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Tuesday, November 27, 2007

Car Loan Financing - Buying vs. Leasing

Which option is better leasing or buying?

This is a common question amongst many car buyers. Depending on who you talk to, some people may feel that leasing a vehicle is the better option, especially if you enjoy driving a new car every couple of years. On the other hand, if you enjoy a car payment-free lifestyle, buying is without a doubt the better choice.

Difference between Leasing and Buying

There are significant differences between buying a new vehicle, and leasing one. When buying a car, the entire purchased priced is financed. With leasing, only a portion is financed. Thus, leasing offers lower monthly payments.

For example, let's say a particular vehicle is priced at $25,000. If leasing this vehicle for two years, the dealership will calculate the estimated value after 24 months, and leaser finances the difference. Thus, if the estimated value in 24 months is $15,000, the leaser will pay $10,000. On the other hand, if buying the same vehicle, the buyer will finance the entire $25,000.
Tip! Visit RoadBusters for more information and help on buying cars, or just come along to chat.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying New Car

There are advantages to choosing the buying option. For starters, at the conclusion of the loan term, you will own the vehicle. Secondly, because buyers own the car, they are able to paint or re-design the exterior. On the flip side, cars lose their worth. Unless buyers purchase with a down payment or accept a higher monthly payment, the car will not have any equity.

Pros and Cons of Leasing a Car

Leasing is ideal for person's who prefer lower monthly payments, and for individuals who like driving a different vehicle every couple of years. With leasing, you have the option of keeping the vehicle for 12 to 48 months. Once the lease term ends, buyers also have the option of purchasing the car at its current value. For more information about leasing or purchasing a vehicle see www.abcloanguide.com
Tip! Don't forget all the things you've learned from buying cars and don't let a sales person confuse you. If they are irritating and confusing, just walk out.

Of course, there is a downside to leasing. Leasing comes with strict driving rules. For example, drivers are allotted a certain number of miles - either 12,000 or 15,000 per year. If the leaser exceeds the mileage, there is a penalty. Furthermore, any damages to the vehicle must be repaired before the car is returned to the dealership.

Find out about the Best New Car Loans with the help of ABC Loan Guide. They have information on this topic, along with a list of companies who deal with Automobile Financing for people with good and bad credit.

Tips On How To Save When Buying Car Insurance

If you want to save money when you purchase your car insurance here are a few ways that can help you as you search for auto insurance.

First thing you can do is comparison shop. It cannot hurt to call around to see what other prices are out there. If the price is higher you know you are where you need to be and if you find a lower rate you always have the option to change. You can use information from Florida Department of Financial Services, or a similar department within your state, to help you decide. This Florida department can show you what types of coverage are out there and give you sample rates. You can do this for other states by using the National Association of Insurance commissioners web site. Armed with this information you can get quotes from a number of companies and find the best one for you.

Increasing deductibles is another way to lower your premium. A deductible is the portion of money you pay before the insurance company pays for damages or injuries. The higher your deductible is the less exposure the insurance company has, thus your premium will be lower. If you choose the highest deductible you can afford you may save hundreds of dollars over the term of your policy.

Dropping comprehensive and collision coverage on older cars is another way you can to save money on your insurance policy. This type of coverage protects your car if it is damaged or stolen. Usually it is the cash value of the vehicle at the time of a loss minus the deducible. On older vehicles the value is lowered already by depreciation. You need to take into consideration the premium you pay, the value of the vehicle and the deductible you have. You may be paying more for the coverage then the vehicle is worth. If there is a loan on the car, you may have to keep this coverage on the car until you pay off the loan. After the car loan is paid off it is your choice if to keep these types of coverage and at what levels.

Buying a more economical car may help reduce your insurance. Yes, driving that corvette is fun but if you want to save money maybe you can be driving something that is a little less expensive. Vehicles that are costly to fix or that have a higher chance to be stolen are generally higher priced as far as your insurance premium. There are reports that you can check to find out which cars are stolen more often. One of these types of reports is by The Highway Loss Data Institute. Parts and repair times also tend to me more costly on higher end vehicles. A vehicle that is easier to repair will save with labor costs thus help lower your premiums.

