Airbags have been all made available for many vehicles for a long time running. In fact, the United States government has made sure that these would be made standard for vehicles. This has become reality for in July 11, 1984, the US government has already required all cars to airbags for the drivers side at least. Come 1998, it was later on mandated that all vehicles should contain airbags in the front end of the vehicle.

Insurance agencies and companies have come up with results that drivers and passengers who would like to have greater protection during crashes would benefit greatly from side airbags. In fact, this is just a recent study and was reported only last April 15, 2006. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has also found that, indeed, these side airbags have been beneficial and really helpful during side impact crashes.

Some of the tests conducted by the IIHS with regards to side impact crashes showed that majority of vehicles that do not hold such a safety feature suffered from dislodged seats, or had seats that separated from the floor. Just imagine riding in a vehicle that would have dislodged seats because of a side impact crash. However, thanks to the side airbags, safety of the passengers were greatly increased.

Of course, airbags should not be considered as a replacement to seatbelts. Seatbelts also serve their own unique purpose in providing safety. And this goes true for airbags as well. There are actually various types of airbags so as to provide proper and enough protection to a vehicles passengers during crashes. There are front side airbags, front airbags, passenger side airbags, and even airbags located somewhere on the steering wheel to assist in keeping the driver in place and not being thrown off the windshield.

In fact, it could be deduced that airbags are actually supplements to the safety belt system. What it does is it reduces the chance that the passengers or the drivers head and upper body will strike a part of the vehicles interior. Serious injury is also reduced because these airbags actually distribute crash forces evenly across the body of the passenger. To support this claim, there is a recent study that concluded that there are already some 6000 lives already saved and kept safe because of the use of airbags.

Volkswagen vehicles also contain and come with these airbags. In fact, Volkswagen also assures its customers and patrons worldwide that their vehicle would provide enough protection during crashes.

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Most of us use the convenience of a rental car when traveling and generally select a car rental at random right outside the airport or train station. Now things are different you can arrange to rental a car online and specify your pick up and drop off point. There are directories where many companies are featured and you can easily compare the services as well as pricing of different car rental companies.

As a discerning consumer it would be a great advantage if you kept in mind:

1. That you need to keep the paper work ready before renting a car. You need to be over 25 years old, have a valid driving license, have an ID card that is universally accepted, your social security number may be required too. Before you make arrangements, check whether your drivers license is valid where you intend to go. Otherwise be sure to apply for the requisite permissions.

2. Find out whether the car has currently valid insurance and whether it has passed a road test recently. Ask specifically whether the cars papers are in good order and when it was last serviced. Consider opting for damage coverage many rental companies make the offer for a nominal amount.

3. Check what the rental charges cover and whether there is an extra charge payable for drop off and pick up of the vehicle. Some companies offer the service for free while others do charge an extra amount.

4. Always ask for confirmation of booking and read through the terms and conditions thoroughly.

5. Check what the refueling options are. Most rental companies offer conveniences like getting a car with a full tank or filling the fuel yourself. You need to decide what is most feasible.

6. Always comparison shop for good rates. If your dates are flexible ask about special offers and discount periods. Rental companies also run promotional schemes so be sure to know what is on offer and how it will benefit you. If you book early you will get better rates than closer to the date of use. Rates also vary depending on the kind of car you wish to rent. Ask whether you are eligible for any discounts.

7. Choose a car that will fulfill your needs. Find out about luggage storage and racks , how many the car will seat comfortably, and whether or not the heater/air conditioner are working.

8. Most companies will not accept cash so make arrangements to carry a card with a low limit for making payment. Also if your company has a regular contract with the car rental then use their relationship to make arrangements. You will get superior service as well as a god rate.

9. If you are traveling with a companion decide whether the companion will drive the rental car too. If yes ask the company what their policies are regarding an additional driver.

10. Take down the 24/7 numbers of customer service and numbers where the car rental people can be contacted on an emergency.

The keys areas in car rental are good customer service, flexibility, great vehicle selection, and excellent terms and conditions. Rent a car that makes your trip easy not a nightmare.

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When we see something new, bigger and better, we start mentally thinking of how to sell or dispose what we have on hand. Same applies to cars as well, once the decision to buy a new car has been made, the process of selling the existing one begins. But its not as easy as picking a buyer and handing over the keys. In times when you are not going in for an exchange offer, the need to seek out good buyers who will pay the asking price and are authentic becomes important. There are various other aspects to keep in mind before delving into the search for that buyer. The first step is to decide if you are going to directly put the word out and wait for people to approach you or employ the services of an agent who will be the interface between you and the buyer. Irrespective of whether your car is new or old, in good shape or not, it will fetch a decent market value.

