For most people the use of a car rental is a necessity. It generally is done as the result of a need for a replacement vehicle for a period of time. Most people do not rent cars on a regular basis and do not know all the ins and outs involved in the rental contract. There are some very basic, although important steps that should be followed when renting a car.
You do not need to have personal auto insurance to rent a car; they will ask you if you would like to purchase their insurance for the duration of the rental contract. If, however, you have your own insurance policy, be sure to call your agent to see if you are covered during your use of a rental car. If your personal auto policy covers you, there is no need to purchase a policy from the rental company.
After you have called around, found the best deal and reserved your choice car; it is time to pick it up. Be sure to have all of your personal paperwork with you, including your auto policy if you will not be buying theirs. Before you sign the contract, read through it and ask any questions you may have.
You will of course, need a valid drivers license to rent the car. If you do not have a license, they will not rent to you under any circumstances. Most companies will also require you to reserve your car with the use of a major credit card, however, you can pay in cash if you would prefer.
Keep in mind that most rental companies will not rent to any driver under the age of 25. If you fall under that magic number, you more than likely will need to get an older relative or friend to sign the actual contract for you.
About the author:John Mancini has been writing about rental cars online and offline for a long time. Visit http://car-rentals-locator.com or http://dirt-cheap-car-rentals.com to read more about matters like car rentals and national car rental. Written by: John Mancini
Check out other free articles at www.ihatesearchengines.com
Monday, September 7, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
2010 Chevy Equinox Review
2010 Chevy Equinox is redesigned, getting freshened styling, new engines, and some new features. The new Equinox looks good on the parking lot and on the street. Its grille gives it a family similarity to just about everything else in the Chevrolet. The profile is clean and has a substantial heft to it with no looking extremely heavy or blocky. Around back, the look remains clean. Inside, the cabin has plenty of dramatic shapes and a central control panel that looks strikingly like those in the 2010 Cadillac SRX-with vents flanking the radio and climate controls. It’s a look that will filter down to the 2011 Chevy Cruze and other cars, and it’s an attractive departure from the more traditional Chevrolet look.
The new Chevy Equinox 2010 is more spacious, stylish and has all the resources to turn into the next sport-utility vehicle in vogue. Despite being a smaller suv, the 2010 Equinox has the ability to accommodate 5 passengers. If somebody goes by the specification, then he or she will find its overall length being 187. But in terms of passenger and cargo capacity, it's roomier than other suvs in the market. Thanks to fold down front passenger seat and a split-folding rear seat, you can accommodate more cargo in the 2010 equinox chev if needed. Moreover, this awesome suv has got height-adjusting cargo shelf than acts as a temporary desk or a luggage privacy screen. The 2010 equinox chevrolet is technologically most advanced among all the suvs on road. That's why driving this car always safer and enjoyable.
The Equinox interior is pleasant with great visibility. Rear-seat room is much larger than the main rivals, and knee room is better than most competitors. The three-across rear seat moves fore and aft eight inches, and the seatback reclines. The cargo area is pretty vast, with available trays and storage solutions that expand its utility. While the new Equinox has clearly been upgraded, there’s still a stray piece of trim or two that seems too plasticky, even at this price point-but mostly it’s handsome and tightly constructed. Best of all is the four-cylinder’s noise cancellation system-it works like noise cancellation headphones, and supports eliminate sounds that lean to make four-cylinders engines feel cheap and coarse. Door openings with triple seals and glass with integral sound damping further quiet things down inside, helping create a driving experience that feels more Cadillac-like than bargain-basement.
The 2010 new Equinox is available with two engine choices, and both of them have fuel-saving direct injection technology (normally good for a 3-percent gain just by itself). The Equinox comes standard with a new version of GM’s seemingly ubiquitous 2.4-liter Ecotec engine. The architecture has been in place for a few years, but this one is direct injected and manages 182-horsepower and 172 lb-ft. of torque while getting a class-leading 22-mpg city and 32-mpg highway in front-wheel-drive configuration. The EPA estimates 20 mpg city / 29 mpg highway for the AWD version. Chevrolet says to expect up to a 600-mile range of highway driving on a tank of gas. A more powerful V-6 engine is still available in the 2010 Equinox, and it's the same one that Cadillac is using in their new mid-size crossover, the 2010 Cadillac SRX. This new V-6 displaces 3.0 liters and produces a healthy 264 horsepower. Fuel economy is 18 mpg city, 25 mph highway for front wheel drive, with the AWD drive version attaining 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway.
