Finding the Right Auto Insurance

If you're going to have a car, you're going to need insurance. But it isn't as cut and dry as having insurance or not. There are a few different kinds of coverage you can get. There are also a few other important considerations you should look at when looking for the correct coverage. Hopefully this blog will help put some of those different aspects of car insurance into perspective for you.

Three Types of Coverage

Although insurance policies and prices vary from company to company, there are three basic types of coverage you'll want to consider.  

Liability: If an accident is your fault, the insurance company will usually cover the damage you caused, including bodily injury and property damage.

Collision: The insurance company will pay for repairs performed after an accident. Make sure you go to a repair shop approved by your agency. Otherwise, they may not pay for the work.

Comprehensive: Damage from vandalism, theft, floods, fires and other events is covered. Some insurance agencies don't cover certain kinds of mishaps, so make sure you know all the details — and exclusions — of your policy. Some insurers offer protection from uninsured drivers.

Other Important Considerations

Find out your auto lender's preferences
If you owe money on your car (through your loan), your lender may have some rules on the kinds and amounts of coverage you'll need. Most lenders want a comprehensive coverage package to protect the car in the event of an accident. However, if you own your car outright and have the title, you are free to select the insurance you feel most comfortable with, as long as you comply with state insurance requirements.

What's the smart amount of coverage for me?
Figuring out how much time you spend in your car and the number of hazards that your car faces on a regular basis (traffic, parking, etc.) can help you figure out the coverage you need. If your car is frequently exposed to hazardous conditions, you may want to consider adding more coverage. If you keep your car in a garage most of the time, you probably don't need as much coverage as someone who's parking on congested city streets every day.

Your insurance agent will ask you about your driving habits. Based on data from thousands of insured drivers, the agent can figure out the likelihood of you having an accident and offer a plan that is appropriate for you. Some insurance companies will reduce your payment if you drive less frequently, live close to work or if you drive a safer vehicle.

You should also consider where you live, work or go to school. Are you concerned that your car may get stolen or vandalized? Weigh all these things when choosing your insurance plan. You can easily increase your coverage if necessary.

Click the link to read the entire article from Cars.com: http://bit.ly/17YZhRO

Disasters of Apocalyptic Proportions: What Car for Which Situation?

Public Service Announcement: The zombie apocalypse is here! Well, not really.  But if it were true, would your vehicle be properly prepared for it?  If not, check out this blog on the necessities for different disaster scenarios:

We all have that one friend who is prepared for any and every disaster.  At least once a week, they utter something about an “apocalypse” of brain-starved zombie hordes or a green giant monster running rampant through the streets and ravishing your city.  If this ever occurs, you will have to get to a safe place, but how will you get there?  Which method of transportation do you use?  Therefore, transportation is essential in “Surviving the Apocalypse 101”.

This great infographic from Jalopnik.com and Dailyinfographic.com provides us a little sight on which car would (theoretically) be the best for various disaster situations.  For instance, if you’re trying to fend off a zombie horde, you’ll need shatter proof or barred windows.  A push-shovel in front of your vehicle is a must as well.  After striking a zombie with your killing machine of a car, the push-shovel will properly set them aside, without running over them and damaging the vehicle’s undercarriage.

For more information and to check out the necessities for your apocalyptic vehicle, take a look at the infographic and original article: http://bit.ly/11qDX2S

Traveling With Pets

People that have pets know that it's hard to be away from them for long. Many times when you go on a trip you want to take your pet with you. Many hotels and vacation homes are even pet friendly, which makes it even easier to travel with a pet. But before you get your furry friend to your final destination, you need to make sure that you take the proper measures to make sure that the ride there goes as smoothly as possible. Here are five tips for traveling with your pet in the car.

5: Prepare Your Pet for Car Travel

If you're planning to travel by car with your pet, you should prepare in advance. If your pet has never been in the car before, make some short trips first to see how it reacts. Some animals behave just fine, but others suffer from anxiety or even motion sickness. If the latter is the case for your pet, talk to your veterinarian about appropriate medications. While you're at it, make sure your pet is up to date on vaccinations as well.

Most cats feel safer in the car if they travel in a small crate. To prepare your cat for crate time, leave the crate around the house for a few days so the cat gets used to it. Same with your dog. If you plan on harnessing your dog or keeping it in a crate in the car, get it familiarized with that feeling.

