My Car Insurance Life |

chris rowlands asked:


The Hybrid car was for a long time seen as belonging to the science fiction genre.

These days it is in actual fact a reality with many manufacturers releasing their own version of this environmentally friendly car.

The hybrid car has now largely overtaken the electrical car due to the shortcomings of the latter. The solely electric car tends to be sluggish and suffer from a lack of range between charges which can themselves be extremely slow. Obviously the electrical car is much better for the environment as it has no emissions whatsoever. Of course by charging from your mains supply you are increasing your carbon footprint but charging by solar energy will negate this issue, although unfortunately this is again a very slow method of charging.

The question is; how much more economical and emission friendly are hybrid cars, how is this achieved and how does this impact on your running costs such as car insurance?

Before we can look into this we need to understand how the hybrid car works.

Power is, in most cases provided by a standard petrol engine (which drives the front wheels) combined with one or two electric motors (which power the rear wheels). This is known as a parallel hybrid system and is the most commonly used system and the one that we will focus on for the purpose of this article. The less common hybrid is called the series system and in this case the petrol motor powers a generator which can either charge the batteries or directly power the electrical propulsion system. In this example the petrol motor never directly powers the vehicle.

Getting back to the parallel system, selection of propulsion type depends on the speed you are driving, for example; Many hybrid cars will use the electric motors for city and urban driving and at higher speeds utilise the traditional petrol engine. In some vehicles the system will automatically shut of the petrol engine when waiting at a red light or in a traffic queue. In general if a short burst of rapid acceleration is required the propulsion systems will act in synergy giving maximum power.

Usually the Power supply for the electric motors is charged directly from deceleration or braking of the car, meaning you should have a pretty constant supply of electrical energy for most journeys. This is done by capturing the kinetic energy that is normally released by the brake pads in the form of heat. The battery is charged by harnessing regenerative braking, whereby the electric motor is engaged to slow the wheels of the car down, forcing the wheels to effectively drive the motor and create energy much in the same way as a dynamo on a pedal bike draws its power to light the lamps.

In the majority of parallel hybrid systems the petrol engine is a smaller and lighter than standard version built to return higher efficiency and performance.

If you imagine 2 identical cars, one with a 1 litre engine and one with a 2 litre engine the reason the smaller engine uses less fuel when driven at the same speed as the larger engine is actually quite simple. Both cars have to output the same amount of power to drive the car at that speed, but the smaller engine uses less power to drive itself meaning that in total it uses less power and returns a higher fuel economy. This usually impacts on your motor insurance policy as a car with a much bigger engine will usually be much more expensive to ensure.

Continued in part 2; the other way’s in which a hybrid car improves its fuel efficiency, an example of a hybrid car and running costs.

Andy Adams asked:


It’s pretty costly to own a car these days, the green agenda seems to be pressuring us to drive less and use more public transport and one way of doing this is increasing the cost of driving. So far we’ve seen petrol prices sky rocket and thankfully tumble to more reasonable levels after many protests.

Car tax is due to be reclassified to new categories of economic values like emissions and mileage and so the worst performing cars will soon be paying higher levels of tax which isn’t impressing the massive 4×4 owners but if you are driving one of the newer hybrid or electric vehicles there is talk that you will not have to pay any tax whatsoever. It’s not likely that this will happen but significant savings will likely be made if you drive one of these economical cars.

If you drive a small engine car there’s a good chance you too will be on a lower tax bracket under the new rules and so you may be able to make savings or stay at the current level, at least you won’t get any increases which should save you some money.

The main problem for drivers, especially newer drivers is that car insurance can often be pretty pricey for the first few years or until you reach the age of 25. The temptation for many struggling drivers is to simply not get insurance, they feel they’re safe enough drivers that they won’t need it or have such a cheap car that it would be cheaper to cut their losses and buy another.

This is a risky option which is both illegal and costly in the long run; it is dictated by the law in the UK that you drive with the minimal level of insurance (being third party cover) so that should you not wish to cover your own car at least you are insured for damage caused to other motorist’s vehicles.

Those who chose to run the risk are quickly realising that it is very easy to find and punish drivers with no insurance policy. Speed cameras as well as Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras (ANPR) on board police cars are able to check with insurance databases and if you are found to be driving without any car insurance then you would receive a fine, possibly even a ban or your vehicle being repossessed and destroyed.

The argument that there is nowhere for younger drivers to get cheap car insurance is no excuse as there are some insurers who cater specifically for younger drivers, there are even companies who will cover high risk drivers who may have had a umber of crashes or claims in the past. Insurer and motoring advisors say that you should check all insurance providers and to do some research into which insurers are more sympathetic to any of the mentioned categories you may fall into.

