The day has finally arrived, the day you have waited for since signing your loan documents five years ago…you are about to make the final payment on your vehicle, and it is now completely yours! Hopefully your vehicle is in good condition and you are approaching this final payoff with relief of now owing nothing on your car, freeing your hard-earned money to be used elsewhere instead of being chained to a vehicle loan. If that is the case, there are a few things to keep in mind as you send in that final payment.
Continue reading Making Your Final Car Payment

To buy or lease? That seems to be a pressing question for many people who are considering a new vehicle. It used to be that the only way to have a new vehicle was to purchase it, either outright or via a vehicle loan. But now leasing is also an option and many people choose it for their vehicle needs. It may seem like a great plan to have the option of driving a vehicle for a specified period of time and know that in your contract most maintenance and major repairs are covered at someone else’s expense. But there are other factors to consider when deciding whether to purchase or lease a vehicle.
Continue reading Why Loaning Is Better Than Leasing

The big day has finally arrived, and you are ready to begin looking for your first car! There are so many types, styles, sizes, and designs of vehicle to choose from on the market today, it can seem like an overwhelming task to make a choice of what will be the best vehicle for you. While exciting, choosing your first car can also be a bit confusing so here are a few tips to help you on your way.
Continue reading Steps To Buying Your First Car.

There are lots of reasons for selling a vehicle, even one that still is under a vehicle loan. Sometimes the payment just becomes unmanageable and there is nothing else to do but sell the vehicle and choose a less expensive one. Trading in a vehicle that is still under a loan agreement can be difficult, as often the amount still owed is greater than the trade-in value credited to the vehicle, so selling your car privately may be the best way to go. There are a few things to keep in mind as you undertake selling your car, though.
Continue reading Selling Your Car Before It’s Paid Off

There are few items that require the level of maintenance of an automobile, and few that are as critical to our day to day lives as the vehicle that we use to drive to work, to school, to the grocery store, and to visit loved ones. Keeping that vehicle in proper and safe working order is of the utmost priority, yet it is beyond the ability of the average person to perform such maintenance without the services of a qualified professional. A good mechanic is necessary, and finding one you can trust is vital.
Continue reading Get A Mechanic You Can Trust

Well, now you’ve done it. You are three months late on your car payments and the bank is threatening to come and physically take back your vehicle if you do not immediately make your payments that are due. They are not being polite anymore, and they are not fooling around. You are in a panic, wondering how you will get to work without your car, but you don’t have the full payment required to make the bank happy. The situation seems hopeless, but is it? Not really. There are some things you can do to try to avoid repossession of your vehicle.
Continue reading How To Stop Your Car From Being Repossessed

It is sometimes difficult to not blame a potential lender when you are turned down for an auto loan, especially if you did not expect to be denied. But the fact is, lenders work within certain criteria and cannot grant loans to individuals who fall too far outside the lines drawn for them on their important-looking stacks of white office paper. Lenders will use your personal and financial information to determine your ability to repay the loan for which you are applying, while also considering your previous credit history, employment history, and other property ownership status. For example, lenders are usually more akin to loaning money to someone who has a history of repaying their loans and who possibly owns a home or other property, than to someone who has defaulted on a loan recently and owns no other real property. Unstable employment history or frequent moves in your residence history can also give lenders pause when considering your loan application.
Continue reading Lenders Aren’t The Bad Guys: Programs To Keep You On The Road

It happens to the best of us. Funds get tight, paychecks are late, bills pile up, and before you know it you are late making your utility payments, your rent payment, and your car loan payment. It doesn’t seem like too big a deal until the phone starts ringing and the bank starts threatening to come and repossess your vehicle unless you make a payment. Fortunately, it doesn’t usually have to come to that, and drastic action by creditors can usually be avoided. So what happens first when you are late with your car payment, and what can you expect in the days following?
Continue reading What Happens When You Fail To Make Your Car Payment?