Some companies give discounts if you do not drive your car as much. If you live close to your job you may get discounts for this lower mileage usage. Some companies may also list the car as an "occasional use" vehicle based on the mileage, which can reduce your premiums.

Asking about which discounts are available is a great way of reducing your premium. Discounts are given for safety features such as airbags and anti-lock breaks. Anti theft systems can reduce costs as well. Owning a house, being married, driver training courses and having no tickets or accidents are all ways that may make it possible for you to be eligible for discounts. Getting a list of discounts from your company is a great way to reduce your costs.

Maintaining a good driving record is also a major determining factor on how much the premium will be. If you can maintain a safe driving record, one without violations and/or accidents, your rates will be lower then someone who is more reckless. Many companies give discounts if there are no violations on your driving record. This is due to the company potentially having less exposure insuring a driver with a clear driving record than the driver with multiple tickets and/or accidents.
Tip! People consider a secured car loan only for buying cars but the truth is that you can use the secured car loans to cater any of your expenses related to car. You can use the loan amount for engine upgrade, paint work, buying accessories such as music systems, interiors, power windows and power steering, repairs and any other modification for your existing car.

One final way to save on insurance is to keep your policy enforced. By making payments on time and keeping your policy intact you avoid extra late fees and you avoid costly tickets for not carrying the proper type of coverage that your state requires. You avoid possible a suspension of your driver's license and you also may be eligible for discounts for renewing your policy all by just keeping up with your premiums. Most companies will give renewal discounts as an incentive to stay with them and keep your policy valid and in good standing.

These are just some ways that you as a consumer may use to lower your insurance costs. Now get out there and start saving some money!

Visit http://www.carinsurance.com for Auto Insurance Rates.

James Diaz is a representative of CarInsurance.com. You can visit CarInsurance.com at http://www.carinsurance.com or contact them at 1-877-327-8728.
Tip! For more information on the best Houston Used Car try visiting Car Buying For Idiots located at http://CarBuyingForIdiots.com where you will find valuable information on buying cars, buying used cars and other information.

CarInsurance.com's online insurance marketplace gives an opportunity to consumers and to insurance companies. We offer the ability to shop for car insurance online.

Consumers can receive quotes from many insurance companies, in some states you are able to purchase your insurance instantly, online. You don't have to drive your car to buy car insurance. Buy online... anytime!

Buying Car Insurance

Automobile insurance is an increasing expense for almost all Americans. We can't afford to have it, and we certainly can't afford to NOT have it. When researching car insurance companies and comparing policies, it is a good idea to follow these easy guidelines to get the most coverage for your insurance dollars.

Get discount car insurance quotes from as many carriers as you can. Automobile insurance rates may vary drastically depending on the model of your car and the type of coverage you need. Consider as high a deductible as you can reasonably afford, since higher deductibles translate into lower insurance premiums. Review quotes and policies carefully to make sure you are only paying for coverage you really need. If you have homeowner insurance, ask your agent if you are covered already for certain items you might be charged again for on your auto policy.

After you have gotten quotes from different car insurance carriers, it is usually a good idea to create a spreadsheet to help you avoid comparing apples to oranges. Set up a scenario with car repairs and medical expense to best compare the coverage differences under real-life situations.

Once you have chosen the two least expensive automobile insurance policies for the coverage you need, contact a reputable body shop in your area for a referral. Automobile body shops deal with insurance companies every day, and you want to make sure the company you send your premiums to each month will be responsive and fair if you have to make an insurance claim. The body shop probably has a good insider opinion on how the insurance company operates, how long it takes to get an adjuster to view the damaged vehicle, how long it takes to get paid on a claim, how fair the estimate was, were used parts requested versus brand new parts and so on.
Tip! Make sure you buy during a time when very few are likely to buy that product. Christmas is a good time for buying cars.

Trust me, a ten minute talk with a reputable body shop manager can reveal a lot of great information about an insurance company and how they tend to handle their claims. A few dollars difference in premium dollars to get coverage from a company that handles their claims properly may save you a world of hassle in the event of an automobile accident.
Tip! If you are new at buying cars, don't get intimidated.Have a firm goal.

