Auto Insurance: January 2010

Sunday, January 31, 2010

2010 Honda Racing HSV-010 Super GT (Spec and Picture)

2010 Honda Racing HSV-010 Super GT

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. introduced the Honda HSV-010 GT, which will compete in the GT500 class of the 2010 Super GT Series.

Honda HSV-010 GT Technical Specifications :
    - Dimensions
          * Length: 4675 mm
          * Width: 2000 mm
          * Vehicle weight: 1100+ kg
    - Engine
          * Engine name: HR10EG
          * Configuration: Liquid-cooled, naturally aspirated, longitudinal V8
          * V angle: 90
          * Valve train: Gear-driven DOHC - 2 intake and 2 exhaust valves per cylinder
          * Displacement: 3397 cm3
          * Bore x stroke: 93.0 x 62.5 mm
          * Maximum output: 500 PS (370 KW)
          * Maximum torque: 392 Nm
          * Throttle control system: Mechanical
          * Fuel supply system: Programmed fuel injection system (Honda PGM-FI)
          * Fuel: Lead-free premium gasoline
          * Lubrication: Dry sump
    - Powertrain
          * Transmission mechanism: Constant mesh
          * Transmission shifting method: Steering paddle shifter
          * Steering system mechanism: Rack and pinion system with electric power steering (EPS)

    - Tires
          * front: 330/40R18
          * rear: 330/45R17
    - Brake type and mechanism: Hydraulic ventilated disc system
    - Suspension system: Double wishbone
    - Stabilizer: Torsion bar

Lowering Your Car Insurance Rates

Many people ignore the need of getting their cars adequately insured.

If you belong to that lot then you must understand why it is important to get car insurance. Mostly people try to get away with it because they think that they would be overburdened with the monthly, quarterly or annual premium rate. However this is not the case. You can learn the tips and the tricks through which you can enjoy lower premiums for your auto insurance.

Everyone today is on the go to get the best rate possible. This has been made easy with the advent of technology and internet. In the smallest possible time you can enjoy getting quotes from a wide range of insurance companies for your vehicle. Once you have all the information , you can then choose the most competitive deal for your car. Before you choose the company you want to sign with, it is high recommended that you should go through the search process. The comparison amongst various companies would definitely get you the quote you want for your car insurance.

The other thing you need to know is that auto insurance companies charge lower premiums to those drivers who appear to be less risky to them. Hence now you know that if you want to get lower premium rate then you would have to make sure that you are a safe driver and the condition of your car is also at its best. Prove to them that you are good driver and your premium for car insurance would automatically be pulled down. Your previous records should be free from tickets and accidents as well.

If you do not qualify in the above mentioned category of safe driver then you can opt for other choices. You can get lower premium rates by dropping some of the coverage types. This should be noted that the more coverage you add to your auto insurance the higher the premium you would have to pay. If you also decide to pay the bigger part of the insurance claim in the event of an accident then also you can get away with lower insurance premium level.

It should also be understood that the health of your car would also affect the premium rate. Even the model of your car would also help you getting lower rates. Keep your car secured with alarms and locks as this would also affect the premium. If you drive latest models of famous cars than you would have to pay higher premiums on your insurance bill. The higher the price of your car the higher the interest for your car insurance would be.

The age also matters to insurance companies. If you are young then you are more likely to be a rash driver and hence you are more prone to accidents. This increases your premium rate. It has also been noticed that premium rate is lower for middle aged people because they tend to drive sensibly according to statistics.

It is very important to get your car insured. Don’t run away from something very important and act more practically by lowering your auto insurance premium.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Getting My Van Insured

For a couple of weeks I’ve been looking around for cheap car insurance online. It’s really hard to find the best rate for us especially when I am saving money for other things . . .

Fortunately we found the best one and finally we got our new family van insured.

Now I’m thinking about our kid’s future and that’s why I’m considering an endownment policy too. The agent said that I can do an endownment quote online the same way as the auto insurance. You can actually get 5% off by doing it online as opposed to getting a quote in person.

This is really great when you don’t have time to go out that often.

Thursday, January 28, 2010

Four Tips For Getting a Great Auto Insurance Deal

Auto insurance advertising is everywhere, from the pages of the daily newspaper, to television and radio commercials. All promises low rates, quick claims handling and personalized attention. But how do you know that you really get the best deal of them all ? What does a smart driver need to know in order to find the best car insurance for their needs ?

Here are four top tips to consider when hunting for a Car Insurance deal :

1. Consider Your Coverage Needs

Before we go headlong into the murky waters of motor vehicle insurance, you must have a basic idea of what you are looking for. At the very least, you must be aware of the minimum coverage imposed by each state. For instance, liability insurance which covers the damage if you are at fault, is required in almost every state. MedPay or PIP, which pays a certain percentage of your medical expenses and lost wages, is another option. Also, one should bear in mind that if you are leasing or financing your car, comprehensive and collision coverage are required as well.

