buying car insurance coverage can be a confusing experience for many people, most of whom wind up purchasing more car insurance than they really need when they get full coverage insurance to protect their vehicles and others. Certainly, it is good and reassuring to have auto insurance coverage, and all Canadian provinces require some level of liability insurance to pay for injuries to others and property damage. But buying too much insurance coverage is almost as wasteful as not buying enough.

Full-Coverage Car Insurance Is Not Always Needed

Whenever financing the purchase of a vehicle, the lender will require full coverage insurance with a reasonable deductible amount to protect the loan collateral. But once that vehicle is paid off, maintaining full coverage insurance might not make sense. If the value has depreciated enough, paying for full coverage insurance is not a wise move. Most vehicles worth less than $5,000 don’t warrant full coverage unless they are financed, and insurers will refuse to provide full coverage insurance for vehicles that are worth only $3,000 or so, according to Underwriters Insurance Brokers (BC) Ltd., a provider of auto insurance in Vancouver.

Many Additional Protections Are Not Needed

When buying car insurance in Vancouver or other provinces, a lot of insurance professionals like to talk people into buying additional insurance coverage beyond liability, collision and comprehensive insurance. Most people do not need many additional insurance items, such as rental car insurance, towing coverage, trip interruption and other types of optional insurance protection. Most people have credit cards that provide free rental car insurance coverage, so having additional insurance through an auto insurance policy wastes money.

Trip-Interruption and Towing Not Always Needed

Likewise, trip-interruption insurance is good only for people who travel a lot by car. Those who only drive in town and use airlines, rail and rentals when traveling generally won’t benefit from trip interruption. Towing service also is relatively affordable, but in many cases, the benefit amount does not warrant several years of additional coverage payments. In most cases, a vehicle won’t be towed more than one or two times with a maximum benefit amount of $125 or so per tow and the bill paid up front.

Careful Planning Can Prevent Wasted Cash

When discussing insurance options with insurance producers, people need to ask about policies and the coverage they include. In many instances, they will find additional protections they likely won’t need. Eliminating unwanted coverage will make insurance more effective and more affordable and prevent people from paying for too much car insurance.

5 Useful Additions to Your 4×4

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/07/14 in Trucks with Comments Off on 5 Useful Additions to Your 4×4

Owning a four wheel drive is a matter of great pride for fans of this type of vehicles. Back in the old days, people used to have horses they were strongly connected to, and today it is all about horsepower and robust bodies of their good old SUV’s.

However, whether you as a 4×4 owner would like to admit it or not, the basic configuration of your vehicle leaves a lot of room for improvement. Fortunately, the market is full of useful additions which can both make your life comfortable and improve your vehicles safety and stability. The process of making your 4×4 sturdier and generally better is a fun and rewarding one, so read on to discover some of the most popular and common additions.

Navigate

Let us first go through the things which exist to make your driving experience a more pleasant one. Among available 4×4 accessories which you can find online or in your local shops, probably the most popular one is the navigation device. And this is for a reason, too, because the importance of good navigation only becomes completely obvious when you start using your 4×4 for what it is meant to be used – off road trips to wilderness and visiting remote destinations where you cannot count on your ability to properly orientate in space.

Make yourself comfortable

For better trip experience, also consider purchasing an mp3 player, especially if you are planning to go to solitary trips. You would not believe how much a little bit of music at the right time can help you deal with solitude.

In order to increase your comfort level, you will also need to find accessories which will help you organize your available inside space better. Cargo area is a weak spot of every car – we always need to put a few things more, which in the end usually results in the complete chaos in the back of your vehicle. The solution to this problem is compartmentalization, which you can easily achieve by installing drawers into your storage area. A car fridge will help you both store and preserve your drinks and food, and cup holders will hold your drinks safely to avoid possible spillages.

Improving your vehicle

Two main concerns when it comes to keeping your 4×4 fully functional in extreme conditions are engine cooling and physical damage protection. The best way to cool your engine is to install airflow snorkels, which will ensure your engine always gets fresh supplies of cool air. The damage protectors are available for both the front and the back of your car (for the sides too) and, apart from having the obvious effect of increasing the general safety and looks of your vehicle, they also tend to look cool and add a level of robustness to the general look of your 4×4.

Some other performance improving accessories worth giving a chance to are mud tires and diff locks, both of which are a must have in off road conditions because they improve directional stability and traction of your vehicle. These can be real life and time savers when the need arises.

