10 Auto Insurance Myths You Should Know About

The truth about fallacies of many car owners believing that the insurance premium coverage for their new car is covered, and maybe the truth just might make you change course.
(1) "No-fault insurance means, is it not my fault?" That means that your insurance company pays for your damages regardless of who's at fault. No they don’t!

(2) "Can the color of my car affect my insurance rate?" No!
What do influence your rate are your vehicle's year, make, model, body type, engine size, credit history and driving record.

(3)"If I lend my car to a friend and that friend is in an accident, his or her insurance company will pay for the damages…right?" Wrong!

Your car is your responsibility! And guess what, even though you weren't present at the time of the accident, you still will receive a mark on your insurance record and your insurance premium could possibly go up.

(4) "Is my insurance rate is set by the government?" No!
The government has nothing to do with your car insurance rate. Where you live, your credit score, marital status and your driving record is what actually affects your premium.

(5) "I recently paid my insurance premium. Is my new car I just purchased is covered?"

Not necessarily. Most automobile policies require that the policyholder notify the insurance company or agent within a specified number of days, if indeed coverage is desired for the newly purchased vehicle.

(6) "Is it a fact that male driver under the age of 25 pay more for auto insurance?" Yes! Male driver under 25 years old can potentially pay more for car insurance than female drivers. However, across the board, teenagers and mature adults pay more for auto insurance, due in large part because these age groups are typically involved in more automobile accidents.

(7) "Can my credit score have any affect on my insurance rate?" Your credit score really does matter! Many Insurance companies take your credit score into consideration when deciding to increase or renew your auto insurance coverage.

(8) "Even without comprehensive coverage, am I still covered for theft, windstorms, and hail and deer accidents?" Many drivers believe that if they only purchase collision insurance, which covers accidents involving objects, that they will also be covered for incidents that involve vandalism, hail, animal accidents and fires. That simply is not true. You need to purchase both collision and comprehensive coverage in order to fully protect your vehicle from all of these situations.

(9) "Can my personal auto insurance cover both my personal and business use of my car?"

If you occasionally use your personal car for business purposes such as transporting clients, going to and from meetings or hauling business equipment, then you will more than likely need to extend your personal car insurance to cover your business use as well. Plus, if your employees use their car while working for you, you will want to also obtain a separate non-owned car insurance policy.

(10) "I've never had nor been involved in a car accident, do I still need automobile insurance?" Yes!

Some drivers are lucky enough never to have been or to be involved in an accident. However, if by chance you do have an accident; your risk of losing everything is great. Car insurance is the best protection you can have in the event an automobile accident occurs. It's also a legal issue - you are required, by law, to have some basic form of auto insurance, and failing to do so carries some fairly strict punishments.

Hitch Anything

Automobiles have always been a target for thieves as most vehicles are much easier to break into than houses and unattended vehicles parked in structures or side streets allow thieves to commit their crimes virtually undetected. Even if your SUV has an alarm system, don't rely on it to keep your vehicle safe. Here are some tips to follow to deter thieves from choosing your SUV to break into:

First, don't leave valuables in plain view inside the vehicle. While some car thieves intend on stealing the actual car, many are just after the valuable objects left inside—laptops, electronics, purses, etc. These "smash and grab" thefts, where the thief quickly smashes a window, reaches in, grabs the goods, and runs off, can happen in less than 15 seconds. Unlike cars, in which valuables can be locked in a trunk, the nature of SUVs with their windows all around, make them greater targets for this type of theft. Because you can't always carry your valuables with you, we suggest installing a cargo cover in the back which acts as a shield to protect valuables from the sun as well as keeping them out of view from anyone passing by the SUV. Isuzu sells these types of retractable covers for the Ascender 5-Passenger for under $136.00, and they're available for most other SUV models as well.

Second, don't buy an SUV with third-row seats. These optional third-row seats are relatively cheap if bought as factory option (the Chevrolet Tahoe LS's seat is only $460.00), but the retail price for replacing the seat can be upwards of more than $1, 000.00. Because of their high demand and expense, as well as their lack of a traceable serial number, third-row seats have become a hot commodity for car thieves. Officer David Stennick of the Long Beach, California police department said, "[Third-row seat theft] has become a real problem over the last several months. Thieves aren't just stealing third-row seats stored in private garages. They're breaking into parked SUVs and grabbing third-row seats in the middle of the day." SUVs like the Toyota Highlander and Chevy Tahoe are primary targets. Until the automotive industry reacts to the surge in theft and begins to manufacture seats that are serialized in multiple places, we suggest avoiding those types of SUVs. It certainly decreases your chances of being a victim.

