Posts Tagged ‘h’
Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
by Kyle Chatman
When you have had the unfortunate event of being in a automotive collision, the last thing you need is to have a bad experience with an auto body shop not doing their job. A good auto body shop will fix your car back to pre-loss condition, both in appearance and in structural and mechanical integrity. A great auto body shop will almost make you feel like the accident never happened. They should start with customer service better then you get at a good restaurant.
When you buy a car, it may be the right type of car but you might not like the color. The color can mean a lot and even determine how you like the car. Perhaps you buy a car that has the perfect body but is pink. Therefore you will probably want to get the car painted.
I have been in this industry for over 25 years in the same area, I have worked in high quality auto body shops large and small, and have owned my own collision and custom shop in Portland Oregon for the last 8 years. In my area there are hundreds of auto body repair shops in a very small area, yet I only know a few I would trust with my vehicles. So for the most part you have to be as informed as you can, and ask a lot of questions.
I am going to give you some information about the industry that will hopefully help to make that informed decision a little easier. First, do not let your insurance company tell you where to have your vehicle repaired, in most cases they have contracts with the shop to save them money in exchange for sending them your vehicle. in this case the insurance company saves money, the shop gets the work but has to cut corners to keep the cost down for the insurance company. And you, the one that pays the insurance company all those inflated premiums, and pays the body shop your deductible gets a substandard repair. The insurance company may say “if you don’t take the job to our repair shop we can’t guaranty the work”, the fact is any and all good auto body shops guaranty their work for as long as you own your car, if they don’t, go somewhere else.
Next thing to do is be sure to question the person who is estimating your damage, smaller shop owners will usually take care of you personally, and in most cases, actually be involved in the repair process. In most of the larger or chain shops the person writing the estimate on how to fix your vehicle is a salesperson, usually having absolutely no experience repairing cars, not to say that the techs working at that shop wont fix your car correctly, but they may just not feel like rewriting the estimate the way it should of been written to begin with.
Step 2: Find out if there is anyone at a post higher than the manager. If yes, get an appointment fixed with the higher authorities of that auto body shop. Speak to them directly if possible; otherwise just send them an e-mail explaining your problems. If this solution also does not work, try the next step.
Ask if the body shop is on any insurance programs or direct repair programs, if they are ask why? the only reason I know why a auto body shop would agree to be on a program would be to get work that they could not get on their own. Again this does not mean just because they have a direct repair program they are not a great shop, but if they have 20 then I would be a little concerned? Ask them to explain.
Many car owners will buy an old car that runs great but has a bad paint job and structural damage. Within a few weeks of getting that car, they could be driving it down the road and no one would suspect it was rusted and severely dented thanks to the hard work of companies that do body work and paint jobs for cars in the Los Angeles area. There really is no better way to make your car look new again.
Tags: a, accidents, advertising, auto, auto insurance, B, body, business, c, cars, collision, e, f, family, h, hobbies, I, insurance, m, maintenance, o, p, parts, r, repair, shopping, t, tools, travel, trucks, u, vehicle
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Thursday, July 23rd, 2009
by John Barton
One of the very first things you should think about when choosing a Collision shop is, “How much experience does the shop have?” It’s not enough to know how many years a shop has been in business, but it’s a good place to start. You should also take into account the extreme climate here in Monroe County, and the extra experience required to deal with the damage road salt can cause.
Make sure you ask the manager, and then follow up with “How much experience do your technicians have?” That’s the really important question, because you want to know that the folks who will actually be working on your car or truck, repairing the sheet metal, straightening the frame, and painting the body panels really know what they are doing. Experience, as they say, truly is the best teacher.
Even today though, work done by technicians has changed by technology. If you look above, there will be vacuum lines connected to sanders and grinders; these are to pull any dirt and dust away from this area of the shop. It is amazing how clean these areas are kept.
Once the metal work has been completed, the next stage is the paint prep area, normally in this area dust extraction systems are used to remove any dust that occurs during sanding and paint primer spraying. Body shops use infrared light systems in this area to cure paint primer quickly. These lights usually speed up the drying time, allowing the primer to cure in 20 minutes rather than 24 hours; therefore, your car is ready to go a lot quicker.
You could also ask to speak with one or two of the technicians, and ask them straight out what kind of a facility they work for. Either way, ask questions to determine technician satisfaction.
The most important thing at this later stage is that the vehicle gets finished in a paint booth that is clean and dust free. This outweighs a dirty booth of a fantastic design.
This is when maybe you should ask to see any finished vehicles in the body shop to check the painters work before leaving your vehicle and any money is spent. The things to look for are, smooth finishes that have very few dust specs and ensure the colors match from one panel to another. These are evidence of a quality paint spray done by a professional.