Okay, let’s face it. The term “tire-kicker” has never been used in a positive light, especially by those in the auto sales industry. Tire-kickers are usually seen as individuals who show up on a car lot, take up hours of a salesperson’s time by asking a million frivolous questions, possibly even ask to take a vehicle for a test-drive, but then walk away with no real intention of making a purchase. Perhaps they just wanted to fill an afternoon with something interesting to do, or perhaps they were thinking of purchasing a vehicle somewhere in the far-away future, but they certainly were not going to seal a deal that very day. Hence, auto dealers and salespeople usually do not appreciate the practice of what they call “tire-kicking”, viewing it as a waste of their time.
Continue reading Be A Tire-Kicker

Remember the old saying, “Two heads are better than one”? Well, it was true when it was coined, and it is true now, especially when it comes to shopping for an automobile. Whether you are in the market for a brand-new vehicle just off the assembly line, or are looking for a previously-owned vehicle that will just get you around town, taking a trusted friend along when you begin browsing for a vehicle can provide you with insight and perspective you might otherwise miss out on.
Continue reading Why You Should Bring A Friend Car Shopping

It’s exciting to purchase a new automobile, and in today’s economy it is often worthwhile to consider purchasing a used vehicle rather than a brand-new one. However, caution should be exercised when purchasing a used automobile, for a variety of reasons. You obviously do not want to end up with a vehicle that either doesn’t run properly or that costs a fortune in repairs down the road, and you certainly do not want to face trading in a vehicle at a financial loss after discovering it was not as reliable as it seemed. Here are some ways you can avoid the pitfalls of used car shopping, and protect yourself from taking home a lemon instead of a safe automobile.
Continue reading How To Make Sure Your Not Buying A Lemon

When considering an investment of any kind, the first question one usually asks is whether or not it is realistic to expect the investment to provide a solid return, usually upon resale of the purchased item. Whether the purchased item is a home, business, or other piece of real property, the bottom line in investing is to be at least reasonably certain that the finances you place into the purchase are going to be retrievable down the road, ideally with an increase on your investment. In some markets, the risk is higher due to fluctuating values such as stocks, bonds, annuities, and the like. But real estate and real property investments tend to be less risky, with a more predictable return rate.
Continue reading Cars As Investments: Buy Low With A High Resale

We have all heard it…or felt it, rather. You are sitting in your own car at a stoplight and suddenly it feels like the world around you is vibrating in a particularly booming rhythm. Is it a thunderstorm coming? An earthquake? Tribal drums echoing from some nearby gathering of witch-doctors? No, you realize as you glance around to identify the source of the sound…it’s the stereo in the car across the intersection from you literally shaking the ground with its base and making the car that contains it appear as though it will shatter into pieces at any second. A little far-fetched? Perhaps…a little.

But let’s consider just what the truly necessary accessories in any vehicle are, and whether the ability to shatter one’s eardrums, never mind the eardrums of innocent passersby, is truly one of those necessities. Of course, most people enjoy the opportunity to listen to their favorite music as they roll down the highway, whether it’s Grandpa tooling along to the Big Band sounds of the 40’s, Aunt Moonbeam contemplatively enjoying the sounds of the 60’s and 70’s, or a middle-aged soccer mom enjoying the classic rock of the 80’s. It’s a fact of nature that most people would rather fill their ears with music they love rather than drive at any length in silence. But is it necessary to send squirrels scattering in fear as the earth beneath their tiny feet trembles to the bass emitted by speakers large enough to fill the Coliseum with sound?

It would seem that “bigger is better” has taken over reason when it comes to car accessories. Let’s face it. A radio was great, a tape player was even better, and now CD changers have taken over. New to the scene are mp3 players and iPod converters. Air conditioning is a blessing if you live in a hot climate, and a working heater is necessary if you drive in cold weather! Automatic windows, previously considered a luxury, are pretty much a stock item nowadays, as are automatic door locks, though both are also considered a matter of safety especially when driving with young children in your vehicle. Automatically adjustable mirrors are definitely a safety feature, as are automatic window defrosters and warning lights that inform the driver of the need for engine service. These all make sense, while stereo systems built to shatter the neighbor’s windows probably do not. Computerized navigation systems and security programs designed to guide you to your destination or send assistance should you encounter trouble on the road are also nice features, though probably not what most would consider an absolute necessity.