Most sellers will service the car to ensure it is in running condition and will also do a clean up job, and any minor repairs to be carried out. This makes it easy when the prospective buyers come to inspect the car and creates a good first impression. Then comes deciding on the appropriate price after which one needs to go about either advertising in the local paper, or getting in touch with agents and waiting for the sale to happen. If placing an advertisement, it can be accompanied with a picture of the car, the model and other specifications. And if opting for an agent, this information will have to be passed on to him. Be ready to set aside plenty of time for inspection and test drives by these interested parties.

When people do come to take a look be ready with all relevant information to do with the car, major plus points and if any problems or issues, those as well. The papers related to the car must be kept handy, such as insurance documents, registration deed so that when the final sale does happen, you can easily transfer it to the new owner. Also make sure to get some in depth information from the buyer as to the purpose behind the buy, what is his background, to give you the comfort of going ahead with sale.

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When we see something new, bigger and better, we start mentally thinking of how to sell or dispose what we have on hand. Same applies to cars as well, once the decision to buy a new car has been made, the process of selling the existing one begins. But its not as easy as picking a buyer and handing over the keys. In times when you are not going in for an exchange offer, the need to seek out good buyers who will pay the asking price and are authentic becomes important. There are various other aspects to keep in mind before delving into the search for that buyer. The first step is to decide if you are going to directly put the word out and wait for people to approach you or employ the services of an agent who will be the interface between you and the buyer. Irrespective of whether your car is new or old, in good shape or not, it will fetch a decent market value.

Most sellers will service the car to ensure it is in running condition and will also do a clean up job, and any minor repairs to be carried out. This makes it easy when the prospective buyers come to inspect the car and creates a good first impression. Then comes deciding on the appropriate price after which one needs to go about either advertising in the local paper, or getting in touch with agents and waiting for the sale to happen. If placing an advertisement, it can be accompanied with a picture of the car, the model and other specifications. And if opting for an agent, this information will have to be passed on to him. Be ready to set aside plenty of time for inspection and test drives by these interested parties.

When people do come to take a look be ready with all relevant information to do with the car, major plus points and if any problems or issues, those as well. The papers related to the car must be kept handy, such as insurance documents, registration deed so that when the final sale does happen, you can easily transfer it to the new owner. Also make sure to get some in depth information from the buyer as to the purpose behind the buy, what is his background, to give you the comfort of going ahead with sale.

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The number of car accidents has been increasing rapidly since the automobile was first invented. Accidents happen anywhere, at any time of the day, and they are usually unexpected. You dont know accidents are coming. Even if you dont have a car, you still might be involved in a car accident.

Although car accidents have been increasing, it is surprising to find out that the average accident has been declining due to the policies that the government has implemented. The percentage of fatal accidents has lowered to 50%. This was aided by the car manufacturers, who have invented and added securities like airbags. The use of airbags has been a great help in cases of accidents.

Did you know that drinking while driving is one of the major causes of accidents? It is not surprising to see in the papers and television that drunk driver has been killed on the road. It happens almost everywhere, at any given time. If a driver is drunk, his mind is not working properly. He does not pay attention to the road. Drunk drivers love to drive a car at high speed. Some will even race on the road, endangering other drivers.

Another common cause of accidents is younger-aged drivers. Some young drivers tend to drive wildly on the streets with their friends. Some drive without a license and without insurance. A minor can get a students license but they should be accompanied by an elder who is an experienced driver. Minors are not allowed to drive because they are not aware and familiar with the signs and rules that are important in driving. Getting a license will train them to drive safely by following the rules.

If your car is not maintained properly, which includes the wheels and the brakes, you can be prone to accidents. You will never know when your engine or brakes will fail you. So before that happens, you must carefully check if they are running properly by having your car serviced at regular intervals.

Most accidents happen at nighttime. This is caused by poor lighting and impaired visibility. Having good headlights and indicators are very important. You are not safe if your lights are broken. A car ahead may not notice you, especially on a hard dark road. Lights serve as indicators and signals so that you can make your car visible even in the dark.

Some drivers drive without full attention. Stress can cause accidents because the driver may not focus on the road; rather he is thinking of his personal problems. Talking on a cell phone while driving or fiddling with the stereo are all contributing factors to accidents.

