How to Handle an Accident

A car accident can happen to almost anyone, at any time. This is something that you never really expect, so knowing what to do if it does occur can be the key to handling the problem properly. Obviously, an accident can leave a person feeling a bit scattered and stressed. Sometimes how you drive can be an important factor in an accident. Therefore, knowing how speed can affect a crash is important. 

A head-on collision can be the most dangerous type of accident, so understanding how to react to this problem is also very important, just like handling the scene of an accident (no matter what type there are certain things to keep in mind).

How Speed Affects A Crash:

The statistics regarding the speed at which a vehicle is traveling and how this affects a crash are very clear. For starters, going faster than what is appropriate for the conditions and the crash results in around 14 percent of all collisions that result in an injury. 

It is obvious that if you crash at a higher speed, there will be more force that comes to bear and this leads to a greater impact and a higher potential for injuries. To illustrate this, consider walking into a tree or a pole...then run into that tree or pole and take note of the greater force of impact.

Speed does not necessarily mean 'speeding.' In poor weather conditions, going under the posted speed limit might still be too fast for conditions. Higher speeds also mean drivers have less time to react to changing conditions around themselves. It also means that it will take longer for a car to stop. If the vehicle needs to swerve, or take evasive measures, it will be more difficult to control.

Visit: 5 Tips for Lowing Your Auto Insurance in 2014

What to Do In Head-On Collisions:

Happily, head-on collisions are fairly rare events. Having said that, you need to be ready at all times.. If you are able to see this event developing, you want to slow down as much as possible ahead of time, without losing control of your vehicle. The idea behind this is to reduce the forces at work as much as possible (see above about why speed is important). This also gives the other driver as much of a chance as possible to recover and move out of your lane. Rather than hitting the other vehicle head-on, it would be better to go off the road, to the right (certainly not to left, with the potential of other on-coming traffic).

Handling the Scene of the Accident:

The first thing to do at the scene of an accident is to move to a safe area. This is, of course, as long as you are not seriously hurt. If you cannot move your vehicle out of further harm's way, then at least turn on hazard lights to warn other drivers. Stop the car, turn off the engine, shift into park, take a moment to catch your breath, and then (when it is safe) exit the vehicle.

Once you have exited the vehicle, survey the scene. Check on other drivers and passengers to see if they are OK or hurt. Call 911 if anyone is injured, even if those injuries seem to be fairly minor like dizziness. Then, call the police to the scene. Even in minor accidents, this can help to make dealing with future insurance claims much easier. You want to cooperate fully with the police when they arrive, but also avoid admitting fault, especially here at the scene.

5 Tips for Lowing Your Auto Insurance in 2014

When it comes to insurance, we could all stand to pay a little less. So why not start off 2014 right and lower the rates your paying for auto insurance? By adhering to the following easy tips, you’ll save 15% or more on car insurance — just kidding (couldn’t resist reading the gecko commercial script). But kidding aside, it’s no joke that these tips could save you a lot of money down the road!

Purchase Higher Deductibles  

        

            It’s no secret that the higher your deductible is, the lower your premiums are going to be. And by knowing this, you can have a pretty strong gauge on the type of insurance you should purchase for your vehicle. Simply put, depending on the age of your vehicle, higher deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverage may significantly lower your premium. 

For instance, if you have a brand new car, you could end up paying much lower premiums by agreeing to higher deductibles for comprehensive and collision coverage. Likewise, you may want to consider paying a higher premium for a lower deductible if your car breaks down often.

More: Driving Tips

Decline Coverage You Don’t Need

            It may be common sense to some, but it’s important to know that you can always decide to decline coverage that you don’t think you’ll need. In particular, it’s a wise idea to drop comprehensive and collision coverage on older cars with a low market value, because insurance will never pay more than the car is worth.

Combine Policies with One Carrier

            Combining policies is something that most of us don’t have a whole lot of experience with, and for (somewhat) good reason: it ventures more into the complex side of insurance purchasing. But while it may be a slightly more complicated process, combining carriers isn’t hard as long as you make sure all of the carriers are under one company. This is simply because most carriers give discounts for multiple policies with one company. With this in mind, you may want to consider combining your renters, homeowners or life insurance with the same company as your auto insurance — it could save you money in the long run!

Keep a Clean Driving Record

            All right, this one shouldn’t be news to anyone: Moving violations and at-fault accidents will raise your premiums. In fact, most carriers will look at your driving record over the last three years, and some even go back five. Accidents and violations not only raise your premium on a point-based system, they also keep you out of some of the best-rated programs that your carrier has to offer.