Both engines will direct their power to six-speed automatic transmissions. The four-cylinder tends to upshift early for good fuel saving, but the engine has enough torque to make this work. Chevy claims that 0-60 mph comes up in below nine seconds for the four-cylinder and below eight seconds for the V-6, but the bigger V-6 feels more than one second faster. Both engines are smooth, but clever tuning of the 2.4-liter and an interior noise-cancellation system assist make the smaller engine feel extraordinarily so. Important chassis upgrades make the 2010 chevy equinox drive better than any previous model. Engineers added body stiffing structure and used more premium bushings in key locations. It rides smoothly while still tracking around corners directly. The steering on four-cylinder models is electrically boosted, and unlike most electrically assisted systems, this one has great feel ... better, in fact, than some hydraulically assisted systems.
A number of other great news about the equinox 2010 chevrolet include that the airbag count is now at six, with these being standard; dual frontal airbags; head curtain side airbags and pelvic/thorax seat-mounted side airbags. Those looking for safety will also like having standard four-wheel disc brakes with StabiliTrak electronic stability control and traction control. OnStar is also standard. While the vehicles haven't been crash tested, Chevy expects full five star ratings from the federal government and a "good" rating (their highest) from the IIHS.
Click Here to apply for a Auto Loan
Check out more free articles at www.ihatesearchengines.com
By: Akhmad Yani
For more information about other Chevrolet Equinox review, and other new Chevrolet car review - please visit anycarinfo.com - a popular car site that features information about new car reviews, car news, car tips, car photos, car wallpaper, car video, cheap car insurance and much more.
The new Chevy Equinox 2010 is more spacious, stylish and has all the resources to turn into the next sport-utility vehicle in vogue. Despite being a smaller suv, the 2010 Equinox has the ability to accommodate 5 passengers. If somebody goes by the specification, then he or she will find its overall length being 187. But in terms of passenger and cargo capacity, it's roomier than other suvs in the market. Thanks to fold down front passenger seat and a split-folding rear seat, you can accommodate more cargo in the 2010 equinox chev if needed. Moreover, this awesome suv has got height-adjusting cargo shelf than acts as a temporary desk or a luggage privacy screen. The 2010 equinox chevrolet is technologically most advanced among all the suvs on road. That's why driving this car always safer and enjoyable.
The Equinox interior is pleasant with great visibility. Rear-seat room is much larger than the main rivals, and knee room is better than most competitors. The three-across rear seat moves fore and aft eight inches, and the seatback reclines. The cargo area is pretty vast, with available trays and storage solutions that expand its utility. While the new Equinox has clearly been upgraded, there’s still a stray piece of trim or two that seems too plasticky, even at this price point-but mostly it’s handsome and tightly constructed. Best of all is the four-cylinder’s noise cancellation system-it works like noise cancellation headphones, and supports eliminate sounds that lean to make four-cylinders engines feel cheap and coarse. Door openings with triple seals and glass with integral sound damping further quiet things down inside, helping create a driving experience that feels more Cadillac-like than bargain-basement.
The 2010 new Equinox is available with two engine choices, and both of them have fuel-saving direct injection technology (normally good for a 3-percent gain just by itself). The Equinox comes standard with a new version of GM’s seemingly ubiquitous 2.4-liter Ecotec engine. The architecture has been in place for a few years, but this one is direct injected and manages 182-horsepower and 172 lb-ft. of torque while getting a class-leading 22-mpg city and 32-mpg highway in front-wheel-drive configuration. The EPA estimates 20 mpg city / 29 mpg highway for the AWD version. Chevrolet says to expect up to a 600-mile range of highway driving on a tank of gas. A more powerful V-6 engine is still available in the 2010 Equinox, and it's the same one that Cadillac is using in their new mid-size crossover, the 2010 Cadillac SRX. This new V-6 displaces 3.0 liters and produces a healthy 264 horsepower. Fuel economy is 18 mpg city, 25 mph highway for front wheel drive, with the AWD drive version attaining 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway.