Austin Davis is a consumer advocate committed to helping you with car insurance Houston and car insurance NJ needs. We have the Cheapest Car Insurance anywhere.

Buying Car Insurance Online: the Sign of Things to Come

Although we all dislike paying for it when the time comes around, car insurance is a necessity and has been a legal requirement for all drivers for many years now. However, due to the large number of companies now offering vehicle insurance, paying over the odds shouldn't be the case, and finding a deal to suit you shouldn't be a problem. In this brief guide we aim to provide an insight into the types of insurance, buying car insurance online, and important factors to remember when comparing insurance quotes online.

Types of Insurance

There are three main types of vehicle insurance, all of which differ in what they cover and as a result what it costs to insure. We will briefly go through each type:

'Third Party Only' Insurance:

This type of insurance covers the policyholder against damage to either a third party or a third party's property. So, for example, if you were to damage a vehicle and injure the occupant(s) of that vehicle, your insurance would cover you against the costs to repair the vehicle and any medical claims made by the occupant(s) in either vehicle involved in the accident other than you. What this type of insurance will not do is cover you for any expenses towards your own vehicle, nor any medical claims made by yourself. Nor will you be covered in the circumstance that your vehicle is stolen or set on fire.

'Third Party Fire and Theft' Insurance:

This insurance policy is exactly the same as described in 'Third Party Only' above, with one exception. Should your vehicle be stolen or set on fire then you would be covered under this policy.

'Fully Comprehensive' Insurance:

A 'Fully Comprehensive' insurance cover will pay out in circumstances outlined in the above two policies, and will also pay for damage to your own vehicle, regardless of who was at fault for the damage.

Insurance Online

Using websites to browse and choose a provider is a great way to buy insurance and is certainly here to stay, and here's a few reasons why.

There was once a time when phoning around insurance companies would be very time consuming and would have to be conducted during office hours or in a rush after work or during work breaks. However, the internet is available at all hours of the day, everyday, all year. This allows you to browse through various websites to read up on their insurance offers, determine which is the most suitable for you in your own time in terms of insurance cover and cost, and to complete an online form in a matter of minutes.
Tip! For more information on the best Houston Used Car try visiting Car Buying For Idiots located at http://CarBuyingForIdiots.com where you will find valuable information on buying cars, buying used cars and other information.

There is also a conception that the internet is an unsafe place to use credit card information, although the encryption provided by companies accepting credit cards means that it can be argued that it is safer than giving details out over the phone.

Furthermore, the good news is that many companies now offer incentives to use their online service as opposed to their telephone service, and often provide discounts due to the decreased human resource time needed per sale. The wide range of insurance companies available on the internet is also good news, as it means that the competition to offer the best premiums is strong, ultimately saving you money.
Tip! If you are new at buying cars, don't get intimidated.Have a firm goal.

Important factors to remember when comparing insurance quotes online

When comparing insurance quotes online, it is very important to compare a like-to-like quote and not two totally different ones, an extreme case would be comparing an insurance quote for a car under 'Third Party Only' insurance against 'Fully Comprehensive'.

Thanks to the internet, comparing quotes is now easier than it ever has been. Ensure though, that you evaluate each quote to determine which represents best value for money. Consider the likelihood that cheapest is not always the best, and may be full of qualifications, heavy excess fees, and exclusions.
Tip! Visit RoadBusters for more information and help on buying cars, or just come along to chat.

One recommendation is to shop around first. Why not browse a few websites to read up on the range of offers currently available before deciding on one that's right for you, you may end up saving your self a lot of money.

Justin Brown is the owner of the site http://www.idealauto.co.uk where you can buy and sell any new or used vehicle online, and also find information on car insurance and search for used cars in the UK.

Budget Car Insurance – Car Insurance Buying Tips

Car insurance is an integral part of the insurance budget. There are a lot of variables that cause the rates to increase or decrease. Some of these variables cannot be controlled by the insured but there are some things the insurance buyer can do to keep their policy reasonable without losing a lot in protection.

What Are Your Assets? - Do you own a home? Do you have several vehicles? Do you own a business? Do you rent an apartment? Your strength in assets is a factor when selecting your liability limits. If you accidentally injure or kill someone in an automobile accident and you carry low liability limits on your car policy then your assets are next in line to be used to pay for the damages.