Make sure your pet is wearing its identification tags in case it manages to escape you during the trip.

4: Put Together a Travel Kit
Do you pack a toiletry kit for yourself when you travel? Why not pack one for your pet as well?

If you're traveling out of state, bring your pet's health records along. You'll need them in case your pet bites someone or gets bitten. Put your name, destination address and cell phone number on your pet's crate in case of emergency. Also, don' t forget small first-aid items like nail clippers and liquid bandages.

Portable water bowls -- you can even buy one that folds up -- and bottled water are a great idea. You never know what might upset your pet's tummy, and you certainly don't want to find out while you're trapped in a small car together. So, stick with water -- no food.

Don't forget a pooper scooper, waste bags, treats, an extra leash and your pet's favorite pillow or toy for comfort.

3: Keep Your Pet Safely Entertained
Many pets sleep in the car, but just as many of them wind up getting restless. It might seem fun to let your dog hang its head out the window, but this practice is dangerous. Your dog could be hit by flying objects, and the wind and cold air can cause inner-ear damage and lung infections [source: ASPCA]. Excitable canines can also unexpectedly leap out an open window, leading to serious injury or death.

Instead, bring along a favorite chew toy, treats and other objects that will keep your pet entert-ained and busy. Stop the car often to let your pet out (on a leash, of course) to stretch its legs and sniff out its new surroundings.

2: Food, Water and Bathroom Breaks
During any trip, it's important to stop often so your pet can stretch its legs, relieve itself and burn off some excess energy.
Although water is fine, don't feed your pet in a moving vehicle. It's actually best to feed it no less than three to four hours before your trip begins, to minimize motion sickness. If your pet needs to eat during the duration of the trip, feed it at a rest stop an¬d give it some time to digest.

Speaking of rest stops, when you do stop, never let your pet out of the vehicle without a leash. In an unfamiliar place, animals can act unpredictably and tragedy can occur. Don't put your pet at risk -- keep it on the leash.

Always park in the shade. And never leave an animal unattended in a parked vehicle. On a warm day, the temperature in your car can rise to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius) in minutes, even with the window open [source: Humane Society].

1: Restrain Your Pet
Hands (or paws) down, the best way to keep your pet safe during a car trip is to use a restraint system. You wear a seatbelt for your own safety -- give your pet the same respect. Your pet should ride in the backseat so it won't get injured if a front seat airbag is deployed. However, don't let your pet ride in the bed of a pickup truck. In that case, it's safer up front with you.

The best restraint system for your pet depends on its size an¬d breed, as well as the size of your vehicle. There are many options from which to choose. Following are some general tips:
•    Cats and some small dogs travel best in a carrier. They feel safer and can't run around inside the vehicle. You should use a seat belt to secure the carrier.
•    If you need to use a crate for your larger pet, make sure it is well secured and cushioned. In the event of an accident, the animal can slam against the sides of the crate.
•    The safest way to secure your dog in the car is through a restraint system. You can purchase a harness that attaches to your regular seat belts, or straps that attach to the ceiling of the car.
•    Choose restraints that offer your pet some mobility -- the animal should be able to move and turn in the seat

Click the link to read the full article from Animal Planet: http://bit.ly/18tkXZQ

Tips for Washing Your Car You Wouldn't Normally Think Of

With all the muck and grime on the roads, washing your car is a necessary evil. But sometimes we don't always want to pay for a fancy car wash. Here are some tips and tricks most people wouldn't think of that are cheaper and will actually keep your car cleaner for a longer period of time.

Hair conditioner for shine
Wash your car with a hair conditioner containing lanolin. You'll become a believer when you see the freshly waxed look, and when you find that the surface will repel rain.

Fizz windshields clean with cola
When it rains after a long dry spell, a dirty windshield turns into one big mess. Get rid of streaks and blotches by pouring cola over the glass. (Stretch a towel along the bottom of the windshield to protect hood paint.) The bubbles in the cola will fizz away the grime. Just be sure to wash the sticky cola off thoroughly or your cleaning efforts will end up attracting dust.

A one-step window cleaner
Clean your windshield and car windows by rubbing them with baby wipes stored in your glove compartment. What could be easier?