Comprehensive coverage will reimburse you for any damages incurred from incidents such as theft and fire. Collision coverage protects you against damage caused by the impact of another vehicle, running into an obstacle, a telephone pole or other object. If your car is old and / or have already been paid for, you can save a considerable amount of money by choosing not to add on collision and comprehensive coverage. Just be sure to understand that if you are involved in an accident, they are not covered expenses, but rather you will more often than not have to pay for out of your own pocket.

2.Review Your Driving Record

Do you have a history of fender benders? If so, you may be better off with more comprehensive coverage. Have you accumulated a pile of speeding tickets? Consider taking a defensive driving course. Remember that when you apply for car insurance, the company will contact the DMV record for a copy of your driving. In general, car insurance companies are looking at the last 3-5 years, your driver's license history and your premiums based on past accidents and violations.

3. Start Shopping

After deciding on the type of coverage you need and having taken a look at your driving history, you can commence shopping for a good deal. You can do this in person, by phone or via the Internet but do ensure you prepare all the necessary documents. This includes the license, current car insurance policy, your car's VIN, and registration. The idea is to get as many offers as possible, so that you can reach and compare prices side-by-side. Many sites offer their prices against the prices of competitors, which can save you time. Be sure to keep a detailed list of individual companies and their coverage limits, deductibles and rates. Print out a copy of the deals you get online and ask for a fax / email / post a copy of the offers you are given over the phone or in person.

Other things to note if this is your research:

- any discounts offered by the companies such as discounts for students, military discounts, high credit score, safety equipment installed on the car, etc.

- the auto insurance company's rating (for consumers and the ratings groups)

- the company's payment policy (Do they offer automatic deductions from your bank account? Can you make payments online? There is a cancellation fee?)

A good way to ensure you get the best deal is to use a free online auto insurance quoting service. These services often compare quotes from hundreds of different suppliers, and the insurance providers often compete so much so that you end up with a good deal.

4. Your Decision

After you've done all the necessary research, it is time to choose a company. Although it may seem tempting, going with the cheapest car insurance quote may not automatically be the best way to go. Be sure to choose the coverage that is sufficient for your needs and that the level of service is decent and reliable. Getting the best deal in auto insurance has little to do with catchy jingles and funny commercials. By taking some time to do some research, you can save hundreds of dollars a year and still maintain the level of coverage you need with a reliable company.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

Who Says You Cannot Lower Your Car Insurance Premiums ?

So who says you cannot lower your insurance premiums ?

Before renewing, go hunt around for alternative quotes, then go to your current agent. Simply ask him for a better rate, else, you will switch :)

It's that simple !

And I end up getting an auto insurance premium even lower than the lowest alternative quote I got :)

Do your search, and save whatever you can, all conditions being equal that is. Every penny you save, you can use it on other stuff or even to treat yourself to a good meal :)

Remember, you still should not compromise on anything though. Do not remove any riders or any previous add-ons just because you want to lower the premium.

Cheerios !

Nearly Couldn't Find My Car Keys

Another hectic day at work.

Then when I was at the parking lot, I realised my car keys were not in my pocket.

Then I had to look thru the car window to ensure I did not lock the keys in my car by mistake. Nearly panicked as that had happened to me before and I had to call my dad to bring the spare key to me. That would have taken him an hour at least to reach my work place.

So it was not in the car. Ran back to the office and searched high and low for it.

Luckily, it was buried underneath a pile of documents. How careless can I be :) LOL As long as I did not lock it in my car, I am relieved, I thought.

Anyways, back to home for a good meal and to add more posts to my auto insurance world blog :)

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

I am a Car Lover

I love cars.

Esp. the Japanese made models from Nissan and Toyota :)

Got myself a Nissan March. Small, compact, fuel efficient and just nice for me in this high cost affluent society. Of course, given a choice, I would take in a bigger cc model any time :)

Anyways, this is just some small idle talk to break the ice.

Do keep on coming back for more on autos, insurance and loans :)

Cherrios

Monday, January 25, 2010

2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro high-performance Sports Car

2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro

Audi announced that the price for the highly anticipated 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro V10 sports car will be rolled out in Germany in the second quarter of 2009 at a basic price of EUR 142,400. The Audi R8 V10 is the result of cumulative know-how from Audi's string of Le Mans victories. Its naturally aspirated engine combines racing technology such as dry sump lubrication with FSI gasoline direct injection. The ten-cylinder design is the perfect synthesis for impressive top performance, mighty pulling power, and low weight. Starting in 2009, this engine will also prove its potential on the world's racetracks - in the new Audi R8 GT3 racing car Audi is developing for customer teams in conformance with the GT3 rules.

