Women drivers are well known for their well, it really depends on the perspective you are looking at them from. If you are a male driver that has an unbelievable need to put your foot down then they are nothing but a nuisance. However, if you happen to be a car insurer then you will probably be more than happy to offer them car insurance at a cheaper rate than you would a man of the same age, driving experience and make and model of car. Womens car insurance is a big sector of the insurance industry at the minute and there are plenty of reasons why.

Before looking at those reasons, it is important to check out just how much of a difference there can be between a male and female car insurance quote. Mr Bickley and his wife, Mrs Bickley, obtained quotes online for their brand new Ford Focus.

Both Mr and Mrs Bickley are 29 years of age and enjoy rural life. As a result, their home is in a low crime area. They also have a garage and an alarm system fitted just in case. Mr Bickley does have one more years no claims bonus than his wife, but their circumstances are identical otherwise.

As an experiment, they both went to E-Sure and CIS for car insurance quotes to see how much it would cost them to insure the car individually. Despite the extra year no claims for Mr Bickley, Mrs Bickley would have obtained the insurance for 107 cheaper.

This is a great example of the fact that women pay less for their car insurance than men. This is because women do not have as many accidents, and have far fewer serious accidents if the statistics are to be believed. This all points to the fact that women do not tend to claim on their insurance whereas men do. As such, an insurer can lower the premiums for women because their profits are greater as a result of the lack of claims!

Speed is also an issue because men do tend to drive at higher speeds than women, which is a proven fact given that more men get in trouble with the police for driving related offences. They also tend to get distracted much more easily.

Men also tend to buy more powerful cars. According to some insurers, women are more likely to choose a car out of practicality rather than aesthetic appeal, which is completely the opposite of their male peers! The parts for faster cars and those more likely to be stolen are more expensive and thus so are the insurance premiums!

Womens car insurance can also be found for a cheaper overall price because there are specialist providers for the female drivers out there. These insurers are exclusive. As such, women get more affordable cover over their male counterparts.

Let’s face it: With gas prices on the rise more and more car drivers are asking themselves how they can save gas without buying a new car that would use less fuel. Surprisingly there are many things you can do without sacrificing too much.

One solution to this is obviously buying a smaller car - when driving less is not an option. You still need to go to work - no matter how high gas prices will go. Another way are products that you can use in your existing car to improve milage.

Unlike what most people think you don’t always have to buy a new car to save gas. Think about it: The money you invest in a new car has to be compensated by saving gas. This will often takes years. But there are other things you can do to save fuel right now with the car you already own.

Here are some very simple but yet extremely effective tips to make your car use less gas while driving.

The cruise control device was originally made for holding a constant speed over a certain distance so you could take your foot off the gas pedal. However, it now turns out cruise control is excellent for saving gas.

Be honest, did you ever receive a speeding ticket while at the time in question you were not aware that you were going too fast? This is the same automated mechanism that wasted gas each and every minute you drive.

Did you know, though, that setting the cruise control can help you to save gas? That’s right, since your car will be driving along at a consistent speed, there won’t be the little accelerations here and there that the inexact science of using a foot pedal can result in.

These slight accelerations cause the car to work a bit more every now and then, which obviously results in increased gasoline use. Imagine a convenient way to drive that offers greater fuel efficiency as well!

Are you frequently looking at your miles-per-hour gauge? If you are like most drivers you only do that when your know there is a chance you could get a speeding ticket.

The faster your car is going the more the engine has to run -and the more gas it will use. It is not that driving 10% faster means you use 10% more gas - your car uses much more than that. The faster the engine turns the more inefficient it will run.

Most people in the US drive in a freezer. Yes, I am talking about the air-condition. Are you aware that your air-condition is the biggest energy waster in your car? Turn it off when you don’t need it - and if you use it - do not always turn it up to maximum.

As you can see, these are some fairly simple ways to take a little of the pain of filling up your car’s gas tank away. In addition to that devices are available that will improve the efficiency of your engine substantially.

I don’t usually like change. Alright…I hate it. Change is bad is a mantra that I can’t keep from repeating over and over in my head. So it’s no wonder that I never embrace new products immediately. I typically can’t imagine why I would need it. I never have before, right?

