Auto Insurance Rates

Will vary depending on the insurance agency, your driving record, and the type of insurance you are looking to purchase. I you are looking for affordable car insurance or truck insurance then read on.

There are ways to reduce your premiums without giving up coverage. One of the easiest things to do is get auto insurance rate quotes online. This will allow you to comparative shop stress free.

Raising your deductibles is the easiest way to reduce your rates. The higher the deductible, the lower the premium will be. The deductible is the portion you will have to pay in the event of accident, before your insurance coverage steps in. It’s important not to carry a deductible that’s more than what you are able to pay. Your insurance company will not honor its portion of the claim until you’ve paid your deductible. However, the higher your deductible the lower your premium cost will be, so you need to find a

Always remember to ask your insurance broker for any available discounts. Quite often we forget to ask and they don’t seem to volunteer the information. A clean record on the current policy for a certain period of time, having your homeowner's coverage with the same insurer, taking a defensive driving course, having an accident free driving record, and having an approved anti-theft device will reduce your auto insurance rates.

The type of car you drive can also reduce your rates. Stay away from cars that have a high class rating. Rates vary among the different makes and models of vehicles. The different rates are based on the risk of accident, cost to repair, higher theft rates for a particular model and replacement costs such as with a new vehicle. So be sure your vehicle isn’t going to be in a category that increases your rates too much.

A safe driving record consisting of no accidents and no traffic violations will get you the most substantial discount. Most insurance companies are very good at recognizing good driving habits. These are the drivers they want to insure because their risk is much lower.

If the car is old and not very valuable, comprehensive insurance is probably not worth buying as it can quickly add up to more than you’d ever receive in the event of an accident. You can save up to 20% by eliminating collision insurance. You may want to opt not to carry collision insurance as well which can save you and additional 20%.

Check around to make sure you are getting the best auto rates you can. Online auto insurance shopping has taken the guess work out of buying insurance and you can very quickly see if you are being hosed. So if your insurance is coming due now is the time to start shopping!.

Last Car News

The Ultimate Corvette

There is no denying that the Corvette is an impressive sports car. With a powerful 400-horsepower V8 engine, classic styling, comfortable interior and excellent handling, what more could one want in an American sports car? So if you had a Corvette with even better handling, more aggressive styling and 105 more horses on tap, would it be any better? Absolutely!!!

That, of course, would be the all-new Corvette Z06. At first glance, it looks like any other Corvette, however those in the know will recognize it immediately. It has an air intake just ahead of the hood, larger rear fender flares with additional air scoops, and unique alloy wheels, and larger exhaust. Of course, there’s also the Z06 badge on the side that has red text on it telling the most important part of the story – 505 HP.

Yes, under the hood is Chevrolet’s LS7 7.0-liter V8 engine that pumps out 505 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque. This in a car that weighs just 3,000 lbs. 60 mph comes up in just 3.6 seconds; top speed is close to 200 mph. This is the fastest production ‘Vette ever.

But unlike the Viper, which has similar performance numbers, the Z06 is a civilized ride. It doesn’t cook you like the Viper, although after a long drive, the center console did get pretty toasty. The clutch is not heavy – your leg doesn’t hurt after sitting in traffic. Seats are very comfortable, and it drives smoothly at 40 or 140.

I had the opportunity to drive the Z06 from Portland, OR to Seattle, WA - about 190 miles. Even with some stop and go traffic, I averaged an impressive 22 mpg. This is from a 505 horsepower supercar! This is primarily because at 80 mph in 6^th gear, the engine is only turning about 1800 rpm. Although, I have to say it’s really hard to cruise along at 80 when you know the car can go twice that speed.

But cruising down the highway at 80 is not what this car is about, even if it does it well. This car is about shifting into 2^nd gear at 30 mph, flooring it and having the rear wheels break loose. The V8 sounds fantastic, and acceleration is incredible. It has excellent grip, and when the wheels break free, it’s still controllable. I’ve never driven this car at the track, but it must be phenomenal.

Where the Viper would make a great 3^rd or 4^th car, the Corvette Z06 could easily be a daily driver. It has a good amount of cargo space, storage pockets in the doors, plenty of room for every day stuff.

And with a starting price around $70,000, this car is an incredible deal. Especially when you compare it to Viper ($83,000) or Porsche 911 Turbo ($123.000). Definitely one of the more impressive cars I’ve driven.
--Perry Stern