24th
March
2008
Unless your name is Lewis Hamilton, the likelihood is that cutting down on your motoring bills is a bit of a priority at the moment. According to a recent AA survey the price of motoring is about to hit an all-time high, with the average cost of running a car now at 58p per mile. As this compares with 33p per mile 20 years ago, you can see how dramatic the increase has been.With oil at $100 a barrel, fuel costs have reached record levels. Insurance premiums are predicted to rise by as much as 15 per cent a year, road tax on high emission vehicles could soon hit £400, and drivers are fined and tolled more than ever before. Without wishing to sound like Jeremy Clarkson, owning a car is getting pretty darned expensive. So apart from pulling your jeans up higher and wishing death to polar bears, what else can be done to keep the cost of driving down? Read our handy guide to car cost cutting to find out.Ensure you get a good dealThe main rule with insurance is obviously to shop around. There are loads of price comparison sites out there which will let you compare hundreds of quotes in a matter of minutes. Remember that some of the larger insurers such as Churchill and Direct Line are not included however, so it may be worth approaching them individually. You can also lower your premiums by taking a Pass Plus test on top of your normal test, informing your insurer if you reduce your mileage at any point, and by using any off-street parking facilities or immobilizer that you have.Size does matterSmall cars are cheaper to buy, run and tax, and also have a tendency to hold their value better. Unless you actually are a farmer or 50 Cent, you probably don’t need a huge 4×4 for work so look around. Hatchbacks typically cost £500 less than their five-door equivalent, and when you factor in the fuel costs its clear that you’ll be laughing all the way to the bank in a smaller motor.Avoid emissions taxesLondon Mayor Ken Livingstone has already announced that the most polluting cars – those in band G – will have to pay a higher £25 congestion charge to enter
London. Cars in bands A and B meanwhile will be exempt. In a similar vein, Gordon Brown is expected to increase car tax for band G vehicles to £400 in the next budget in April. Find out what band your car is in now- if it’s G it may well be time to trade it in.Cheap fixYou can offer save money on repairs and servicing by visiting an independent dealer. However, if your car still has warranty left it is important to check with the manufacturer that this is ok. Some dealers may decide that the warranty will become invalid by going to an unofficial garage so be careful. It is also worth taking out an insurance policy that allows you to repair your car where you wish – this may save you hundreds of pounds if you are involved in an accident, and ensure that your premiums do not sky rocket as much as you fear.
posted in Future Fuels |
24th
March
2008
There are a few things you should look out for when searching for an extended auto warranty. First and foremost, and unfortunately, there are a few different kinds of cars notorious for being incredibly hard to find warranties for, or in some cases, not at all. Very expensive cars will often have very expensive repairs, such as Jaguars, certain engine models in Mercedes, and Porches. You may have been told that Land Rovers also fall into this category. If you’re not in the
US, often foreign cars will also prove difficult.So you don’t have a car that’s difficult to get a warranty for, great. It’s still important to look out for risky or “shady” extended auto warranty companies - many companies will offer very low rates and when the time comes to make a claim, they won’t hesitate to deny it. Often these companies won’t be existence for very long, so you might be paying a company that won’t be around a few months from now. Definitely a headache if not a nightmare. A good idea is to check out any company with the better business bureau, along with doing your own research. What companies do your friends, family, or associates use? Have they ever made a claim? What was the customer service like? Have they ever had a problem with the company? If so, how was it resolved? Asking plenty of questions like these will save you time and hard earned money.Now, what if your car has high mileage? The best option here is to seek out a company that will provide a high mileage extended warranty at a reasonable price. This is especially important if you are buying a used car - you might want to see what’s available before buying it if you plan on getting a warranty.Get as many quotes as you can before making your final decision - it might be tedious, but most companies will give you a quote for free over the phone or on their websites. You might end up saving quite a bit of cash and avoid future issues.The most important thing to do is make sure the company will actually cover you if you do indeed make a claim. That’s why you’re getting a warranty after all! Just remember to take your time, don’t rush things, and always do plenty of research before getting an extended auto warranty and you’ll be driving with a clear mind in no time.
posted in Insurance |