Car Insurance, Getting What You Need

Shopping for car insurance can be a very confusing process with a bunch of fine print that the average person can hardly understand. Several years ago most car insurance was purchased through an agent that worked for more than one insurance company. Now it is sold online through customer service representatives as well as through agents in an office. How you buy your insurance depends on what company you choose and whether you feel comfortable doing it all online, over the phone, or in person. In order to make sure all your personal needs are completely covered it is often in your best interest to talk to someone in person, this will make sure your needs are completely communicated and understood.

When you are in the market for car insurance, careful shopping is a must. Prices, features, and benefits vary widely from company to company. Comparison shopping is always a smart thing to do and there are many different ways to do this from online to using an agent to compare for you. In order to guard your best interests, get more than one rate quote. It is possible to pay double from one company to the next. It is also a good idea to evaluate insurance costs before you buy a new vehicle. The year, make and model of your vehicle can have a profound impact on the insurance rate.

Vehicle insurance policies have several different coverages that can be compiled into one big policy so it will cover just about any situation you might encounter. Collision covers damage to the policyholder’s car resulting from running into anything, another car, fire hydrant, or a light post. Comprehensive coverage covers the car in case of theft, fire, falling objects, explosions, or other unexpected problems. These two types should be included in most policies unless the car being covered is an old rattletrap, or the sum of your premium and your deductible are close to or exceed the worth of the vehicle. In this case one might choose to take a gamble and forgo this coverage.

Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist coverage is to pay for treatment and/or property damages of the policyholder in the event that they are injured in a collision with an uninsured driver. Underinsured motorist coverage covers a situation when an at-fault driver has only auto liability insurance and the limit of the insurance is not enough to cover the victim’s damages. There is also Personal Injury Protection, which in some states is a required coverage. It covers the treatment of injuries to the driver and passengers of the policyholder’s vehicle.

Most insurance companies also offer coverages that are not required by law but may be beneficial to a policy holder. These coverages include glass breakage, roadside assistance or towing, and rental car coverage. Glass insurance covers your windows and windshield in case of cracking, pitting, or breaking. Roadside assistance provides services such as bringing fuel should you run out, unlocking your car if you lock your keys inside, or towing your car to a local
auto repair facility should it break down.

Now that you know a few of the terms used in vehicle insurance it’s time to begin researching the agencies available and pick the one you think fits you best. There are a lot of agencies out there, some with well known names, and some are smaller agencies that may not have the best financial situation. The agencies without good financial standing may be out of business before you are even aware there was a problem. To choose the actual company you want to buy your insurance policy from, be sure to check out the financial strength ratings. Refer to the A.M Best and the Standard & Poor’s ratings, both of these companies publish financial strength ratings for all insurance companies, these measure an insurance company’s ability to pay out a claim. The A.M. Best rating is expressed as a letter grade from A++ (the highest) to D. Some companies may be assigned ratings of E, this indicates regulatory action regarding the company’s solvency, F means they are in liquidation and S means suspended. It is only smart to work with companies with B or higher rating. These ratings relate only to the company’s ability to provide the services they offer and have nothing to do with the way an insurance company treats its customers.

Once you have an agency picked out, it’s time to decide if you want to buy online or find an agent that will represent your needs in person. Experts say that consumers who sign on with agents generally have an advantage during the claims process. The agent has a vested interest in you being happy whereas the claims representative has a general desire to keep you happy, but it’s not the same. An agent can also become familiar with your situation and guide you toward a suitable policy. The best way to find a good insurance company and agent? Ask your friends, neighbors, relatives – anyone who drives a car has likely had an experience with auto insurance. Ask an auto repair professional – they see all kinds of cars and talk to all kinds of drivers. Referrals often tell you much more than a company’s advertisements and website.

