car tech
2007 Aston Martin V-8 Vantage – Auto Shows – Car and Driver
November 22, 2011 | 
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At this point, many (if not most) enthusiasts still prefer fully manual transmissions, foot-operated clutch and all, more and more top-end manufacturers are making computer-controlled sequential-manual gearboxes available on their sporty offerings. The latest to go down this road is Aston Martin’s newest baby, the V-8 Vantage.
Previously available only with a delightfully precise six-speed manual mated to a 380-hp, 4.3-liter, aluminum V-8, the two-seat coupe (and its recently announced convertible sibling) will soon be available with what Aston Martin is calling its “Sportshift” gearbox. Read the rest of this entry »
The Benefits of Business Car Insurance
Small business owners sometimes rely only on personal car insurance and thought that the coverage is safe enough. When your business is growing it is also wise to secure your vehicles you use to transport your goods and employees. Business car insurance has lot of benefits compared to personal car insurance.
Rented cars are assured of coverage and you are confident that you are financially covered in any road accidents. If your car was rented for business purposes and was involved in an accident you will be provided assistance when you have business car insurance.
Private cars owned by your employees can be included in the insurance if it is used for business operations. Not only that you protect your business but your employees as well. This way you are also encouraging your employees and you show your concern to them.
Medical payments won’t post as a problem if you have business car insurance. Medical and hospital bills will be settled for both insured and uninsured drivers directly involved in the accident. In cases where fatalities occurred in the accident, medical payments will cover the expenses as well. Coverage is on your own injury, pedestrians, driver and passengers from the other car struck by your vehicle.
Under insured motorist is covered by your business car insurance. If by any chance an under insured motorist caused you an accident, you and your passengers will be covered by the policy in the insurance. Even when you caused the accident, you can defray the expenses incurred for the under secured motorist at a maximum amount that will be paid to the person.
Personal injury protection comes in several plans you can choose form to be added in your insurance. Full personal injury primary covers death benefits, funeral expenses and the continuation of your income after the accident. Personal injury protection doesn’t only cover you. An additional coverage like Guest Personal Injury Protection covers the passengers in your vehicle.
Additional coverage for you and your relatives living in your home that will pay medical expenses is first party benefits-medical. This will cover your rehabilitation, ambulance and nursing services including medical and surgical treatments needed after the vehicular accident. First party benefits-medical also covers your dental, psychological and optometric treatment.
You can determine what business car insurance package is right for you to secure you, your family, employees and your business. Knowing your coverage will help you cut cost when you’re in a car accident.
Liability Medical Payments
While auto insurance has its own terminology, most of it is unfamiliar to anyone not involved in the industry.
We all know the importance of having it, with some being mandatory, there are additional coverage allowances that protect us even further.
Each state governs the requirements, so you should always check to be sure what your particular state requires.
The best place to obtain this information is to contact an insurance agent who understands the laws of your state when discussing automobile insurance coverage.
One factor when selecting an auto policy is to know if you reside in a “no fault” state.
Auto Insurance In-depth, describes “no fault” as, “an auto insurance system that both requires drivers to carry insurance for their own protection, and that places limitations on their ability to sue other drivers for damages.
If you happen to reside in one of these states, your basic liability policy will provide this provision in its coverage. Keep in mind, this only covers protection for the amount of coverage you obtain.
Having several names within the industry, personal injury protection, or PIP, is the most common. In those states personal injury protection is not required, addition of the coverage is offered for an additional cost; however, not in all states. Regardless of “no fault” or not, additional amounts and exclusions are usually determined by the insurance company.
While bodily injury financially covers occupants in any other vehicle(s) involved and any passenger(s) not listed on your policy is included in your general liability auto policy, PIP covers you.
Medical payment coverage, sometimes called “MedPay”, involves expenses incurred while you are driving. In addition, it also provides coverage while driving someone else’s vehicle with permission and injuries sustained if you are a pedestrian.
While PIP covers medical expenses, it does not always cover costs associated with the injury, i.e. lost wages, costs and funeral expenses. While “MedPay” is another form of PIP, it provides added security of the costs associated with an injury, should an accident be fatal or disabling.
In consideration of adding PIP or “MedPay” to your policy, unless mandated by state law, you should consider the cost of the coverage versus other policies you may already have in effect.
While basic health, life and disability insurance would provide the same benefits, lacking any of these policies makes adding this a wise decision. Another question to ask is if your policy allows combining your coverage amount. In example, if you have two vehicles insured with $10,000 in medical payment coverage, will that allow a total of $20,000 should one accident occur?
One other thing when selecting the correct auto policy is to read the exclusions. Each insurance company establishes their own exclusions. While the majority of all policies contain basic exclusions (non coverage) such as use as a business vehicle (i.e. taxi), driving while under your employer’s coverage or workman’s comp, injury sustained in the commission of a crime and acts of war, your policy may contain additional items that could affect your financial outcome in the case of an accident.
With the exception of “no fault” states where coverage is mandatory, adding liability medical payments to your policy should be carefully considered in both your monthly and overall financial situation.
Virginia Car insurance policies explained – an overview
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Tags: costs associated with, medical payment coverage, personal injury protection | 
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District of Columbia – Factors that Affect Auto Insurance Rates
Like in other states, the factors that affect insurance rates in District of Columbia are quite significant and should be carefully studied and analyzed before you apply for auto insurance policy. This would help you lower your insurance rates substantially. Already questions are asked about the affordability of auto insurance. Since Washington, DC ranks third highest for insurance rates in US, particular care should be given to the factors that affect insurance rates and try to obtain lower rates. Statistics reveal that the insurance costs jumped 14% from October, 2007 to October, 2008 to $2952.
Factors that Affect Insurance Rates in Washington, DC
Age and gender
Driving history and driving record
Past instances of accidents
Marital status
Mileage of driving in one month and in one year
Credit history and credit rating
The make, model, and power rating of the vehicle
Other factors that vary from one insurance company to another
You should understand that the quotes by the insurance companies would vary widely due to their different perceptions about you and your personal details. If you had been having a long relationship with a particular insurance company, it might help you get lower insurance rates. However, it would not harm you to look around and obtain quotes from a few other insurance companies, so that you could ascertain your strengths and weaknesses.
You should never allow any of insurance policies to lapse even by a day or two. The insurance companies would list you in a high risk bracket if it happens and the insurance rates would be hiked accordingly. You should take care to renew the insurance policies in time. You should also be prompt in your monthly payments. Delayed payments and constant defaults would work against you when you ask for renewal of the auto insurance policy or request a new quote from another insurance company.
Several discounts would be offered by insurance companies but they would not reveal them voluntarily to you. You should be able to enquire and find out in detail what kind of discounts you are eligible for. Discounts for good driving history, higher credit score, higher deductibles, installation of safety and security devices etc. should be thoroughly discussed with the insurance company. It might not be possible to combine all the discounts available to you to reduce the insurance rates substantially but at least one or two discounts could always be claimed, if you study all the factors involved and present them positively to the insurance company.
Since District of Columbia auto insurance rates are among the highest in the United States, it is important that you analyze the factors involved in reducing the insurance rates and take maximum advantage. One clue to achieve this is to start thinking like an insurance company. When you understand clearly the factors affect insurance rates and work on them, you would definitely be able to obtain lower insurance rates quite easily.