Third, don't keep key identity documents in your car. Be careful to remove mail, auto club information, credit card information, insurance and registration information from your SUV each time you get out. Keep your registration and insurance card in your wallet – after all, it doesn't need to be there if you aren't anyway. With identity theft continuing to be a growing problem, you can limit the access a thief has to information about you and your life by being prepared just in case your SUV is broken into. While we know it's a hassle to replace a broken window or stolen goods from your SUV, problems associated with identity theft can last a lifetime.

Fourth, pay attention to where you park. Always choose lots with security cameras, security guards, or high traffic volume over lots that are dark or nearly vacant. Thieves don't want to take chances they don't have to take, so if you're parked in a well-lit, busy place and have nothing of value that can be instantly seen inside the vehicle, chances are, they'll move on to a different SUV.

We have truck and auto security parts

Beyond The Road

Honda Accord is the first Japanese brand manufactured in the United States backyard back in 1982. It has evolved from a compact hatchback into mid-sized sedan. This evolution is necessary to fit the American taste for bigger cars, making the Accord pushed at the upper limit of mid-size cars and just below full-sized cars by EPA standards. Honda managed to do this while having in mind fuel efficiency to consider. Honda’s charm worked well on the Americans, being the best selling Japanese car in the U.S. from 1982 to 1997.

Honda conceptualized Accord with a V6 engine that looks sporty with a long hood. The name Accord is said to be derived from Honda’s desire for “accord” and harmony between people, society and their automobile. It has been a model in meeting emission standards and fuel efficiency since 1970, and takes pride of being the only car that passed United States government standards without using a catalytic converter. Although a bigger car, the Honda Accord also used the same transverse engine layout of the smaller Honda Civic which is also operating on a front-wheel drive.

The Accord is produced in Marysville, Ohio Automotive Plant since 1982 and in Guangzhou, China joint venture since 1999.

Motor Trend named the Accord as the “Best of the Best” and “The Benchmark” in its October 2007 reviews. It was compared head to head with the Toyota Camry, and Honda Accord emerged in the end and in all aspects to be showing more. Autoweek, known for its reputation in keeping an eye to the minutest detail of every model that comes out found that “there is little to criticize in the all-new Honda Accord.” Autoweek alluded to the model as a masterpiece of “tiny carpet installer” who managed to put every piece of the material stretched around every bend and tightly fitted just right into each corner.

USA Today automotive section editor James R. Healey could no nothing except to praise the Accord. He was impressed by its larger interior, refined powertrain and what has been accorded to every detail placed in it. He called the people behind Honda as a group belonging to the gifted and the talented people.

Honda’s marketing tag “Beyond the Road” is fueling the Accord to a higher plane of customer satisfaction. Asserting that car owners are “more than just drivers” and that Honda Accord is “engineered more than a car and built for the road and everything beyond it.” It full-size sedan lets you feel a commanding presence with its inspiring lines and details, plus a wide variety of colors to choose from. The doors are extra-wide for easy boarding and alighting.

Powered by a 268 horsepower V6 engine, there is a choice between 5-speed automatic transmission and 5-speed manual. Prices start at $20,360 for the starter LX stock. There are also varied stock like the LX Premium, EX, EX-L, EX V6 and EX-L V6, the most expensive stock at $28,060.

Make your Accord’s presence felt “Beyond the Road” with Honda Accord Keychains, a collection of masterfully crafted key ornaments. There are flawless steel designs called the ‘Teardrop’ and ‘Valet’ keychains, engraved with the Honda logo and the text ‘Accord’.

www.onsalejeepparts.com

All The Secrets You Need To Know For Better Gas Mileage.

Everyone is affected by the increase in gas prices. The increased cost at the gas pump has many families needing to tighten their budgets. One way to decrease your cost at the pump is to increase your gas mileage. This may seem an clear solution, but there are several ways to improve gas mileage that are easy to do.

One of the best ways of increasing gas mileage is to maintain your vehicle. Make sure the tires are properly inflated. Having the right amount of pressure in your tires can increase your gas mileage significantly. Make sure that when you have your oil changed, that your air filter is checked. Having a clean air filter also affects gas mileage. Making sure that you properly maintain your car not only increases gas mileage, but it also helps extend the life of your car. With people watching their budgets more closely, they tend to drive their cars for longer periods of time.

Another way of increasing gas mileage is to watch your driving habits. There are several things that each driver does routinely that can impact gas mileage. The most published tip regarding this is to decrease your speed. By driving the speed limit you can greatly improve your gas mileage. This also increases your safety and the safety of others on the road. When driving in the city try to avoid rapid acceleration.

