How are auto insurance rates determined?

The auto insurance rates are determined by a number of factors. In some of the states, the state’s insurance commission that regulates the auto insurance carriers set the auto insurance rates. In other states, there are various factors that influence the auto insurance rates. Prior to buying auto insurance, it is best to compare rates offered by different insurance carriers so that you are in a position to settle for a good deal. A good deal means your auto insurance policy should provide adequate coverage and do justice to the amount you shell out as premium.

The factors that determine the auto insurance rates are as follows –

1. Model of the car

If you are driving a vehicle that is very expensive, you have to pay more as premium. If your expense involved in repairing your car is astronomical, your premium will also be higher.

2. Gender

Male drivers have to pay more as auto insurance premium as compared to female drivers because females are less prone to accidents.

3. How do you use your car?

The more you use the car, higher will be the auto insurance premium that you will have to pay.

4. Drivers’ age

If you are below 25 years and above 65 years, you are more prone to accidents and this makes your auto insurance premium escalate.

5. Driving record

You must have a sound driving record and have less number of speeding tickets to your credit. You must have also violated driving rules less. Under such circumstances, you can demand an auto insurance premium that is less.

6. Previous claims

Your auto insurance carrier will find out whether you have made any claims before. If it is found that you have made claims before and you were responsible for the accidents, you will be considered as a high risk driver. As such, you will have to pay higher auto insurance premium.

7. Place where you reside

If you reside in a congested area or at a place where crime rate is high, chances of theft becomes higher. As such the amount you pay as premium also increases manifold.

8. Type of coverage

It is mandatory to have liability coverage but if you want to avail more coverage than this, you will have to pay more. Collision, fire, theft, vandalism etc are some of the options you can avail.

9. Deductibles

Paying higher deductibles will ensure that you pay less in auto insurance premium.

Following the credit crunch, a lot of anomalous activities have been reported in the auto insurance industry. The incidence of Barbecuing a Beamer, a common form of insurance fraud has increased over the months. In this the owner of the vehicle intentionally sets the vehicle on fire to claim the compensation.

Reports also suggest that owing to the credit crisis, more and more people are compromising on auto insurance coverage to save costs. This in turn is extending inadequate coverage to the auto insurance policyholders.


from my friend doroty....

Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost

The Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost refers both to a car model and to one specific car from that series.

Originally named the "40/50 h.p." the chassis was originally produced at Royce's Manchester works moving to Derby in July 1908 and between 1921 and 1926 at Springfield, Massachusetts factories. Chassis no. 60551, registered AX 201, was the car that was originally given the name "Silver Ghost." Other 40/50 hp cars were also given names but the Silver Ghost title was taken up by the press and soon all 40/50s were called by the name, a fact not officially recognised by Rolls-Royce until 1925 when the Phantom range was launched.

The Silver Ghost was the origin of Rolls-Royce's claim of making the "Best car in the world" – a phrase coined not by themselves, but by the prestigious publication Autocar in 1907.

The chassis and engine were also used as the basis of a range of Rolls-Royce Armoured Cars.

In 1907 the Commercial Managing Director, Mr Claude Johnson (often described as the hyphen in "Rolls-Royce"), ordered a car to be used as a demonstrator by the company. With chassis no. 60551 and registered AX 201, it was the 12th 40/50 hp to be made, and was painted in aluminium paint with silver-plated fittings. The car was named the "Silver Ghost" to emphasise its ghost-like quietness, and a plaque bearing this name adorned the bulkhead. An open-top body by coachbuilder Barker was fitted, and the car readied for the Scottish reliability trials of 1907 and, immediately afterwards, another 15,000-mile (24,000 km) test which included driving between London and Glasgow 27 times.

The aim was to raise public awareness of the new company and to show the reliability and quietness of their new car. This was a risky idea: cars of this time were notoriously unreliable, and roads of the day could be horrendous. Nevertheless, the car set off on trials, and with press aboard, broke record upon record. Even after 7,000 miles (11,000 km), the cost to service the car was a negligible £2 2s 7d (£2.13). The reputation of the 40/50, and Rolls-Royce, was established.

AX201 was sold in 1908 to a private customer and recovered by the company in 1948. Since then, it has been used as a publicity car and travelled worldwide. In 1989, the car was restored by SC Gordon Coachbuilders Luton, and P&A Wood, London, UK. It is now owned by Bentley Motors.

In 1984, the car was photographed in great detail whilst in storage in Luton by precision model makers Franklin Mint. This went on to become one of their best selling products.