Both engines will direct their power to six-speed automatic transmissions. The four-cylinder tends to upshift early for good fuel saving, but the engine has enough torque to make this work. Chevy claims that 0-60 mph comes up in below nine seconds for the four-cylinder and below eight seconds for the V-6, but the bigger V-6 feels more than one second faster. Both engines are smooth, but clever tuning of the 2.4-liter and an interior noise-cancellation system assist make the smaller engine feel extraordinarily so. Important chassis upgrades make the 2010 chevy equinox drive better than any previous model. Engineers added body stiffing structure and used more premium bushings in key locations. It rides smoothly while still tracking around corners directly. The steering on four-cylinder models is electrically boosted, and unlike most electrically assisted systems, this one has great feel ... better, in fact, than some hydraulically assisted systems.
A number of other great news about the equinox 2010 chevrolet include that the airbag count is now at six, with these being standard; dual frontal airbags; head curtain side airbags and pelvic/thorax seat-mounted side airbags. Those looking for safety will also like having standard four-wheel disc brakes with StabiliTrak electronic stability control and traction control. OnStar is also standard. While the vehicles haven't been crash tested, Chevy expects full five star ratings from the federal government and a "good" rating (their highest) from the IIHS.
Click Here to apply for a Auto Loan
Check out more free articles at www.ihatesearchengines.com
By: Akhmad Yani
For more information about other Chevrolet Equinox review, and other new Chevrolet car review - please visit anycarinfo.com - a popular car site that features information about new car reviews, car news, car tips, car photos, car wallpaper, car video, cheap car insurance and much more.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
15 Ways to Lower Your Car Insurance Quote
1. Shop around
The difference in price between various companies can be significant. What one company may consider a high risk factor another company may not view as so important. Insurance companies arrive at a price for your car insurance by adding or discounting money after each answer you give to the questions they ask you. Each company has its own rules as to what they consider should increase or decrease your premium. By shopping around you get a better list of prices to compare.
2. Buy a lower group car
One of the important factors that insurance companies take into account is of course your vehicle. There are thousands of different cars on the road so companies divide them up into groups. Most companies will adopt the ABI (Association of British Insurers) group rating. This splits up vehicles into 20 different groups. Generally speaking the higher the group rating for your vehicle, the higher your premium will be. Some companies may also combine your driving experience with the vehicle group to get a better idea of how high the risk is. This is one of the reasons why young drivers should consider buying a lower group car if they want to lower their insurance cost.
3. Consider Third Party Only cover
A Third Party Only insurance policy is the minimum amount of cover legally required - it is also the cheapest. Generally speaking you should consider opting for this type of policy if your vehicle is of low value. In the unfortunate event of having an accident, any damage to a third party vehicle will be covered but any damage to your vehicle is not. However, if your vehicle is of little value then you may not be too concerned. It may not be worth paying extra for a Fully Comprehensive policy in these circumstances.
4. Maintain a good credit rating
More and more insurance companies are adopting credit scoring techniques as part of the overall calculation of your car insurance premium. By keeping a good credit history you may avoid any additional premium that companies add to your price for having a bad credit score.
5. Buy on the web
Many insurance providers now offer some good discounts for buying the policy over the internet. The theory is that by purchasing your insurance over the web, you are saving the company money by not requiring telesales agent time and incurring free-phone costs. This saving is passed on to you in the form of a discount for buying online. If you have got prices by telephone then check your quote again on their website, you may be surprised at how much cheaper it is.
6. Have a higher voluntary excess
During the quotation process you will be asked how much voluntary excess you want to have. Insurance companies will generally include a compulsory excess amount on the policy but give you the opportunity to increase this if you wish. The more the voluntary excess the lower your premium should be. However, in the event of a claim, you will have to pay a higher amount yourself, up to the total amount of excess on your policy.
7. Reduce your annual mileage
How many miles you do a year is a common question that can affect your car insurance premium. The more miles you do the more your premium is likely to be. Quotation systems and telephone agents will often suggest an amount of miles for you. Try and work out how many miles you will genuinely do. It may be less than the amount suggested. Of course, you should always give an honest answer to this and other questions.
