Car sharing and auto insurance services

Acting as good neighbours was something that was expected of people living in the same community in the past. If someone had a problem, you were expected to help out. But times change and trust issues have arisen. Today, the majority of people have their own problems and prefer to deal with them without outside interference. This reflects a shift away from old-fashioned Christian values to a Libertarian attack on the scrounger. People who feel they are entitled to assistance or who depend on others to do what they should do themselves are discouraged.

Thats what makes the car-sharing services so interesting. Now instead of trying to ask your neighbors if you can borrow a vehicle to solve an emergency problem, there's an alternative to rental. This is a service that enables you to use another vehicle for short periods of time. It helps out the people who only need access to a vehicle occasionally. Some of the services are run as cooperatives. Local people club together to produce a pool of vehicles and members of the group can book them by the hour. Others run as commercial organizations, renting out on a for-profit basis. The common denominators are that, unlike many rental agencies, you can get access to shared vehicles at any time of the day. Its all self-service. Before any vehicle is made available, however, it makes sense that every member will need to be approved.

And how does auto insurance matter?

Insurance has been the problem. When working on an informal basis, some owners have found their policies cancelled by their insurers. There are terms limiting ownership to non-commercial use. Letting another use your vehicle for money becomes a commercial use if you do it on a regular basis. Now states like California, Oregon and Washington are passing laws to control the emerging market. This allows you to share your vehicle and make a little extra income without loosing auto insurance coverage. Having fewer vehicles on the road is also better for the environment. It also meets a growing social need because more people find vehicle ownership too expensive. The laws require the sharing organization to hold a fleet policy. When you hand over your vehicle, its then covered by the common policy. There are also new rules about safety to ensure the vehicles are in a roadworthy condition when others are allowed to drive them. Everyone benefits!

Does going Green affect your Car Insurance?

Many factors affect your car insurance premium like:

• Your Driving Habits
• Your Driving History: number of violations and accidents
• Your average yearly mileage
• Your number of claims filed
• Your neighborhood
• Your Credit Score

Insurance companies rate the risk of all of these factors and follow trends to set your premiums. A recent trend in the automotive industry is the introduction of green car or hybrids. Several types of automobiles are labeled green or hybrids. There are two types of combination hybrids series and parallel. The combination hybrid uses both a battery driven electric motor and a gas engine. The electric motor allows for a smaller, lighter more fuel efficient gas engine. In a parallel hybrid the electric and combustion motors both the transmission together. In a series hybrid, the combustion engine is only used to recharge the batteries, and the electric motor does all the work of driving the transmission. There are PEV's (plug in electrical vehicles like the Nissan leaf) that use battery as the only power source; not to mention automobiles developed around natural gas as the fuel source are available on the market.

Most green cars on the road today are combination hybrids (gas and battery). They average between 45 and 55 mpg. With today's volatile fuel prices that can add up to considerable savings at the pump, and the most popular models have good safety ratings. So does going green save you on car insurance? The answer is yes and no.

Many of the green cars are higher end, and higher price tag automobiles. The higher the initial cost of the car, the more expensive your car insurance. Don't lose heart if you want to go green to save the environment, or just to save money at the pump. Most automobile manufacturers are rolling more moderately priced green machines off the assembly line. While the sticker price is still a bit higher than their non-green models, the range of models is opening up. There are green versions now offered in most price ranges. You can now buy a mid priced 4 door sedan version that is not only limited to the luxury line. If you want to go green the mid to compact size models will save you on car insurance and at the pump.

About car types and auto insurance rates

Many drivers usually get surprised when they learn about different insurance rates for different car types. They think that it doesn't matter whether it's a small car or a hot rod as long as they have a good driving record and don't get in trouble in traffic. With all this, for auto insurance providers it's a whole other perspective and they will charge you with different premiums according the type of car you're trying to insure. Thus, it's important to understand the following characteristics of each car type and make your decisions correctly if you want your auto insurance budget to be limited:

Small cars. Smaller vehicles are typically cheap and quite comfortable in conditions of heavy traffic. They usually have low engine volumes, top speed, get stolen quite rarely and are inexpensive to handle at repair. However, auto insurance can sometimes be a bit costly for small cars because they tend to get damaged very bad during accidents. It's all about the physics, which states that the smaller object tends to get the most damage regardless of the safety features the manufacturer has included. Because of this, costly claims tend to arise more often with such vehicles, and the insurers respond with respective pricing.

