Testimonials
Newsletter - June 2005
WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD
Since the advent of radial tires, the dependability and durability of tires has increased significantly. Tires have gotten so good that we often forget about them until it is too late. In reality, our tires require a fair amount of maintenance. Even the best tires in the world will not last as long as they are advertised to if we don't perform the proper maintenance.
One of the most important areas of maintaining our tires is regular inspection of the tire pressure. Rubber is somewhat porous and tires will typically leak 1 to 2 pounds of air per month. Ambient temperature also affects tire pressure to the tune of about 1 pound for every 10 degrees difference in the air temperature. This does not mean you have to recheck the tire pressure if you drive into a cooler climate but as the seasons change we need to monitor our tire pressure. A good rule of thumb is to check and adjust tire pressure on a monthly basis. Most shops and some gas stations (yes there are still some out there) will perform this service free of charge. This monthly monitoring of air pressure can also help locate a tire that is leaking air before tire damage occurs. Properly inflated tires will help keep your gas mileage up and save you money at the pump.
Tire rotations are also very important. A majority of the cars on the road today are front wheel drive. That means the front wheels are responsible for propelling and turning the vehicle and a significant portion of the braking action. This triple duty makes tire rotations much more important. We need to rotate them and let the tires take a break on the rear of the vehicle. Proper rotation on most vehicles is every 5000-7000 miles, or every other oil change. Following the proper rotation schedule will help your tires to wear more evenly and last longer.
Finally, wheel alignments will have a considerable effect on tire wear. If the tires are not all pointed in the same direction they will fight against each other and this causes abnormal wear patterns on the tires. Many of today's vehicles have adjustments for not only the front, but the rear wheels as well and all four wheels should be adjusted when able for a proper alignment. A good interval for alignments is once a year or anytime you have hit a curb or large pothole. Just because your car is not pulling to one side does not necessarily mean your alignment is OK, however any time you notice a pull or the steering wheel off center, you should have it aligned.
Following a good maintenance schedule for your tires (and alignments) will help your tires last longer and save you money in the long run.
BY HOW MUCH WILL MAKING A CLAIM INCREASE MY CAR INSURANCE PREMIUM?
Many companies follow the Insurance Services Office (ISO) standard of increasing your premium by 40 percent of their base rate (not your current rate) after your first at-fault accident. A base rate is the average amount of claims paid plus the insurance company's claims processing fee.
For example, if your insurance company's base rate is $400, you'll pay $160 more. So, if your premium was $300 before the accident, your premium will be $460 at renewal time- an increase to you of 53 percent. However, if your premium before the accident was $200, you're going to pay $360 at renewal time- an increase to you of 80 percent.
When an insurance company decides to raise your premiums because you make a claim, it doesn't follow any hard and fast rules; many factors are involved. For example, if you make a claim and have a birthday before renewal time, your birthday might bump you into a higher risk category along with the claim. You'll run this risk mainly if you're 56 or older, that's when premiums generally start rising because of your age. Adults between the ages of 40-55 are generally regarded as lowest-risk drivers. Or, if you've made a claim and bought a more expensive car before renewal time, you'll likely see an increase.
On the first accident some insurance companies give their customers a one-time “forget the first accident” for its policyholders who have been with the company, accident-free, for at least nine years. When shopping for insurance ask about this benefit.
Other ways to lower your premiums are to shop around, buy a lower group car, consider third party only coverage, maintain a good credit rating, reduce your annual mileage, keep a clean driving record, keep claim free, remove unnecessary named drivers, improve your car security, pay your premium in one payment and get married!
However, when/if that first at-fault accident takes place, calculate carefully what your savings would be paying out-of-pocket for the repair over filing a claim and paying your deductible. In many cases it makes financial sense to pay an increase in premium over a large collision repair bill.
If you decide to file a claim and use your car insurance for it's intended purpose, give yourself a break and be thankful that the accident wasn't worse.
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Addison Auto Repair & Body Shop
2005 South Holly Street • Denver, CO 80222 • 303-691-9484