Get a cheap UK car insurance quote from http://www.acceptdirect.co.uk
8. Keep a clean driving record
This may be easier said than done. However, by having few or preferably no driving convictions, you can avoid being penalised by increases in your car insurance premium. Getting caught with a speeding fine is often not the only financial penalty you incur. Insurance companies take very seriously all driving convictions and it is usually an important part of their rating process. You can expect an increase in the cost of your insurance if you do get caught with a driving conviction, so it pays to be a safe driver.
9. Keep claim free
This ties in neatly with number 8 above. The biggest factor affecting the cost of your car insurance premium is how many No Claims Bonus Years you have. Full No Claims Bonus is generally considered by most companies to be five years or more, this can give you huge discounts, in some cases up to 75%. By being a safe driver and avoiding potential claims, you can continually benefit by building up your number of claim free years. Every additional No Claims Bonus year you get, the lower your car insurance cost should be. Some companies give you the option of paying a bit more on your premium to protect your No Claims Bonus.
10. Be realistic about the value of your car
Most of us have an inflated view as to what our car is worth. When asked the value of your vehicle during the insurance quotation process, people will often state an amount that is unrealistic and above the real value of the car. People do this as they believe that this is what they will get back from the insurance company in the event of a claim. The reality is that the company will only pay out what the car is worth at the time of the claim and not what you stated for the quote. In fact, by giving a high and unrealistic value, you can increase your car insurance premium as this is often a factor affecting your final price.
11. Remove unnecessary named drivers
Additional drivers on your policy usually mean a higher premium. A lot of people add a number of extra drivers on the policy just in case that person needs to drive the car. However, having all these drivers will push up the cost. By only naming drivers on the policy that will definitely driver the car, you can lower the final cost. If you find that an unnamed driver needs to drive the vehicle then most companies will allow you to temporarily add a new named driver for a small cost.
12. Improve your car security
Theft of and from your vehicle are important considerations when insurance companies calculate your price. Most companies will give you a discount for having better security of your vehicle. An alarm and immobiliser will usually attract a small discount whilst having a tracker device installed may give you a larger reduction. Some companies may insist on having such devices installed on more expensive and desirable cars before they even consider offering you a price.
13. Take an advanced driving test
Although not compulsory, taking an advanced driving test can not only improve your driving skills but also help to lower your car insurance premium. Some companies look favourably on people who have taken the advanced test as it shows commitment to safe driving thus lowering the chance of having a motoring accident.
14. Pay your premium in one go
By paying for your car insurance all in one go, you can avoid paying additional interest charges that would be added on if you opted to pay by instalments. The interest charges can be quite significant, so if your finances allow, you can save a good amount of money by paying for the whole lot up front. In some cases, companies may even give you a small discount for doing this.
15. Get married
Okay so this may seem like a dramatic final way to lower your premium. However, a number of insurance companies offer lower premiums when your named drivers are insured and spouse as opposed to two unmarried drivers. Some companies believe that this shows an element of stability which is a hallmark of safer drivers and give you a discount on this basis.
Check out more Free helpful Articles at www.ihatesearchengines.com
Copyright © 2009 Accept Direct Limited
http://www.acceptdirect.co.uk
Andrew Bowen is the CEO of Accept Direct Limited. Accept Direct sell low cost UK car insurance through their website http://www.acceptdirect.co.uk
Written by: Andrew Bowen
The difference in price between various companies can be significant. What one company may consider a high risk factor another company may not view as so important. Insurance companies arrive at a price for your car insurance by adding or discounting money after each answer you give to the questions they ask you. Each company has its own rules as to what they consider should increase or decrease your premium. By shopping around you get a better list of prices to compare.
2. Buy a lower group car
One of the important factors that insurance companies take into account is of course your vehicle. There are thousands of different cars on the road so companies divide them up into groups. Most companies will adopt the ABI (Association of British Insurers) group rating. This splits up vehicles into 20 different groups. Generally speaking the higher the group rating for your vehicle, the higher your premium will be. Some companies may also combine your driving experience with the vehicle group to get a better idea of how high the risk is. This is one of the reasons why young drivers should consider buying a lower group car if they want to lower their insurance cost.