Improve Your Credit Rating

            There are plenty of people out there who fail to recognize the true value of their credit score. Thankfully, all you really need to know is that your credit score is used to calculate your auto insurance premium… to an extent. With that in mind though, you should do what you can to improve your credit score and over time you should see an overall improvement in your auto insurance premium.

Written by Bill Kasmann, owner of  Tree Frog Complete Grounds Maintenance. Kasmann has been providing auto, home, business, health and life insurance solutions for over 20 years to the Columbia, Missouri community.  

Driving Tips

The absolute most important tip to remember is to never drink and drive. Alcohol will impair your ability to drive properly and puts you and everyone else on the roads at a greater risk of an accident occurring.

If you must head out on the streets, you must take extra care while driving. Remember even if you are sober, there are plenty of drivers on the street who are not. Here are some tips to help get you home safely.

• Be Extra Cautious. If you are going to drive, you must be extra cautious and pay close attention to the other drivers. Always be prepared to make sudden stops. Be extra caution at intersections, even those with streetlights. Also, stay a good distance from the cars in front of you, so you have time to react.
• Always Wear Your Seat Belt. You should always wear your seat belt when driving, but be especially vigilant on holidays such as New Year’s Eve and insist that everyone in the car buckle up.
• Stick to the Speed Limit. Not only will the police be out in full force, but driving too fast may reduce your ability to react quickly if necessary.
• No Distractions. You need to have all eyes on the road and both hands on the wheel. Put away your cell phone, do not have the music up too loud, and avoid any other types of distractions.
• Do Not Drive Sleepy. You should never drive when you are extra tired. If you know that you will be driving home late, try to get a nap before heading out for the night.
• Have a Backup Plan. Always have a back-up plan in place. Keep some important numbers in your pocket just in case you need to call for a ride.

You should visit: Car Loans and Insurance: How Much Is Too Much?

Driving Alternatives

If you are planning to drink, it is important to make alternative arrangements to help you get home safely. Here are several options you can use to avoid drinking and driving.

• Have a Designated Driver in Place
• Use a Taxi or a Car service to take you home.
• Use Public Transportation
• Plan to Stay Overnight. Many venues offer overnight packages or shuttle service to a nearby hotel.
• Sober Rides. This program will come to your location and drive you home in your car.
• Tipsy Tow. This program will help take you home and tow your car within ten miles.

All of these driving tips  can help make sure you get home safely. If you must drive, please use extreme caution. If you are going to drink, leave your car at home for the evening. This will keep you and all the other drivers on the road safe. Otherwise, you risk damaging your car, injury, or taking a life.

Written by Pamela Garcia. Pamela loves to write and spend time with her family in Maine.

Car Loans and Insurance: How Much Is Too Much?

Getting a new car is an exciting event. You can pick out the features and style that you want and replace an old, unreliable vehicle with a new one with a warranty. However, it is very easy, with today's high-pressure sales tactics, to buy a car that is too expensive for you to afford the payments or whose insurance bills will be beyond your means. According to USA Today, the average price for a new car is now more than $31,000. How can you avoid getting into a bad financing situation and find a car that fits your means?

New or Used?

The biggest decision, and one of the first, that you must make is whether you are going to look for a brand-new vehicle or a used vehicle. New vehicles have the benefit of having never having had an owner, but used vehicles generally cost much less. Many people compromise and buy a vehicle that has been turned in after a year or so on a lease to keep their purchase costs low since a car theoretically loses most of its value in the first two years of ownership. However, this also means that the car will be worthless if the new owner attempts to trade it in or sell it later.

Visit: 4 Great Reasons to Use Alternative Transportation

Options and Decisions

Today's cars come with a variety of options including expensive technology, bigger and better interiors, and even premium tires and rims. The price of these options can add significantly to the price of a vehicle, so it is important to choose carefully in order to stay within a purchasing budget for a vehicle. Some options are more expensive to purchase with the car from the dealer that they would be to buy "aftermarket" from another vendor.

To Lease or Not To Lease: Car Financing Options

Most people cannot pay cash for a new vehicle, so one of the first decisions a car buyer has to make is whether to buy or lease your vehicle. Both financing options have advantages and disadvantages. It is important to weigh the options to choose the right type of financing for a new vehicle. In general, leasing is less expensive per month but ultimately costs you more to own the car, so leaders tend to keep leasing.

Insurance: The Hidden Cost

If there is one cost that people often forget when buying a new car, it is car insurance. Car insurance rates can easily double if a buyer purchases a new SUV by trading in an old sedan. Therefore, it is important to get a quote for insurance before making a final decision on a vehicle.

