Easy Guide to Changing Car Ownership

by Anica Oaks on 2014/04/08 in Auto Selling with Comments Off on Easy Guide to Changing Car Ownership

To complete the official resale of a vehicle, the car title must be exchanged in order for the transaction to be considered legitimate and unquestionable. Changing the car ownership is important for both parties as it ensures the original owner is not held liable for the vehicle in the event of an accident while also solidifying the buyer’s right to the property. If you are on either side of the transaction, here is an easy guide to changing car ownership.

What You’ll Need

Like any other legal form of transaction, changing a vehicle’s ownership status requires completion and submission of a few application forms and documents. Depending on the state you apply for the change of your vehicle registration, the application form can be discrete. For example, at Trail Auto Tag Agency in Miami, Florida, the minimum requirements for processing include the vehicle’s current registration papers and an identification of the current owner, which can be any government-issued ID.

You should also prepare the transfer fees involved. Additional documents are requested if the present registration papers are not under the applicant’s name. In this case, it is best to consult an expert so you can prepare the correct set of documents. This speeds up the process by averting any hassling road bumps.

How It Works

As the current owner, you must maintain the vehicle’s insurance documents until the exchange of vehicle title takes place. Make sure the interested buyer insures the vehicle immediately after the transaction. The Department of Motor Vehicles requires evidence of this insurance to officially transfer the ownership of the vehicle.

If you are trying to sell your vehicle but cannot find the associated title, contact the lending firm and request another copy. If the lending firm no longer operates, the FDIC or Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation can assist you in acquiring a valid and updated copy.

Protect Yourself When You Transfer Ownership

One critical step when you sell the vehicle is to remove your license plates. If you don’t, anything illegal that occurs with the vehicle could potentially be held against you. Second, make sure you retain important information about the vehicle, such as a copy of the title transfer paperwork and the Vehicle Identification Number. If you can’t accompany the new car owner to the DMV, consider submitting a vehicle transit notification that is available in states like Texas to guard yourself against the possibility that the new owner does not submit the paperwork.

Additional Guidelines

To successfully change the ownership of the vehicle, the buyer must also comply with the requirements set forth by the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Arrange for a visit to the DMV with the buyer of the car to make sure you both finish the paperwork. Although requirements are slightly different from one state to the next, you may be requested to submit proof of insurance, bill of sale with the buy price, title paperwork, VIN number, and the latest odometer reading.

There are many reasons why the need to change car ownership is brought up. Whether it’s a good sale price, gift, inheritance, or satisfaction of lien, you must know what steps to follow and how to properly fill out paperwork to avoid future problems and loopholes.

 

About the author:
A recent college graduate from University of San Francisco, Anica loves dogs, the ocean, and anything outdoor-related. She was raised in a big family, so she’s used to putting things to a vote. Also, cartwheels are her specialty. You can connect with Anica here.

This article uses information from Trail Auto Tag Agency.

How to Repair Your Damaged Windshield

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/08 in Windshield with Comments Off on How to Repair Your Damaged Windshield

A cracked windshield is not only dangerous, it can also land you a ticket if it obstructs your line of vision while driving. If you own a vehicle, it is your duty to invest in preventative maintenance and also schedule repairs when necessary. While almost every vehicle owner will face the dilemma of repairing a cracked or chipped windshield within their lifetime, it can be difficult to stumble through the process of windshield repair if this is the first time you’ve ever needed glass repair. Read on, and learn how to repair your damaged windshield so that you can keep the cost low and make the experience as stress-free as possible.

Find Out If You Have Glass Coverage Through Your Insurer

Why pay full price for auto glass repair when you pay insurance premiums for coverage that will pay for glass breakage? Many individuals are hesitant to call their insurance agent to verify their options in fear of premium surcharges, but this is not something to worry about when the claim is centered around auto glass. If you carry comprehensive coverage, the comprehensive deductible will apply to glass claims. Luckily, if you have a low deductible, you may save hundreds of dollars on windshield replacement or moderate repairs without having to worry about your rates going up in the future.