3. Consider Third Party Only cover
A Third Party Only insurance policy is the minimum amount of cover legally required - it is also the cheapest. Generally speaking you should consider opting for this type of policy if your vehicle is of low value. In the unfortunate event of having an accident, any damage to a third party vehicle will be covered but any damage to your vehicle is not. However, if your vehicle is of little value then you may not be too concerned. It may not be worth paying extra for a Fully Comprehensive policy in these circumstances.
4. Maintain a good credit rating
More and more insurance companies are adopting credit scoring techniques as part of the overall calculation of your car insurance premium. By keeping a good credit history you may avoid any additional premium that companies add to your price for having a bad credit score.
5. Buy on the web
Many insurance providers now offer some good discounts for buying the policy over the internet. The theory is that by purchasing your insurance over the web, you are saving the company money by not requiring telesales agent time and incurring free-phone costs. This saving is passed on to you in the form of a discount for buying online. If you have got prices by telephone then check your quote again on their website, you may be surprised at how much cheaper it is.
6. Have a higher voluntary excess
During the quotation process you will be asked how much voluntary excess you want to have. Insurance companies will generally include a compulsory excess amount on the policy but give you the opportunity to increase this if you wish. The more the voluntary excess the lower your premium should be. However, in the event of a claim, you will have to pay a higher amount yourself, up to the total amount of excess on your policy.
7. Reduce your annual mileage
How many miles you do a year is a common question that can affect your car insurance premium. The more miles you do the more your premium is likely to be. Quotation systems and telephone agents will often suggest an amount of miles for you. Try and work out how many miles you will genuinely do. It may be less than the amount suggested. Of course, you should always give an honest answer to this and other questions.
Get a cheap UK car insurance quote from http://www.acceptdirect.co.uk
8. Keep a clean driving record
This may be easier said than done. However, by having few or preferably no driving convictions, you can avoid being penalised by increases in your car insurance premium. Getting caught with a speeding fine is often not the only financial penalty you incur. Insurance companies take very seriously all driving convictions and it is usually an important part of their rating process. You can expect an increase in the cost of your insurance if you do get caught with a driving conviction, so it pays to be a safe driver.
9. Keep claim free
This ties in neatly with number 8 above. The biggest factor affecting the cost of your car insurance premium is how many No Claims Bonus Years you have. Full No Claims Bonus is generally considered by most companies to be five years or more, this can give you huge discounts, in some cases up to 75%. By being a safe driver and avoiding potential claims, you can continually benefit by building up your number of claim free years. Every additional No Claims Bonus year you get, the lower your car insurance cost should be. Some companies give you the option of paying a bit more on your premium to protect your No Claims Bonus.
10. Be realistic about the value of your car
Most of us have an inflated view as to what our car is worth. When asked the value of your vehicle during the insurance quotation process, people will often state an amount that is unrealistic and above the real value of the car. People do this as they believe that this is what they will get back from the insurance company in the event of a claim. The reality is that the company will only pay out what the car is worth at the time of the claim and not what you stated for the quote. In fact, by giving a high and unrealistic value, you can increase your car insurance premium as this is often a factor affecting your final price.
11. Remove unnecessary named drivers
Additional drivers on your policy usually mean a higher premium. A lot of people add a number of extra drivers on the policy just in case that person needs to drive the car. However, having all these drivers will push up the cost. By only naming drivers on the policy that will definitely driver the car, you can lower the final cost. If you find that an unnamed driver needs to drive the vehicle then most companies will allow you to temporarily add a new named driver for a small cost.
12. Improve your car security
Theft of and from your vehicle are important considerations when insurance companies calculate your price. Most companies will give you a discount for having better security of your vehicle. An alarm and immobiliser will usually attract a small discount whilst having a tracker device installed may give you a larger reduction. Some companies may insist on having such devices installed on more expensive and desirable cars before they even consider offering you a price.
13. Take an advanced driving test
Although not compulsory, taking an advanced driving test can not only improve your driving skills but also help to lower your car insurance premium. Some companies look favourably on people who have taken the advanced test as it shows commitment to safe driving thus lowering the chance of having a motoring accident.
14. Pay your premium in one go
By paying for your car insurance all in one go, you can avoid paying additional interest charges that would be added on if you opted to pay by instalments. The interest charges can be quite significant, so if your finances allow, you can save a good amount of money by paying for the whole lot up front. In some cases, companies may even give you a small discount for doing this.
