Sunday, December 31, 2017

Happy New Year!


May the new year bring new hopes, new aspirations, new joys and and new successes in your life's journey.

Thursday, December 28, 2017

What to Expect During a Car Insurance Claim | Allstate Insurance


When it's time to file a car insurance claim, it's helpful to know what information you need to provide and to understand how your insurance coverage works.

Monday, December 25, 2017

Merry Christmas!


May the magic and the wonder of the holiday season stay with you throughout the coming year

Friday, December 22, 2017

The Top 5 Used SUVs Owners Love (And the 3 to Avoid) | Consumer Reports


Find out which used mid-sized SUVs owners love and would buy again. Also, learn which SUVs owners regret buying.

Tuesday, December 19, 2017

What Does Car Insurance Typically Cover? | Allstate Insurance


Shopping for car insurance? Learn about the common types of coverage, including auto liability, comprehensive, collision and more.

Saturday, December 16, 2017

Clever Car Hacks


Do you always forget what side your fuel door is on? Or what to do when your windows won’t stop fogging up? In most cases, there’s a common-sense car hack for that. In this week’s segment of Driving Smart, Matt Schmitz shares a few that will make driving a bit more enjoyable.

Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Which Auto Collision Center Should I Use


Next to your home, your car is the second largest investment you will make. You spend a great deal of time choosing that right car. And then in minutes you suddenly find yourself with a car that's been damaged in an automobile accident. As a result the same common question continuously gets asked "Which auto collision center should I use"?

And it's a very good question. Vehicles aren't cheap, and with such a big investment you want to be certain that the repair is done right and since you have the right to choose who will fix your car it's time to start shopping around. What ever you do, don't let your insurance company try to bully you into using whom they want.

Different auto collision centers will have different rates, different practices, and different ways of filling out their auto repair estimate, which means you need to be alert as to how they are quoting their work. What looks like the cheapest quote may not be once you take everything into account. The auto collision center has to work with your insurance company to put things right and get you back on the road as soon as possible.

Here are just a few things to find out about. That way you can compare each of the auto collision centers on a level playing field.

What are the hours of operation and do they work with your schedule? Do they have a drop off service or a late pickup service?

Is there a guaranteed delivery date to have your car repairs completed?

Do they offer a loaner vehicle to drive while your vehicle is being repaired?

How long do they warranty their work for? Is there a lifetime guarantee and if so is it on paint?

Repairs? Labor?

What is the qualifications of the craftsman in the auto collision center?

How long has the company been in business?

What type of equipment do they have for repairs? Do they offer state of the art equipment?

Do they guarantee color match?

Do they utilize laser measuring?

Where are the centers located?

What's it going to cost?

Before you do anything, if it is at all possible it's a good idea to drop by, see the facilities, and get a quote. There are more than 35,000 auto body repair shops across the country, which can make it a bit confusing to choose. Use the tools at your disposal. The internet is an excellent resource, and having your list of questions answered can help you make the right choice.

The average auto repair takes two weeks so make sure you have made alternative arrangements with a rental car. You should also make sure you are happy with their commitment to customer satisfaction and remember you can always check with the Better Business Bureau to make sure the company has a good reputation.

Which auto collision center should you use? The choice is still yours but these tips should help you find the best facility for your repairs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Terry_Fitzroy/8074

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/672189

Sunday, December 10, 2017

62 Models Meet Tougher Criteria to Earn 2018 IIHS Awards - IIHS News


62 vehicle models meet tougher criteria to earn 2018 IIHS awards

ARLINGTON, Va. — Just 15 vehicles qualify for the Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS after the requirements were strengthened to include good-rated headlights and good or acceptable passenger-side protection in small overlap front crashes.

Another 47 vehicles earn the Top Safety Pick award, which now requires acceptable or good headlights. In contrast, headlights weren't factored in for 2017 Top Safety Pick, and an acceptable headlight rating was enough to bump a 2017 award winner into "plus" territory.

The inclusion of a passenger-side crash test is a first for any IIHS award. The Institute developed the passenger-side small overlap front crash test after it became clear that some manufacturers weren't paying sufficient attention to the passenger side as they made improvements to achieve better performance in the driver-side small overlap front test.

The 15 Top Safety Pick+ winners include four small cars, three midsize cars, five large luxury cars, two midsize nonluxury SUVs and one midsize luxury SUV. No minivans, pickups or minicars earn the highest award. Models from a wider range of vehicle types earn Top Safety Pick, but there are no minicars in that category either.

Thursday, December 7, 2017

Essential Winter Driving Tips | Consumer Reports


From snow and ice to sleet and rain; winter weather doesn’t hold back. Be prepared with advice from Consumer Reports experts on how to drive through whatever winter throws at you.

Monday, December 4, 2017

13 out of 16 New Boosters Earn Top Rating of BEST BET - IIHS News


ARLINGTON, Va. — Thirteen out of 16 new booster seats for 2017 earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's highest rating of BEST BET, bringing the total number of boosters on the market with that designation to 118.

The BEST BET rating means a booster provides good safety belt fit for typical 4 to 8 year-olds in almost any car, minivan or SUV. Boosters that are rated GOOD BETs provide acceptable belt fit in almost any vehicle, while those rated Check Fit could work for some children in some vehicles. Seats designated "Not Recommended" don’t provide good belt fit and should be avoided.

Three of the newly rated boosters are rated Check Fit. None are Not Recommended.

Only one current seat — the Safety 1st Summit 65 — is rated Not Recommended. Four others that had been were discontinued this year.

Friday, December 1, 2017

Prep Your Car for Winter Now, Before It's Too Late | Consumer Reports


Winter weather can be tough on your car, so the best time to prepare for winter driving is before the flakes start flying. We give you important tips on how to get your car ready for all the snow, sleet and ice winter can throw at you.