Finally, when you have made your decisions and have your new policy in front of you waiting for your signature, don’t just assume all is in order. Take a moment and read through it, make sure all the coverage’s you requested are included on the policy. After your signature is on the dotted line of your new policy it is safe to cancel the old policy. Cancellation is only recognized by a written notice from you, if you simply let your policy lapse you are in fact defaulting on an agreement. This leaves the insurance company free to leave negative information on your credit report. After all of this is completed, your shopping is officially over. Relax, take a deep breath and count the pennies you have saved by doing your own shopping as an informed consumer. Remember that safe drivers save even more, so when you hit the road be safe. From your friends at Good Works Auto Repair in Mesa and Tempe.

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July 27, 2010 by admin in Money Saving Tips
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Are you Road-Trip Ready?

Summer is here and so is the season of road-tripping. With warmer weather and longer daylight hours many people bid farewell to the winter blues by hitting the highways for some road-trip therapy. According to Road and Travel, most aren’t aware that this is actually the most dangerous time. The period between Memorial Day and Labor Day is coined by many as the 101 Deadliest Days on the road for all drivers. Fatalities due to traffic accidents increase in the summer because people are spending more time on the road. It’s time to brush up on defensive driving skills and double check our vehicle maintenance to be sure that both vehicle and driver are road-trip ready.

First of all, it’s time to go over the vehicle and check the tires, make sure they are in good shape. If you have winter tires on, it’s time to take them off and change to all season tires. Winter tires wear out quickly on dry, hot pavement; switching them early will keep them in optimum shape for next year, not to mention improve your car’s handling during the summer months. Also be sure to check your tire pressure and check it often. With every passing month, the average tire loses about a pound of pressure. Proper tire pressure is critical to avoid blowouts and tread separation. Properly installed tires also improve fuel economy for that long family vacation.

Heavy loads and higher temperatures also put strain on your tires. Your car and tires are designed to operate safely only up to their load limits. Be sure you aren’t overloaded for that long road trip. While you are checking the weight limits for your tires check the tread on them too. Make sure they are wearing normally; all grooves should be visible and deep enough to at least touch the top of Lincoln’s head on a penny inserted head first in the tread. Low tread or bald tires are unsafe and need to be replaced.

Next, take a look at the sticker in your windshield to see what the mileage should be for your next oil change. If you have fallen behind on oil changes, get it changed before you hit the road. Be sure to discuss the type and viscosity of the oil being used in your vehicle, if you will be driving in extremely hot temperatures it might be a good idea to change to a compound that is slightly thicker. Your local auto repair center will know the best kind of oil for your location and the locations your road trip will take you through. While the hood is up, check the coolant/antifreeze levels inside the radiator. The ideal ratio of coolant to water is 50/50 for optimal temperature regulation in both cold and hot weather. Remember if you have trouble with your vehicle overheating on your trip, be sure to add not only water but coolant too so you maintain that ratio. It’s a good idea to carry both water and coolant in the vehicle for emergency situations. There is nothing more frustrating than sitting on the side of the road with an overheated vehicle, no water or coolant for either the car or driver.

It’s also a good time to check the belts and hoses, in modern cars they are designed to last a long time, but Murphy’s law is if it can fail it will when you least expect it to. Have those belts and hoses inspected by your local Auto Repair Center especially if you aren’t sure when they were last replaced. Peace of mind on the road is essential to having a good time.

Also take a minute to inspect the wiper blades and check the battery. Wiper blades only last about one year; they often get dried out in Arizona’s harsh climate. If they don’t make full contact with the windshield, replace them and check your washer fluid reservoir, top it off when you top off with gas. And finally check the battery. Extreme heat and cold put additional strain on a battery, if yours is more than 3 years old; have it tested by your auto repair center. If you have no idea how old it might be, it might be a good time to replace it. It is certainly better to do this at your local Auto Repair Center than on the side of the road with a car full of less-than-patient kids.

And finally prepare an emergency kit for your vehicle. A few items that would be very useful in an emergency situation would be: a flashlight, flares, and first-aid kit, jumper cables, extra clothes and gloves, paper towels, washer fluid, coolant, non-perishable food, a jug of water, and a few basic tools (wrenches, ratchet/socket set, screwdrivers, pliers etc). Many of these items may come pre-packaged at an auto parts store or major department stores.