Medium sized cars and family vehicles. This car type is typically regarded as the safest and the cheapest to insure. Sure, there are different makes and models, but the general rule is that these cars are quite safe, have low repair costs and theft rates, and tend to get damaged much less than smaller vehicles during an accident. So you will usually get the best auto insurance rates for this type of vehicles.

SUVs. SUVs like trucks and minivans are very comfortable and give you a whole different perspective in traffic. However, the size can turn into a problem with these vehicles. Due to their size and increased mass as compared to other vehicle types SUVs tend to produce more damage during accidents, especially involving other cars. The claims arising with an SUV are likely to be higher because the other car tends to get damaged quite bad and there are likely to be injuries as well. Coupled with higher repair costs for such vehicles, SUVs are usually more expensive to insure.

Sports vehicles. Being both cool and relatively cheap, sports cars often seem as an advantageous option for car buyers. Nevertheless, when insuring a typical sports car, you will actually have a hard time finding cheap auto insurance because insurers tend to classify such cars as high risk. Increased top speed, engine volume, elevated theft and accident rates as well as the likelihood to produce a very serious car crash all lead to higher auto insurance rates for sports vehicles.

Luxury vehicles. It may seem natural that expensive luxury cars will cost more to insure than other car types. However, it's not because they are expensive to buy - insurers have other reasons to charge higher rates for such vehicles. First of all, these cars are usually very costly to repair, often requiring exclusive and overpriced repair parts that are hard to find in an ordinary repair shop. Besides, such vehicles are often targeted by car thieves and burglars due to their value and scarcity. So don't expect to get cheap auto insurance for any luxury car.

Auto insurance cost reduction tips

It's difficult to find anyone who would pay more for something they can actually get at a lower price. This is true when it comes to auto insurance. The only problem in this case is the lack of knowledge about saving methods that can effectively reduce one's insurance rates. Knowing even the basic saving strategies will help you save your money and avoid situations when you are to pay for something you don't really need with your insurance policy. So the next time you will shop for auto insurance use the following tips:

1. Buy only what you really need
   The prevailing mistake customers make when buying a policy is getting all the coverage, they can get assuming that it's better that way. Having different insurance options with your policy is very nice since you never know when you will need them, but this increases the cost of your policy. Consequently, you end up with higher premiums and lots of coverage options that you do not need to buy. So, firstly you should analyze your current auto insurance needs and outline the types of coverage that are really necessary. See if you need any other coverage options besides the mandatory third party liability and consider buying them only if they are really necessary. Otherwise it will have to overpay for insurance.
2. Never choose to buy the first policy you come across
   For a lot of drivers, auto insurance is an obligation they want to get done with as soon as possible. So there's not surprise about the fact that a lot of people choose to take the first policy offered without even spending some time on rate comparison, assuming that all the policies have the same price. This often results in additional costs you could easily avoid by getting a cheaper policy after some comparison shopping. The truth is that all insurers have different pricing methods, and you can actually get a policy that carries the same amount of coverage cheaper by comparing insurance quotes. With so many sites giving you the opportunity to do it online there's no excuse for avoiding comparison shopping, which can result in substantial savings.
3. Get discounts if you can
   If you don't know about any discounts offered by your auto insurance provider this doesn't mean that there aren't any. Some insurers do not want to advertise it widely but still give you a discount if you comply with their requirements. Discounts are usually offered to low risk drivers who maintain a clean driving record and don't file any claims, good students who have an average of B or higher, owners of multiple vehicles, senior citizens and drivers who have a low yearly mileage. It never hurts to ask the insurer if they can give you a discount while the result can cut your insurance costs.
4. If you need change your insurance factors
   Some of the factors that influence your auto insurance costs are difficult to change such as your sex, age or place of residence. However, you can improve other factors such as your driving record, your credit score or even change the current vehicle with something that is cheaper to insure.

