Salesmen are more willing to haggle prices to close the deal when in the holiday season, as most people are too busy to think about buying a car at that time.
Another time that is the best for getting a good deal is the period from July to October. Dealerships are trying to get rid of their inventory to make way for the new year models.
Do some research online, and get some quotes optimally along with some good rebates or incentives. Print out your results from the lowest quotes and bring it with you to your local dealer. Showing them the lower quotes might compel them to give you a better deal. If not, shop around some more.
Visit FightingChance.com This site has great advice, as well as incentives and rebate offers. You may be able to save thousands of dollars on your car purchase.
A good tactic is to bring a copy of your credit score with you to the dealership. It can lower your interest rates on your car loan.
Be suspicious of any ‘bait and switch’ tactics, such as some odd change that occurred after you initially discussed the car with the dealer. Some unscrupulous dealers will use your preference for a particular car as leverage in convincing you to stay with your choice; although, unfortunately there has been some ‘unforseen’ change in the price or deal you originally discussed. Stick to your guns and remind them that is not what was agreed. If they don’t back down,or at least give you a concession, then it is up to you if you want to accept the difference.
A rule of thumb is to never wait until your car is broken down and you are desperate not only are you not thinking as clearly at a time like that, but the salesman may sense your desperation and take advantage of you. On such a major decision, try to force yourself to take action when you realize your car has issues, but while it is still running.
Do your research before going in and subjecting yourself to high-pressure tactics. Don’t fall for any deals where you are required to make an on the spot decision. This is a big commitment and you need to be on top of the game.
Tags: Bait And Switch, Car Buying Tips, Car Loan, Car Purchase, Concession, Credit Score, Desperation, Holiday Season, Incentives, Lemon Law, Leverage, New Year, Pressure Tactics, Rebates, Rule Of Thumb, Salesmen, Switch Tactics, Tactic, Thousands Of Dollars, Unscrupulous DealersRelated posts
How much insurance should you buy? Any insurance agent worthy of their salt will tell you that you should buy as much as you can afford. While this is a good rule of thumb, it’s about as useful as a stock broker’s tip to buy low and sell high. It might be sound logic but it doesn’t get you any closer to an educated decision. There are a few filters that need consideration in order to make that educated decision. First, what is the state required minimum coverage where you live? Second, what does the minimum cover? Third, what other coverage is available and can you afford it? And fourthly, what are you protecting?
What do the minimums cover?
Now that you know what your state requires, what are you actually covered for once you purchase the minimum? Using the coverage definitions that follow, find the types of coverage required and see what your state says is the accepted minimum.
Coverage Definitions
Bodily Injury Liability
Covers other people’s bodily injuries or death for which you are responsible. It also provides for a legal defense if another party in the accident files a lawsuit against you. Claims for bodily injury may be for such things as medical bills, loss of income or pain and suffering. In the event of a serious accident, you want enough insurance to cover a judgment against you in a lawsuit, without jeopardizing your personal assets. Bodily injury liability covers injury to people, not your vehicle. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have the same level of coverage for all of your cars. Bodily Injury Liability does NOT cover you or other people on your policy. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.
Comprehensive Physical Damage Coverage
Covers your vehicle, and sometimes other vehicles you may be driving for losses resulting from incidents other than collision. For example, comprehensive insurance covers damage to your car if it is stolen; or damaged by flood, fire, or animals. Pays to fix your vehicle less the deductible you choose. To keep your premiums low, select as high a deductible as you feel comfortable paying out of pocket. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.
Collision Coverage
Covers damage to your car when your car hits, or is hit by, another vehicle, or other object. Pays to fix your vehicle less the deductible you choose. To keep your premiums low, select as large a deductible as you feel comfortable paying out of pocket. For older cars, consider dropping this coverage, since coverage is normally limited to the cash value of your car. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.
Medical Payments
Covers medical expenses to you and your passengers injured in an accident. There may also be coverage if as a pedestrian a vehicle injures you. Does NOT matter who is at fault. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.
Uninsured Motorist Coverage
Covers bodily injuries to you and your passengers when the other person has no insurance or not enough insurance in a crash that is not your fault. In some states, there is also uninsured motorist coverage for damage to your vehicle. Given the large number of uninsured motorists, this is very important coverage to have, even in states with no-fault insurance. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy
Personal Injury Protection Coverage
Covers within the specified limits, the medical, hospital and funeral expenses of the insured, others in his vehicles and pedestrians struck by him. The basic coverage for the insured’s own injuries on a first-party basis, without regard to fault. It is only available in certain states.