Once you are ready to hit the road, remind yourself and other drivers in your vehicle to be aware when they are at the wheel. Life is really about the journey so take the scenic route and enjoy your time. Remember there are lots of extra drivers on the road with everyone vacationing and driving students. Be sure to use your signals correctly and in a timely fashion. Be patient with trucks and RVs, they have a right to the road too. Keep an eye out for children riding bicycles or playing by the side of the road too. Most of all, relax a little and enjoy your trip, but be sure to pull off when you get drowsy. Driving and sleeping don’t mix.

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July 10, 2010 by admin in Driving Safety, Preventative Maintenance
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Do You Text and Drive?

It’s hard to believe but 47% of adults say they have been guilty of DWT – Driving While Texting. Most of us think it is just something the “young” folks do. It is in part generational, but it is affecting all ages of drivers. Part of the problem is there is no social stigma attached to it yet; however, 19 states already ban texting while driving. Others are working on legislation right now that would ban it, making fines increasingly high as well as adding as many as two points to a driver’s license if caught.

Many of us have the attitude “Do as I say, not as I do”, underestimating other driver’s ability and overestimating our own. We all think we’re at least fairly intelligent, but really, it’s not overly smart to DWT. There are hundreds of examples of this lack of intelligence every day, just stand on the street corner and watch people drive past. A stunning number are texting or talking while driving. It might even be possible to see someone talking on their cell, driving and drinking a beer. Perhaps it’s for these reasons that a 2009 study by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety found that 35% of drivers feel less safe on the road than they did five years ago. Kevin W. Bakewell, senior vice president of the AAA Auto Club South, tried to put it in context: Someone driving 70 mph travels 100 feet per second. While writing just a three-second text message, a driver can go the length of a football field without looking at the road. Bakewell also said “There is no instance where taking your hands off the wheel, where taking your mind and eyes off the road, is safe.”

According to figures released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in 2008, at any given moment 6% of drivers are talking on a cell phone. That was up from 4% in 2002. The study also found that 1% of all drivers are texting at any given time.

The decision to leave your cell phone alone while driving is really a no brainer, even Oprah is getting in on the buzz about DWT. The heartbreaking stories of tragic deaths caused by cell phone use rival those on drunk driving. Most of us have very strong opinions and feelings on DWI, but for DWT, it’s sort of all mixed up. According to psychologist Susan Weinschenek, author of the book “Neuro Web Design” cell phone use; calls or texts- evoke a response similar to addictive behavior. Receiving or sending a message can give recipients a “kick” in the form of dopamine, part of the brains seek-and-pleasure system. One kick usually encourages another kick and catches users in a “dopamine induced loop”.

Everyone wants to drive safe and to be safe when out on the road, keep yourself and everyone in your vehicle safe by leaving your cell phone alone. Ignoring that buzz that indicates a text message just might save your life and that of your children. Life is more important than any incoming call or message. From your friends at Good Works Auto Repair – be safe!

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July 5, 2010 by admin in Driving Safety, Recent News
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Shopping for Four Pieces of Rubber – Are you Prepared?

The most important piece of real estate on your car is those four small contact points that grip the road – the one you know as your tires. Those few square inches of rubber determine just about everything. Tires harness the engine’s power, allow the brakes to do their job, and determine how successfully a car will go around a corner. Tires are made up of a complex assembly of cables and rubbers, molded into a highly engineered profile. They are then mounted onto a wheel and inflated with air to give it shape and definition.

When it is time to go shopping for those all important tires, brush up on your knowledge about the tires your vehicle needs. According to Edmunds the sidewall of your tire is filled with important information that tells you everything you need to know. For example, the number P215/65R15 means the following: P means passenger tire, 215 means nominal width of tire in millimeters, 65 means the ratio of height to width, R means Radial, 15 means Rim diameter code. This is the number that most of us would use when we go shopping for tires, it is necessary to know what all of it means. There are also numbers indicating the load index and speed, severe snow conditions, the U.S. DOT tire ID number, max permissible inflation pressure, max load rating, tread wear and traction, tire ply composition and materials used. All this information is on your tires for a reason, everyone needs to know what it means and how it affects them when tire shopping.

