SEEK FIRST TO UNDERSTAND

UNDERSTANDING CAR SAFETY

Car safety has progressed to the point that we now walk away from crashes that would have killed everyone a few decades ago. But that doesn't mean modern cars are safer across the board: Here are few points to understand that current vehicles are getting more dangerous while piling on the safety innovations. 

1. Greater weight

Heavier cars are great if you're inside one, not so much if you're hit by one. Back in the 70’s an average sedan weighed about 1,900 pounds but currently some models will weigh between 3,000 and 4,000 lbs. For every 1,000 pounds more weight in the car that hits yours, there is a 47 percent increase in the likelihood for major injuries.

2. Higher power

While cars got a lot heavier, they also got a lot more powerful, and speed kills -- or at least the unintended rapid reduction of it does!

3. Dark windows

Deep tint turns a car into a massive opaque object able to easily block your view of a bike, pedestrian or other car on the far side of it. And pulling out of a driveway or side street into traffic is a white-knuckled affair when you are nosing out between a couple of dark tinted vehicles.

4. Reduced visibility

Big rumps, high waists, and bodacious pillars dominate modern car design for reasons that range from rollover crash survival to aerodynamics and contemporary style. But all of these conspire to reduce outward visibility. Cameras have increased in cars, but they simply cannot be a faithful substitute for organic visibility.

5. Distraction

Never mind the handheld devices we bring to cars, its crazy how cars themselves are never going retreat from presenting an array of text, visuals and menus that command us to pay attention to them. The nature of software is to adding more interactivity because it’s easy.

 UNDERSTANDING CAR INSURANCE

The basics of car insurance can be difficult enough, let alone understanding the lesser-known intricacies involved with the guidelines, policies and procedures of today’s insurance providers.

1. Your credit impacts your insurance rates

Believe it or not, your credit may impact your insurance rates. Insurance providers have found that certain credit characteristics for an individual are useful to predict of how likely it is that the individual will have an insurance claim.

These characteristics are not the same ones that a bank uses to measure lending risk, but rather, insurers may use credit-based insurance scores in conjunction with other variables to assess the likelihood of claims submitted. These variables may include age, driving record, and claims history, place of residence, the type of car and the average miles driven, among others.

Value Point: As a general best practice, do what you can to improve your credit, be sure to monitor your credit report on a regular basis, and contact the credit bureau to clear up any errors.

2. Brand loyalty can cost you

If your mind-set about automobile insurance is “I’m covered, I’m not worried,” you may wan to reevaluate your policy. Back in the day, insurance companies evaluated a short list of factors when calculating your premiums. Today, that list has grown to a confusing labyrinth of criteria causing insurance rates to differ dramatically from provider to provider.

Value point: An easy place to start is by getting auto insurance quotes online, which could save you money. If you’re worried that lower rates mean less coverage or poor service, don’t be. Today, there are plenty of insurance companies that offer affordable premiums, well-rounded coverage and excellent customer service.

3. Stopping payment? You’ll pay in the long run

If you think switching car insurance companies is as easy as stopping payment, think again. Sure, your policy will cancel, but your existing insurance company could report you to the credit bureaus for nonpayment, damaging your credit score in the process. What’s more, your insurance history will reflect a cancellation which may cause a new provider to decline your application or charge you higher premiums in the future.

Value point:  Instead, be sure to complete the necessary paperwork with your existing provider, such as a policy cancellation form, and time it right by starting your new policy on the date your old policy ends.

4. Your car insurance company can cancel or non-renew at any time

Your insurance company can cancel your policy at any time if you violate one or more of its guidelines during your policy period. Same goes for non-renewal. Things such as failing to pay your premium on time, losing your driver’s license due to suspension or revocation, submitting too many at-fault claims, or misrepresenting your driving history or past insurance claims could all be reasons for cancellation or non-renewal.

Value point: Your carrier must notify you in writing within a time frame legally required by your state. When it comes to cancellation, your insurance company is required by law to state the reason, not so with non-renewal. If you want a reason but aren’t provided with one, you must send your insurer a written request. If you believe you’ve been unfairly treated, you may have legal recourse through your state’s department of insurance.

UNDERSTANDING AN ALIGNMENT

1. WHAT IS AN ALIGNMENT

An alignment refers to an adjustment of a vehicle's suspension – the system that connects a vehicle to its wheels. It is not an adjustment of the tires or wheels themselves. The key to proper alignment is adjusting the angles of the tires which affect how they make contact with the road.

2. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT

BETTER GAS MILEAGE:

Gas mileage increased as rolling resistance decreases. Total alignment sets all four wheels parallel, which along with proper inflation, minimizes rolling resistance.

SAFER DRIVING:

A suspension system inspection is part of the alignment procedure. This allows worn parts to be detected before they cause costly problems.

IMPROVE HANDLING:

Does your car pull to one side? Do you constantly have to move the steering wheel to keep your car traveling straight ahead? Many handling problems can be corrected by total alignment service. With all vehicle components aligned properly, road shock is more efficiently absorbed for a smoother ride.

Value Point: Improper alignment is a major cause of premature tire were and with the average vehicle is driven about 12,000 miles a year, it’s not a bad idea to have it checked. You may not need it every year, but its good to stay on top to know when its time.

UNDERSTANDING FUEL ECONOMY

Are you driving from gas station to gas station looking to save on your next tank of fuel? Well, look no further than under your hood. There is no magic device that you can install to your ignition or fuel system that is going to make it all go away. We cannot control the price of gas, but you can control how much fuel you can burn by proper maintenance and how you drive. Here are some great tips to help you save on your next Fuel Fill Up:

1. CHANGE YOUR ENGINE AIR FILTER

Your air filter is recommended to be replaced every 15k miles. By changing your air filter you can improve your fuel mileage by as much as 10%. This will keep dirty particles from damaging the inside of your engine and helps it run more efficiently.

2. SLOW DOWN AND OBSERVE THE SPEED LIMIT

We are all in a hurry and forget that aggressive speeding, aggressive braking and accelerating in short distances can burn as much as 49 cents per gallon. So, follow speed limits, use your cruise control during highway driving and walk to the corner store.

3. HOW MUCH DOES YOUR CAR WEIGH

Do you keep all your belongings in your trunk or heavy item inside your vehicle as storage? Well, get it out of there and put your vehicle on a diet. Just by keeping the vehicle at its regular weight, you can save up to 5% on your next fuel tank.

4. MAP YOURSELF

Do you take the same route everyday because your favorite coffee shop or restaurant is on your way. Google map your route and see if there is a simpler way to get there. Just by adding 1 or 2 left turns you can avoid several red lights. For every 2 minutes your sitting still waiting for the color green, your vehicle is burning the same amount of fuel as if you drove 1 mile. By mapping your routine, you could save up to 19% on your overall trip.

5. AIR UP

By making sure your tire pressures at the correct psi, you can save 0.04 cent per gallon of fuel

6. DON'T IDLE TOO LONG

Every two minutes your vehicle is sitting at idle, your vehicle burning the same amount of fuel as if you have driven one mile. Those coffee and fast food drive thru can really hit your wallet hard!

Value Point: By doing a few simple lifestyle changes, you can get immediate relief at the gas pump. Sure, we cannot stop the rise fuel by any means, but we can get educate ourselves to avoid saying “I didn’t know”

FEAR CREATES EXCUSES AS THE TRUTH LEADS TO ELEVATED DISCOVERY