Property Damage Liability
Covers you if your car damages someone else’s property. Usually it is their car, but it could be a fence, a house or any other property damaged in an accident. It also provides you with legal defense if another party files a lawsuit against you. It is a good idea to purchase enough of this insurance to cover the amount of damage your car might do to another vehicle or object. Coverage is limited to the terms and conditions contained in the policy.
Rental Car Reimbursement
Covers renting a car if your car isn’t drivable or while your car is being repaired because of a covered accident.
What else is available and can you afford it?
Did you come across a coverage and think, “I need that but it isn’t required by state law” when you were reviewing the coverage definitions? Chances are you did. Can your budget afford the additional expense of these protections? Or maybe more to the point; can you afford NOT to have these additional protections? At CarInsurance.com it’s easy to get multiple quotes all with a click of your mouse. And during the quoting process, it’s simple to add or remove coverage to see how additional coverage will affect your budget.
What are you protecting?
What assets need to be protected from being plucked away if you cause injury or damage?
A) Your car itself. If this is a significant asset, or at least the bank you owe money to thinks so, then you will need comprehensive and collision.
B) Your net worth. Do you have an enormous net worth to protect. If so, either get it out of your name and into a trust or buy all the insurance you can. If you have little or nothing to protect, then you can get by with less and still be financially responsible.
However, after you determine how much protection to get, always ask how much more it is for the next level higher. Very often, you can get significantly more coverage for very little cost.
Car insurance isn’t flashy. There is no “wow” factor and the opposite gender isn’t going to be impressed by the size of your policy. But not having enough can be the difference between financial stability and financial ruin. For what its worth, CarInsurance.com finds financial stability incredibly appealing.
Tags: Accident Insurance, Bodily Injuries, Bodily Injury Liability, Car Insurance, Comprehensive Insurance, Definitions, Flood, Insurance Agent, Judgment Against, Losses, Medical Bills, Minimum Coverage, Other Vehicles, Pain And Suffering, Personal Assets, Physical Damage Coverage, Policy Coverage, Rule Of Thumb, Sound Logic, Stock BrokerRelated posts
Homeowner And Auto Insurance Quote – What To Know About Personal Property Insurance
Did you know that if you buy your auto insurance from the same company as your homeowners insurance, you could get a discount? Many companies offer what is called a multi- discount.
Here are a few other tips for saving money when buying insurance:
1.Shop, shop, shop: Always shop around. Different underwriting guidelines may cause one company to charge more for your homeowners and/or auto policy where another company may be able to offer discounts. Get a couple of quotes and compare not only the premiums, but compare overages.
2.Deductibles: Rule of thumb, the higher the deductible, the lower the premium. Remember, however, the purpose of insurance is to make you whole in the event of an insured loss. Don’t raise your deductibles to the point where you’re spending more out of pocket than you can afford. If you currently have a $250 deductible and can live with a $500 deductible, then raise it accordingly. However, if you raise your deductible to $5,000 to save money on your premium and then suffer a loss, that first $5,000 comes out of your pocket. So, raise them only as far as you can afford.
3.Discounts : Ask for discounts. Some companies offer discounts to senior citizens which can amount to as much as 10%. Other companies offer discounts on auto policies to teens who maintain good grades (B or above). Your agent is aware of these discounts so always ask.
4.Longevity: Once you find the right insurance company, stay with them. Insurance companies like loyalty and will offer discounts for remaining with them for several years. Three to five years with the same carrier may earn a 5% discount and six years or more as much as 10%.
5.Credit Score: As unfair as it sounds, your credit score is taken into consideration when determining your premium. Know your credit score and do whatever you can to improve it.
Tags: Auto Insurance, Auto Policies, Auto Policy, Buying Insurance, Credit Score, Deductibles, Homeowners Insurance, Insurance Companies, Insurance Company, Insurance Personal, Insurance Quote, Longevity, Loyalty, Personal Insurance, Personal Property Insurance, Premiums, Right Insurance, Rule Of Thumb, Senior Citizens, Tips For Saving Money