On every tire the tread depth is what determines whether your tire is worn out or not. U.S. coins can be substituted for a tire tread depth gauge as tires wear to the critical final few 32nds of an inch of their remaining tread depth. Place a penny into several tread grooves across the tire. If part of Lincoln’s head is always covered by the tread, you have more than 2/32” of tread depth remaining. According to most states’ laws, tires are legally worn out when they have worn down to 2/32” of remaining tread depth. To help warn drivers that their tires have reached that point, tires sold in the US are required to have indicators molded into their tread design called “wear bars” which run across their tread pattern from their outside shoulder to inside shoulder. These wear bars are a necessary piece of information that will help keep everyone safe.

New tires do come with warranties. Each manufacturer specifies the duration of their tires’ limited warranty in months or years from the date of purchase. All tire warranties begin at the time of delivery for new vehicles and at the time of purchase for replacement tires. Tire warranties also expire when the tire’s original tread is worn down to 2/32” (1.6mm) of the remaining tread at which time the tread blocks are worn flush with the tread wear indicator bars. Warranties on replacement tires only apply to the original owner and vehicle upon which the set of tires was initially installed.

All warranties vary from one manufacturer to another, most have fine print regarding workmanship and materials, road hazard coverage, and uniformity. All of this fine print can be very confusing and difficult to understand. When it becomes too much to understand, contact the helpful folks at Good Works Auto Repair in Tempe or Mesa, they can help you will all your questions. It may come as a surprise to you, but Good Works sells all the major brands of tires and are well-equipped to install, repair, inspect, and maintain your tires. Each of us climbs in our car everyday trusting it to get us to our destination and back again. Well maintained tires will get us there and back. Knowing what we are shopping for will make it easier and will help us to know when we make the right decision.

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July 5, 2010 by admin in Preventative Maintenance
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Tis the Season to Be Careful

Summer is in full swing. There are graduations, weddings, sporting events, and numerous other outings to attend. You will drive here, drive there, drive everywhere. This time of the year offers the opportunity to relax, enjoy, renew, and refresh the body, mind, and soul. Let’s put forth the effort to demonstrate a priority in valuing the life we live. As you hurry in and out of the car, going from place to place keep in mind the importance of your seatbelt; it saves lives. Motor vehicle accidents were responsible for taking the lives of over 30,000 people in the year 2006, when over 6 million accidents were reported. Of those, 55 % were not wearing seatbelt. According to the NHTSA, in the deaths of people aged 2 through 34 years motor vehicle accidents are ranked the number one cause.

This ranking is a sad, but true statistic; a result of carelessness and lack of responsibility. However, there is a silver lining to this statistic. You have influence and power over those whom travel with you. As a driver whom chooses to wear a seatbelt, 3 out of 4 passengers will follow suit. So, sit tall, pull it over, click it in, and stay alive. Be careful, stay careful! Be sure that your seatbelt is in working order. Stop in and see the folks who care for a free safety check at Good Works Auto Repair’s 2 locations: Tempe and Mesa AZ. They stand behind their promise as they value not only your business, but your precious life too. “Everyone and every repair counts!”

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June 9, 2010 by admin in Recent News

Age Doesn’t Need To Slow You Down

It’s interesting to notice how our taste in cars changes as we age. When we’re young, it’s all about looks and power. Then comes the day when we try to figure out what we need to haul our bikes, camping gear, or kids. Eventually, our needs change again and we start looking for the more traditional “senior” car – often a four-door sedan. This change in taste is much more than simple aging and changing of likes and dislikes. Consumer’s Report recently conducted a study in which they identified ways that our automotive needs change as we age and matched popular automobiles to those requirements.

