Auto Magazine

Five Of The Best Companies To Buy Car Insurance From

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/06/13 in Auto Insurance with Comments Off

The average person spends a total of 101 minutes driving per day, making it a common activity that is often necessary to maintain a career and fulfill daily responsibilities. With a significant amount of time spent on the road, the type of insurance used is often just as important as the type of vehicle that is driven. Although there are thousands of companies to purchase insurance from, there are a few in particular that offer the best services.

State Farm Insurance

State Farm Insurance continues to grow due to the easy and professional claims processing that it offers. They have a high level of coverage options, as well as strong financial strength ratings. The company’s rates are also based off of mileage and how frequently the driver is on the road for fair pricing options.

Farmers

Farmers Group offers accident forgiveness and new car replacement to its customers with a number of discounts that reward drivers for their vehicles and driving performance. 30 percent of their current customers were recommended to the company through a friend due to the high level of customer service and overall value of the policies.

USAA

USAA is well-regarded for its 12-month auto insurance policies that it offers and a no-drop promise for drivers who have accidents or traffic violations. According to Anthony Clark Insurance Brokerage, a company that offers auto insurance in Calgary, USAA is most recommended for their affordable policies and variety of discounts that are available.

Nationwide

This company has high levels of customer satisfaction due to the coverage options that include vanishing deductibles, accident forgiveness, and a convenient mobile app to use on the go. Customers report great customer service with an easy process when filing a claim.

Geico

Perhaps one of the most popular car insurance companies, Geico offers competitive prices with their policies and an abundant amount of discount options to drivers. Since 1936, it’s continued to grow as a company and also offers coverage for RVs, ATVs, motorcycles, and even boats.

Although finding the right policy can be a challenge due to inexperience with certain companies, the reviews of customers often prove to be effective when ranking the top insurers. With accidents and injuries that commonly occur while behind the wheel, it’s crucial to choose a quality insurance company that will offer an easy and convenient process after filing a claim.

Savannah Coulsen is a freelance writer. She lives in Raleigh. Savannah loves to read and write and she hopes to write a novel someday. Savannah also loves learning and is a self-proclaimed health guru. Savannah got information for this article from Anthony Clark Insurance Brokerage, a company that offers auto insurance in Calgary.

First Time Renters? 5 Things not to do When Renting a Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/06/12 in On the Road with Comments Off

If you plan on traveling at any point in your life, you will have to master the skill of renting a car. People tend to think that it’s an easy experience but those people are most certainly not getting the best deal they possibly can. Here are a few things not to do when you rent cars – it is expensive enough without making mistakes.

Do not rent from the first company that you call.

Automobile rentals are getting more expensive by the year. However, you may be able to leverage a better car for less money if you are willing to call around before you actually have to make the trip. This type of shopping around can end up saving you tons of money.

Do not rent your car at the airport when you land.

Airports have the highest prices on cars. They know that when you land, you have very little choice about your transportation situation. There are too many options for renting cars online – make sure that you avail yourself of these resources so that you do not end up paying the convenience premium at airline hubs charge.

Do not rent the most expensive thing that you find.

If you have a certain budget for automobile rentals, do not pop it out on the base price of your vehicle. You will most certainly need extra money for the maintenance of the car as well as possible insurance, depending on where you are traveling. Also, let’s not forget gas money! The larger car you get, the worse gas mileage you will receive. You never know if you’re going to be stuck in traffic or lose your way around town. Give yourself a money buffer.

Do not ever choose the option to let the automobile company refill the tank.

Automobile companies makes quite a bit on consumers who allow them to fill the tank upon returning the vehicle. They will sometimes charge 2 to 3 times the amount per gallon that gas costs on the marketplace. Always refill the tank yourself before you take the car back in.

Do not buy insurance if you already have rental car insurance coverage from your own auto insurance company.

Make sure you know if you have coverage for rental cars on your own automobile insurance policy. If you do, then you do not need the overpriced insurance that rental car companies try to sell you at every turn. Policies that you may already have available will often cover you even if upgrade to a “better” or more expensive car than the one you are currently covering.

Renting a car can be quite expensive ordeal; however, it does not have to cost you an arm and a leg. Follow the tips above for the best experience in renting a car, and be safe on the road while you are driving.

Meghan Belnap is a freelance writer who enjoys spending time with her family. She also enjoys being in the outdoors and exploring new opportunities whenever they arise as well as researching new topics to expand her horizons. You can often find her buried in a good book or out looking for an adventure. Meghan recommends renting a vehicle from Jamieson Car and Truck Rental to make your renting experience exceptionally easier.

