Monday, July 29, 2013

What Is Collision Insurance and Do You Need It?

Why buy auto collision insurance? If you get in an accident and it is the other driver's fault, you can just sue or get the money from the other insurance company, right? Well, that may be true, but what if they have no insurance or what if the accident is your fault? You may be the most careful driver in the world, but it is still conceivable that you could cause an accident. If that happens, you will not be able to collect any money from the other driver's insurance company to pay for the damage. This is when collision insurance is needed.

Auto collision insurance is one of the most misunderstood insurance types; many people cannot explain it or know what it does and doesn't cover. Basic collision insurance covers your vehicle's repairs if you are involved in an accident with another vehicle. It does not cover accidents involving structures such as walls, telephone poles, or a house. It also does not cover accidents involving animals. It is also not required by law.

There are a few reasons to get auto collision insurance. The first reason, as detailed above, offers an extra layer of protection if you cause an accident or if the other driver has no insurance. Drivers who own a car that is completely paid off and still has a decent value, may want collision insurance in order to have the complete cost of their car covered in case of major damage. If you finance a car, the lender will usually require you to carry collision insurance to ensure that the cost of the car is covered in case the automobile is totaled in an accident.

There are also a few reasons not to purchase collision as part of your insurance coverage. If you have enough money in the bank to cover any major repairs or the full cost of the vehicle, it might be wise to just keep your own funds as insurance instead of paying them out to an insurance company just in case you get in an accident. However, if you don't have the extra funds, this is not a wise decision. The other reason not to purchase collision coverage is if you have an old car that is not worth very much. Collision coverage is often the most expensive portion of the premium and getting this type of coverage for an old car without much value is not a wise financial decision.

Auto collision coverage is basically a promise made by the insurance company to pay a specific amount of money in case of an accident. The ceiling for that amount of money is the book value of your vehicle minus the deductible. This ceiling decreases every year as your car depreciates. The best way to decide if you need collision coverage or how much your deductible should be, is know what you can afford and take that risk with your own funds, but get insurance coverage for what you cannot afford. Once you take the time to understand what collision insurance is, it is a fairly simple decision to make.

Jennifer Greenfield is a writer on the automotive industry and auto related insurance. For more information on collision insurance and auto body shops in the greater Boston area, visit Final Finish Collision Center at http://www.finalfinishcc.com
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Friday, July 26, 2013

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Mobil 1 & eHow: 5 Ways to Improve Mileage



Going on a family road trip? Mobil 1 & eHow team up with Automotive Improvement Expert Chris Duke to explain 5 ways to improve mileage.

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Selecting the Right Auto Body Dent Repair Specialist

Modern vehicles manufacturers use innovative materials on the skin of you car. These materials are as thin and as light as possible while still retaining aesthetics and safety. However, no matter what material is used, dents and dings still happen all too often. Finding the right technician is the key to getting the job done correctly at a fair price.

Choosing a Dent Repair Specialist in 4 Easy Steps
  1. Type of Repair. The first step is to determine if the dent can be fixed by paintless dent repair specialist or if it needs to be repaired by a traditional body shop. If the paint is not chipped, it can often be repaired using this method. Paint less dent repair is a more affordable method to fix dents; this process does not involve extensive repair work or painting. Even if it requires more extensive repairs, using the services of a dent repair specialist is advised.

  2. Certified and Trained. Most repair specialists have had extensive training, but there are some who lurk in the shadows and offer great prices for dent repair. Some traditional auto body shops, even though trained in auto body repair, may be lacking knowledge of some of the more innovative and current techniques for fixing car dents. Select a technician who specializes in dent repair and who can display evidence of recent training and certification and you can be sure that the job will be done correctly.

  3. Ensuring Quality Work. When deciding on a specialist, it is important to shop around. It is also wise to do your homework and find out more about a repair shop's reputation and quality of work. Ask to see photos of previous work, look online for reviews and testimonials, and ask around among your friends, co-workers, or neighbors. The more positive reviews the better; ask about reasonable pricing, any additional costs above quoted price, any delays, the quality of the work, and the personality of the technicians.

  4. Guaranteed Results. The specialist should offer guarantees that the work will be done. You should receive an accurate time frame for completion of the work, you should know that they can actually repair the dent, and there should be a guarantee on the quality of the work completed.
Selecting the right specialist is an important decision. You want to make sure you pay a fair price and receive quality and guaranteed results. Doing a little homework will go a long way toward finding the right specialist for your car.

Jennifer Greenfield is a writer in the auto repair business. For more information on paintless dent removal Natick Ma, visit Final Finish at http://www.finalfinishcc.com.
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Wednesday, July 17, 2013

"At Corby's Collision ~ We Care!"

Corby's Collision has been in business for 47 years in Vacaville, California. Current Owner, Paul Troutner, took over the company in November of 1993. They moved the business to the current 9,000 square foot facility in 1998.

Paul was born and raised in Fairfield, California but, because of his love for the town of Vacaville he moved his family there in 2000. Paul has not only come to love the town but, the people who live there as well and is on a "first name" basis with most of Corby's customers.