How long has the shop been open? How much experience do the technicians have? How satisfied are the techs? Hopefully, asking these three questions will help you feel more confident and comfortable the next time the unavoidable happens, and you are faced with the need to choose the very best collision repair facility
Tags: a, accidents, advertising, auto, auto insurance, B, body, business, c, cars, collision, e, f, family, h, hobbies, I, insurance, m, maintenance, o, p, parts, r, repair, shopping, t, tools, travel, trucks, u, vehicle
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Saturday, July 18th, 2009
by Amy Nutt
Are you thinking of getting car insurance? Are you looking for cheaper ones with the same terms as other more expensive ones? Do you know that it is possible to find cheap car insurance quotes? Have you ever thought of the fact that it is possible your neighbour is getting more ‘bang for his insurance buck’ than you are for a far lesser rate than you are currently paying? If you answered in the affirmative to one of the questions asked above, then you need to read the following tips as they will put you on the path to getting cheaper or inexpensive auto insurance quote.
1. Look Around Before making your Choice Rushing to get a car insurance is not the best idea particularly when you have not done your homework. To get the best bargain, take a look around. Call up as many car insurance companies as possible. The norm is to call three. But in your best interest, call at least 5. This will give you a wide array of choices to pick from. To do this effectively, you can check the business directory or visit the state’s insurance department. All insurance companies often have to register with them before they can become operational. The department can provide you with a list of the many companies. If you live in states like California or New Jersey, car insurance is often more expensive. When investigating the company, look for details such as popularity and capital base. This will give you an idea of their financial health.
2. Make a comparison on different quotes before buying a vehicle The kinds of cars you drive can often be responsible for higher insurance quotes. For example, new car editions, sports cars, and model cars are often easily stolen and therefore often attract higher insurance quotes. So, visit any insurance company and get their different quotes on different cars and then go buy your car. This will at least help you know what you will get when you eventually go looking for the quotes later on.
3. Accessories and Anti-theft devices If your car has more accessories that make it safer such as air bags, anti-theft devices and car alarms, gprs tracking system and other accessories, this can positively affect the insurance quotes as insurance companies are ;likely to look more favourable on any of these.
4. The Age of the car It is more expensive insuring newer cars than the older ones. If you do not really need a new car, why bother buying one. Just a thought anyways. But if you insist on buying one, know that new cars will cost you more. You could easily look up the highest value your car will attract if it is wrecked in the Kelley’s Blue Book. This will ensure you know how much your car’s worth by the insurer’s valuation.
5. Be sure to consider discounts Most insurance companies often offer discounts. Ask for it from them. Some companies offer discounts for good driving records, low mileage etc.
Tags: a, auto, auto insurance, B, business, business;finance, c, car, car insurance, e, f, family, finance, h, home, I, insurance, l, legal, life, n, o, p, params, personal, r, roadside assistance, s, society, v, variables
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
by Amy Nutt
The first car a person has is probably one of the most exciting events of their life that far, as the world seems to just open up and everything seems to be possible, as long as the car is running. One of the most important things about owning a car is car insurance, which is a subject that can be quite the headache to get to know, especially considering all of the terminology and little rules associated to the insurance industry. Something to know specifically is the waiver of depreciation, which is calculated into a prospective car insurance policy.
What is it? The waiver of depreciation basically states that the insurer will not depreciate the car if something happens, whether it gets totaled or it gets stolen. Normally, this waiver only stands for 2 years (24 months), but after that, the value of the car is on a depreciated basis. There are a total of eight different methods conducted for calculating depreciation, such as the straight line method or accelerated depreciation method, which are the two processes used in the calculation of depreciation. This waiver of depreciation can really aid people, and acts as a savior for those who happen to have something bad happen to their vehicle within this short period of time, allowing them to be reimbursed for the original price of their vehicle.
Calculations, Calculations The waiver of depreciation is one calculated on the actual purchase price of the car and the equipment in the car, the suggested list price the car was sold for, and the total cost of replacing the car with of the same model and make with the same equipment that the initial car was loaded with. This really helps the consumer, especially noting the fact that it comes at a rate that is less than $50 a year, it’s a steal! Unfortunately, this is something that many do not know until they are in what could be a traumatic experience.
The waiver of depreciation is calculated into the car insurance policy with other factors, such as driving history and age, and this and other things make up the total car insurance quote. Obviously, the value of the vehicle will make this higher, and with the younger and reckless of a driver, this number can be quite large.