Baking-soda car cleaner
Pour 1/4 cup baking soda into a gallon-sized jug, then add 1/4 cup dishwashing liquid and enough water to fill the jug almost to the top. Screw on the cap, shake well, and store the concentrate for later use. When it comes time to wash the car, shake the jug vigorously and then pour 1 cup of cleaner base into a 2-gallon water pail. Fill the pail with warm water, stir to mix, and your homemade cleaning solution is ready to use.

Avoid air drying
Also according to Consumer Reports, air drying your car—or driving it around while it's wet—after washing can leave unsightly watermarks on its exterior. Use a chamois or a soft terry cloth, plus a squeegee to soak excess water up—just make sure it doesn't pick up dirt that can scratch the vehicle.

Click the link to read the full article and learn even more weird tips to keep your car clean: http://bit.ly/Kz661P

Why Do Cars Rust?

One thing that scares car owners is rust. This pesky problem can make a car almost undriveable. However, you can keep your car from declining into a rusty junkheap. It requires monitoring and regular maintenance, but with some work, you could keep rust at bay. What causes rust in the first place? Here’s a technical explanation for the curious:

Rust is iron oxide, a molecule consisting of two iron atoms and three oxygen atoms. It's the product of an electrochemical process called corrosion. To create rust, three factors must be present: an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte. An anode is a piece of metal that will readily release electrons under the right circumstances. Cathodes are metals that will accept electrons. Electrolytes are liquids that facilitate the movement of electrons.

As electrons flow from the anode to the cathode via the electrolyte, the anode metal corrodes. In the case of metals with iron in them, part of the anode metal becomes rust. As the metal corrodes, it weakens. That's not something you want to have happen to your vehicle.

There are several points on your car that are more susceptible to rust. For example, your car's engine, frame, chassis, exhaust system and trunk compartment can develop rust. Optional equipment, like trailer hitches, can also fall prey to corrosion. Rust can even attack painted surfaces on your car.

Getting rid of rust is challenging. It's easier to take steps to prevent rust than it is to eradicate it. In the case of rust, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Read the full article (and get some great rust prevention tips!) here:
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/under-the-hood/vehicle-maintenance/prevent-automotive-rust.htm

Weird Traffic Laws

We all need to abide to certain traffic laws to keep us safe, but there are some really strange traffic laws out there that make you wonder if drivers have actually ever tried these things that are now illegal!

Southern Laws

• Southerners have a reputation for crazy laws and traffic laws are no exceptions. In Sarasota, Florida, you will be fined $78 for hitting a pedestrian. In Dublin, Georgia, it is illegal to drive through a playground, and in Marietta, Georgia, it is illegal to spit from a moving car or bus but it is OK from trucks.

• In Cape Coral, Florida, you cannot park a pickup truck in front of a property you do not own and all over Florida if you tie an elephant or an alligator to a parking meter you have to feed the meter just as if you had parked a car there. In Tennessee it is illegal shoot any animal from a moving car--except whales. In Virginia Beach, Virginia, and everywhere in Texas, if you are caught for drunk driving everybody in the car who is drunk losses their license.

Western Laws

• The "Wild, Wild West" has its share of crazy traffic laws. In Glendale, Arizona, it is illegal to drive a car in reverse--so parking requires careful consideration. In California it is illegal for a car without a driver to exceed 60 mph. In Oregon, you can get a ticket if your car door is open "longer than is necessary."

• You cannot drive a car in Redlands, California unless there is a man with a lantern walking in front of it. In Nevada, it is illegal to ride a camel on the highway. In Denver, Colorado, you can not drive black cars on Sunday and it is illegal to molest a car in Clinton, Oklahoma.

The Rest of the Country

• The rest of the country has traffic laws that are just as weird. In Bloomfield, Connecticut, it is illegal to eat in your car. It is illegal to run out of gas in Youngstown Ohio. In Rhode Island you are required to give an "audible signal" when passing another vehicle, and it is against the law to pass a horse in Indiana.

Foreign Laws

• Americans are not the only people with lunatic traffic laws. In Luxembourg, you must have windshield wipers on your car, but you are not required to have a windshield. In Montreal, you may not park a car in such a way that it blocks your own driveway. In Singapore, you are not supposed to come within 164 feet of a pedestrian crossing the street. You can't wash your car on Sunday in Switzerland, and women in Saudi Arabia still aren't allowed to drive cars.

