Wednesday, April 16, 2014

How to Maintain the Value of Your Car

Did you know the value of a new car depreciates the minute you drive it off the dealership lot? However there are some steps you can take to help maintain the value of your vehicle. That way you'll get back as much as possible when you're ready to buy a new one. This article from AOL Autos gives you can use to keep your car's depreciation to a minimum:


1. Keep your service records
Service records are the best way for you to show a potential buyer you've taken care of the car's mechanical components. Without service records, it's difficult to prove that you've changed the oil on time and that you've met factory service requirements. Most sellers will claim they cared for a vehicle properly, but actual records can give you an advantage. Records can be computerized or they can be put into a booklet in the car's glove box. If your dealer or mechanic uses a computerized system, make sure to get printouts of all maintenance performed. 
2. Avoid dents and scratches
Dents and scratches can happen when you're parking, when you open your door or even when you place an object on your car. Cosmetic imperfections are expensive to repair, and can be a huge turn-off to potential buyers. Luckily, by washing your car regularly and taking extra care to avoid contact with other objects, you can keep your car looking like the day it left the factory. 
3. Keep the interior clean
The appearance and smell of the interior can also impact the attractiveness of your car to a potential buyer. Most people wouldn't want to buy a car with foul odors or food stains. To keep your interior fresh, avoid smoking, eating and drinking in your car. If you do eat or drink, throw away the empty food and beverage containers immediately, and clean spills with the proper cleaning solutions. 
4. Don't curb your wheels
Parallel parking can be a risky proposition if your car has alloy wheels. If you get too close to the curb, the edges of the wheels can get scratched or bent. Many buyers of higher-end vehicles pay close attention to the condition of the wheels, and will walk away if damage is readily visible. While it's best to avoid damaging your wheels in the first place, professional wheel repair shops can refinish damaged wheels for much less than the replacement cost. 
5. Polish faded headlights
After years of sun exposure, your car's plastic headlight lenses will fade and turn yellow. While the rest of your car might look terrific, the yellow headlights will reveal the vehicle's true age. Luckily, faded headlights can be polished by most auto detailers. Polishing the headlight lenses doesn't take long, and shouldn't be very expensive. Buyers will appreciate the difference when they compare your car to other cars of the same age.

Click the link to read the full article from AOL Autos: http://aol.it/1kLKqB0

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

What Type of Car Insurance is Right for You?

If you are going to own a car in the United States, you are required to get auto insurance. However getting auto insurance isn’t as clear cut as having it or not. There are a variety of options provided by insurance companies. It can be difficult to decide which type of coverage is the best for you.

There are many factors that need to be considered when buying auto insurance, such as your car, your driving habits, and your budget. To help you decide which type of insurance best suits you, we have put together a list of some of the more common types of insurance and what they cover. 


Liability Insurance
Liability insurance  is a part of minimum insurance covered required by most states. If you are in a car accident that is deemed to be your fault, liability insurance will cover the costs of any damage to cars and other property, as well as resulting medical bills of others involved in the accident. The insurance company will only pay the amount of your coverage’s upper limit. If any of the damage and medical expenses exceed the limit of your coverage, you will be responsible for paying out of pocket. This is why it is generally a good a idea to buy more liability insurance than just the minimum requirement.

Comprehensive Insurance
While liability insurance covers car accidents specifically, comprehensive insurance covers many other damages your car may face, such as a cracked windshield, animal collisions, vandalism or theft. If you only have the minimum liability coverage your insurance will not cover any of these damages. Comprehensive insurance is not required by law, but it is still extremely beneficial to have because the prices of unpredictable damage to your car won’t have to come directly from your own pocket.

Collision Insurance
Collision insurance, like liability insurance, is covers you in the event of a car accident. But unlike liability insurance, collision insurance is specifically for your covered vehicle and is not required by law. This type of coverage will pay for any damages sustained to your vehicle if it is hit by another car or object. Collision insurance will also cover the value of your car if it is totaled. Coverage ensures that you will have enough money to repair your own vehicle if it is damaged in an accident. 

Gap Insurance
Gap insurance is very beneficial if you are still making payments on your vehicle. If your vehicle is totaled in an accident gap insurance will cover the cost of your remaining payments. This option is great if you owe more on your car than you would be able to quickly pay off. By covering the remaining cost of the totaled car,you will be left room to buy a new vehicle to replace the one you lost.

Personal Injury Protection
Personal injury protection is a type of insurance you can add to your plan that will cover any medical bills you may have from an accident, no matter who is at fault. This coverage can give you peace of mind knowing that you would not have to pay for a huge hospital bill if you ever were to get into an accident. If you have good health insurance this type of coverage is not necessary, but for others without or with very little health coverage, personal injury protection can help you breathe a little easier. 
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