That may make sense to you, but more than likely it seems crazy and illogical. And that’s alright. I’m aware of the implications! When it comes to something exciting and really, really new (as in not been done before) in the car industry…designers would probably like to think it happens all the time. But I’d have to disagree. The car industry definitely offers new vehicles every year, but for the most part, the evolution in design and function is quite slow (probably because most of us are nervous with huge change).

But sometimes evolution jumps ahead and the car designers throw something out that is so different from the other offerings that it’s shocking! My initial reaction to these “shockers” is to dislike them instantly. (Again…the issues with change in general). Sometimes my instant dislike is followed eventually by a general, acceptable dislike based upon actual qualities of the vehicle. But sometimes I’m wrong. Can you believe that?

At least I can admit when I’m wrong, I guess. Two such vehicles are the Ridgeline and the Element. Both are Honda vehicles and both brought on my ridiculous knee jerk reaction of instant dislike when they were offered up to the public.

At first I couldn’t place the Ridgeline…car or truck? But as time went on I realized that even thought it went against the grain to accept it; most people don’t have a great need for a truck in their lives. They might like the idea of a truck. They might like the traditional look of a truck. They might like to be able to throw a piece of furniture in the back now and then and cart it home from the store. But on the whole, on a day to day basis, they spent all their time in the cab. So the evolution of the truck offered by the Ridgeline is perfect for many. You get the opportunity to access the “bed of the truck” but you don’t feel like you’re driving in one for the rest of the time. It’s perfect for many.

The Element was a stand out design. And I mean that literally. It stood out on the road. Other vehicle designs were embracing the curvy, and the fluid and the Element popped out looking definitely boxy. But it broke up the dominant look and made a space for itself. It still stands out on the road.

Both Honda vehicles, the Ridgeline and the Element, are great examples of the car industry coming up with something vital and new! And it’s obvious (at this late date) that my initial reactions were wrong. Drivers love both of the designs. You can’t deny it when you see them on the road, on the highway, in parking lots, in drive thru’s and in drive ways. And that’s where the Ridgeline and the Element find themselves…everywhere!

Being in a car accident is a difficult thing whether the accident was your fault or not. Unfortunately, there are individuals out there who make it their career to scam people in one way or another and they do it by endangering lives, causing financial pain, and causing mental anguish. That is why it is good to be aware of these frauds and scams because the unsuspecting are usually those who end up with higher car insurance premiums, points against their license, and even cancelled insurance. Don’t let this be you. Be aware of what these scammers do and do everything you can to avoid it.

The types of scams

There are several scams that are well known amongst law enforcement and the general public alike. These scams include:

- The Exaggeration Scam: This is the scam in which the individual doing the scamming has inflicted prior damage to their car to make it look like the damage occurred in their accident with you. These individuals stage the accident, although the crash may be legitimate. Because their vehicle was not appraised prior to the accident, the damage they inflicted on it cannot be proven to be or not to be part of the accident. They are given the benefit of the doubt and they receive payment for that damage from your insurance.

- Rear-ender Scam: The scammer will dodge out in front of you and will then slam on their brakes. They make sure that they do this when you don’t have enough time to brake and avoid hitting them. Unfortunately, the police and the insurance companies automatically assume the second car is at fault in a rear-end crash.

Another unfortunate thing about the rear-ender scam is the fact that a false medical claim usually follows. The scammer convinces a doctor that they sustained injuries in the crash. What happens is that your insurance pays for their pain and suffering, as well as their medical bills. Sometimes these scammers may even have a medical accomplice who receives a payoff for their cooperation.

- The Good Samaritan Scam: This is the individual that waves you on when you can’t see if traffic is coming. However, they wave you into the path of their partner and they ram right into you. What happens is that it looks like you drove out into traffic, which makes it look like your fault. When the cops arrive, the waver denies they ever waved you on.

How to avoid these scams

First and foremost, you need to be a defensive driver. You have to always stay alert and not always trust those around you. If someone waves you on, don’t trust them. You still need to creep out into the street until you can see. You can wave at them to thank them, but don’t gun it out into traffic. You also need to do everything you can to make sure there is plenty of space between you and the car in front of you. If someone darts out in front of you, you need to slow down just in case.