David Collins asked:


With issues of climate change and global warming dominating the media in recent times, there are growing calls to reduce emissions that contribute to climate change.

With auto manufacturers developing hybrid cars that run on alternative fuel supplies – such as hybrid-electric vehicles, which use rechargeable electric batteries as well as a regular internal combustion engine – car owners could soon have a bigger choice of energy-efficient vehicles, which could not only save money but also the environment.

Another energy source for vehicles of the future is biofuel, which has been converted from vegetable oil. A small number of public transport systems around the world, such as buses and trains, have already begun using hybrid vehicles in their fleets.

With companies now researching the benefits of running cars using environmentally friendly resources, such as biofuels made with plant oils – such as rapeseed and coconut – motorists could soon find a wide range of eco-friendly vehicles available to them.

It could be possible, in future, to get cheap car insurance if you use biofuels to power your vehicle. Some companies now offer affordable travel insurance, with a portion of the policy price going towards projects to help tackle climate change

Similar policies for motorists are beginning to become more widespread, and with more companies now offering reduced rates for fuel-efficient cars, drivers could soon find themselves paying less for their car insurance if they take steps to make their cars more energy efficient.

With a wide variety of gadgets and converters to help with the process, a growing number of motorists are now turning to recycling their own waste vegetable oil in order to help power their cars.

Whether the growing trend will have any major impact on the car insurance market remains to be seen, but with petrol prices having steeply risen in recent times, drivers now appear to be considering these alternative fuels in order to help get them from A to B.

Karl Bantleman asked:


Talk about green cars has gone on for a long time now but only until recently has this talk been matched by action. Recent releases by some the world’s top brands has seen green cars become very popular. As well as green cars, electric cars are also seeing an upturn in fortunes as people look to save money on buying a car and help the environment at the same time.

Recent surveys conducted show that drivers can save themselves around £300 if they switch to a low-emission vehicle, this is confirmed by experts who estimate that sales of cars that fall into the top tax band reduced by 17%. One of the benefits from having low-emission car is you pay little or no road tax.

The implications of an increase of green cars on car insurance prices are still uncertain and some experts even suggest that having a low-emission car will result in higher premiums. One question that is being asked of the green car providers is how they are recouping the money that it costs to make the product.

Certain places in London are making it more attractive to own green cars as they are reducing the charges on parking and even around 40,000 cars are now exempt from congestion charges that will end up saving drivers £2,080 a year. Whilst the cost of the car and charges occurred maybe cheaper, motor insurance may not be as cheap.

As cheap car insurance is widely available, finding the best deals for you can be easy whether it be insurance for a standard car or the new and increasingly popular green cars. Whichever type of car you choose ensure that you are fully covered and prepared for anything the roads throw at you.

chris rowlands asked:


Continued from part one; “car insurance – Hybrid cars”

In the first part of this article we examined the hybrid car, looking at what the system is composed of, the way the separate components work and how it achieves its excellent fuel economy. We will now look at other ways in which the hybrid car improves its efficiency and the running costs incurred with this type of car.

One area where a noticeable difference can be made is aero-dynamics. A lot of the engines work is put into pushing the car through the air and the resistance it encounters (known as aerodynamic drag). One way this can be reduced is by reducing the frontal area of the car, the smaller this surface the less the drag effect, thus saving on fuel. In general any object that projects from the body of the car will produce some drag, you will usually find that this has been carefully thought through on hybrid cars. Some manufacturers have removed wing mirrors in favour of cameras to reduce potential drag.

Other way’s in which manufacturers seek to reduce fuel consumption are as follows: we all know that tyres encounter friction from the road surface; they are after all designed to allow the vehicle to apply its power to the road surface and hold the car steady when in certain driving conditions whilst retaining a smooth ride.

Here the hybrid car manufacturer has designed tyres that are more rigid and reinforced and inflated to a higher pressure to substantially decrease drag.

Of course one easy way to reduce fuel consumption in any car is to decrease the weight, this is done in hybrid cars by using materials such as carbon fibre and aluminium which are much lighter than traditionally used construction materials and just as strong. A lighter car expends much less energy when climbing a hill or accelerating as it has much less mass to effectively pull around.

If we take a look at the new Peugeot 308 hybrid which uses a 1.6 litre engine (a first in the hybrid market) we see that it returns an amazing 83 miles per gallon fuel in terms of combined fuel consumption. Carbon dioxide production is a tiny 90 grams per kilometre meaning that it is currently tax exempt under European guidelines as is any car which emits less than 100g/km.