5 Key Components to Restoring Your Old Truck

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/06/11 in Auto Restoration with Comments Off

Restoration can be very time consuming, not to mention somewhat costly. You should always make sure you are willing to put in the time and effort before deciding to do something, such as restoring your old truck. Restoring a truck is not only about bringing it back to life, but shows your passion and the talent you possess in creating something unique. The make and model of your truck will play a huge role in determining how much time and money you will spend in restoration.

MONEY

Money plays a key part in the restoration process. The price to restore your old truck can vary greatly. It would be wise to focus on restoring certain aspects of the truck first. If there is something you really want to restore now and if it is within your budget, you might start with that particular part or area and only focus on that aspect of your truck restoration until that particular area is completed. This will allow you to stay focused and help you manage your finances for the project all at the same time. It would also be wise to set a budget for each step in this process to secure that you stay on track and to help you see if fixing the truck is really worth it or not.

TIME

The process of restoring your truck will also take a lot of time. You will be rebuilding your truck and depending in what kind of shape it is in, it can even take years to complete. Not to mention that it might be difficult just to find parts needed for your truck. Also, if you ever heard the phrase, “time is money,” then you understand that the less money you have to invest in restoring your truck, the more time it will take.

REPLACE WORN OR DAMAGED PARTS

Many people will take their truck to a restoration company to secure that necessary components such as the body and engine are done properly. One major issue that can slow down the restoration process is rusted or frozen bolts. If this is your first time restoring a vehicle, it might pay off in the long run to have professional s handle the vital restorations.

NEW PAINT JOB

Sanding and a primer should be done to smooth the truck body before paint is applied. The key paint ingredients for your truck are pigments, binders, and solvents. You can even add some flames or stripes going up the hood. Choose your color carefully and make sure you read all the instructions and warnings included with the paint.

INSTALL UPGRADES

Upgrade your truck by installing a new sound system or a USB cable for IPods, IPhones, etc. Get some new rims for your tires, maybe ones that light up. Upgrades are great, but make sure the truck is safe and workable before spending money on accessories.

Remember that deciding to restore your truck is an important decision that shouldn’t be made on a whim. You need to consider things such as cost and if you have the time, dedication and passion to put into your truck. Is it worth it?

My name is Lizzie Weakley and I am a freelance writer from Columbus, Ohio. I went to college at The Ohio State University where I studied communications. I enjoy the outdoors and long walks in the park with my 3-year-old husky Snowball.

Lizzie was inspired to write this article by 99 Truck Parts & Industrial Equipment Ltd., who specialize in truck parts and repair.

Synthetic Versus Conventional: Which Motor Oil Is Healthier For Your Car?

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/06/10 in Auto Maintenance with 1 Comment

Motor oil is an essential substance for the internal combustion engine. Although every car owner needs motor oil, the market is flushed with different brands of motor oil and two main types: conventional and synthetic. As consumers, car owners wonder which type of motor oil works best for their car’s engine. This is because each engine is different for every motor vehicle, so synthetic or conventional oil may be healthier for some cars over others. Here are things to consider when determining which motor oil is healthier for a car.

Basic Chemical Differences

Conventional oil is general petroleum oil that is given chemical additives so that the conventional oil is given its viscosity and heat tolerance. In contrast, synthetic oil is a completely manufactured chemical compound that has the viscosity and heat tolerance of conventional, petroleum-based oil. It is created by specific companies as a product that will give an engine the highest level of lubrication across a higher temperature spectrum.

Performance Advantage

What synthetic motor oil companies and car mechanics will tell consumers is that synthetic motor oil is able to help an engine perform more effectively. The chemical compounds in synthetic oil are able to work in the coldest or hottest environments, meaning if the motor vehicle is in frigid temperatures over night, the engine will perform better, in theory, with synthetic oil versus conventional oil.

Shelf Life

Because of its chemical manufacturing, synthetic oil is able to last longer in an engine that conventional oil. Over time, the conventional oil will not only reduce in quality, but residue can build up in the engine. This can end up blocking and hindering the efficient mechanics of the engine. With synthetic oil, it can only last longer in the engine, synthetic oil has chemicals that allow it to be cleaner. This leaves no reside in the engine and minimizes reside build-up over time.