Decisions and Necessity As we know, having a car is something that is essential for getting things done. Unfortunately, this is a world that is full of human error, and accidents do happen, which brings the need for adequate car insurance. With car insurance, people are protected from their errors and others, and the companies can really help a lot of the time with dealing with these experiences. Although sometimes it may be a headache getting adequate help from them, it is important for the car owner to know that it is widely a law to have car insurance, so understanding what they are really up to are something that everyone should get to know intimately.
Tags: a, auto, auto insurance, automobile;truck, business, c, car, car insurance, e, f, family, finance, h, home, I, insurance, l, legal, life, n, o, p, params, personal, r, roadside assistance, s, society, v, variables
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Tuesday, July 14th, 2009
by Mel Alison
One way to save money these days is to find really cheap auto insurance. We all need to save money, and few people realize there are plenty of ways to save on their car premiums.
Auto insurance companies may offer low premiums for various reasons. One of the most common ideas to save money is raise their deductibles. Your deductible is the amount you’ll have to pay in case of damages. If your deductible is $1000, that means you’ll pay the first $1000 on repairs before the insurance company kicks in.
If you can live with a higher deductible, you will have the benefit of paying a lower monthly premium. You can reduce it further still with an anti-theft device, such as a lo-jack. Even a passive alarm can get you a benefit reduction.
If your family has more than one car, you are probably eligible for a multi-car discount. Of course, there’s the obvious idea of purchasing the minimum coverage on a second or third vehicle, especially if one car is the “primary” vehicle.
Insurance companies often offer discounts to members of certain organizations or professions. Certain medical professionals, members of law enforcement, and other groups are usually eligible for this discount. You should ask your insurance agent what is available and have them explain the discounts offered by your particular firm.
You may also be able to receive a discounted rate if you attend a defensive driving course. Teenage drivers can receive sizable discounts by participating in driver education classes; if they maintain an excellent academic record, they will likely also qualify for a good student discount.
Cheap auto insurance is definitely a possibility! By using these tips and taking thorough advantage of the many resources available to you on the internet, you’ve got a great start towards lowering your premiums and putting extra money in your pocket!
Tags: a, auto insurance, automobile, automobile;truck, c, car insurance, cheap auto insurance, cheap car insurance, f, finance, h, I, insurance, low cost auto insurance, low cost car insurance, n, p, personal finance, u
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Thursday, July 9th, 2009
by John Fagan
It is a right time for retired individuals to consider buying a new automobile coverage plan because these days many auto insurance companies are providing inexpensive rates to people fifty five years and older in America. So if you have achieved the age of fifty five years then you can easily get many benefits from a new automobile insurance policy.
However, if you stick around, you will find it is pertinent to the modern times when car insurance costs are rising in direct proportion to higher costs related to vehicular liabilities and the average jury awarding more expensive compensations for claimants, especially those requiring medical attention due to the auto insurance related issue.
Rising costs of medical claims linked with car insurance reasons and average jury awarding higher compensation for claimants in auto liability cases having risen by a good 80% in the last decade are the main reasons for car insurance becoming more expensive, too.
One such instance to quit shopping for car insurance is if you have already found the perfect coverage plan for your vehicle - then common sense (and financial sense) dictates that you save yourself time and effort instead of confusing yourself with the vast choices of auto insurance providers out there.
Therefore, if you find that you are eligible for auto coverage from a new insurance company and the discounted rates offered by insurance providers through your company’s joint insurance policy are less than the market rates by the insurer, you should choose their plan instead of your previous one. So, you can change over from your previous auto coverage policy and choose the new automobile insurance plan through your new employer and avail of the company advantage by the auto coverage service provider.
Similarly if you find that you are paying excessive premiums for your existing cover and other insurance companies are offering aggressive rates and better advantages it is advisable to switch over to the new insurance company and their better compensation package at their lower rates.
It may be worth your while to stick around and search some more sometimes, for with so many new players among national and state-wide car insurance policy providers, there is bound to be one (perhaps more) that has just the policy you want! And if you locate that perfect car insurance company after you’ve signed up for an expensive, average coverage offering one, you know how sick to the gut that can make you feel, don’t you?
lastly, keep in mind, that auto coverage companies with larger affiliate networks are capable to offering better advantages to wider credit mergers, college authorities and credit card affiliations. So, you must negotiate your new auto insurance plan if the service provider can show you their organization affiliation’s handy check list for you to gain widespread service advantages form a good auto insurance plan by being an educated buyer!