The American Automobile Association has also studied this topic and lists features that will give mature drivers increased driving confidence and comfort behind the wheel. Some of those features are ease-of-access, larger displays and controls, and good visibility. The Consumer’s Report list adds the following requirements:

• Good crash test ratings
• Stability control
• A full set of airbags
• Power seats
• Adjustable pedals and steering wheel
• Visor coverage or extensions

Based on these requirements, the Consumer Reports lists the following cars as being especially suited for mature drivers:

• Honda Odyssey
• Subaru Forester
• Hyundai Azera
• Honda Accord
• Kia Rondo

Of course, these are simply generalized requirements and every driver should test drive the perspective car, spending enough time to really focus on things like comfort and visibility. And, as your friends in the auto repair business, we would always recommend researching reliability factors and a pre-purchase inspection to ensure that this car will be reliable and safe for years to come.

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May 28, 2010 by admin in Money Saving Tips, Recent News
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Is Your Car Ready for Summer Swelter?

If you have ever NOT had air conditioning in your car on a hot summer day, you know what a big difference a little cool air makes. The single best way to know if your car’s air conditioner is not functioning properly is if it isn’t able to generate an air temperature significantly less than the outside temperature.

The most common cause of air conditioner failure is a low level of refrigerant or coolant. This could be caused by a leak in the system or simply a long time since it has been filled. To check the fluid level, look for the plastic “overflow reservoir”, check the level of the fluid there as well as the level inside the radiator when the engine is cold. If the antifreeze is dirty or rusty colored it should be flushed and replaced. Regular-life antifreeze is bright green in color; the longer-life antifreeze is red. In order to be certain your system is flushed and refilled correctly; see your local auto repair center technician.

Most A/C repairs are best left to a repair shop. Recharging the refrigerant requires special equipment that most people don’t have access to. There are a couple of things that you can do, however. First make sure to have the system checked regularly according to your owner’s manual, and second, run your A/C system about 10 minutes per month, even when it’s cold outside. This might not make much sense in the colder climates, but shop technicians recommend running it because it contains a light mineral oil in the refrigerant that helps keep the compressor properly lubricated.

The best thing about air conditioning is that all you have to do is press a button to make it work. Air conditioning systems are pretty reliable as long as they are maintained properly. Be sure to ask your auto repair technician for other tips that you can be doing from home to maintain this system and avoid arriving at your destination hot and sticky.

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May 19, 2010 by admin in Money Saving Tips, Preventative Maintenance
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Factory Parts or Aftermarket?

Did you know that choosing an aftermarket part could cost you more in repairs year after year? In basic vehicle repairs there may be little or no difference between a factory made part and an aftermarket part, but in the case of the catalytic converter there is a lot of difference. Because of advances in vehicle design and part design some aftermarket parts only last for about one year. That means that choosing an aftermarket part could lead you to the same repair year after year costing you far more money than the factory made part would have cost on the first repair.

In a video of Nathan Merrill, owner of Good Works Auto Repair , the catalytic converter is explained in further detail regarding what it does and the difference between factory built and aftermarket and what that difference could cost you. In the past using the universal part would have been an ok choice, but in today’s cars it is no longer that easy. Choosing the universal catalytic converter for the first repair to save $500 could mean a total replacement of not only the converter, but also the rest of the exhaust pipe within just a year! This total repair would be far more than you would have spent choosing the factory built catalytic converter the first time around. Saving $500 only to spend $1500 is certainly reason to reconsider our parts manufacturer.

To watch the video, click here .

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May 13, 2010 by admin in Money Saving Tips, Recent News

Reduce the Stress of your Commute

According to the Census bureau, the average US commute is 24.4 minutes with a fair portion driving more than 90 minutes each way to work. Whether your personal commute averages 25 minutes or is upwards of 90 minutes each way, a commute causes stress – on your vehicle and you behind the wheel.