Mileage Changing

According to experts doing Volvo specialists service in Denver, car owners know they need to change their oil every couple of thousand miles. With this in mind, another difference arises between the types of oil. It is recommend that if the consumer is using conventional motor oil that the consumer get their oil changed between 3,000 to 5,000 miles. However, with synthetic oil, an engine could very well not need an oil change for 7,500 to 15,000 miles.

Some Require Synthetic

As of the late 2000s, many European model cars, like BMW and Volkswagen, require synthetic oil. Some American brands, like Chevy, have also begun recommending exclusively using synthetic oil. This requirement is due to the engines themselves, which work properly with synthetic oil. It is highly recommended that all car owners look to see what the car’s manufacturer recommends as far as what type of oil is ideal for the car.

Costs

Because of its complex manufacturing, synthetic oil is much more expensive on the market than conventional motor oil. Many mechanics and consumer writers will state that the consumer may save money on the long-run with synthetic oil due to better engine maintenance and less frequent oil changes thanks to synthetic oil. However, the bottom line is that synthetic oil costs more than conventional oil.

Older Engines Tend to Need Conventional

The benefit of synthetic oil can actually be a drawback with older engines. Consumer writers claim that when a car engine has very high mileage (well over 100,000 miles), the car engine has become accustomed to conventional motor oil. Many writers claim that putting in synthetic oil into such high mileage engines will actually cause the oil to leak out or burn up faster. As a result, an older engine consumers synthetic oil faster than conventional oil.

Driving Lifestyle

People who only drive their cars for short distances or if they drive them infrequently may not need synthetic oil. For drivers who drive infrequently or even small distances, moisture will tend to build up in the engine. Although special care will be needed for cars that are driven infrequently, the oil choice for such a car may mean the driver can pick and choose whichever oil they want. Some consumer writers state that synthetic oil need to be warmed for a long period of driving or frequent driving intervals in order for the synthetic oil to be warm enough to evaporate moisture. As a result, conventional motor oil may burn away moisture quicker and easier than synthetic oil for infrequent drivers.

Conclusion

There are several factors when determining which motor oil is best for a consumer’s car. How much the oil may factor into the consumer’s budget and their driving lifestyle are some of the biggest factors that help determine if synthetic oil is a better choice over conventional oil and vice versa. However, as newer lines from car brands enter the market, the car companies may push synthetic oil over conventional oil for the newest cars. Always check with the owner’s manual and car manufacturer to determine the best oil for your car. Also, consider the pricing and driving lifestyle to determine if synthetic or conventional works best for the consumer.

New Car Smell: Tips for Your First Time at the Dealership

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/06/09 in Auto Buying Tips with Comments Off

The scent of a new car is one that many list as their favorite. Not only does this smell remind them of their own first vehicle, but it also is a symbol of a brand new purchase. Buying a vehicle is expensive, but knowing how to negotiate can reduce some of the cost. Take a look at these tips to see how you can save money at the dealership next time.

Know The Average Selling Price

When you go to the dealership, you need to know what the average selling price of the car is in the condition that it is. Brand new cars are going to go for top dollar; while the older vehicles will decline in price based on exact age and condition. Researching online is the best way to see what the vehicle is selling for at other dealerships in the area. Once you see how the car is, you can also use your phone to quickly conduct research.

Negotiate with Paper Copies

Even if you’re planning to check out prices on your phone while you are there, you should bring along paper copies of price quotations from other dealerships. These can be quotations you received when visiting the dealership, but you should also print out information from reputable websites that tell you the price of cars. When you are negotiating with the salesperson, ask if the dealership is willing to come down to match the cost the other entities are offering. While you should not be rude, you can say that you’re planning to buy from the dealership that gives you the best price.

Set Reasonable Price Goals

If you walk into the dealership and imagine you are going to chop thousands upon thousands of dollars off from the cost, then you are likely setting yourself up for failure. Once you see how much the car is selling for elsewhere, you should expect that your sale price is going to fall somewhere around that cost. The dealership needs to make a sale just as much as you want to save money.

Call in Reinforcements

While you do not want to demand excessive reductions from the dealership, you do want to be sure that you are getting a fair deal. Not everyone is a master negotiator, and some people need to take time to hone their price-reducing skills. Ask someone who has purchased a car or two before to come along with you and to take a front seat when it comes time to discuss the price of the vehicle.

Knowing what is reasonable and how to negotiate will help you to get a good deal on your new car. Take these tips with you on your next car hunt.