Tags: a, auto insurance, automobile, automobile;truck, B, business, f, finance, h, health insurance, home insurance, I, insurance, life insurance, Marketing, u
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Thursday, July 9th, 2009
by moose3511
A general assumption that is really off the mark when it comes to buying good car insurance plans is that expensive policies spell wide coverage. This is certainly false and if your car insurance program is so expensive that you’re going to be working second jobs just to pay off the monthly premiums, you are going to feel more than a bit sick to the guts when you do find out that there are other important factors besides wide coverage and costs that are important to consider when buying auto insurance.
In fact, there was a time that everyone with a car was lining up for the lowest paying, wide coverage car insurance plan. However, the peace of mind promised by many of the middle and even some top range car insurance providers has turned out to have a lot of fine print, which is one reason for people wanting to change car insurance companies.
The first important thing to remember when buying car insurance plans is not to rush into buying the first auto insurance policy providers dangle in your face. It is advisable to shop around for the most competitive quotes, plans and network areas of coverage as offered by different new insurance providers with a local presence before going for the bigger, established companies that are more well-known.
Sometimes, it so happens, the newer entrants in the car insurance provider segment may a more extensive choice of policies and premiums that fit various budgets besides other benefits (such as tie-ups with home insurance policies, flexi-payment plans and round-the-clock customer service).
Reasons for changing car insurance companies also includes relocation to a new state, where the old service provider’s network does not cover any car insurance any service arrangement for you. Sometimes, a new, local provider may be able to give wider, cheaper coverage than the previous car insurance company; at times like this, it makes sense to switch providers.
For others, joining a new job may include perks like employee car insurance coverage at lower costs than the market retail rates and so reasons for changing car insurance companies may just be a matter of smart financial sense.
So, steer clear of these expensive add-ons and concentrate on other important aspects of buying quality car insurance, such as discount schemes and your eligibility for availing these (e.g. senior citizen, good driving record, group insurance plan opt-in etc.) besides financial strength of the insurer in order to get the right policy!
Tags: a, advertising, auto insurance, auto insurance policy, automobile;truck, car insurance, e, f, finance, h, health insurance, home insurance, I, insurance, l, life insurance, o, t, the best insurance com, u
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Tuesday, July 7th, 2009
by Amy Nutt
Life insurance provides a benefit in the form of it policy amount to protect against the loss that arises from premature death. It is based on the insurable interest, or the potential that a direct financial hardship will occur due to the death of the insured. The insured is the individual whose life the death benefit is based on and upon whom we rate the risk.
The variables or factors used to determine Life Insurance rates are based on the habits of the individual. A risk is the potential for loss or a reduction in value. The loss of life produces a financial hardship for those left behind and can be assigned a value. Loss is the reduction in value that in life insurance can be loss of future earning potential or expenses incurred for funeral, bereavement, readjustment and moving forward.
The extent to which a reduction in value may occur is the loss exposure. This loss exposure is enhanced by perils that are situations, which cause loss, affected by these hazards:
- Physical hazard, which is some physical characteristic in the environment that presents a peril (i.e. a banana peel on the ground in front of where you are walking); - Moral hazard that is based on an individual characteristic such as dishonesty, theft and fraud; and, - Morale hazard, which is blatant disregard for the law such as driving under the influence of alcohol or driving over the posted speed limit.
The extent to which a person manages risk influences their rates. For example, smoking can be considered a morale hazard because we know that cigarette smoking is a major contributor to lung cancer. Knowing this and still engaging in the habit means that the person understands the risk but does not care. Since we also know that cigarette smokers die sooner than non-smokers, smokers pay higher insurance premiums for life insurance than do non-smokers.
Another factor that is considered when rating life insurance is the person’s health. This is a valid risk factor because we know that people who exercise are healthier than those who do not exercise and people who make healthier eating choices live longer than those who eat junk food. These are those morale and physical hazards that are measured by the insurance company and priced, based on the probability of it occurring. The more likely an event occurs, the higher the cost to insure.
Insurance companies are not in the business of paying claims. This statement may seem profound but it is a rational one. It benefits insurers and society as a whole if people live long healthy lives. This helps lowers insurance costs and make it easier to afford. The insurer looks at the rate of death or mortality potential within a classification, such as all 35 year-old males. This is based on the law of large numbers and risk pooling. In order for an insurable risk to be ideal, it must be measurable, produce a financial loss, which is indemnity, be accidental in nature (which is why suicide is excluded), and based on a large group. Lower probabilities occur in larger population groups, such as those ages 25 to 45 and higher probabilities in smaller older populations, age 65 to 85.
About the Author:
Full service insurance brokerage offers corporate and personal solutions. When looking for the best protection and information on Personal Insurance, Car insurance Ajax, Health Insurance Ajax, Commercial Insurance, Life Insurance options.