Stop and Go or Highway Miles?
Understanding some things about your commute will help you anticipate wear and tear on your car. Stop and go traffic is detrimental to gas mileage. Cautiously approach stops instead of slamming breaks. The same can be said of starts – quickly accelerating will greatly reduce fuel efficiency. Stop and go driving also puts more wear on suspension, brakes, and steering components. You may find your brakes wear earlier than expected. However, if your commute is more cruising and highway miles, you will notice more wear on tires. It is wise to check the tread frequently as performance decreases with reduced tread.

Is my car reliable?
A reliable, safe, and fuel efficient car is the beginning of every commute. Whether new or used, read online forums like Edmunds.com to get professional as well as consumer reviews of new and used cars you wish to purchase for commuting. Make sure you take care of regular scheduled maintenance with regular visits to an auto repair facility. It may seem tempting to drive a “commuter beater” but the maintenance required on an older car may not be worth it when considering frequent and costly repairs.

Reduce Mental & Physical Stress
Your commute is demanding on your mind and body as well. Spend some time looking for ways to reduce your stress load while driving. Getting plenty of rest is key. Have you ever fallen into that “auto pilot mode” while driving the same route every day? This phenomenon increases when you are tired. Listen to music or audio books that are relaxing and inspiring, not loud and distracting. If your company allows it, occasionally working from home is a great break for your car, mind, and body. Adjusting your commute times to be off-peak hours reduces time spent in heavy traffic. Think about changing your routine. Consider biking to work, using public transportation, or even carpooling with fellow employees.

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April 29, 2010 by admin in Money Saving Tips
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Do You Know the Benefits of Preventative Maintenance?

Our automobiles are truly amazing machines that are expected to function in rain, snow, wind and good weather too. A well maintained vehicle speaks volumes about the owner; more importantly, it will not desert us when we need it most. We rely on our vehicles to get us everywhere and we don’t make time in our schedules for breakdowns. We simply expect them to start and move every time we need them. Fortunately most of the time it works out that way, but when it doesn’t, it’s often because something in the service schedule has been neglected.

Fixing a car that is noticeably out of tune or has failed an emissions test can improve its gas mileage by an average of 4%. Fixing a more serious maintenance problem, such as a faulty oxygen sensor can improve mileage by as much as 40%. More mileage benefits can be found by keeping the tires inflated to the proper pressure, up to 3.3%. Properly inflated tires are safer and last longer too.

To find the information on your vehicle’s maintenance schedule, look for your owner’s manual in the glove box. This manual has the recommended maintenance schedule as well as those systems needing regular maintenance listed in it. According to AA1Car following that schedule, checking fluid levels regularly and changing fluids and filters periodically can minimize the number of breakdowns and prolong the life of the engine, transmission, cooling system and brakes. We are all aware of our oil changes and that they need to be done, but do we actually keep track of when they are done and when they need to be done? To prevent engine deterioration, it is most important that the engine has the right amount of oil at all times. Most people are aware of the importance of oil, but maybe not so aware of the importance of the air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, battery terminals, belts, brake fluid, and all the other little things that make our vehicles run smoothly.

A little thing like changing the fuel filter can make the car use less fuel because it’s running better and cleaner. Fuel prices alone are enough to make us want better gas mileage, so our vehicles benefit from regular filter changes and so does our wallet. AutoZone makes it clear that one of the best ways to keep our vehicles on the road and running strong is by performing regular inspections and preventative maintenance. These inspections can be done by yourself or by using a qualified repair shop like Good Works Auto Repair to complete them for you.

While some of the maintenance items can be completed by vehicle owners it is important to keep in mind that authorized service stations like Good Works Auto Repair are always aware of all the service requirements for each vehicle as well as any recalls. They also have access to all the genuine parts that would be needed in any repair or replacement. These auto centers specialize in preventative maintenance, not just in fixing it as it breaks. Our vehicles will all appreciate a little extra care and attention and in return, they will get us anywhere we need to go.

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April 15, 2010 by admin in Improve Gas Mileage, Preventative Maintenance, Vehicle Emissions Inspection
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