The vehicle uses a 1.6 litre HDI engine which utilises a high pressure direct injection system which in practical terms means it is much more efficient than diesel engines of old. This is tuned to give an output of 110 brake horse power and the addition of the electrical motor delivers an additional 22 bhp.

The electrical motor powers the car from starting and continues to solely power the vehicle at low speeds. For motorway and non urban driving the diesel engine system is started and becomes the sole propulsion system. If extra acceleration is required both units operate at once providing maximum power when it is most needed.

As with most parallel hybrid systems the battery is recharched by utilising the kinectic energy normally wasted in braking. When light braking is required the battery is charged if more definitive braking is required the vehicles hydraulic system is used to give maximum braking efficiency.

As you can imagine, car insurance for this vehicle will probably be very reasonable as it not only has very low emissions but is fitted with a host of safety features that the majority of modern cars benefit from.

As you can imagine the hybrid car returns double the fuel efficiency in most cases of a standard petrol engine meaning your fuel costs are halved. You can expect to pay little or no tax depending on emissions; your motor insurance will undoubtedly be much cheaper and you will save a huge amount of money on general running costs. On average the hybrid car will be more expensive to buy but you will quickly regain this initial extra outlay in the amount you save running it. Who can say that doing your bit for the environment doesn’t make you smile?

Gill Critchley asked:


With the warmer weather approaching, many Brits will be considering buying a convertible so that they can live the dream of driving on the open road with the wind in their hair.

However, before getting too carried away, it is important to make sure you take the time to choose comprehensive car insurance.

This is according to a leading comparison website which indicates that to insure a typical convertible vehicle you will be paying around £32 more every year than you would to insure an average hard-top car.

The site also said that they found many people who are considering a convertible don’t consider the more practical concerns and the costs involved.

As motor cover is becoming increasingly more competitive, it is important to spend the time searching for cheap car insurance to ensure that you are getting the best deal you can.

In addition to this, the website reminded motorists not to leave valuable items in their car and to make sure that it was parked in a secure place.

Another leading comparison site have recently revealed that rising car insurance costs are causing 8 per cent of vehicle owners to use their vehicle less often in order to try and keep the costs down.

In addition to people using their cars less, figures have been released which show that the sales of second-hand electric vehicles have risen by 473.5 per cent. The highest rise of sales was in East Anglia.

Hybrid cars have also seen a boost in sales as their popularity has gone up by 71.8 per cent and used diesel car sales have gone up by four percent.

Due to the effects the economy has had recently, more and more people are concerned about the extra costs of running a car and also their capacity to purchase a vehicle.

As a result of theses worries, many seem to have resorted to purchasing more eco friendly vehicles to ensure saving money.

Another way people are trying to save money on their car is by finding cheap car insurance and this seems to be a lot simpler if you are female, as women’s car insurance is a lot less due to women being statistically safer drivers.

Mark Robinson asked:


There are many items you can choose with car insurance such as liability only, comp and collision, roadside service, and much more. You can even choose the deductible or amount of the coverage you need for specific aspects of car insurance. When you look at a new car there are a few things to consider regarding insurance. First you need to make sure you have enough coverage on the policy to cover total destruction of the vehicle in order to have the insurance claim come through for you. However I have gotten ahead. Taking a step back let’s look at a few options in buying a new car.

When you purchase a new car you may have paid for it out right, leased it, or obtained a car loan. If you have leased the car or obtained a car loan you are required by the banks to have a certain amount of insurance and type of insurance. For the purposes of this article we are going to concentrate on what a bank will require of you when you have a loan or lease.

The car insurance you must have when the car has a loan or lease is liability, comprehensive, and collision insurance. This can run you a rather high premium as the comp and collision usually cost a bit more. The reason the banks require comp and collision is that they need to know the car is fully covered in case there is an accident. The banks in other words need to know they will still get the pay off on the loan even if the car is considered completely damaged. They also ask that you have a certain amount of coverage regarding medical, uninsured motorist and other aspects of the full car insurance coverage. When you have comp and collision you are usually covered for animal damage, fire, and other destruction.

Luckily you are not required to have roadside service or a rental car replacement if the car does go into the garage for work. When you have a new car or a newer car it really is important to make sure everything is covered properly. As you may have found most of the newer cars are so complicated that they require a mechanic trained on the computers and other machines used at the garage to fix even minor issues. Simply replacing the oil in your car can be a hassle depending on the make and model. When you are covered with the proper car insurance whether it is with a loan or lease purchase you will be able to make sure you are covered in the event of accidents whether they are your fault, no fault, or the fault of another driver.