Tags: a, ajax, auto insurance, B, business, business;finance, c, car, f, family, finance, financial, h, health, home, I, insurance, j, l, liability, life, n, o, s, society
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Friday, July 3rd, 2009
by Amy Nutt
Owning a car is something that everyone dreams of when they first learn of what one is, and it is important for a person to know as much as they can about them, as it is only a matter of time before they are behind the wheel themselves. This is not to say that we will all be mechanics someday, but basic knowledge is something that should be a requirement when owning a motor vehicle, even more so when it comes to adequate car insurance. There are many different things to be aware of in the world of auto insurance, especially when it comes to calculating comprehensive insurance policies.
What is Comprehensive Insurance? Comprehensive car insurance coverage basically covers your car and others (in certain situations) from damages incurred to you vehicle or theirs. This is not applicable to any accidents, but for instance, a potential policy holder would be protected in the event of car damage due to a flood or theft. This is important because it is best to be covered in every possible angle, whether or not these things are rare, it is still important to be prepared in the event that they do happen.
The Variables There are a many different factors when it comes to calculating comprehensive coverage in a car insurance policy. The most common variables would be the age of the policy holder, the driving history, the distance that one usually travels by car, as well as the age and model of the vehicle. Obviously, the older or the better driver can expect to have some things in their favor, as there is the direct correlation of that and money. These things are taken into account in the production of a comprehensive coverage policy, which basically sets the rates the person can expect to pay.
The Actuary There is also the probability of loss to think of, something that is important to insurance companies in comprehensive car insurance policies and others alike. This person, the actuary, is one that determines how likely that something detrimental to the vehicle will happen. This is done by factoring in all of the variables, which affects the premium that the driver will have to pay in the event of loss. Although there are other factors that the actuary determines, these are the most essential variables that they consider when preparing the policy.
The importance of car insurance is something that just about everyone will have to deal with in their lives, and there is extreme importance in one being as well-versed in the way that these policies work as they possibly can. If not, they can expect to pay more than what they are expecting to, and since they can be quite expensive at times, this is something that not many people can afford. When choosing the right insurance, it is always best to compare rates with as many different insurance companies as a person can, as they will generally differ greatly on a company by company basis.
Tags: a, auto, auto insurance, automobile;truck, business, c, car, car insurance, e, f, family, finance, h, home, I, insurance, l, legal, life, n, o, p, params, personal, r, roadside assistance, s, society, v, variables
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Friday, July 3rd, 2009
by Amy Nutt
Car insurance claim; those are three words that no one ever wants to think about. But, realistically, there will more than likely be a time in a person’s life when they will have to call their auto insurance company and state a claim. During this time, it will obviously be quite traumatic and the steps that one needs to take in order to make a successful car insurance claim. Although, at the time, the mind will surely be racing and it may be hard to think about what needs to happen, but it is necessary to keep these steps in mind if they want to make it as easy as possible on the people that are involved.
Relax, Think The first thing that needs to happen is that the person should call 911 if anyone has any substantial injury, but make sure that the police arrive to obtain a police or incident report documenting the event. Even if they may think it is unnecessary, it’s best to insist. After this step is completed, make sure that the license plate numbers are exchanged, and all other pertinent information is obtained, especially insurance information. This is very important, all of the relevant information needs to be obtained as best as possible, as it makes everything easier on everyone involved, and grants peace of mind after a terrible event.
Furthermore As soon as a person possibly can, they should contact their own insurance company, even if the accident is the fault of the other person. In a situation where it is the other person’s fault, it is advisable that you inform the offending party’s insurance carrier and let them be aware of the fact that you are filing a claim against their client, and your insurance company is not willing to pay the damages inflicted.
Another route can be taking, although it can be somewhat meticulous. There is the option of filing a claim with both carriers, and making an itemized list of exactly what was damaged. Although you cannot collect twice for the same thing, under multiple source recovery states that after collecting, the checks can be put into a kitty. After receiving all of the checks involved and there is anything left in the kitty, one can write a check to the person’s carrier for any overages.
It is noteworthy to state that in the event that the numbers do not add up and the offers are too low, it can be worthwhile for a person to seek legal action. It may seem as if they are being insensitive, but this is simply the way that these things transpire. Understandably, an accident is something that can be life-changing, but there are still steps that need to be taken care of to protect one’s self and their property. Although it may be a lot to member, it is a process that needs to take place in order for one to feel as if they actually have help during this grueling and stressful situation.
Tags: a, auto, auto insurance, automobile;truck, business, c, car, car insurance, consulting, e, f, family, finance, financial, h, health, home, I, insurance, investment counseling, l, life, loan, o, q, quota, u, v, vehicule
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