When you do business with Corby's Collision you will not only deal with their qualified and professional staff but, also with Paul himself. He is an Owner/Operator and likes to be "hands on" with everything that goes in and out of the shop.

Hours of Operation:

8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday

Closed
Saturday and Sunday

Sunday, July 14, 2013

Benefits of Proper Wheel Alignment

A lot of people do not realize how important proper wheel alignment is for their cars. They tend to think that there is nothing much that will happen to their tires other than an occasional puncture. The truth is it is vital that you get your wheels aligned as often as you get your car serviced.

Wheel alignment is the process of ensuring the wheels of your car are perpendicular to the road. It also ensures that the wheels are parallel to each other, always at constant pressure, and there is no friction that will arise. In short, it is the process of making sure that your driving experience will be smooth and comfortable.

Wheel alignment helps to save fuel. When the wheels of your car are not aligned, there will be an uneven pressure on the tires; thus, causes them to push against each other. With this, your car will face uneven friction, and there is greater resistance from the road surface. When this happens, your car needs to work harder to move forward, causing more fuel to be burned. However, by having your wheels aligned, there is less resistance from the road surface, which also equates to a big saving in your gas bill.

Saving you money
The significance of proper wheel alignment cannot be more emphasized when we calculate the cost of new tires compared to the cost of wheel alignment.

Greater resistance to the road surface means that there will be more pressure on the rubber of your tires, which would eventually lead to very quick wear and tear on them. When this happens, the tire will get bald on one side, causing your tires to be uneven. With uneven tires, you are not just going to deal with the danger in driving, but also the need to spend money on new tires easily.

A lot of people have the notion that everything is covered in the warranty of the tire manufacturer. However, you must bear in mind that warranties only cover manufacturing defect, not defects caused by poor maintenance.

Provides safety
If you have experienced your car pulling itself to one side all the time, then it is surely caused by faulty wheel alignment. While it is hard to drive on a wet road even with properly aligned wheels, it would be worse to drive on the same road with poorly aligned wheels. Plus, you are putting your life at risk, too. Rather than thinking on how much you will spend on alignment, you must consider the safety that this service guarantees you and those who will be riding with you.

The Perfect Time
When your steering wheel is positioned to be going straight yet your car drives either left or right you know it is time for a while alignment. Another indicator that you need to have your wheels aligned is when one side of your tires is worn out more than the other. It is usually advised to have wheel alignment once every 6000 miles or 6 months, or whichever is earlier. Not only that, you must also get your wheels aligned in case you have hit something while driving.

There is no doubt that this can bring a great effect on the quality of your ride, the efficiency of your handling, the precision of your steering and might lead to "pulling", which causes your vehicle veer to one side while attempting to drive straight. All of these things can become dangerous as time goes by. So, you must ensure that your car is maintained well, and it is in good condition, which is for your own safety.

Tru-Line in Seattle has been trusted since 1962 for all vehicle care services such as suspension, steering and alignment, brake services, wheel/tire mounting and balancing and much more.
Learn more about what Tru-Line can do for you and your car.
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Thursday, July 11, 2013

Top 5 Summer Driving Tips

Now that the summer driving season is in full swing it's time to take a look at some summer driving tips that might save you a lot of gas, aggravation, and pain. Too many of us don't give a second thought to summer driving, thinking instead of winter conditions as being more dangerous. But each time of year comes with its own unique set of challenges that need be addressed.
Summer Driving Tips:

1) Improve you gas mileage:

In order to get the best gas mileage for your car - empty it! Yup it's amazing how many people with lug around a trunk full of golf gear, luggage, left over winter gear, kid's toys and bikes when they don't even need them. By clearing your vehicle of all unnecessary gear you can improve fuel economy by 1-2%.

Use the proper grade of gasoline. Buying a premium grade of gas when your car doesn't call for it is nothing more than a waste of money. Not sure what grade to buy? Check online or with a trusted mechanic and they'll steer you in the right direction.

Keep your speed within reason. While we at Hectic Holidays don't condone speeding and we know how hard it is not to go blasting down the open highway; you lose a lot of your fuel economy as you push your car well over the speed limit. By keeping your cruising speed within reasonable limits you can save 2-5% in fuel. And speaking of cruising, use cruise control when possible as it adjusts to the road conditions better than most drivers can and helps maintain an even speed and can lower fuel consumption.

  Finally check those tires! Properly inflated tires can save a driver between 1-3% in fuel usage. It's one of the easiest and most overlooked fuel savings tip.

2) Check your route!

As we say up north, there are only two seasons - winter and construction season. Try finding alternate routes and or adjusting your travel times if there's road work being done. This alone can save you massive amount of gas, money and time. Plus staring at the back of the same car going 2 mph for over an hour is not fun with a car or SUV full of antsy kids!

3) Watch out for teens drivers

Realize more teens are on the road during the summer with school being out. Traditionally this is one of the most dangerous groups on the road; and now with smart phones, the allure of constant communication with their friends is greater than ever. And don't even think about texting and driving yourself. Studies have continually shown a driver that's texting is as impaired as a drunk driver when it comes to reaction times.