Find a Glass Company Who Will File a Claim With Your Insurer

Once you verify your coverage, the next step is to find a trusted glass company that will work directly with your insurer so that you don’t have to worry about going through the process of reimbursement. The best way to do this, is to take your vehicle in to an auto repair shop and get an estimate. While your vehicle is being appraised for the cost of repairs, find out if that if that company will work with your insurance. Most auto repair shops should work with your insurance, but be warned that some do not. Also, many glass companies that partner with leading insurers will actually file your auto insurance claim for you to make the process of glass repair as easy as possible. Compare different companies to verify this is an option.

Choose the Best Method For Repairs

There is a major difference between a chip and an crack. Typically, a chip is smaller than the size of a quarter, and a crack is anything larger a quarter. If you have a small chip, you may be able schedule rock chip repair rather than a full-fledged replacement. Chip repair involves using a professional resin to seal the chip so that your windshield is as good as new without paying the cost for replacement.  Some insurance companies may even waive your deductible if chip repair is a viable option.

Be sure to discuss whether you should repair or replace your windshield with professionals like those at www.triglassinc.com or your local repair shop before you make a decision. Once you verify your auto coverage and choose the right professional using the best repair products and materials in their window repair kit, you can erase the chips or eliminate the cracks.

Don’t Get Ripped Off – What To Know About Buying A New Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/07 in Auto Financing with Comments Off on Don’t Get Ripped Off – What To Know About Buying A New Car

When buying a new car, you can spend all of your hard-earned money. However, this is a wise investment to make if you want reliable transportation for a long time. With this in mind, it is not easy to just go to a dealer and pick out a car and finance it. No, a buyer should know how to avoid common pitfalls. With this in mind, here are four things to avoid so you do not get ripped off when buying a vehicle.

Know the value

Without a doubt, when you walk into a dealership, you should know what car you want to buy. More importantly, you should know the true value of the vehicle. To do this, shoppers should go online and search for the prices of new cars. When doing so, you can find the value. Then, when walking into the dealer, you will have the upper hand in the negotiation process.

Negotiate

As mentioned, you will want to negotiate the price. To do this, you must first know the value of the car. Then, you should sit down with the salesperson and come up with a figure. When doing this, prepare for them to balk at the first tor second offer. Salespeople would rather make a sale than let you walk away. Once you come up with a price, you should try to nail him or her further down so you can save money.

Extras

Some employees will try to force you to spend more on features or products. Do not fall for this. For example, some dealerships will try to force people to buy a warranty. In reality, when buying a new car, this is not a good deal. Instead, you should politely decline their requests. Remember, if you want additional features or a warranty, you can revisit this later.

Really look at financing

When you use the dealership to finance a car, you will not always get the best price. To figure this out, you should first head to a bank or credit union to look at loans. Then, when you talk to the dealership, you will know what to ask for in a loan. Dealerships like Findlay Auto Subaru are great at helping people finance vehicles on a plan that’s affordable and quick.  Either way, while it is not a bad thing to use the dealership for the loan, you must explore all your options if you want to get the lowest interest rate.

With these four tips, you can find the best price on a used car. Otherwise, if you do not do this, you may get ripped off.

GM Recalls: What the Recall of Over 1 Million Cars Means for GM’s Future

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/04 in Auto Design with Comments Off on GM Recalls: What the Recall of Over 1 Million Cars Means for GM’s Future

On Feb. 27, GM issued a recall of nearly 1.4 million vehicles made between 2003 and 2007 after faulty ignition switches were associated with their engines suddenly switching off while in operation. The switch failures disabled power systems in the vehicles, which included disabling airbags, and are associated with 13 reported deaths. While several companies have been forced to recall models over the years, any recall that involves fatalities has the potential to do serious damage to a company.

Read ahead for a look at what has happened since the recall and what the future holds for GM.

Affected Models and Years

At present, GM confirms that the 2003-2007 Saturn Ion, 2005-07 Chevrolet Cobalt, 2006-07 Chevrolet HHR, 2006-07 Pontiac Solstice, 2007 Saturn Sky and 2007 Pontiac G5 are the focus of the recall. Obviously, this effects a huge number of drivers, which does not help GM’s situation. The enormity of the situation has really taken a toll on GM’s reputation and image.

