Here are some great tips that could save you money on auto insurance.

1. Raise Your Deductible

One way to save money on car insurance is to raise your deductible. A higher deductible will result in a lower premium. Just remember that you will need to pay the deductible in the event of the accident. So don’t raise it so high, that you can’t afford to pay it if you were ever to get in an accident.

Note: Get more info on how to obtain inexpensive auto in the video below. One of the best things you can do to get cheaper car insurance is to maintain your automobile. Learn more about auto repair costs and how not to get suckered.

2. Take a Driver’s Safety Course

Did you know that taking a course in Driver’s Safety could save you money on your policy? Many companies offer discounts to customers who complete an approved driving course. See if your insurance company could offer you a discount for this.

3. Choose your Car Wisely

You may not be in the market for a new car right now, but when you are thinking of a purchasing a new vehicle, choose wisely. Don’t just look at the sticker price on the vehicle when shopping. Certain cars are more costly to insure than others, so you could end up paying a lot more in car insurance than you expected if you buy that nice sports car instead of the four door sedan. Cars that are more likely to be stolen or that have parts that cost more to replace will be more expensive to insure. Keep that in mind when you decide to purchase a new car.

4. Drive Less

You may be wondering how driving less will save you money on car insurance. Well, many companies offer discounts to people who meet certain low mileage requirements. Start carpooling to work or school. Not only could it save you money on car insurance, but it will also save you money on gas!

5. Compare Quotes from Multiple Companies

You may already have an auto insurance policy in place or you may be looking for one right now. Whatever your situation, it is always important to stay on top of car insurance rates that different companies are offering. If you already have a policy, compare quotes every six months or so to make sure you are getting the best rates out their for your situation. If you are looking for a policy, be sure to shop around before deciding on a company.

P.S.: If you’re passionate about getting — and staying — out of car debt, follow us on Twitter.

P.P.S.: From NoCarCredit.com Editor — Have an inspiring story about getting out of car debt like this one? Send it in and share it with our readers (NoCarCredit {at} live dot com).

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Laura_Caldwell

Auto Repair Tips: Common Do-It-Yourself Auto Repair Advice

NoCarCredit.com Editor Note: One of the best things you can do to avoid auto loan debt is to maintain the car you have. Following are some simple auto repair tips you can do yourself to keep your car running for years — and stay out of car loan debt!
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Preventative maintenance isn’t a “cool” topic, but in today’s economic climate it’s more important than ever to keep your car in top running shape so that it will last as long as possible — without costly repairs. By performing a few minutes of maintenance once a month, you can help ensure that your car will be running for a long, long time.

Auto Repair Help for the “Do It Yourselfer”: Learn where things are located under your car’s hood in the video below so you can become a real do-it-yourself auto repair expert in no time.

Auto Repair Tip: Arm yourself with this information so you’ll never get ripped off by auto repairmen again.

With just a little practice, the following tasks can be done in less than 15 minutes. It might take a little longer the first few times you run through the steps, but a few minutes now prevents lengthy waits in repair shops, so it’s worth it. Just follow this list:

• Check the air filter - If you can’t see any light through the sides, drop it lightly on a hard surface and look again. If you still can’t see light, it’s time for a new filter. Regardless, your air filter should be replaced once a year or each 20,000 miles.
• Check the belts - If any of the belts has more than 1/2″ of give when you push it, you might be able to adjust it if the belt is in good shape. If any belt is cracked, frayed, or shiny on the inside it should be replaced regardless.
• Check the battery - If the battery has caps or bars on top, carefully pry them off and check the water level. If low, fill to the top of the metal plates with distilled water. If there are powdery deposits on either of the terminals, they’ll also need cleaning. You can clean the worst of these deposits with a small amount of Coca-cola followed by a small amount of clean water for a rinse. Dry the terminals completely then coat with a small amount of petroleum jelly to keep the corrosion from coming back.
• Check the radiator - Most modern cars have a coolant overflow tank, so there’s usually no reason to open the radiator. Check to make sure the fluid is at the “full” line. If not, add a 50/50 mixture of coolant and water. Most modern engine blocks are aluminum and require the protection of coolant, so only add straight water in an emergency. Straight coolant is overkill. Never open a pressure cap while the engine is hot!
• Check the hoses - walk around the front of the engine compartment and feel/look at each hose. Any that are cracked, bulging, or excessively soft should be replaced. It’s cheap and easy to replace a hose before it bursts. If you lose on on the highway the tow charge alone could be 6x the cost or more.
• Check the oil dipstick - pull out the dipstick and wipe it with a clean lint-free rag (or paper towel). Put the dipstick back in the engine and check it again. The oil level should be between the “add” and “full” lines. If the oil is dirty or smells like gasoline, it’s time to change it.
• Check the transmission fluid - the transmission dipstick is nearly the same as the oil dipstick, but it’s usually a little harder to spot. It’s checked in the same manner, but if you have to add transmission fluid, it’s added via the dipstick tube. After you check the level, rub a little of the oil between your fingers. It should be pinkish and clean. If not, you’ll need to have your mechanic replace the transmission fluid. This job is far less costly than a new transmission.
• Check brake fluid - If your car has ABS, refer to the owner’s manual before checking this fluid level. Otherwise, open the top of the brake fluid reservoir and check that the level is between the low and high level marks. Be careful to not get brake fluid on anything painted- it eats paint. Also, brake fluid can be ruined if it’s left exposed to air in as little as 15 minutes, so be sure to keep the bottle closed tightly. If the brake fluid looks dirty, have your mechanic replace it. On average, brake fluid should be replaced every 2 years.
• Check the power steering fluid - again, make sure the fluid level is up to the fill mark.
• Check the wiring - if any wires look frayed or if there is lots of corrosion on them, they’ll need to be replaced by your mechanic. Again, this job is far less expensive if you replace them before they fail.
• Check the washer fluid - while not as critical as the other fluids, it’s worth taking the time to check and fill your washer fluid while under the hood. If you’re in a cold area, it’s important to use a solution that contains antifreeze.
• Check wiper blades - Obviously you’ll know when your blades are getting old when they start skipping or streaking during a rain storm. Replace them as soon as you notice a problem.
• Check tires - Check the air pressure in your tires. Properly inflated tires will help improve your gas mileage and will help with even tire wear. If your tires are worn, get them replaced for both safety and to prevent a costly road call.

 Fifteen minutes of effort once per month can prevent hours of towing and repair shop waiting, as well as the costs associated with them. These maintenance items can also help your car las as long as possible.

P.S.: If you’re passionate about getting — and staying — out of car debt, follow us on Twitter.

P.P.S.: From NoCarCredit.com Editor — Have an inspiring story about getting out of car debt like this one? Send it in and share it with our readers (NoCarCredit {at} live dot com).

About the Author: Doug has been writing articles for nearly 4 years. Come visit his latest website over at http://daletiffanylamp.org/ which helps people find just the Dale Tiffany Table Lamp they are looking for.

If you have a really bad credit score (eg, 600 or less) and you want to get an auto loan, to be frank, your options are extremely limited. Why is this?

Because you probably have some severe infractions on your credit report (ie, repossessions, lots of really late/past due accounts, judgments, bankruptcies, etc.). This makes you a severe credit risk, which means you’re going to pay through the nose for it  with a high interest rate.

If you’re prepared for this, read on for what not to do.

The One Thing You Should NOT Do When Applying for a Car Loan with Bad Credit

Do NOT apply for a car loan though a car dealership. Why?

Because they are most likely making a commission off of you. How? It works like this . . .

Car dealerships have a vested interest in you getting an auto loan. So, they partner with loan companies to help customers secure car loans. What this means is all they do when you apply for auto financing through them is submit your info (credit application) to the lender they’re partnered with.

What Most Car Buyers Don’t Know When Applying for an Auto Loan with Bad Credit

If you get approved for a car loan, THEY make money off of it. And the kicker is, the higher the interest rate you pay, the more money they make. So they have no interest in giving you the best deal on auto financing. And even if they did, they have no power to control your auto loan terms. The loan company determines this INDEPENDENT of the car dealership.

How to Get the Best Deal on an Auto Loan When You Have Bad Credit

So, how can you be sure you’re getting the best deal on an auto loan if you have bad credit?

Try other lending sources — your local credit union, your neighborhood bank that you have a previously established relationship with, or online lending sources (there are thousands of auto loan lenders online; many  you probably never heard of). This makes it worth investigating. Just be careful to make sure it’s a legitimate lending source. 

The One Thing to Remember When Applying for an Auto Loan with Bad Credit

The one thing to keep in mind when trying to get an auto loan with bad credit is to stay away from dealerships. They don’t have your best interest at heart. Or, take our preferred advice which is, “The best auto loan is the one you never take out.”

P.S.: Repair bad credit in 37 days — guaranteed! And, get the FREE credit repair report, 6 Credit Repair Myths and 6 Specific Ways to Raise Your Credit Score and start repairing your credit today!

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