There may be many causes of car accidents and these are just the most common causes. What is important is that you should be disciplined while driving and ensure your car is road worthy.

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You may have changed residences from Chicago to California. That sure is a long way off and driving your car could prove to be quite a long road trip. Maybe it is time that you have your car shipped to your new place instead of taking that long drive.

It is best that you first decide when would be the best time to move your car. That way, you can actually plan ahead and make your car ready for shipment. When you have already decided when the shipping would take place, it is time to call several moving companies. Inform them about the type and kind of car that you are moving. Also, inform them the specific locations of the move from where you are moving your car to the place where your car will be shipped. Also give them the data on the date when you plan to do the shipping.

List down your choices of moving companies. To be safe, check these companies out with the Better Business Bureau. You surely would like to have your vehicle shipped and handled by a good and trusted company. From there, you can make your choice of company.

Call up your choice company and inquire about the kind of insurance coverage that the company has with regards to shipments. Also ask if there is a deductible. Ask for their insurance policy carefully even if they might be written in fine print then ask for a copy so you could also review them over yourself at home.

On the day that you will be moving your vehicle, be alert. Check if the mover will be filling out a bill of lading. This includes a report of the condition of your car before loading. Read the whole report. Before you sign it, make sure that you agree with the report. Then, ask about the pick up dates and times as well as the delivery time. Any promises of the date and time should be given in writing as well as any conditions if these are not met. All your personal belongings should be removed from your car. Remember that these items are not covered by the carriers insurance.

Upon delivery, check your car and note any problems.

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For several years, your vehicle has been your constant companion in various activities. From going to the office, to meeting friends, to carpooling, to picking up your children, to going to vacation spots, you and your vehicle have been inseparable. Now, with time, it seems to you that many people are owning newer and newer cars and you have gone out of the loop. You ask yourself, Is it time to change cars?

There are plenty of things to consider though before you let go of your vehicle and find yourself a new one. After all, it has been years that your vehicle has served its purpose and has been there for you to various locations. Check first and look at your cars maintenance records. You can see if your vehicle has had plenty of problems or not and if your mechanic seems to suggest that there is no need for any kind of major work in the future, then maybe you may still want to hang on to your vehicle for the time being. After all, it is no easy task for find a vehicle that does not break down easily and would not need major operations.

Think about your insurance fees and premiums. Remember that your old vehicle is going to cost you much less compared to a much newer vehicle that would cost you a high price for insurance fees. Also, it is time to think about your needs. If your current vehicle is serving its purposes well, then maybe it has been really made for you to keep it.

You may also go to your trusted mechanic for auto advice. Ask him if your current vehicles auto parts are easy to find. If they are, then you might want to consider keeping the vehicle still. On the other hand, if they are hard to find, then maybe, it is time that you set your sights on a new one. After all, parts that are hard to find also mean that you would be spending much more on those parts.

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How To File A Report In Case Of A Car Accident

If you have been in a car accident, you must immediately file a report to your insurance company. Accidents have been increasing but some people do not have enough knowledge on how to deal with these cases the right way. You may have encountered an accident or you may just be part of the accident. Either way, you should know what to do after the accident has happened.

If you witnessed a car accident, the first thing you should do is to seek aid for the injured. After the ambulance has arrived or first aid has been provided, you should call the police and state what happened. You should answer all questions given by the police officer. Make sure that your answers are correct because the details given are written on a report, which will be used for assessing the case. All information given to the police officer must be accurate so that the fault will not be used against you.

In making a report, make sure that you dont change your statements after every court proceeding or investigation. The police officer may ask you questions about the case repeatedly. Make sure that you dont change your statements because it will not match with the previous story. You can do this simply by telling the truth.

Also make sure that you dont leave out any information.

If a police officer is not present, you can take down important details yourself so you will not forget it later. When the police officer is present, you can present your notes and report and he will further investigate. In making your report, you should include the specific time, location, area, position and you can also ask for witnesses to back up the accident scene.

People in the accident area may be very curious about what happened. If they ask for information, you should not share it with them especially your notes. You must first present it to the police so that the information is safe. If you spread the information, there might be inaccurate reports and some people might disseminate wrong information which will make the case puzzling.

Make sure that you stay on the scene after the accident has happened. If you leave the scene, there might be complications that will make the case very confusing. If you have been involved in a hit and run, try and get down the license number of the other vehicle.