Making it all Work: Creating a Car-Buying Budget

You can avoid being swept away by the new-car-buying experience by creating a car-buying budget before you ever step on the lot. Whether you lease or buy, a budget is essential.

Start with your monthly income and subtract the cost of your rent, food, and other expenses. Be honest about your spending needs. What you have left over is what you can afford for a car payment.

Do a little research before heading to the car lot. Find out which cars are available in your price range and which offer the features you want, as well as the true value of your own vehicle if you are going to trade in. Finally, call and ask about insurance costs for the vehicles you have narrowed down. Armed with this knowledge, you will be better able to handle high-pressure sales tactics and get the right vehicle for your needs and budget.

This article was written by Vito Sanchez, a car enthusiast who hopes to help you become a better car owner. He writes this on behalf of Stevens Transport, your number one choice when looking for the best transport companies out there. Check out their website today and see how they can help you! 

4 Great Reasons to Use Alternative Transportation

The personal automobile is no doubt the king of the roadway. Cars are popular around the world, especially in first-world countries. A few years ago the number of vehicles on Earth surpassed one billion. The overflow of personal vehicles is inflicting a lot of damage on both Earth and its citizens. Luckily, many methods of alternative transportation are available. These transportation methods include walking, bicycles, scooters, buses, trains, taxis, carpools, ride shares and much more. The alternative transportation types offer some significant benefits as compared to personal car use, as detailed in the four arguments below.

Environmental Sustainability

Personal vehicles are a detriment to the environment. Not only do they release a lot of pollutants when they are driven, which destroy the ozone layer and atmosphere, but the manufacture of cars also requires an unsustainable number of resources as well. Luckily, it's easy to avoid the negative environmental impacts of driving a car by combining transportation needs and using public transportation. If you live close enough, consider walking or biking to work or to run errands. For those who live in an area where public transportation is nonexistent, consider setting up a carpool with co-workers, parents, or other folks in similar situations. While you're still using fuel and producing pollution, at least the amount per person is significantly reduced with a carpool.

Visit: Quick Tips for Finding the Perfect Car for You

Increased Savings

Cars are expensive to own, fuel, and maintain. The initial cost is quite expensive and you have a car payment every month. You also have to register it, perform maintenance checks, purchase insurance, fill it with ever more expensive fuel, and pay for all necessary repairs. The costs quickly add up and they can put quite a strain on an already tight budget. 

You can always sell your car and stick to public transportation for a much cheaper alternative. It is a great idea to join a car share for access to a car on an affordable as needed basis. If you can't sell your car use public transportation or other alternative methods whenever possible to at least save on fuel and repairs.

Reduce Stress and Time

Public transportation offers some relief from stress. If you take the train to work, instead of having to focus on traffic during rush hour, you can relax and read a book or catch up on work. It provides some much needed time to yourself which greatly reduces stress. The longer your commute the more stressed and fatigued you are, but using a train can cut your commute time in half if traffic is especially awful. Reducing stress helps lower the incidence of fatigue, bad moods, headaches, irritability, and other afflictions.

Inevitable Exercise and Health Improvements

Choosing to bike, walk, skate, or get to work via some other self-powered method is great exercise. If you live too far to bike or walk, take the bus or train and get off at an earlier stop to walk to your destination. Between the exercise and reduced stress and financial strain, you are sure to see countless health benefits as a result of taking alternative transportation.

If the environment matters to you in any way, taking public transportation, biking, walking, or finding another alternative to a personal vehicle is a must. It's a challenge to abandon completely your personal vehicle, so start by incorporating alternative transportation whenever possible. It provides affordable, sustainable, healthy alternatives to sitting in your car for many hours every week.

This article was written by John Davis, a travel expert who loves sharing his tips for your travels, short and long! He recommends going around with Stita Cabs when looking for the best way to get around Seattle!

Quick Tips for Finding the Perfect Car for You

Buying a car is an important decision that takes time, research and patience, especially if you want the perfect automobile that fits your budget, needs and personal taste.

 The Use and Purpose of the Vehicle

The first step is to evaluate your true needs. Be careful to separate these from your wants, which may lead you to purchase a car you cannot afford. This is a large purchase: you need to get it right! So take time to consider the purpose and functionality of the car and whether it will be used for the entire family or just for you. Think about how many passengers will fit in it. Will you use it to drive around your local area, on long trips or the freeway? Will you use the car on a daily basis to commute? Will it be driven during the winter months? Does the car have a good fuel economy?