Furthermore, you should be sure to document everything in case of car accidents. Keep a disposable camera in your car to take pictures of the accident and make sure you listen to what all of the witnesses say to the police. You also want to acquire a copy of the police report when it is available so that you can tell your insurance company about your suspicions. Insurance companies are experienced in stopping scammers, so provide them with everything you have so that you can turn the tables on the scammers.

Did you ever play MASH as a kid? Or maybe you still play it. I don’t know. I always liked finding out who I was supposed to marry the most Then after that my favorite part was to watch whether the M, the A, the S or the H got circled at the very top designating mansion, apartment, shack or house.

But right after that the best part was finding out what car you would drive when you were “grown up.” I think it was really exciting because I was so clueless. I wanted the game to tell me what kind of car I’d be driving because I wasn’t even that aware of what I should want to be driving! I did have to come up with the 4 options and they were always some crazy, random combination like this:

1. slug bug

2. Pickup truck

3. VW Bug

4. BMW

Yes, yes. I know it’s a ridiculous list. But my 8 year old self was trying her very best. I’ve absolutely defined my preferences since then! Now I’m wondering if I’d ever heard of the Hyundai as a child. And if I hadn’t…why not? I find their line up offers something for every mood I’ve ever found myself in; not that you should buy a vehicle based on mood unless you’re P-Diddy, but it’s nice to know I could if I felt like it. You could start off in the Accent (it’s remarkably affordable) and move up to the Elantra when you’re ready. It offers more space than its competition and some pretty admirable “green” features.

The Sonata is the next step up from the Elantra and is even classified as a “large car” through the EPA classification system. It’s got a lot of really great safety features that come standard. The Hyundai Azera received the JD Power & Assoc. APEAL study recognition twice. The Tucson has a great crossover combination of car and SUV. The Santa Fe and the Entourage are both “Top Safety Picks” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. The Veracruz has the Hideaway seat offering a third row. And we can’t forget the Tiburon that is just plain eye catching with the sport tuned suspension to support the sporty look!

So…if any of you feel like playing MASH I’d like to venture out a little bit with my list of vehicles. I don’t want a slug bug, my husband has a truck and I don’t need the BMW (it’s just for the name anyway). But…I may leave the Ferrari on there just for kicks!

There are several ways you can continue to live your normal lifestyle in these tough times. All you have to do is save on gas. When you need your car to get you places and need it to get your job done, you need to focus on how much gas you spend. With gas costing around $4 a gallon , we need to save all the gas we can. Here are some great tips on how to do just that.

You can help the environment and save a ton of gas by installing one of the new HHO car modification system. These HHO gas modification systems have become very popular and there are several currently on the market. The systems give you instructions on how to assemble an HHO gas modification system to your car from average every day hardware store parts.

The way HHOs work is very simple: A small canister is placed in the car and the contents are bicarb of soda mixed with water. The canister is hooked into the battery and it creates HHO gas, which is sent to the manifold or to the carburetor, whichever your car has. This type of system will save you about 30% on your gas. The engine also runs quieter and even more efficiently

If you do less driving you can also save on gas. Do your local errands by walking or riding a bike. You can even buy a motor scooter or motorcycle to do these errands. On longer errands go by car pool or drive to the bus stop or train station.

Drive Less - Other ways that you can save on gas include driving less. As an example if you need to run to the store for something, then either walk or take a bicycle. When you need to go long distances, you can car pool, drive to the nearest bus station and take the bus, or train.

* Check your tires constantly. Make sure you keep the tires inflated. When your tires are inflated to the right pressure it will improve the mileage you get. * Get your cars weight down. Look in the trunk, in the back seat and remove anything you don’t need. * When you are stopped in heavy traffic turn off your air conditioner. But when driving long stretches use your air conditioning, rolling down your windows will create drag over long stretches and decrease your MPG * Keep your car clean and even wax it . Fuel economy is affected by drag, or friction your car causes with air. So when your vehicle is clean, there will be less aerodynamic drag. * Don’t use any racks. No bike racks, no luggage racks, etc.

Some other basic things you can do which will help you save gas is making sure you change the air filter every 10,000 miles. You should make sure you change spark plugs and change the oil when needed too. Make sure your car is tuned and inspected and always in good shape.