Getting Necessary Fixes

Rarely is the cost for the repair equal to mere pocket change, and more often than not it involves an issue caused by normal wear and tear, rather than something that will be covered by warranty. This situation can cause great financial strain to an already stressed-out household. But the reality is, car maintenance is a necessity and if it goes unattended to it will lead to more costly repairs down the road. There is also the safety factor for the occupants of a vehicle that is in need of repair or new parts in order for it to operate at optimal performance.

There are innumerable auto repair shops, franchises, and outlets ready and able to perform the necessary procedures to a customer's vehicle. All of the technicians who are employed by these facilities have received extensive training and should be certified, bonded, and insured before they are entrusted to work on customer's cars, trucks, or SUVs.

When a potential customer enters an auto repair facility, the staff should greet them in a welcoming manner and an employee should be available to answer any questions they may have concerning their vehicle, the length of time the repair will take, and any applicable expenses for the work done. A menu of services offered by the business should be in clear view and all prices for both parts and labor should be stated alongside the service, including any policies regarding warranties and guarantees honored by this establishment. Many businesses have chosen to create an area where future clients can read surveys or testimonials submitted by previous customers expressing their satisfaction with the service provided by the business.

A technician will perform a series of diagnostic tests, as well as test drive the vehicle, in order to evaluate the problem the customer has been experiencing, then they will write up an estimate of any necessary repair work that will need to be done. This estimate will allow the technician to walk the customer through each step required to complete all of the repairs and an explanation will be given for each of the costs associated with the individual part and its corresponding labor charge.

While auto repair can be expensive and the cause of stress for many driver's, there is peace of mind to be felt with the knowledge the vehicle is now operating as it should be and that any safety issues have been addressed, handled and will no longer pose a risk to loved ones who rely upon the vehicle for transportation.

Auto Repair Diagnostics

The brakes on your SUV have started to squeal. Whatever the problem, your vehicle is no longer running like new and you are terrified of the amount of money that it might take to fix. There are a number of things you can do to arm yourself with information before heading to your local auto repair shop in order to ensure you get the best service at the best price.

When it comes to auto repair, the most terrifying thing for many drivers is the fact that they have to take the technician's word on diagnosis and cost of repairs. Sure, you can get a second opinion, but comparing quotes often isn't helpful if you still aren't sure what the exact problem is in the first place.

Diagnosis is a term often used in medical circles and defines a process in which the problem is defined. From there, several options for treatment or repair may be available, but without an accurate diagnosis, any treatment is bound to fail.

As such, the first steps of auto repair involve an in-depth process that evaluates all signs and symptoms in order to learn what is wrong. For many newer vehicles, diagnosis is very easy with the computer monitors that can be hooked up to diagnostic machines and have various tests run while the car sits idle. For older vehicles, the problem is often a little more complex and as wear and tear starts to show, may even involve multiple systems within the vehicle. Whatever the route, helping to find the exact problem is the most important step in finding the cheapest and best solution.

There are a number of online question tree tools that help car owners drive down to the root of the problem before seeking auto repair services at their local garage. By taking the time to learn a little more about accurate diagnosis and troubleshooting before heading over to your local auto repair shop, you can end up saving yourself a lot of time and money in the long run.

Technicians are happy to answer informed and knowledgeable questions and will be more eager to provide accurate estimates on parts and labor if you demonstrate a little vehicle know-how. A little work up front can save you a lot of money on the other end.

Easy Auto Care

Taking care of your car or truck is one of the most important things you can do to ensure that you remain financially above water. When your car breaks down you may be late to work, if you can get there at all. You may end up having to pay for a taxi or rely on a friend to get to and from work and pick up the kids at school. What you're left with is a very expensive car repair bill and all the incidental costs that occurred while it was in the shop. What I am going to give you now is some very valuable information that will keep you out of this situation. These are some very easy and very inexpensive ways to maintain your own car so that you can avoid those expensive bills. By the time you're finished with this article you will be able to get more miles and better gas mileage from your car.

The first step is very simple, read the manual. That's it, that little book in the glove box is your golden ticket to understanding how to keep your vehicle in great shape. That manual has a list of all the maintenance that your car needs to keep you on the road. You may also find out about some features in your car that you didn't know you had. If you don't have one they are very easy to find online or you can get one at the dealership. Buying one is a great investment and will begin saving you money on those costly repair bills

The second step is actually using the manual. Now that you know what the car needs go ahead and do it. It's really not that hard. I have been able to teach most of my friends how to do it themselves with just a couple of tools. It may be hard to believe but many people don't know that you need to change the oil. Those same people are now doing it themselves and much more.