Keeping Your Work Vehicle In Good Condition: Useful Tips Not To Be Overlooked

by Anita Ginsburg on 2014/07/11 in Auto Maintenance with Comments Off on Keeping Your Work Vehicle In Good Condition: Useful Tips Not To Be Overlooked

Owning a work vehicle seems simple, but maintaining it is an endeavor that could get complicated. When you drive the vehicle constantly, it becomes harder to drive and more likely to break down. Changing the oil, rotating the tires and washing the exterior are common tasks. However, there are other steps that you could be overlooking. Read a few tips that help you maintain the good condition of your work vehicle.

Mend the Windows

A lot of people ignore the condition of the windows unless the damage is obstructing their view. Even if you see tiny cracks or holes in the glass, have it repaired right away. In the worst situation, a small crack could deepen and spread across the window. Improving the aesthetic value is just as important as improving the safety. Fixing a small rock chip is much cheaper than replacing the entire windshield.

Replace the Coolant

Replacing the fluids is important, but you cannot just focus on the oil. Replace the coolant at least once a year. The coolant prevents the car from overheating and accumulating dirt, which happens much more often in work vehicles. Make sure that the engine is cool before you insert the chemical.

Change Transmission Fluid

Good transmission fluid is needed to add more fluency to your car’s inner workings. The engine and motors are less likely to break down when you replace this fluid often. Review the mileage to know when it is time to make a replacement. There are time limits listed on the dealer’s website or within the car’s owner’s manual.

Hire a Septic Service

If the drain in the car is getting overused, have the wash bay cleaned often. Regardless of the amount of buildup, professionals have the skills and equipment to clear it out, say the experts at Kamloops Septic Service. If necessary, have the professionals come over and inspect the drain often. This way, you find problems before they damage the septic system over time.

Lubricate Used Up Parts

Lubricate those parts that you have used consistently for many months and years. Most parts need grease to operate more smoothly and easily. Otherwise, the parts get dirty and stick together. There are plenty of lubrication products available at department stores and auto shops.

Repaint the Surface

As a driver, you may underestimate the difference made when a car is repainted. Apply new coats to paint over small defects like cracks, hole or chips. Also, you could repaint the entire surface another color or apply unique designs. Even if the interior of the vehicle is not up to par, at least the exterior looks good with new paint, giving it a more professional look.

Your work vehicle lasts long if you take advantage of regular auto maintenance. Start with these tips to keep your work vehicle in good condition so you can continue to use it for years to come.

Life in the Carpool Lane: Everything You Need to Know About Insuring a Teen Driver

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/07/09 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off on Life in the Carpool Lane: Everything You Need to Know About Insuring a Teen Driver

Having a teen driver is a big source of worry for parents, especially within the first year of having their license. There is a lot that teenagers don’t understand about driving, cars, costs of repairs, etc., and it’s up to you as a parent to teach them about these things. While you may be an expert with your own insurance, you need to know some specific information about insuring your teenager’s vehicle. Read on to learn the essentials of insuring a teenage driver.

The Cost of the Car and the Cost of Insurance

Generally, newer cars are going to be more expensive to insure because states usually have laws requiring a certain level of protection for them. However, you need to weigh out the benefits and the drawbacks. An older vehicle is likely to save you money on insurance, but it also likely has a greater chance of breaking down, which could just lead to more repairs in the end. Knowing the type of usage the car will get helps with this decision.

Drivers Education and Car Insurance

Depending upon the state that you live in, driver’s education might be required. In these areas, it is unlikely that your teenager is going to receive a discount for insurance because he or she was required to take the program. When you are living in a state where driver’s education is optional, ask the car insurance company if a discount is available once the course has been completed.

Receiving Good Grades and Discounts

Encouraging your teenagers to do well in school now has another benefit; it could save you or them money on their car insurance. Find out about the specific requirements of the program when you first sign up. Each car insurance company is going to have a different minimum grade or grade point average that must be achieved for the discounted rate, but many of them will likely have a minimum grade requirement of around a B or higher.

Paying the Deductible

Fully understanding insurance is something that even some adults have difficulty with, but you want to make sure this point is crystal clear to both you and your teenagers. When you have to go through your insurance to pay for the damage on your car, you generally need to pay a deductible. This means that the entire cost of repairs is not paid for by your insurance company. A $500 deductible is fairly common. Therefore, you want to ensure that your teenager has this money saved up if something were to happen with his or her vehicle, and that they know how much a crash or fender bender could set them back.

Talking to your teenagers early about car insurance is smart so that way they know about the costs associated with it and how they can keep their rate down. One day, your teens will be paying for their own insurance, so it’s helpful to help them learn the ropes now. Teen drivers always present a risk, but if you get your insurance set up properly from the get-go, you will have less to worry about.

AUTHOR BIO: Dixie got her advice for this article from the professionals at the Valley Driving School who offer driving lessons in Vancouver.

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