Rapid acceleration greatly decreases gas mileage. Excessive breaking also uses more gas. To get the most out of each gallon of gas try to avoid doing this. Excessive breaking or traveling the break is often a habit that young drivers get into, because of lack of confidence. It pays to discuss this with your teenage driver.

If you are in the market for a new car and are worried about getting the best gas mileage possible, consider one of the hybrid cars. There are more models to choose from due to the rise in gas prices. Several of the hybrid models get extremely good gas mileage. The hybrid car is improving in appearance, availability and performance. The high price of gas has caused many manufactures to increase their production of the hybrid car to give consumers better gas mileage. Due to the increase in the number of hybrid cars produced, there is no longer the waiting list to contend with when purchasing one. Most car dealers have several hybrid models to choose from on their showroom floor.

In addition to changing your driving habits to increase gas mileage, you can also cut down on the number of trips you make with your vehicle. If you are going a short distance consider walking or riding a bike. Try to incorporate as many errands into one trip as possible so that you will decrease the miles you drive. Small changes in habits can save money at the pump by improving gas mileage.

On Sale Jeep Parts

It might be a long way from the outback or actual off road driving but Chrysler is becoming very innovative in its marketing efforts to allow potential clients to experience the Jeep’s trail rated difference!

In early October at the South Florida International Auto Show, Chrysler set up what they called “Camp Jeep”.  To those less term enriched, Jeep made a driving exhibit to give test drivers the real-life experience of driving a Jeep off road. This was no minor feat for Jeep. To build their course at the Miami Beach Convention Center, they had to haul in over 220 yards of mulch and spend almost six days developing the obstacle course. The trail featured a water obstacle and an 18-foot “hill” as well as other driving challenges. All to show potential clients just what a Jeep can do out on the trails.

If this wasn’t enough, Chrysler is going it one better at their upcoming "Full Throttle Test Drive Event" at the Wild Rivers Water Park in Irvine, CA (Los Angeles area) this Saturday (Oct. 28) and Sunday (Oct. 29). Chrysler will be featuring its full line of vehicles on three different specialty courses, one of which will be a 4x4 off-road adventure course.  Consumers will get the chance to test the off-road capability of Chrysler’s Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee and Commander on the course.

This event will run from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day and is free. Food and drinks will be available. People interested in attending are being encouraged to pre-register for a general arrival time on Saturday or Sunday by calling 888-809-7088 or visiting http://www.ridedrivewin.com/pr. Pre-registration is not required to attend. You do need to be 18 years or older with a valid driver’s license to participate in the vehicle driving tests.

Is it worth the expense to construct these man-made obstacle courses? Chrysler must think so and some marketing studies would seem to indicate that it is as well. According to market research, 40% of the people that attend these types of auto shows will buy a vehicle within a year of the event.

We applaud Chrysler for their innovative way to demonstrate their vehicles’ performance and to give people a chance to see for themselves what they feel like out on the trails.  We look for more marketing innovations out of Chrysler as they make a push to further strengthen their off-road image.

At XtremeTerrain.com we have everything you need for your Jeep Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, and any other Jeep make or model: Interior and exterior accessories, suspension and performance parts, restoration and body parts, travel accessories, and much more.  Quality aftermarket parts can be purchased easily at our online shop at our always low prices. Just go to On Sale Jeep Parts

How To Detect A Flood Damaged Vehicle

Flooded Vehicle - is considered, a vehicle that was damaged by water level raised to seating level. Most flood damaged cars, trucks and SUVs are sent to a salvage yard, but some are cleaned up and put into the auto market where they'll be bought by unsuspecting buyers who think they're getting a great deal.

Flooded water leaves long lasting damage. Electrical and mechanical components will probably fail early. Mold and mildew can also create a serious problem. Any remaining warranty is voided. While buying a used car be on the lookout for these cars even if you don't live in a flooded area, because dishonest people move them around. Here are some tips and points to detect flooded vehicles.

I) Get a Vehicle History Report
Enter the vehicle's VIN number to get a history report. Carfax does a great job of researching a vehicle's background, but a clean slate is not a 100% guarantee that the car or truck hasn't suffered water damage. You can also contact CarSnaps and ask them for advice or request a vehicle background report.

II) Look for Moisture.
Look for moisture within the lights. Check the glove compartment, console and trunk and inspect them for any sign of dampness moisture or the dirt that looks like a leftover from a flood. Look under the hood for accumulated dirt or signs of rust. Check under the seats for signs of moisture.