Hopefully the above tips showed you a few things on how to save gas. Remember to fill your tank with gas but don’t overfill it because this adds unwanted weight to your car. Follow all of the tips and you wont worry so much about the price of gas.

I was able to improve my gas mileage over 40% - and I did it without spending a dime. In other words come spending a little over half of what I used to spend on gas.

The first step to improve gas mileage is to figure out just how many miles you are getting already. This is done with a simple gas mileage calculator. By dividing the number of miles driven by how many gallons used, you’ll come up with an accurate gas mileage.

Now I can improve my gas mileage. The first step is basic core maintenance. By simply checking might air filter and wail, I can boost my gas mileage by as much as 10%. Dirty oil makes the engine run hotter and harder, using more gas.

I can further improve my gas mileage another 5% by making sure I have a clean air filter. Clogged or dirty air filters interfere with the oxygen in my engine needs. This results in poor combustion and uses more gas.

a simple but effective way to improve my gas mileage is by handing properly in late its tires. Improperly inflated or low tires, create more friction in order to roll. This causes the engine in to work harder in order to move the car forward. By simply checking my tire pressure whenever I fill up my tank, I get a significant gas mileage improvement.

I will also improve my gas mileage by cleaning out my trunk and backseat. For every 50 pounds that I can take out of the car, I get an extra 1% boost in my gas mileage. This has the added benefit of getting me to finally clean out my car!

One of the biggest gas mileage improvements comes from, how and when I drive. By doing my errands during off-peak hours, I avoid stop-and-go traffic, congestion, and idling, using up gas without even going anywhere.

That is how I and prove my gas mileage by almost 40%. Simply maintaining my car, and employing some common sense and a little planning goes an awful long way. By combining these steps, it means I have to fill up my car. Only half as often as I might have otherwise. That comes down to a tremendous savings, no matter how you look at it!

If you are like one of millions around the country, you will have to admit that you have an addiction. addicted to classic cars. Check out this 5 point list of things that will clearly label you as a a “classic car junkie!”

Visit Classic Cars site!

1. If 3 car shows in one day is just not enough

Car shows are my life. In fact, I am like a bomb sniffing dog when it comes to tracking down the local car shows every weekend. I like to take my classic out to every one of them and pine over the ones I don’t have.

2. If the roar of a 289 Mustang motor makes you salivate like Paslov’s dog

You might be a “Classic car junkie!” Hey, I am one of you guys. I love those old Ford Mustang motors, and much like the famous dogs that Paslov tested, I, myself, do have a bit of problem salivating when I hear the roar of a classic car motor.

3. If your idea of a vacation is chasing down cars in barns in remote areas Can’t resist the temptation to go all over the countryside to view the rotting old classic car muscle just wasting a way in barns? You got it bad, eh? I do too, and to be able to find one of those nuggets in countryside of America only proves I am a junkie, literally!

4. If your Home Has More Miles On It Than Your Classic Car

Hey nothing against mobile homes, but it is funny when you see a dude with $100K plus classics hanging around a garage and then look to find he is living in a trailer or an RV like cousin Eddie on the movie “Christmas Vacation.”

5. If Fewer Than Half Your Cars Actually Run.. and a Majority are Older than Dirt

Hey, I am like you. I sometime bite off more than I really can chew. If your back yard (or even front yard if you are really red neck), looks like a classic car junkyard, then you may want to consider the fact that you are addicted to classic cars. You mean to restore them all, but your grass is telling you another story!

Think long and hard about your “addiction.” It might not be as bad as it seems. You can always “get on the horn” and show up with your friends at the local BBQ for a fine meal and create memories that will last.

When driving a rental car, there is a question that looms in the mind of the renter. One of those questions is, “What happens if I get a ticket?” That is a very good question because the car is not in the renter’s name. The car is in the name of the rental car company. This means things can get a bit complicated, depending on the company that you’re using. Sure, it is simple to say that you just shouldn’t do anything to get a ticket. However, it isn’t always that easy.

