Auto Insurance Shopping | Oto Cars

Understand How Auto Insurance Rates Are Set Auto Insurance Shopping:
(NC)—If you're shopping around for auto insurance it's important to know how insurance companies set their rates. Many factors are at play, so here are some useful tips from the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), the regulator of the auto insurance industry in Ontario, to keep your rates as low as possible.

The auto insurance rate you are charged will depend upon:

• The type of vehicleyou drive. Auto insurance companies evaluate vehicles based on their makes and models, according to their claims experience. Vehicles with lower costs for repairs, lower rates of injury, and lower incidences of accident and theft, will receive lower rates.

• Your driving record, which includes your years of driving experience, past at-fault accidents, completed training courses, and convictions such as speeding or impaired driving.

• Driving routine and frequency. The more time you spend on the road, the higher the chances of becoming involved in an auto accident.

• Where you live. If you live in a busy urban area, there is greater risk for accidents and theft, thus higher rates are charged.

• Your age. Costs are generally lower for drivers 25 years of age and older.

• The amount of coverage you purchase. Your insurance rates will be higher if you purchase additional protection beyond what is mandatory, such as the optional collision coverage, which protects you for damage to your vehicle, regardless of who caused the accident.

• The deductible, which is the portion of a loss that you are required to pay. Your deductible can vary depending on the type of coverage you purchase and the percentage of fault you are assigned in the event of an auto accident. There are deductibles for direct compensation-property damage, collision or upset, comprehensive, all perils, and specified perils coverage. If you opt for a higher deductible, your rates will likely be lower.

• The insurance company you choose. It's important to shop around because financial factors unique to each insurance company will influence your rates. Insurance works according to a "pooling" concept. Your rates are based on the claims experience of the entire group. Some insurance companies have claims that are much higher than others. This results in some insurance companies setting higher rates than others for the same type of insurance coverage.

Factors that cannot affect insurance rates

Under Ontario law, insurance companies cannot use certain criteria to set your auto insurance rates, such as: credit history or rating, past bankruptcy, income and employment status, debts, whether you rent or own a home and not-at-fault accidents.

More information on auto insurance is available online at www.fsco.gov.on.ca where you can download the brochure Understanding Automobile Insurance.

Best Cars Community | Oto Cars

A Perfected Past - Antique Classic Car Shows

A classic car show is pure phantasmagoria to any automotive aficionado. Epitomes of automotive elegance, power and performance, classic car shows fuse nostalgia and admiration into one glorious event.

The Auto Show

Entrants must pass certain criteria, including;

• Age of manufacturing;
• Historical accuracy;
• Technical specifications;
• General upkeep, etc.

The cars are divided into classes. There are many types of classes, which vary by each auto show. Classes are determined by:

• Vehicle age;
• Production model and trim;
• Geographic origination;
• Stock condition;
• Colloquial category (i.e. “muscle car”).

Judges rate vehicles based upon historical accuracy, technical specifications, style, etc.

However, the most complicated question is not rating a classic car; it’s deciding what a classic car is. Everyone seems to know, and no one seems to agree.

The Elusive Classic Car

“Classic car” is an elusive term to nail down. Some ardently categorize only 1925-1948 vehicles as classic cars, while some would name a 1969 Dodge Challenger with the same moniker. However, establishing a few general parameters may help to even the waters.

Cars built before the 1920s are generally considered antique or vintage vehicles. Cars produced after the early 1980s are typically classified as “modern-era.” The Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) gives a range of 1924-1948, but insurance industries allow for a “historic vehicle” classification after a car’s 21st birthday. Confused? So is everyone else.

The CCCA gives some general criteria for clarification.

• They were produced and currently exist in limited quantity.
• They were “fine” and “distinctive” creations of their times.
• They were aesthetically beautiful.
• Manufacturing was of premium quality.
• They typify an idyllic standard.

Therefore, one can welcome a 1966 Chevrolet Camaro SS, 1955 Ford Fairlane or 1930 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 Super Sport Zagato Spider to the same stage.

Popular Antique Classic Car Shows

• Concours d’Elegance exemplifies flawlessness. The most renowned exhibition is at Pebble Beach, California.

• The CCCA Grand Classics exhibit the best 1924-1948 cars in America.

• Detroit adds new spice to old cars with its Woodward Dream Cruise. Expect to see thousands of hot rods, vintage automobiles and gorgeous classics.

• The Barrett-Jackson Auto Auction bills itself as, “The World’s Greatest Collector Car Auctions.” Most would agree.

• The Route 66 Rendezvous turns the streets of San Bernardino, California into a procession of automotive treasures.

Care to see more? Get to a classic car show.



There are many famous and not so famous antique classic car shows around the country. A few of the most famous are mentioned in the article above, but you can go and see some great cars at that little car show around the corner from your house. Check your area's classic car show schedule this spring, summer or fall and go out and take a look at these beautiful antique classic cars.

Car Insurance How To Find The Best Policy

 

Car insurance and how to find the best policy for you (and the cheapest!). Find the best deal

Car insurance is something every car owner needs (it is required by law), but car insurance can be an expensive proposition. Depending on your age, driving record, the area you live in, the distance you drive in a given year, and type of car you drive, you could be paying thousands of dollars a year.

As with any purchase, it is smart to shop around, compare quotes and see what best suits your needs. The internet has simplified this process, with insurance companies offering online quote questionnaires that are simple to fill out and usually generate a quote amount quickly. These questionnaires are generally the same, asking for age, driving experience, accident history, whether you have been insured before, distance you drive in a year, distance you drive to work, and whether the vehicle is used for business or pleasure.

These questions give companies a basic profile of your driving record, but the questionnaire will ask other things you should not ignore. Be sure to note if you have any anti-theft devices, how many, and what they are specifically. This is less a problem with modern cars, since most come with at least an alarm pre-installed. However, the more anti-theft devices in the car, such as a kill switch, boomerang, even glass etching, can significantly reduce the amount you pay, especially if you live in an area insurance companies consider “high-risk”.


If you happen to have two or more vehicles, be sure note you’d like a multiple car discount. Generally, this won’t reduce your rate, but it won’t increase it much (if at all) either. If you’re planning on selling your other vehicle, one trick is to cover that vehicle for liability only, so you can get the discount.


If you’re part of any groups or organizations, see if you qualify for a discount. Many insurance companies will knock off a few dollars for people who are affiliated with professional organizations, alumni groups, even fraternities and sororities. Check with your credit card company, too. Credit card holders can also qualify for group discounts, depending on the card.


Consider combining your home insurance policy with your car insurance. Most companies will offer a deep discount if you do this, ranging from 5 to 20 %. This is usually an option you’ll find at the beginning of the online questionnaire.


Also be sure to check and see if the questionnaire enquires about any drivers education or defensive driving courses. The more you can show the insurance company you’re a safe driver, the more you will benefit.


One thing you should watch out for is redundant or unnecessary coverage. If you have a health insurance policy, you might want to avoid or reduce the medical coverage included in your car insurance policy. Consider getting only liability coverage on a car worth $1000 or less. You can also raise your deductible. Carrying a $500 deductible as opposed to a $250 or $0 deductible will lower your quote substantially.


Remember, you want to find the company that offers YOU the best rate. Be sure to compare multiple quotes from several different companies. What is the cheapest for one person is not always the cheapest for another.