 Prior to the Purchase

Before you purchase a new car, you should already know the details of what would work best for you or anyone else who will be driving the vehicle. You should also think about whether you prefer to drive a stick shift or automatic vehicle. 

You should also look at the various safety features and their importance to you. What kind of parking space do you have for the vehicle? How important is an all-wheel drive to you? If you do a lot of road travel with the family, how much cargo space do you need? 

Never purchase a vehicle on impulse or because you like the way it looks! In making your decision, you should assess the different features that will provide convenience to you and your family and involve them in the pre-purchase discussion.

Checklist: Tinting the Right Way

 Financing or Leasing: the Monthly Payment

The next step is to decide if you will consider a loan or pay cash. If you choose to finance or lease, ask yourself how large a monthly payment you can afford. The average consumer spends 11 percent of their gross income each month on car payments, but some financial planners believe it should be closer to 8 percent. Examine your monthly budget closely to determine what works for you, but consider setting a rule to stay below 11 percent of your monthly gross income no matter what. 

If you’re financing, this monthly payment must include the total amount, including the interest rate you qualify for based on your credit.

 While paying cash and financing are the two most common ways to purchase a car, some choose to lease instead. The advantage of leasing is that you may not need a down payment and the monthly payments are typically lower. 

You would be able to drive a nice, new car every few years if you desire. However, when the lease is up, you will no longer have the use of the vehicle. Purchasing a vehicle outright is more expensive, and you will pay a higher monthly payment. However, when you have paid off the loan, you will own the vehicle to drive, sell or trade-in.

 Finding the perfect car is simple if you have a good idea of what you can afford and what you will need to make you comfortable.

 This article was written by Vito Sanchez, a car enthusiast who hopes to help you become a better car owner. He writes this on behalf of Deal Finder, your number one choice when looking for the best automotive BDC. Check out their website today and see how they can help you!

Tinting the Right Way

There are several factors you should keep in mind when planning to tint your car windows. Tinting is not as easy as sticking the film to a car window and then forgetting about it, not unless you want your tint to fall apart or you want to be fined. This is a short guide to help you with the whole process so that you tint the right way.

Be Aware of Tinting Laws in Your State

Window tinting laws vary from state to state. In some states, it's permissible to have dark windows in the rear of the car, but side windows can only be so dark and front windows a little less dark. If you have windows that are too dark, you will be pulled over and fined to the tune of $700, depending on your state.

What are Tint Percentages and What Should I Buy?

It's important that you know what percentage of tint to buy, in accordance with state laws. Tint percentages show the amount of light the tinted window will let in. For example, a window tinted 10 percent will allow 10 percent of all the light falling on it to enter.

In some states, car windows are pre-tinted, so factor this into your calculations. For example, your car might come with 90 percent tint while you want 40 percent tint, which might be the maximum your state will allow. Be sure to buy a tint film of more than 50 percent, so that you end up with tint more than 40 percent and not less. You can't just buy 40 percent tint, as your window will end up too dark.

Visit: Automotive Repairing

Let the Professionals do it for You

If you don't have any experience with tinting a car window, you might want to hire a professional to do it for you. It's usually worth the cost, as a poorly executed tint can begin to peel off, or you may crease the tint film during installation. A badly done tint job is easily identifiable with the bubbles, cracks, and peels that become visible after just a few weeks.

If you hire a professional, don't fall for "discount" rates. That's an almost sure sign that the installer will be installing a cheap tint. It's better to pay more for a higher quality tint that will last for many summers as compared to a cheaper tint that will disintegrate in only a couple of years.

DIY Tinting

If you're doing the tinting yourself, don't do it in freezing weather and be prepared not to roll your windows down for at least three to four days. It's best if you don't disturb your car and keep it in your garage, which should preferably be warm.

It's recommended that you clean the entire vehicle, including the windows before you apply the tint. This reduces the chances of something getting stuck under the applied tint, ensures the window is easier to see through and allows the tint's adhesiveness to last longer. Clean the inside part of the window with soapy water and ensure that all the dust particles are removed to prevent the formation of bubbles.

When applying the tint, cut it larger than your window size. Don't fold the tint to avoid creasing. Once it's in place, use a heat gun at the edges to make it shrink and fit your window better.

This article was written by Vito Sanchez, a car enthusiast who hopes to help you become a better car owner. He writes this on behalf of Car XRM, your number one choice when seeking the best car dealer software on the market. Check out their website today and see how they can help you manage your car dealership!