The Age of the Vehicles - Newer vehicles usually require physical damage coverage by the lender. Older vehicles with a lot of miles sometimes do not warrant physical damage. Physical damage rates can be adjusted up or down based on the deductible you choose.

The Age of The Drivers - Adult rates, senior adult rates, and rates for young drivers make a huge difference in the overall rate. Young drivers on vehicles with physical damage coverage can be very costly.
Tip! Visit RoadBusters for more information and help on buying cars, or just come along to chat.

What are the Discounts? - There are a number of discounts on car policies. The multi-policy discount is given by insurance companies for purchasing both auto and home insurance. Retirement discounts are available to the senior adult. Young drivers receive discounts for drivers training education. Some companies give good student discounts for young student drivers that maintain a 3.0 grade point average.
Tip! If you are new at buying cars, don't get intimidated.Have a firm goal.

Full Tort or Limited Tort - Many states have a discount for selecting a limited tort option. Tort is your right to sue for pain and suffering damages over and above the basic liability settlement. This varies from state to state.

This is the overall picture what insurance companies use to determine your individual rate. You have a choice when it comes to liability, physical damage, and tort options. Ask plenty of questions about these three areas when purchasing car insurance.

View our Recommended Source for Insurance Quotes it is a simple site that offers low rate insurance quotes of all types. car insurance quotes home owners insurance

Buying A Car With A Bad Credit Record

People with a poor credit record are likely to have as much need for a car as anybody with a good credit record. However, if they want to buy a car, that bad credit blemish may make life difficult for them.

Regardless of whether it is your own fault or not, having a damaged credit record will affect the way your application is received if you want to buy a car through a loan. However, it is still possible to get a car loan, even if your credit record is not perfect.

In fact, you will find plenty of companies offering loans for any purpose, including car purchase, even for those people with bad credit. As you would expect, however, the worse your credit record is, the higher the interest rate is likely to be, and the fewer the options you are likely to have. Much will also depend on whether you own your own home or not. With a home of your own, in which you have a sufficient amount of equity, you stand a chance of getting a secured loan to buy a car. Such a loan would undoubtedly be cheaper than an unsecured or bad credit personal loan; however, your home would be at risk should you default on the loan, so that is certainly something to take into account.

As always with any spending decision when your finances are not healthy, it makes sense to seriously consider whether you really need a new car now, while your credit record is bad, or if you can wait until it has been restored to normal. If the poor record is fairly recent, that can be a bit of a long wait in the UK, though in some states of the US that is less of a problem.

In trying to assess if you really do need that new car, you have to take into account the fact that it is a depreciating asset; but then, that will apply to your new car too. What is perhaps more important is the age of your current car and the likelihood of extra car maintenance costs and repairs as time goes on. This is a dilemma most of has faced at one time or another: do we get the car repaired, and keep it going a few more years, or do we cut our losses and sell now, or trade in. Keeping a car going when it has seen much better days can be throwing good money after bad, so it may be that you do need a loan for a replacement car, regardless of your credit status.
Tip! Don't forget all the things you've learned from buying cars and don't let a sales person confuse you. If they are irritating and confusing, just walk out.

Once you have made a decision to replace the car and to do so by getting a loan, then it is a good time to work out your monthly budget to ensure you are not going to slip behind with the payments again. try to allow plenty of scope for car maintenance, servicing and repair, as well as for fuel, road and vehicle taxes. To help you get back your good credit rating over time, then it is worth cutting back on your own expectations for a car; it may make sense to get something more modest and cheaper than you would ideally have liked.

When it is time to go out and get the actual loan, to buy the replacement car, just make sure you shop around. It is so easy to do online, and you will have many companies to choose from. To keep track, it is worthwhile printing out the relevant pages from the sites on your shortlist. Then, take the details away from the pc and quietly go through them and compare the options. You are more likely to take a detached view if you approach your decision that way, rather than just staying online and hitting the send button impulsively.

This debt bad credit car loan article was written by Roy Thomsitt, owner author of the Eliminate Credit Card Debt Now website.