Now let's work on your car. I'd like to start with something that will increase your gas mileage and keep your tires in good shape for several thousand miles longer than your neighbor. This is an easy one. Check the tire pressure. You can pick up a tire pressure gauge for a couple dollars or less at any auto parts store and all you have to do is press it against that little thing sticking out of the wheel. Compare the number on the gauge to the one in the manual or on the little sticker inside the door jam. When the pressure is low just take your car up to the gas station and use the air hose (most gas stations have them) and fill the tire to the proper pressure. This might cost you about one dollar to use the air hose and it will save gas and increase the life of your tires. A good thing to remember is that when the seasons change so will your tire pressure. When it gets cold you'll see that your tires are a little low. Don't worry, the tires are probably fine, just put a little more air in.

Next on our to-do list is the air filter. This is another easy thing to do. Under the hood of your car there is a big black box with some clips on it. Just unclip the top of the box and you have found your air filter. Most of them slide out pretty easily and you can check to see how dirty it is. You can blow it out or vacuum it, but if the manual says it's time to change it you probably should. The last time someone at a repair shop wanted to change it for me I said now and I was glad I did. They wanted $40 to do it! I went to an auto parts store instead and bought one for $15 and put it in myself. It took less than 30 minutes including the amount of time it took to buy it and I saved $25. So now you can save $25 and get better gas mileage.

The next two items on our list are a little more involved, but one of them you may not have to do it all. Let's change our fuel filter first. This is the part of your fuel system that keeps all the dirt in the gas out of your engine. It is usually located under the car so you may have to lift up the vehicle. This is pretty simple and safe if you follow how the manual tells you to do it. Most cars come equipped with a jack or you can get one pretty cheap at the auto parts store. This task requires our second tool. On most new vehicles you need a special tool to unclip the fuel lines from the filter. It is a very inexpensive tool and the person at the auto parts store can tell you which one you need. You should also have some safety glasses and maybe some gloves for those with sensitive skin. A good safety tip here is to let the car sit for about an hour before you do it to make sure there is no pressure in the lines. All you do now is slide the tool into place. Some fuel filters may fight back a little but don't be afraid. It will come out. The new one goes in just like it came out minus having to use the tool. That's it you have once again increased your gas mileage and avoided a repair bill. The last tip about fuel filters is you may not have to change it at all. Some do not need to be changed and if that is the case you will probably not even see it under the car. They hide those in the fuel tank.

The next task we have is one that we all have. Many people don't do this at all and it will absolutely kill your car. You need to change the oil and the filter. If you don't you are guaranteed to be purchasing a new engine very soon. This bill is one of the big ones and you can avoid it for about $25 to $30. For this task you should keep your eye out for specials at the auto parts store. Many of these stores have their own brand of oil and filters they sell. Most of the time when you go in and ask for oil and a filter, they will tell you about their $15 oil change special. Yes, some oils are better than others, but when the budget is tight a cheap oil change is much better than no oil change. Your manual will tell you how often to do it and what type of oil to use. The first step is again to lift the car up. Once you are there all you do is unscrew the drain plug and then unscrew the oil filter. Make sure you have something to catch the oil. This can be done with one standard wrench and an oil filter wrench which are both inexpensive and easy to find. Be careful not to unscrew the plug on the transmission by mistake. Replacing lost transmission fluid is a little more expensive. Once you have all the oil out it is very important to remember to put the plug back in, or you may be purchasing more oil. I like to put a little oil in the filter before screwing back on. Once it is hand tight I like to give it just a little turn with the filter wrench, just be careful that you don't damage the filter. Now you can refill your engine with new oil. There is a cap on top of the engine with the label "oil". That was easy. In the manual it will show you how to check your oil level to ensure that you have the proper level. This is especially helpful if you have a small leak somewhere. Running a car with low or no oil is even worse than not changing it. You should check it periodically between oil changes just to make sure. You have just extended the life of your engine, improved your gas mileage and got a great deal on an oil change!