How to Change Your Own Oil
Jan 19, 2012 Auto Insurance
Although its quite simple, many people are unsure of how to change their own oil. Changing the oil in your vehicle is a very important part of keeping it running correctly, and forgetting to change your oil can lead to dire consequences. Essentially, the oil in your vehicle is the lubrication that allows for various metal components to rub against one another smoothly. Without oil, these components would quickly break down due to heat and wear. Also, by not changing your oil on a regular basis, you may end up with dirty sludge in your engine, leading to slowed performance and component damage.
Before you change your oil, you need to know how many miles youve driven since your last oil change.
Mass. Body Shops Call for Passage of Bill to Set Fair Repair Rates
Jan 1, 2012 Auto Insurance
A trade group representing the Massachusetts collision repair industry is hoping the third time is a charm in its efforts to get a state law passed that would establish a “fair and reasonable process” for determining the hourly rates shops can charge for fixing insured vehicles.
The bill, which is expected to be considered in January by the state Legislature’s Joint Committee on Financial Services, calls for establishment of a special commission to set minimum hourly rates for auto body, repair and mechanical work in Massachusetts, where representatives of the collision repair business say they are paid the lowest rates nationwide.
The Auto Body Labor Rate Bill, which was first introduced in 2007, calls for the commission to be staffed by 11 membersincluding the state undersecretary of the Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation, state lawmakers and representatives of the Massachusetts auto insurance and collision repair industriesand to set wages based on average rates across the nation.
Peter Abdelmaseh, executive director of the Massachusetts chapter of the Alliance of Automotive Service Providers (AASP)—which has lobbied for years for passage of the proposed legislation—said he is confident the bill will be supported this time by lawmakers.
“We believe that the overwhelming majority of legislators agree that the remedies proposed in the bill are a fair and reasonable approach to solving what all agree to be a significant problem,” Abdelmaseh said in an email.
According to Abdelmaseh’s association and other groups that represent collision repair businesses, the hourly amount they are paid has stagnated in recent years because vehicle insurers steer business to only those shops with the lowest hourly rates, including some that use parts that are not up to industry standards.
Auto insurance providers, meanwhile, have countered that the rates should be determined by the market and that establishing minimums would artificially drive up their costs.
A report released in 2008 by a state commission formed to investigate the labor rate issue confirmed that rates have failed to keep pace with increases in wages in similar industries. But the commiss
Tags: Repair, Repair Rates
Car Seats For Overweight Children
Dec 18, 2011 Auto Insurance
Traditional car seats are made to accommodate children that fall into a healthy weight range. If your child is larger than an average child his age, what can you do to keep him safe in the car? As bigger kids become the rule rather than the exception, there are car seats being made that can keep your larger child safe on the road.
A 2006 study published in the medical journal Pediatrics highlighted the need for car seats with higher weight limits. The study showed that nearly 300,000 children between the ages of one and six were too heavy for traditional car seats, which required their parents to use a seat not approved for their height or body type.
State Farm Insurance Updates Annual Vehicle Ratings
Nov 24, 2011 Auto Insurance
State Farm customers nationwide may soon see a slight drop—or a minor hike—in their auto premiums, after the company announced Wednesday it is implementing its annual vehicle insurance ratings for specific makes and models.
The Bloomington, Ill.-based insurer uses data on claims payment for specific makes and models to help calculate various risks associated with insuring particular types of vehicle. It’s a yearly attempt to make those calculations as accurate and up to date as possible, according to a company official.
“Of course, the make and model ratings are a small part of what determines an individual’s premiums,” State Farm spokesman Dick Luedke said in a phone interview.
Other factors include a policyholder’s driving record, location and claims history. And Luedke sa
Tags: Annual Vehicle, Ratings, State Farm
How to Compare Car Insurance Deals Effectively
Nov 16, 2011 Auto Insurance
Many first time insurance buyers make the mistake of comparing car insurance quotes based on the insurance premiums only. Although this may seem like a good way to find an affordable car insurance policy, it may not be the best way to get the insurance coverage you need. If you want to find the best car insurance deal based on your needs and preferences, here’s how you can effectively compare car insurance deals.
Start by reviewing the coverage amounts provided by the insurance options. If you use an online search tool to find auto insurance quotes, you will be able to define the coverage amounts you want and pinpoint the search results accordingly. M Read full article…
Tags: Car Insurance Deals