15. Get married
Okay so this may seem like a dramatic final way to lower your premium. However, a number of insurance companies offer lower premiums when your named drivers are insured and spouse as opposed to two unmarried drivers. Some companies believe that this shows an element of stability which is a hallmark of safer drivers and give you a discount on this basis.
Check out more Free helpful Articles at www.ihatesearchengines.com
Copyright © 2009 Accept Direct Limited
http://www.acceptdirect.co.uk
Andrew Bowen is the CEO of Accept Direct Limited. Accept Direct sell low cost UK car insurance through their website http://www.acceptdirect.co.uk
Written by: Andrew Bowen
5 Tips On Making Your Car More Fuel Efficient
With gas prices sky high most individuals who drive are interested in ways they can make their car more fuel efficient and save as much money as possible. While there are no fuel saving tips that will keep your car full of gas without filling up, there are some tips that really can help you save money on fuel over the long run. All of these tips focus on making your car more fuel efficient.
Fuel Efficiency Tip #1 Drive When You Crank Up This might seem obvious, but as soon as you crank up your car you should drive off. However, many people crank up and leave the car idling for a while. Instead of this, when you crank up drive off and only keep your car running when it is absolutely necessary.
Fuel Efficiency Tip #2 Don't Ride the Break Many drivers hit the break more often than is necessary. Additionally there are quite a few drivers that slow down for a braking car when they could easily switch lanes. Not riding the break can increase your fuel efficiency by up to 30%, so this is a great tip you should follow.
Fuel Efficiency Tip #3 Turn Off Your Car If you are going to be stopping for more than 10 minutes you should switch off your car to keep fuel efficiency at its peak and not burn more gas than is necessary.
Fuel Efficiency Tip #4 Don't Turn Off Your Car If you are only stopping for a brief moment or less than 5 minutes then don't turn off your car because the amount of gas used to crank up is more than you would burn in that short period of time.
Fuel Efficiency Tip #5 Inflate Tires Properly Too many drivers never think of their tires, unless one goes flat. However, having tires that are properly inflated can save fuel and make your car more fuel efficient, saving you money. Because of this, you should check your tire pressure on a regular basis. While gas prices don't seem like they will be dipping considerably in the next few months every tip to help you make your car more fuel efficient is helpful. So, follow the above fuel tips and you will see that over time your car really is more fuel efficient.
Check out more Free helpful Articles at www.ihatesearchengines.com
About the author:SearchArticles.Net offers articles, tips and information on a variety of subjects including cars and trucks. For more tips for your car visit http://www.SearchArticles.Net Written by: Craig Rowe
Fuel Efficiency Tip #1 Drive When You Crank Up This might seem obvious, but as soon as you crank up your car you should drive off. However, many people crank up and leave the car idling for a while. Instead of this, when you crank up drive off and only keep your car running when it is absolutely necessary.
Fuel Efficiency Tip #2 Don't Ride the Break Many drivers hit the break more often than is necessary. Additionally there are quite a few drivers that slow down for a braking car when they could easily switch lanes. Not riding the break can increase your fuel efficiency by up to 30%, so this is a great tip you should follow.
Fuel Efficiency Tip #3 Turn Off Your Car If you are going to be stopping for more than 10 minutes you should switch off your car to keep fuel efficiency at its peak and not burn more gas than is necessary.
Fuel Efficiency Tip #4 Don't Turn Off Your Car If you are only stopping for a brief moment or less than 5 minutes then don't turn off your car because the amount of gas used to crank up is more than you would burn in that short period of time.
Fuel Efficiency Tip #5 Inflate Tires Properly Too many drivers never think of their tires, unless one goes flat. However, having tires that are properly inflated can save fuel and make your car more fuel efficient, saving you money. Because of this, you should check your tire pressure on a regular basis. While gas prices don't seem like they will be dipping considerably in the next few months every tip to help you make your car more fuel efficient is helpful. So, follow the above fuel tips and you will see that over time your car really is more fuel efficient.
Check out more Free helpful Articles at www.ihatesearchengines.com
About the author:SearchArticles.Net offers articles, tips and information on a variety of subjects including cars and trucks. For more tips for your car visit http://www.SearchArticles.Net Written by: Craig Rowe
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