Click the link to read the entire article from ehow.com:  http://bit.ly/fBziFo

Famous Cars: Where Are They Now?

Rosa Parks' bus? Kennedy's limousine? Bonnie and Clyde's death mobile? These are some of the most famous American cars, but whatever happened to them? These cars are almost as legendary as the people who drove them - but unlike their owners, the cars still reside in different locations all around the world. Some of them went through very interesting to journeys to get to their current resting spots.

AOL Autos explores the stories behind these legendary vehicles and lists where you can find them today, just in case you'd ever want to go on a journey yourself to see these famous vehicles.

Bonnie and Clyde's Death Car
When Bonnie Parker met Clyde Barrow it was, by all accounts, love at first sight. The love resulted in three years of haphazard robbery, kidnapping, murder and shootouts across the country. The pair met their end when police sprayed the stolen 1934 Ford Deluxe they were riding in with 130 rounds of bullets on May 23, 1934.

First, the car was towed to the local furniture store and funeral parlor in downtown Arcadia, La. The car was bought and sold by various promoters for use in sideshows at county fairs and circuses. There were many imitators, but the original car had various proofs of authenticity, including Barrow's torn and bloodstained shirt signed by his sister and several letters attesting to its authenticity. Theses items are on display, along with the bullet-riddled Ford, at Whiskey Jack's Casino in Primm, Nev. The casino operator bought the car, bloodstains and all, for $175,000 in 1973.

Elvis's Pink Cadillac
To say Elvis was a fan of the Cadillac is a bit of an understatement. The King gave away countless Cadillacs to family, friends and hangers-on. At his funeral, a 1977 Miller-Meteor Landau Traditional Cadillac hearse transported Elvis' body, with a silver Cadillac limousine leading the procession and 16 white Cadillac limousines behind filled with mourners heading to the Memphis Cemetery.

His favorite Cadillac of all was a pink 1955 Fleetwood 60 Special, which replaced a pink 1954 model after it caught fire due to faulty brake lining. Elvis would own his pink Cadillac for the rest of his life. He originally bought it for his mother, but she never drove it. The pink paint was mixed just for Elvis and is known as 'Elvis Rose'. The Fleetwood has been on display since 1982 at the Elvis Presley Automobile Museum at Graceland.

Rosa Parks' Bus
The bus that helped Rosa Parks launch her role in the Civil Rights movement survives to this day. On December 1, 1955, the 42-year-old Parks boarded the bus after a long day as a seamstress. When the "whites only" seats at the front of the bus filled up, a white man asked her to get up so he could sit. Parks refused, resulting in her arrest under Jim Crow laws. Her arrest helped sparked the famed Montgomery Bus Boycott, the first of many nonviolent protests staged by marginalized black populations in America.

The General Motor's bus rusted in a field for 30 years before The Henry Ford Museum spent $300,000 restoring it. The bus is currently on display at the museum. Visitors are welcome to sit in the bus, which is filled with interactive displays and teaching tools.

Kennedy's Limousine: SS-100-X
SS-100-X was the Secret Service name given to President John F. Kennedy's navy blue 1961 Lincoln 74A Convertible. The Lincoln featured $200,000 worth of modifications, but no bulletproofing. There were several domes that fit over the top of the convertible, but it made the cabin extremely hot and was also not bullet proof. It was in this Lincoln that Kennedy, First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy, the Texas governor and his wife sat in on November 22, 1963, when three shots fired from a book depository ended the President's life.

Surprisingly, the Lincoln was kept in service another eight years after the Kennedy's death. After the assassination, a company called Hess & Eisenhardt added reinforcements and safety measures that were missing when Kennedy rode in the car. The Lincoln was outfitted with titanium armor plating, bullet-resistant glass, and a permanent bulletproof roof. The Lincoln was also painted black by incoming president Lyndon Johnson, who thought the original navy blue paint would be too reminiscent of the assassination. In 1967 the presidential limo was replaced, but the 1961 Lincoln was kept in the fleet, doing less important duties until it retired to the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich., in 1978. The car is still on display there and is rumored to be haunted.

Click the link to read the full article from AOL Autos and learn what happened to other legendary vehicles: http://aol.it/11G6oQR