When you change cars you will have to change your coverage. The car insurance company is usually going to tell you that you have to up your insurance when you have a loan or lease. They will also ask this question and it is important to be truthful as they will check and refuse any policy if you have lied.

Getting insurance for your car is an obligation for all to fulfill. But the search for the best and most suitable policy can be quite some hard work for people. Rather than conducting a physical search, it is more favorable for the car owners to take up the online quote for car insurance UK and get a favorable policy for insurance.

Through researching the online mode, the car owner can apply and get a quote for his car insurance UK and decide the insurance policy. The car owners do not have to waste their time and effort in the physical market in going to each and every insurer and then availing some insurance policy.

Instead of approaching the physical market, the car owner can apply online where he can get the comprehensive as well as the collision cover for his vehicle. The collision cover insures the car if it meets with any kind of accident irrespective of who caused the accident. The other option which is the comprehensive cover insures the car against any kind of theft, accidental damage, technical fault, natural calamity etc.

Low premium policies are available to those who have a safe record of driving as the chance of a claim are considerably reduced. Similar is the case with women drivers as they are alert drivers. High cost cars and sports cars are often charged high premiums as they are a common aim for thefts.

By obtaining an online car insurance quote UK, the owners find it very easy to zero in on an insurance policy as the premiums that they are to pay for the policies are very low if they apply online. It is due to the stiff competition between the online companies that provides this chance of benefit for the car owners.

Terry Edwards asked:


With the increase in the price of commodities and definitely gasoline, everybody is looking for help in cutting expenses, yet still getting quality assured merchandise in the marketplace. This certainly includes auto insurance as well. The state of California is serious in trying to help offer the people the chance to insure their vehicles at the most affordable rates. But, does California cheap car insurance really exist?

Lower Budgets

For those who have a low budget for auto insurance you may be in luck with a program called the California Low Cost Auto Insurance Program (CLCA). It is designed especially for those on a tight budget who need help in maintaining insurance coverage. The CLCA policy proposes the cheapest form of liability insurance to help provide citizens of California an option in getting coverage.

The monthly expenses for this insurance are made to suit the lifestyles for those who wants an easier way to obtain and continue to pay for car insurance. However, not everybody can get the CLCA program because of certain requirements that are needed in order to qualify for the policy.

Basic Coverage For Everyone

The California Basic Liability Program is also the cheapest policy which is intended for people who did not qualify under the CLCA. If you are caught in a vehicular mishap, the third party in the accident will receive a maximum amount of $15,000 for medical expenses and a maximum amount of $30,000 for two or more people injured from the program for their medical expenses.

Regarding the damaged property caused by the policyholders accident, the program will give a maximum amount of $5,000. While this amount is very minimal, it provides everyone the opportunity to obey the law and have insurance coverage. So is there such a thing as California cheap car insurance? For those who can’t afford regular car insurance from standard companies, there is at least a basic option that is certainly affordable to everyone.

Allan asked:

The role of insurance in modern times simply cannot be ruled out. Its utility was there in all ages but never was it more relevant than in modern times. And it is not difficult to understand why. Life is becoming more and more expensive and its effect is felt by every section of the society, particularly the middle class. Rarely will one ever come across an article which can be purchased without any deliberation. In this scenario, if one purchases something expensive it is imperative that the individual concerned should go for insurance; otherwise there are a whole lot of disadvantages that he stands to suffer from.

The biggest advantage of insurance is the fact that the entire expenses that one incurs in case of theft or accident of the product is borne by the insurance company, and the person concerned is exempted from spending a single penny for it. Insurance becomes even more relevant in cases where the product is expensive. For, invariably, such products are purchased on loans with heavy interest, as any damage to them means double burden for the individual if the good is not insured. And if the good happens to be a car then one can imagine what happens to the owner. He will have to pay not only for the loan that he has taken but also for the expenses incurred on the damage.

This will not be the case if the car is insured; because in that case all the expenses would have been borne by the insurance company, and it would not have mattered that the cause of damage is theft or accident or anything else. Needless to say then how helpful Cheap Car Insurance can prove to be for people who face such scenarios. However, what needs to be understood is the fact that to ensure that insurance proves to be fruitful, one has to take certain precautions.

These precautions include reading the conditions properly, checking whether the policy starts from the very time it is signed, ensuring whether the goods are priced correctly etc. One also should not furnish any wrong information to the insurance company, for it leads to unnecessary hassles. If these things are taken care of then there is no reason why car insurance would not provide one with the security cover that one hopes for..