Delay in Recall

GM said that the first report of a possible ignition switch malfunction came in 2003 after one of its engineers experienced an engine shutdown during a test drive. At the time, the automaker did not regard the power failure as anything serious. Even though vehicles’ power brakes and power steering were disabled, it was possible to operate them manually. Engines restarted after shifting them into “park” or “neutral,” and the failure was not regarded as critical at the time.

GM admitted that its investigation into the malfunction and accidents was not as dedicated and thorough as it should have been. At the same time, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is under fire for its slowness in investigating the crashes and pursuing appropriate action.

What GM is Doing

GM is offering free repairs to present owners of the affected model years. Owners are advised to use only a single key when starting their vehicles until repairs can be made. Additional items should be removed from keyrings. Heavy keyrings and jarring the key have been associated with the malfunctions, according to the automaker.

What Lies Ahead

What will happen to GM? No one is certain, but Toyota is embroiled in a similar suit after sticking accelerator pedals caused vehicles to accelerate out of control, resulting in fatal accidents. That company is involved in an ongoing criminal investigation in New York. At the least, GM is likely to pay a very hefty multi million-dollar fine, and it may very well find itself in the middle of a similar investigation. While this is not a good time for GM, we have seen other companies bounce back from embarrassing recalls. If they do bounce back, it could take years to rebuild their reputation and try to repair the company.

GM’s ten-year lack of attention in investigating the ignition switch failures is a black mark against the company’s reputation. It is not possible to look into the future, but comparing its situation with other automakers that have gone down the same road makes it likely that GM may have a short-term sales decline and lower financial performance for a several years while it pays the fines.

AUTHOR BIO: This article was written by Dixie Somers, a freelance writer who loves to write for business, finance, women’s interests, and technology. Dixie lives in Arizona with her husband and three beautiful daughters. Information for this article was provided by the auto experts of salvageyardlosangeles.com who specialize in used auto parts.

Shop Smart: Five Tricks for Trading In Your Car

by Carsurfer Admin on 2014/04/04 in Auto Trades with Comments Off on Shop Smart: Five Tricks for Trading In Your Car

By trading in your vehicle, you ensure the best deal in one single transaction. Like most large purchases, there are some do’s and don’ts to the transaction. If you are ready to trade in your car, there are some important steps to getting the best deal. Here are a few ways to avoid getting ripped off.

Don’t Say "Trade"

When you start working with a dealership, there is no obligation to state up front that you want to trade in your car. You can go there with your financing already approved elsewhere, which is recommended by many car sites such as Edmunds.com. You can listen to their sales pitch and work out a figure. Once you think you have the best deal on the table, you then say "I have decided that I want to trade." At this point, be ready with the value. Dealers will negotiate better when they do not know you are trading in your vehicle.

Know the Value

Before you go, find out the basic value of your car via a site such as Kelley Blue Book. You can find more information on your model and automaker at KBB, Edmunds, Car and Driver, AutoGuide and more. There are tangible ways to prove its intrinsic worth such as stellar safety ratings, automaker reputation for longevity, and advanced technology despite its age. Trim level, dashboard tech, and luxury features such as leather seating are other factors. This knowledge will help you keep your mind clear when a dealer argues about your car’s worth.

Demonstrate the Options

In the car ads, find cars of a similar year/make to yours. You should look at their Blue Book values versus the advertised cost. You can strengthen your bargaining position by demonstrating that you know how much used cars are worth. Arming yourself with verifiable facts will strengthen your bargaining power.

Show the Value

If you keep records on maintenance and repairs, put that together in a folder. You don’t need to show it until you have a figure. As soon as a trade-in amount is proposed, get your folder and demonstrate that this car has been well-cared for. Perhaps you have purchased tires recently. That can help you negotiate a higher trade in amount. Dealerships will appreciate this information because it will make the car easier to sell. They will be happy to work with you and your information.

Put Your Best Tire Forward

Take time to detail the car inside and out. It may be worth paying a professional for how much it will increase your trade in value. Many times old carpet can look like new after the application of a $5 bottle of carpet shampoo. Be sure to use one that is specifically for cars, and follow the instructions carefully.

When you pull into a dealership, be armed with knowledge, and do not give them your keys before you feel good about the trade-in deal.

Information credited to National Transmission, Red Deer, Alberta Transmission

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