4) Get an early start.

If you can leave early before the morning rush hour starts.

5) Don't even think about drinking!

Finally the most important summer driving tip is as always - don't ever drink and drive. I know the message has been beaten into us and rightly so; but during the summer holiday season filled with picnics, family events, and major weekend driving holidays it's a safety tip that too many people still forgot.

Good luck, save summer driving and enjoy the weather!

Want to learn more and get some great holiday tips, check out our website at http://www.hecticholidays.com
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Monday, July 8, 2013

Inside IIHS: Understanding Underride



"Inside IIHS: Understanding underride" takes viewers along as cars are sent hurtling into the backs of semitrailers. These tests evaluate how well the trucks' underride guards prevent cars from sliding underneath. Learn why IIHS started these tests and how they are done.

Friday, July 5, 2013

How to Avoid Car Dents

Minor dings and dents on cars are almost as inevitable as death and taxes. However, just as we can eat right and take care of ourselves to stay healthy, and we can hire someone to help us reduce our tax burden, we can also take a few steps to reduce the chances of incurring minor dings and dents on our vehicles.

There are five principle steps you take to lessen the chances of car dings and dents. Following these steps will not completely eliminate the possibility, but your car will have a better chance of looking like brand new for longer.
  1. Clean up your garage or carport. The more clutter surrounding your car, the greater the chances that something will fall on or against it. If you have kids, make sure to park it away from the driveway basketball hoop or keep it far away from the various bats, balls, clubs, sticks, and racquets that the kids may use.

  2. Learn how to park - parallel, diagonal, and straight. From looking at various parking lots from time to time, it is obvious that there are plenty of drivers who lack good parking skills, The more your practice and focus on your parking skills, the better you will be, and there will be less of a chance of parking bumps and bruises.

  3. Don't park close to other vehicles. This may mean that you will have a longer walk to the grocery store or the local warehouse store, but it is one of the best ways to avoid minor dents.

  4. Avoid parking in dangerous or vulnerable areas. It is a good idea to park far away from the areas where shopping carts are stored or at the end of a parking lot that slopes downhill (shopping carts will roll downhill into your car). It is wise to avoid high crime areas or locales where vandalism is prevalent.

  5. If you do park next to other cars, select cars that appear to be well taken care of. If an owner is meticulous about vehicle care, they will be less likely to bang their door into your car or scrape the side of your vehicle as they are leaving.
No matter how careful you are, accidents can happen. If a minor dent or door ding occurs, take it to a paintless dent repair specialist. Paintless dent repair is quick, much less expensive than traditional auto body repair, and requires no paint matching. Many of these specialists are mobile and will come to your home or office to perform the repairs. Paintless auto body dent repair is the modern way to take care of minor dings and dents.

Jennifer Greenfield is a writer in the auto repair business. For more information on paintless dent removal Natick Massachusetts, visit Final Finish at http://www.finalfinishcc.com.
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Tuesday, July 2, 2013

How to Protect Yourself During an Auto Accident

A car accident can be a frightening experience. However, knowing what to do in case you are ever in a collision can help make the experience just a bit less frustrating and demoralizing. Being prepared in case the worst happens is one of the keys to protecting your rights and your money.

Stop and Call Immediately.

If you are ever involved in a collision of any type - with another vehicle, a bicycle, a pedestrian, or just a single car crash with property, you need to stop. Hit and run is a crime which carries serious penalties, including fines, probation, and jail. Once you stop, it is important to call the authorities immediately. If it is a very minor accident with another car, exchanging information may be all that is needed; there are specific state rules governing when the authorities should be notified. If there appears to be any injuries, the first call should be to 911. Tell the 911 operator all the details - location, possible severity, and number of cars and people involved. Be concise yet comprehensive. Stay on the phone until the 911 operator has taken down all the details and advises you to hang up.

Be Truthful Without Admitting Fault

Once the authorities arrive, it is absolutely essential to tell the truth. However, you should not admit any fault or take the blame. State the facts - nothing more and nothing less. Do not volunteer any additional information or details. Anything you say to law enforcement can be used against you on a claim or in a courtroom. You should also remember to get the police officer's name, badge number, and precinct.

Document Everything

It is important that you always carry the proper documentation in your vehicle at all times - registration, insurance information, driver's license, and anything else that identifies you and your vehicle. It is also important to obtain all relevant information from the other driver. This exchange of information from other people involved in the accident is important - make sure to look at everything, write down the information, and take pictures of it if the other person allows it. Since most cellphones have cameras, you should also take pictures of the accident from every conceivable angle. The more pictures the better - make sure the camera has a date and time stamp for proper documentation. Be sure to ask the police officer how you can obtain a copy of the accident report.

If you keep a checklist of everything you need to do in your car next to your registration, you will be prepared to act responsibly and reasonably if an accident occurs. Accidents can be very stressful - having a list ensures that you do the right thing in a hectic and frantic time.

Jennifer Greenfield is a writer in the auto repair business. For more information on autobody shop Peabody Ma, visit Final Finish at http://www.finalfinishcc.com.
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