If you have a camera with you or a camera cell phone, take some photos of the accident. This can provide strong proof and evidence which can be very helpful.

If you have a car accident, you need to know how to deal with it so you can make a report completely and have all required information for both the police and your insurance company.

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It can be frustrating to have your car break down on the highway. Few people will stop to offer help to disabled drivers. You may not have a cell phone with you, so you’ll have to walk to find help. And even if you do have a phone with you, how likely are you to know the number of a nearby towing service? All of these things combine to make a bad situation worse. A good solution, particularly if you spend a lot of time driving, is to pay for a roadside assistance plan.

A roadside assistance plan is a form of insurance. You pay for the service from a variety of sources; you might even buy it from your car insurance company. The annual fee that generally costs less than the cost of a single tow can be quite a bargain should you be unlucky enough to have a breakdown as the cost of towing a car even a short distance can easily amount to $100 or more. If you live in a rural area where services are not readily available, roadside assistance could save you several hundred dollars on just a single breakdown.

Here are a few sources you might consider for buying a roadside assistance plan:

Your car insurance company – Most provide basic towing services for a small annual fee added to the cost of your regular premium. Rates vary from company to company, but towing service can often be had for as little as $10 per year.

AAA – The American Automobile Association includes roadside assistance as part of their basic annual membership. The cost varies, but typically runs between $40 and $80 per year. The services they offer are not limited to towing; gasoline, repair of flat tires and even locksmith services are available should you lock yourself out of your car or run out of gas.

AARP – The American Association of Retired Persons offers a roadside assistance plan for members. The cost is similar to that of an AAA membership, and you must be at least 50 years of age to join.

If you spend enough time driving, you will eventually have a breakdown while on the road. It isn’t just the province of defective auto lemons; it eventually happens to all cars. It would be nice if everyone could plan when and where to have a breakdown, but that just isn’t possible. It is, however, possible to be prepared for those types of emergencies. A roadside assistance plan is an inexpensive way to make sure that you and your car can be towed to safety in case of a roadside emergency.

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OK, youve finally gotten through the front end part of buying your car. You have worked hard done some tough negotiating and feel like you have negotiated a good and fair deal on your car purchase and trade-in. Now its time to head into the dealers F&I (finance and insurance) department and go through the formality of signing the financing paper work on the back end of the deal.

You may have noticed a couple of terms: front end and back end. I used these terms to illustrate a point to you. From a car dealer perspective there are two distinct parts (profit centers) to each deal. The front end of the deal is the new car price, your trade in, any dealer add ons that they got you to buy with your new car, etc. All of this, most everyone is indeed familiar with. The second part of the deal, the back end, is not a place to let your guard down. The back end is the F&I department. The F&I manager is every bit as responsible for making sales numbers and profit margins as everyone else at the dealership and they are sales people NOT financial advisers and their purpose is to help maximize the profit on the deal.

Dont assume that you are going to be offered the best possible interest rate you can get by the F&I manager. Quite the opposite! Adding a point or two (or more) to your contract interest rate above what you qualify for is a serious profit maker for the dealer.

Also keep in mind that all of your hard work negotiating your deal on the front end has been by in large verbal and perhaps a handshake. True, as a result, you may have a signed buyers order or worksheet that the salesperson and or manager have signed off on, but it is in the F&I department where all of this gets put into contract form.

Stay focused. Some dealers and salespeople may even imply that in order for the deal to get approved, you have to finance through their finance department. You dont. In fact, if you have done your homework and found a better financing offer, you should take it. At the very least, you know what numbers you qualify for, and as such you should ask the car dealership to try to better what you already have.

Read the contract. Sound so basic, but most people dont. Dont just assume that everything that you negotiated with the dealership on the front end will make its way to the back end of your car deal. If youve had a long day negotiating to get the price you want, dont give it all back in the F&I department by getting lazy at this very crucial time.

Without question, the single biggest mistake car buyers make is failing to prepare. That, and setting your expectation that car buying and the negotiating process within can take at best several hours to accomplish. Know that you are going to be at the dealership for a while can help you stay energized and focused. Do your homework. Know your credit score. Get your financing pre-approved and see if the dealer can beat what you already have. Be familiar with all the areas of potential sales and profit that the dealer can potentially land. Know what extras (if any) you will and will not pay for. Make sure the contract in the F&I department reflects all the negotiations that you have worked to accomplish before hand. Then, finally, remain on your toes and dont drop your guard once in the F&I department.

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