The Silver Ghost is considered the most valuable car in the world; in 2005 its insured value was placed at USD$35 million.

from:wikipedia.org

Green Car

According to GreenerCars.com (owned by American Council for Energy-Efficient Economy or ACEEE), the top 6 current positions for the greenest cars are held by Honda and Toyota:

1. HONDA CIVIC GX
2. HONDA INSIGHT
3. TOYOTA PRIUS
4. HONDA CIVIC HYBRID
5. TOYOTA COROLLA
6. TOYOTA ECHO

The autos include partial zero-emission vehicles (PZEV) and super-ultra-low-emission vehicles (SULEV). According to American Automobile Association's Westways magazine, the following vehicles qualify as PZEV vehicles: Ford Focus 2.3-liter, Honda Civic Hybrid, Hundai Elantra, Mazda3, Toyota Prius and Volkswagen Jetta sedan.

The cleanest of the clean cars are the electric cars and hydrogen cars as they emit zero pollutants. Next come the natural gas and hybrid vehicles, which are the next best thing to zero emissions. Ford and Chevrolet have all rolled out their own lines of trucks and SUV's that are clean burning hybrid gasoline / electric models as well.

What is clear is that with rising gas prices and vehicles that have backslid on gas mileage to the levels of the early 1980's and the general acceptance that global warming is a reality, green cars are here to stay. With any luck, we will no longer backslide as we have been doing for the past 25 years but will go forward with ever greener vehicles from here on out.

get from:hydrogencarsnow.com

5 Best Electric Vehicle

Here are five popular vehicles (my version) that used car class of truly green cars provides..

ZENN.

ZENN Motor Company calls its attractive three door hatchback, the ZENN (Zero Emissions No Noise), "the earth's favorite car." This electric car is sourced as a "glider" - a rolling vehicle without a powertrain - from Microcar of Europe. ZENN creates its zero emission NEV by fitting it with electric drive components and batteries. The ZENN features an automotive style alloy space frame and resilient ABS body panels. Standard four-wheel discs are accompanied by regenerative braking, a feature that recaptures energy to help recharge the batteries. Drivers get a very functional two seat hatchback that offers 13 cubic feet of cargo space behind the front seats. ZENNs are available for $14,700-$15,575.

MILES ZX40.

Miles Electric Vehicles offers the four door ZX40 in three different models. The base ZX40 is propelled by a 4 kW (9 kW peak) DC electric motor, while the ZX40S has a more powerful 6.3 kW (17.6 kW peak) DC motor. For maximum performance, the Miles ZX40S Advanced Design offers a 7.5 kW (26 kW peak) brushless AC induction motor. Absorbed glass mat sealed lead acid batteries are utilized to store electricity. The tall four door wagon seats four and offers 41 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat folded. Standard features include front and rear defroster, windshield wipers, electric mirrors, and alloy wheels. An AM/FM/CD sound system is optional. Cost is $14,900-$18,900.

DYNASTY iT

British Columbia based Dynasty Electric Cars produces a line of low speed NEVs that includes the iT Sedan, iT Utility (pickup), iT Tropic (topless, no doors), iT Sport (topless, half-doors), and iT Utility (panel). They are built on a 90-inch wheelbase with an overall length of 140 inches. Dynasty uses aluminum for the frame structure with an infusion molded fiberglass body and molded plastic bumpers. Electricity is stored in six EV-31 type flooded lead acid batteries, with Deka gel cell batteries optional. When it's time to plug iT in, an onboard Delta-Q Battery charger tops of the car off in less than 12 hours. Models range from $14,000 to $25,000.

GEM.

Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) is perhaps the best established NEV manufacturer because of its distinction as a Chrysler company. The company's lineup includes a basic two passenger e2 GEM along with a four passenger e4, six passenger e6, and three utility variants with truck beds. While the basic configuration is an open design, optional canvas or hard doors make the vehicle functional in foul weather. The GEM is powered by a 5 horsepower (12 hp peak) DC motor with a 7 horsepower performance package optional on the e2 and e4, and standard on the e6. With a long list of optional equipment, the GEM can be tailored to suit a wide range of applications. GEMs are available from $6,795 to $12,495.

COLUMBIA PARCAR.

Available in two and four passenger configurations and as a utility model with a stake bed, the Columbia ParCar Summit NEV is a highly adaptable platform. Summit's powder coated, high strength alloy tubular steel frame, independent front suspension, rack and pinion steering, and open-air design promises fun low speed mobility. Designed for work, the Mega is a versatile cab-chassis NEV that can be configured in a variety of ways ranging from a pickup bed with fold down sides to a dump bed, van box, and even a refuse container for garbage removal. With a gross weight rating of 2,469 pounds, the Mega can make short work of urban work tasks. Summit NEVs are $9,497-$10,857, with Mega NEV models ranging from $17,900-$23,770.

recreated from todd kaho,greencar.com