Of course, everyone’s view of “necessity” varies, and what some drivers would go without might be considered an absolute selling point to someone else. The point is, aren’t cars made for transporting people from one place to another? It seems they have almost become a small home on wheels instead, thanks to over-accessorizing.

Generally speaking, it is a really bad idea to even be driving a car that you do not own , let alone have an accident while driving a car that you don’t own…though that does not help you if that has already happened to you. Assuming that you are reading this because this sort of incident HAS already happened to you, let’s try to address a few issues of immediate concern.

First, NEVER, and I mean NEVER assume that any law enforcement agency, officer, or insurance company representative is on your side or has your best interest at heart. They might, but that is not a chance you can afford to take at the moment of having an accident in a vehicle that you do not legally own. Your safest action is one of abject paranoia, assuming that you might be in grave trouble if you say too much or give information to the wrong person. That being said, you should follow the rule of keeping your mouth shut about anything relating to the accident. Do not tell anything, do not offer any information to anyone including law enforcement or insurance company personnel.

Second, know your rights. You do have the right to remain absolutely silent until having the opportunity to consult the legal representation of your choice, and to continue that silence throughout any and every court proceeding that may result from your accident. You do not have to say a word, though your silence may at some point be considered to be a point of guilt against you, and you may definitely refuse to incriminate yourself in any way by admitting to any wrongdoing. You should be advised that doing so may very well land you in jail at least overnight, and could lead to your being viewed by law enforcement as “uncooperative”. Nonetheless, you have it in your corner that you are indeed standing on your Constitutional rights as an American citizen and should not be harassed or otherwise hindered as a result.

In the end, you should definitely contact the rightful owner of the vehicle and let them know about whatever accident occurred in their vehicle. They may prove to be liable, or you personally might bear the blame for any mishap occurring in their vehicle, but you certainly have the responsibility of informing them of the incident so that they can proceed with full understanding of the situation at hand.

At that point, you will determine liability pertaining to yourself versus the insured owner of the vehicle. Hopefully it will go well for both of you, as you neither bore the responsibility of the insurance payments nor owned the vehicle, and the true owner had no participation in the events relating to the accident which occurred without their knowledge.

Proceed with caution, as such situation can actually result in prison terms, depending upon the state in which you reside.

In this day and age, almost anyone buying a new car has to qualify for a new car auto loan. Doing so can pose challenges, especially if you have not-so-great credit or any dings on your credit history. But buyers should never despair, as there are ways to improve credit score and/or qualify with a lender in spite of a negative credit history.

First, a buyer might get around a negative credit history by providing a lender with a secondary signer, or “co-signer’ on a loan application. This simply means that a second party is willing to vouch for the original signer of the loan contract, and make themselves financially liable should the original signer default on the loan. If you have a friend or family member who know syou well enough to be assured that you will make all payments on time and not leave them financially responsible for your loan, this may be the way to go. This is an option particularly valuable to people who simply have NO credit due to their young age or lack of credit history, and who are financially sound and able to meet their obligations but just have not had time to establish a record of doing so.

Second, a buyer may be able to offer a sizeable down-payment on the vehicle that they wish to purchase, assuring the seller of their financial commitment and their ability to re-pay the balance of the loan. Doing so can negate several problems with securing a car loan in the first place, and can also insure the purchaser of a good history to which to refer during any future purchases. Offering a large down-payment gives the seller a portion of cash in their pocket, which makes a big difference especially to private sellers. Usually private sellers are looking for immediate cash in return for their automobile sale, and will be reassured by a large cash sum up front.