Getting the ticket

So let’s say you get a parking ticket. You didn’t mean to. You just simply didn’t see a sign or parked at a parking meter and forgot to pay it. So you go home, write a check, and mail the payment for your ticket to the city. However, you find a couple weeks later that you receive a letter from the rental car company telling you the ticket has not been paid. You know you paid it, so you call the city and they tell you that they received the payment. You then call the rental car company and you find out that they will charge a fee to you for you having to pass their contact information to the city that has issued you the ticket. This is because it is then on their record that one of their cars received a parking ticket. The catch to this is the fact that the officer issuing the ticket has to take down the VIN and license plate numbers on the car, which are registered under the rental car company.

Sometimes, the only way a fee is assessed is if the car rental company pays the fee and then they pass on the cost to the customer. However, in an instance where you pay the ticket and the car rental company contacts you, chances are they have not checked to see if the ticket was paid. These companies receive thousands of tickets per day and do not have the manpower to check if each and every ticket was paid. When the municipality that issued the ticket contacts the rental car company about a citation, they automatically assume that the ticket was not paid. Sometimes you can fax a receipt from the original payment to the car rental company to have your money refunded. However, the car rental company will charge a fee.

If you receive a speeding ticket, then the penalty is against you and not the car you are driving. Your personal driver’s license is involved. The police do check the plates to ensure everything is in check, but it is you who has to pay the penalty and not the car rental company. In fact, the car rental company may not be notified that such a citation occurred in one of their cars. The only way is if something happens you do not pay your fine. If the car rental company has to get involved in that case, then you can expect some kind of additional cost.

Exceptions

There are no exceptions to parking tickets, but the one exception regarding a speeding ticket being against you and not the car is in the case you are caught speeding on camera. If the camera catches you speeding, the authorities use the license plate number to find out where to send the ticket. The rental car company gets the ticket. They may pay it, but will pass the cost and a fee on to you for taking care of it. Yes, it is good to be careful, but it is also good to know how you can be ticketed in a rental car just in case it happens to you.

There has never been a time when it has been easier for the average person in the street to own a sports car, but most people are put off unnecessarily by the maintenance and insurance costs. Something as special as an exotic or high performance sports car requires sports car insurance, a sector dedicated to these powerful machines. Most sports car insurance policies will provide comprehensive insurance which covers damage to property, costs for legal representation, liability and of course medical expenses.

By looking into how sports car insurance is calculated it demonstrates that many factors are involved in the final cost to the driver. Every car on the road has been given an insurance rating based on actuarial tables that have been calculated following certain guidelines which include how much power or bhp a car has against its weight and the cost of garage repairs and parts. However, there are many other factors which will affect your sports car insurance premium, one of which is the drivers previous insurance claim record. Insurance companies will also investigate other areas concerning the car itself for instance, where the driver lives, the time it takes for a car thief to break into it and how effective it is in a collision. Annual sports car insurance premium costs are also affected by the driver’s sex, how old he is, how long he has been driving, what type of work he does for a living and even how good his credit history is.

An obvious factor in sports car insurance premium costs is the fact that sports cars can accelerate very quickly plus travel at high speeds and with so many accidents being caused by excessive speed, insurance companies are keen to ensure high performance car drivers pay for the privilege. Unfortunately, insurance figure show that it is the luxury, high performance sports car sector that has the highest risk of accident damage. Of course that does not include the number of these vehicles that are stolen or subject to vehicle fraud.

The best way to get competitive sports car insurance is to shop around and research information from insurance companies who are specialists in this area. Otherwise, saving money on sports car insurance works in much the same way as saving money on any form of insurance, be a good driver and keep a clean record. Some sports car insurance companies restrict the number of miles that can be driven in any single year to reduce the annual cost or if you are only an occasional driver you can specify a low mileage to lower the premium cost. If the car is of very high value, the insurance company may even stipulate that an engine immobilizer is fitted and possibly even a vehicle tracking system. Fortunately in an effort to assist their customers, most sports car manufacturers have arranged their own sports car insurance plans which are usually competitive but they will usually only provide this if the owner does not have a poor driving record.

Often, a good way forward is to try and find a broker who only deals with sports car insurance and is experienced at dealing with claims and legal aspects. One thing to remember is that a spots car insurance policy provides sports cars with standard insurance protection so the insurance does not cover the car in case of modifications to the body or its engine.