III) Take a deep Sniff
This can really help in detecting flooded vehicles. Do you smell a sour, mildewy-like odor? Soaked seats, carpeting and other components are difficult to dry in a hurry, so there's plenty of time for mold and mildew to grow, especially if the flood occurred in a hot and humid location.

IV) Look for Mismatched Interior Components
Does the carpeting look brand new or mismatched or too new for the vehicle? Do seat covers seem out of place with the carpeting? Components that don't match-up might have been changed in a hurry after the vehicle was pulled from flood waters.

V) Request free advice from CarSnaps
Contact CarSnaps.com and request free advice from their qualified technicians who are there to help and it is free so there is nothing to lose.

VI) Let Your Technician Examine the Vehicle
Take the vehicle to a technician if possible and ask for a thorough examination. Experienced auto technicians see evidence of flood damage more often than most individuals do, so they know exactly what to look for.

VII) Turn it On and Go for a Drive
Turn the car on and check every electrical system possible, including the exterior and interior lights, the gauges, the clock and the audio system and the dash lights that display air bag and seat belt information. Go for a drive and test electrical components again to make sure they work correctly. 90% of the time you will be able to suspect an electrical problem with flooded vehicle unless it is repaired or electrical parts are not damaged which is very rare though.

Flooded vehicles should be avoided as much as possible even if seller tell you about the manufacturer warranty because warranty voids when a car goes through a flood. If you suspect a flooded vehicle walk away from it. Flooded vehicles are not worth the hassle they provide.
Dot Com Diesel

Aftermarket Upgrades To Enhance Your Jeep’s Performance

Serious off-road enthusiasts do not worry about mud or scratches on their Jeeps because they will have a lot more come the end of the week.  They are modern day explorers and adventurers that want to go where no one has ever gone before.  They are usually off exploring those caves or driving up that mountain to see how far they can go.  When driving unpredictable terrain, the off-road enthusiast does not know the word “can’t”.  You can’t get there by car, you can’t cross that creek bed, or you can’t drive up that mountain.  These are all heard as challenges.  The off-roader now wants, no, must find a way to conquer that obstacle. 

To meet these challenges the typical serious off-road Jeeper wants to enhance their Jeep by adding aftermarket performance parts that help them achieve the optimum rock-crawling, trail-thrashing ability.  Specialized aftermarket trail performance components are made specifically for each model, whether it is a Wrangler, Cherokee, Grand Cherokee, or Liberty.  Accessories are readily available to improve engine performance, vehicle handling, ground-clearance and trail convenience.

To increase horsepower there are a multitude of aftermarket upgrades available.   Hi-flow air intake systems increase the flow of air to the engine.  This allows your engine to breathe easier.  The air filter is designed to achieve virtual unrestricted airflow and still filter the air of dust and debris, which not only delivers added power but also helps prolong the life of the engine.  Computer chips and programmer boxes are designed to improve horsepower and/or gas mileage giving you the ability to optimize the power of your Jeep.  These programmers allow you to tune your Jeep to receive more rotary force (torque) or to customize your Jeep’s limit to allow for faster acceleration.  High performance exhaust systems are not installed just to make noise.  They increase the exhaust flow of your Jeep lessening the backpressure, which helps to produce more power, and, yes your Jeep will have a deeper, meaner roar to it as well. 

Suspension lift kits increase the handling and ground clearance of your Jeep.  You install taller suspension components (higher lift springs and longer recoil shocks). These systems deliver lift, better articulation, better offroad handling, and allow for larger tires; all this for better off-road traction and handling.

Polyurethane mounts and bushings provide better performance and extended wear.  Polyurethane transmission mounts replace worn rubber factory mounts, which can lead to hard shifting and sloppiness in the drive train.  Changing these rubber factory mounts to the new polyurethane mounts will also lessen breakage when placing high levels of power demands on the system.   Polyurethane bushings improve the handling and feel of your Jeep, and provide the necessary stiffness to the body and cab, while maintaining a certain resilience to ensure a firmer ride.  

An on-board air system offers trailside convenience for the 4x4 enthusiast.  It is a common practice for trail riders to air down their tires for maximum traction when maneuvering on rough terrain.  Having on-board air makes it much easier for the Jeep driver to air back up the tires so their Jeep will perform properly on paved roads on their way back to the city from the off road excursion.

High-end performance Jeep alternaters are designed to meet the high-level demands on the electric system out on the trails.  They ensure that you will have the power needed for your Jeep’s system. 

These specialized off-road components mentioned above are just some of the high-end parts that are available to Jeep owners for meeting the special demands from the trails.  Contact your Jeep specialist to learn more about these components and others that are designed to maximize the performance of your Jeep.
Get your Jeep accessories here!