Car Insurance

In order to get the auto insurance quotes that best suit your situation, you will need to provide several pieces of information. This way the different auto insurance companies can give you accurate quotes so that you can make the best possible decision.

Here are a few things that you will need to have handy when shopping for an auto insurance policy.

1. You will want to have your current auto insurance policy so that you can get quotes based on your current level of coverage.

2. The make and model of your car will go a long way in determining how much your auto insurance premium will be. This includes the year and style of your car as well.

3. Auto insurance companies will need your personal information so that they can check your driving history. This allows them to give you any discounts, or increase your premium based on your past record.

Here are a few ways that you can save money and keep your auto insurance premium as low as possible. All of these may not apply to you at this moment, but they can help out nonetheless.

1. By comparison shopping you will be able to find the best auto insurance rates. You may be able to find that one company can give you a lower rate with the same level of coverage. This makes the decision of which company to use very easy.

2. Simply put, in order to save money on auto insurance you should try to keep a clean driving record. This is not always easy to do, but the better your record the lower your auto insurance costs will be.

3. When you raise your deductible you can lower your premium. Insurers love this because they will not have to pay out any money on smaller claims. You may be responsible for more if an accident occurs, but until then you will be saving money.

4. The more anti theft and safety items that you have on your car the lower your premium will be. If these did not come standard on your car you may want to look into having them installed.

Keeping your car well maintained helps ensure that it stays out of the shop and on the road for years to come. It also helps keep you safe in the process. Here are some nuts and bolts car care tips from the experts at Henkel to help steer you in the right direction:

• Keep accurate maintenance records. They are good diagnostic tools, proof that you have cared for your vehicle and can enhance its resale value.

• Keep the engine in tune. Fixing a car that is out of tune can boost gas consumption by about 4 percent. Also watch for worn spark plugs. A misfiring spark plug can reduce a car’s fuel efficiency by as much as 30 percent.

• Run your engine for a few minutes before powering up the heater, air conditioner, windshield wipers and other accessories. Accelerating with a cold engine can cause premature engine failure.

• Check for engine leaks. A leaky gasket can cause pressure to escape and reduce the car’s ability to accelerate. Need to replace a gasket? Loctite® Ready Gasket can make a high performance leak proof gasket in about a minute.

• Tighten up that gas cap. Gas will evaporate from your car’s tank if it has an escape. Loose, missing or damaged caps cause up to 147 million gallons of gas to evaporate each year.

• Change the oil on a regular basis to help keep the engine clean. Keeping the inside of your car clean is important as well. Lost that new car smell? Renuzit® Super Odor Neutralizer eliminates tough car odors in the air and fabric to keep your car fresh.

• Look for cracking or loose engine belts. Broken belts are a major reason for roadside breakdowns.

• If your vehicle has fuel injection, keep the gas tank at least one-quarter full. Cornering with a nearly empty tank disrupts the flow to the fuel pump.

• A torn seat doesn’t mean your car’s ready for a trade-in. Repair it with Duck® brand duct tape, which is available in 18 different colors to match your car’s interior and make repairs less noticeable.

Having even a teeny-tiny car accident can be one of life’s least enjoyable moments. However, accidents happen, and sooner or later, we all have the experience of meeting one of our fellow road travelers up close and personal. Using the following seven steps to filing your claim will help you get over this speed bump as smoothly as possible.

Step 1: Understand your policy

Before a loss, sit down and carefully read your insurance policy. Call your agent or company if you have any questions about what is or is not covered.

Step 2: Exchange information

If you are involved in an accident, get the other driver’s name, address, phone number, insurance carrier, and insurer’s phone number. Be prepared to give the same information about yourself to the other driver. You can find insurers’ telephone numbers on the proof-of-insurance cards that should be carried on your person when operating a motor vehicle.

Step 3: Identify witnesses

Ask witnesses to the accident for their names and phone numbers in case their account of the accident is needed.

Step 4: File an accident report

Contact local law enforcement officers to have an accident report prepared. If law enforcement is not reachable, accident reports and detailed instructions are available at all police departments, sheriff’s offices, your local Department of Motor Vehicles office, and on your local Department of Motor Vehicles’ web site.

Step 5: Notify your insurer

Contact your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. An insurance adjuster will review the accident report to determine who caused the accident. If the accident was not your fault, you can have either your insurance company or the at-fault driver’s insurance company handle the repair or replacement of your vehicle. If you use the other driver’s company, you will not have a claim on your automobile policy and you will not have to pay a deductible.

Step 6: Do not release insurers too early

Do not relieve your insurance company of its responsibility until the damages are settled to your satisfaction. For example, have your insurance company handle the claim if the other party’s insurance company questions its policyholder’s negligence or offers an unacceptable settlement.

Step 7: Consider these settlement factors

Bodily injuries: You may be entitled to a monetary settlement for injuries caused by another at fault (liable) party. It can take several days for some injuries to become apparent.

Damages: The insurance company is responsible to pay for the reasonable cost of repairs to your vehicle. An insurance adjuster will assess the damage. Usually, insurance companies and auto body shops negotiate disagreements about what should be repaired. If you disagree with their conclusions, you have the right to obtain another appraisal at any auto body shop.

When you choose to donate a car to a charity, do you ever wonder what becomes of that car? What happens to the car once you commit to donating it? How is it used? Is it sold for parts or to an auction? These are the many questions you should know the answers to before donating your car to a charity. If you would rather your car be used for a good purpose rather than just being dismantled and recycled, you should check with the individual charity before donating your car.

The first thing that happens to a donated car is the charity arranges to have it picked up. You should go through the car and remove any personal items. You may also want to clean it up and remove any trash from the car. Depending on the charity, the car may not have to be in running condition. Generally, the charity will arrange to have a local towing company pick up your car from your residence. The car will then be shipped to the location selected by the charity. This location may be the actual charity headquarters, or a more local auction site. It may even be sent to a mechanic to inspect the car. Many charities have their own mechanics who volunteer their time and services. This saves you the time and money of having to have the car repaired yourself. These mechanics will inspect the cars and make any necessary repairs. This will allow the charity to sell the car to auction for a better price or to use it for the charity’s services. These steps all depend on the charity and what their rules are for donated vehicles.

Once your car has been picked up and no longer belongs you, there are a few different things that can happen to it. Some charities chose to re-sell cars at auctions. After their mechanics have looked over the car and made any necessary repairs, the car is taken to a local auction and sold to the highest bidder. Most vehicles will be sold to either a licensed car dealer or a licensed vehicle recycler. The buyer could be a dealer who will then turn around and re-sell the car again on a car lot. If it is sold to a vehicle recycler, your car will end up being dismantled. All of the components such as plastic, metal, and paper will be removed from the car and sent to the respective recycling station. The shell of the car will be recycled at a steel recycling facility. As much of the car materials will be recycled as possible.