2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro

Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro is the next variant of its top-of-the-line model. With the Audi R8, the brand has established itself at the forefront of high-end sports cars from the very start - and now comes the Audi R8 V10. Its 5.2-liter, ten-cylinder engine churns out 386 kW (525 hp) and 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft) of torque, which makes for breathtaking performance. With superior Audi technologies such as quattro all-wheel drive, the lightweight aluminum body, the innovative all-LED headlights, and its striking design, the Audi R8 V10 takes pole position against the competition.

2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro

The V10 engine in the production sports car will be almost identical in construction to the one in the racing version. Its displacement is 5,204 cc, at 6,500 rpm it delivers 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft) of torque, at 8,000 rpm its power tops out at 386 kW (525 hp). The specific power output is 100.9 hp per liter of displacement - and each hp has to propel only 3.09 kilograms (6.91 lb) of weight, because the Audi R8 V10 in the version with the six-speed manual gearshift weighs only 1,620 kilograms (3571 lb). The engine accounts for 258 of these kilograms (569 lb) - that's only 31 kilos (68 lb) more than the V8.

2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro

The 5.2-liter powerplant uses direct injection according to the FSI principle developed by Audi. The Audi R8 V10 with R tronic gets by on an average of 13.7 liters per 100 km (17.17 US mpg). The Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro rockets from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 3.9 seconds. In the version with the sequentially shifting R tronic it reaches 200 km/h (124.27 mph) in another 8.1 seconds. Even then its propulsive power hardly lessens: it's sufficient to reach a top speed of 316 km/h (196.35 mph). The immense force, the spontaneity and the thrust of the acceleration, plus the sound of the engine - all these impressions coalesce into a breathtaking sports car experience. The V10 plays a concert with growling bass tones and powerful high notes, which grows into a grandiose fortissimo as the engine revs up. This sonorous acceleration doesn't reach its limit until 8,700 rpm.

2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro

A contributing factor to the wide lead in traction and driving safety of the Audi R8 V10 over the competition is quattro all-wheel drive - it's the superior technology especially for a high-performance sports car. Four powered wheels get more grip than two. They enable the driver to step on the gas sooner when coming out of a curve. It's not only the traction that benefits, but also the transverse dynamics and the stability.

2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro

2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro high-performance Sports Car

2010 Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro

Getting Auto Insurance Price Quotes

Every person with a car needs auto insurance. Why ?

Simply because it is required by federal law. Even if it was not, people would still need it as protection against damage due to any unforeseen incident and the consequences thereafter. Compensation is usually in the form of monetary payment.

Since you are dealing with a necessity rather than a luxury, one thing you have to look at first are the car insurance price quotes. There are some ways to obtain that. All you need is just simple resourcefulness and creativity.

One thing you need to look at is the benefits you can get from an auto insurance. However, that does not mean you do not have to look at the price. What you need to do is to look at the car insurance price quotes from different companies to have a better view of what is the best deal available for you. Most often that not, price quotes are just available online so you do not have to search that hard.

When starting your search on auto insurance price quotes, you can look for price quotes of companies you have often heard of. These companies have done so many good jobs that their reputation in the grapevine is very much talked about. Most often than not, you have friends who already have car insurance. You can begin inquiring from them. That way, you will be able to get information from a trusted source.

You also need to be mindful of the name of the companies you are looking at. You might want to see their ratings in research firms like Moody’s.

You may also want to have a good auto insurance agent from the company. Most of the time, a good agent means a referred agent. If you have heard someone who is happy with the car insurance they just got, ask them who their agent was. That person you know will surely still have the name of the agent he/she dealt with plus any contact information. When dealing with agents, be nice to them. Ask them for auto insurance price quotes right away because if you do not, chances are they will pitch to you their most expensive package and you might not have a chance to budge.

If they concentrate on just one auto insurance package, ask them if there is anything cheaper than that and look at it yourself. Also hint to them that you are look at other car insurance price quotes so they can give you the best possible deal available.

Getting auto insurance price quotes is very essential. Of course, you also have to look at the benefits the car insurance package can offer to you. Otherwise, you might end up purchasing something you may not require.

Comparing prices is important but the bottomline is to find a package that covers all the things that you are looking out for. Just practice due diligence and you will do alright.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Kia Ray Hybrid Concept will present at the Chicago Auto Show

Kia Ray Hybrid Concept

KIA Motors is currently preparing their new concept car that will be displayed at the Chicago Auto Show 2010. The figure in the vehicle named Kia Ray in the form of the official release has a unique taillights.