So, what if neither of these two options helps you to get a deal signed for the auto purchase you desire? Sometimes no matter what a consumer does, a purchase simply will not be approved by the seller/lender, and they are left with the option of finding another venue in which to purchase an automobile or go without. Honestly, the best choice in this situation is to be persistent. Go back to your lender again and again with your offers and ask that they be considered based on your current financial status and ability to repay. Refer to your lack of current negative auto loan history and ask that they give you the opportunity to repair your possibly negative credit history by re-paying a loan with them in a timely manner. Sometimes you will be fortunate enough to deal with a loan officer with enough integrity to see what is before him/her and be willing to work with you to move forward.

What does it mean to go green with your auto insurance? Sure you can go paperless and get your bills via email. That will definitely help save a tree. However, when we talk about going green with auto insurance today, we are specifically referring to the discounts available for driving eco-friendly cars.
Continue reading Go Green With Your Auto Insurance

Applying for car insurance is already a time consuming process. Most people research companies, put in effort, and when they finally decide which company to go with they are excited for everything to be over with. However, what happens if after all that work, your policy is denied?
Continue reading Got Denied? What Your Next Move Should Be

I am a sucker for a deal, especially when it comes to something I do not really enjoy paying for. When it comes to car insurance, I prefer to get the best rates possible so I am not wasting money that I could spend elsewhere. And when I think about it, I feel like most people probably agree with me. The good news about auto insurance is that the rises on policy rates seem to be slowing and there are definitely ways to save on your insurance.
Continue reading Unbelievably Easy Ways To Save On Car Insurance

Did you see the movie “Marley and Me”? It was a great movie. Marley was a loveable character that really seemed to enjoy riding in his owner’s car. What animal would not want to go for a ride in the car? Have you ever considered if Fido is covered by your auto insurance when he comes along in the car with you?
Continue reading Does Your Policy Cover Also Cover Your Four Legged Family Members?

I have moved several times. Because of this, I have also had to switch my insurance policy each time. It is a pain. I have, however, become quite good at shopping for insurance. The one thing I have realized is that shopping for insurance is not necessarily about shopping for price. What? I know. It sounds weird, because who wants to pay more than they need to when it comes to auto insurance.
Continue reading Pick Insurance On Needs Instead Of Price

In today’s economy everyone is looking for ways to cut costs. It is not only smart, but it is about surviving. One of the ways people are cutting costs is by downsizing their current vehicle. It sounds like a good idea right? The vehicle costs less and cheaper cars usually mean lower insurance rates. While this is usually true, it is important to do your research first.
Continue reading Think Downsizing Will Cost Less?

There are many times in life when it can be tempting to tell a little white lie, but when it comes to your auto insurance, lying can turn into serious business. If you unfortunately got in an accident, it is tempting to fudge the truth a little bit – to make it look a little better than the situation actually was. After all, you do not want your insurance rates to go up.
Continue reading It Doesn’t Pay To Lie

Every month, every quarter, or every year we all pay a bill. It is a necessary evil – auto insurance. No one really wants to pay it. I will be honest, I am not happy with the amount of money that is directly withdrawn from my account every month so that I can have auto insurance coverage. That being said, I am also a lot more at ease on the road knowing I am obeying the law and protected against possible risks. What if, however, after going through all of this trouble, you paid money to a company that did not honor your claims?
Continue reading Don’t Get Scammed- What To Look For In A Reputable Company

The other day I was driving with my friend and we were discussing our auto insurance policies. She had just been in an accident and was deciding whether or not to pay the minor damages herself or file a claim with her insurance. As we discussed the situation, I realized that we both paid different amounts for our policies. After we finished our talking, I started to wonder if I was paying too much for my insurance or if I just had more coverage than she did.
Continue reading How Do You Know If You’re Paying Too Much For Auto Insurance

I don’t know about you, but I have had the same auto insurance policy for ages. Sometimes I consider changing companies, but the thought of looking into options makes me a little sick. And maybe that is dramatic, but researching auto insurance policies can be a pain, and sometimes you do not seem to reap any rewards of your efforts. There are times, however, when it makes sense to put in a little extra work and switch it up with your auto insurance.
Continue reading When Is It Time To Switch Providers?