Kia Ray Hybrid Concept

Kia Ray Hybrid Concept Kia Ray is the vehicle plug-in hybrid that is a picture of Kia's green programs in the future. Platform concept would seem hibryd used Kia models that will come, but it is unlikely that vehicles will be the Kia design language that will come.

Kia Ray Hybrid Concept

Kia Ray designed at Kia's American design studios released only in an illustration. There's no other details about this vehicle and it seems we must wait until the Chicago Auto Show going to get any further to what is really shown by Kia through Ray Plug-in hybrid it.

Kia Ray Hybrid Concept

But most likely, will carry the Kia Ray drive system similar to that used by Kia Blue-will. We will wait.

Kia Ray Hybrid Concept will present at the Chicago Auto Show

Kia Ray Hybrid Concept

But most likely, will carry the Kia Ray drive system similar to that used by Kia Blue-will. We will wait.

Saturday, January 23, 2010

2010 Gemballa Super Sports Car MIG-U1 Ferrari Enzo

2010 Gemballa Super Sports Car MIG-U1 Ferrari Enzo

Now, the company manager from Leonberg near Stuttgart takes on a new challenge. The automobile manufacturer turns the most potent super sports car from Maranello, the Ferrari Enzo, into the GEMBALLA MIG-U1 - an individually produced edition, limited to only 25 cars. In the last 27 years, Uwe Gemballa has achieved the best world-wide reputation for refining Porsche cars. The core part of the overall makeover is the entirely re-engineered aerodynamics concept by GEMBALLA. Without any exception, the manufacturer produces all components in real carbon in order to combine lowest weight with highest material strength.

2010 Gemballa Super Sports Car MIG-U1 Ferrari Enzo

Owing to the active aerodynamics conception, the front spoiler lip generates an additional downthrust of up to 35 kilograms at the front axle, according to the individual position. Analogically, the flap on the newly designed rear spoiler generates even up to 85 kilograms more downthrust on the rear wheels. For optimal handling results, the flap lowers, as soon as the car reaches a speed of 120 km/h. In this way, the GEMBALLA-aerodynamics concept adjusts to the outer conditions and always ensures perfect road holding characteristics. All components of the aerodynamics kit attribute to this: starting from the new front skirt with spoiler lip, over the door extensions to the diffuser and rear spoiler.

2010 Gemballa Super Sports Car MIG-U1 Ferrari Enzo

The air duct system of the GEMBALLA MIG-U1 does not only help bringing the power of the twelve-cylinder car onto the road. At the same time, the engineers from Leonberg (Baden-Wurttemberg) develop an extensive ventilation- and cooling concept. Here, both the front and the back wheel-houses are supplied with cooling air and this guarantees an optimal use of the high performance braking system. The GEMBALLA car body components therefore guarantee the functionality of the new super sports car and provide the car with a unique look at the same time. Following the design of Formula-1 racing cars, the GEMBALLA MIG-U1 has an extended front and an edged rear spoiler. Formerly rounded edges were replaced in order to provide the car with an aggressive look with greedy air inlets and outlets.

2010 Gemballa Super Sports Car MIG-U1 Ferrari Enzo

The twelve cylinder engine of the GEMBALLA MIG-U1 works with an optimised motor management and an especially adjusted exhaust system. This combination allows a performance output of 700 hp (515 kW). The four-pipe system with pneumatic flap control is added to the sports catalyser. The end-pipes are equipped with the typical GEMBALLA heat shield and share the exit into the rear skirt with the exhaust ducts of the rear wheel houses.

2010 Gemballa Super Sports Car MIG-U1 Ferrari Enzo

In the interior, GEMBALLA devises a control centre which perfectly combines functionality and comfort. The especially for the GEMBALLA MIG-U1 designed seats, the custom-made centre console and the sports steering wheel with its leather-ultra suede combination guarantee full control over the car. At the same time,
the interior of this super sports car reflects pure luxury.

2010 Gemballa Super Sports Car MIG-U1 Ferrari Enzo

With the GEMBALLA MIG-U1, the automobile manufacturer once again proves that its know-how is not only limited to Porsche cars. On the basis of the already exhilarating Ferrari Enzo, the engineers developed a unique car. But even the limited edition with only 25 cars is not exclusive enough for GEMBALLA. Therefore, every single GEMBALLA MIG-U1 is individually adjusted. This ensures that there will not be any identical cars. Therefore, the specialist with its reputation for unique high-end refinement once again meets the requirements for highest individuality.

2010 Gemballa Super Sports Car MIG-U1 Ferrari Enzo