A Growing Trend in Car Design Allows Drivers to Customize Lighting

April 2009 (Medialink) – Car design has come a long ways from Detroit’s chalkboard and clay models. It’s now a high tech process that involves every area of design, including the lighting.

As 2010 models roll off the production line, manufacturers know consumers want the most for their money. Personalizing cars is part of a growing trend that has made lighting an important element in car design. The ability to customize lighting allows drivers to make their vehicle their own, from headlights to tail lights and everything in between.

With the latest LED technology, interior and exterior lighting color can be changed from morning to night, from one day to the next or workday to weekend, depending on the driver’s mood. This new lighting is also crisper and more saturated, making blues bluer and giving an added aesthetic appeal to the overall look of the car.

Technorati Tags: 2010 models, Car design, car lighting

GMC’s All-New 2010 Terrain and All-New 2009 Yukon Denali Hybrid Make World Debut at the 2009 New York International Auto Show

Needing to reduce brands and models to compete, General Motors has combined three of its most recognized brands; Buick, Pontiac and GMC into one sales and marketing channel – which means many dealers, who had one or two of the brands previously, will now sell all three under one roof. GM says each brand will play to its strengths – Buick larger, premium cars; Pontiac sportier cars; and GMC pickups, SUV’s and Crossovers. This will create a middle sales channel, between GM’s global value brand Chevrolet and its high-end luxury brand, Cadillac.

Read More

Technorati Tags: Auto Show, Buick, GMC, International Auto Show, Pontiac

Automakers Recycle Materials to Reduce Environmental Footprint

April 2009 (Medialink) – As the world continues to go green, the auto industry has been challenged to build greener cars. Today automakers are meeting that demand by engineering ways to recycle materials that were once tossed in the trash.

QuietShield is an eco-friendly material developed by Federal-Mogul, to absorb noise in a vehicle. It starts as cardboard packing material, at a General Motor’s stamping plant, and is then baled and taken to a facility were it is shredded. From there, it is loaded into the processing line, combined with other recyclable materials and molded into the Buick LaCrosse’s headliner.

According to GM, they have not only reduced their environmental footprint but will be the first to use QuietShield. In the future, the padding could potentially be used in doors, headrests, shelf panels and trunk liners.

Technorati Tags: Auto Industry, cars, Greener Cars, QuietShield

Results Are Relevant To Fuel Economy Policies

April 2009 (Medialink) – Three front-to-front crash tests, each involving a microcar or minicar into a midsize model from the same manufacturer, show how extra vehicle size and weight enhance occupant protection in collisions. These Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests are about the physics of car crashes, which dictate that very small cars generally can’t protect people in crashes as well as bigger, heavier models.

“There are good reasons people buy minicars,” says Institute president Adrian Lund. “They’re more affordable, and they use less gas. But the safety trade-offs are clear from our new tests. Equally clear are the implications when it comes to fuel economy. If automakers downsize cars so their fleets use less fuel, occupant safety will be compromised. However, there are ways to serve fuel economy and safety at the same time.”

The Institute didn’t choose SUVs or pickup trucks, or even large cars, to pair with the micro and minis in the new crash tests. The choice of midsize cars reveals how much influence some extra size and weight can have on crash outcomes. The Institute chose pairs of 2009 models from Daimler, Honda, and Toyota because these automakers have micro and mini models that earn good frontal crashworthiness ratings, based on the Institute’s offset test into a deformable barrier. Researchers rated performance in the 40 mph car-to-car tests, like the front-into-barrier tests, based on measured intrusion into the occupant compartment, forces recorded on the driver dummy, and movement of the dummy during the impact.

Laws of physics prevail: The Honda Fit, Smart Fortwo, and Toyota Yaris are good performers in the Institute’s frontal offset barrier test, but all three are poor performers in the frontal collisions with midsize cars. These results reflect the laws of the physical universe, specifically principles related to force and distance.

Technorati Tags: Insurance, Insurance Costs, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Interesting Articles, minicars

April 2009 (Medialink) – Once associated with families and wood paneling, the popularity of station wagons has steadily declined since the emergence of the mini-van in the 80′s and SUV in the 90′s. But following in the footsteps of a growing European trend, the wagon may be on the road to a stateside comeback.

Toyota, Ford and GM have all rolled out new models of the old favorite. The re-vamped versions are a unique mix between a sedan and an SUV; combing functionality, utility and often better fuel economy. In addition, the wood paneling and boxy bodies of the past have been replaced with sleek and sporty designs.

In fact, Cadillac hopes to help break the station wagon stereotype by offering its first addition to the US wagon segment. Edmunds predicts that a wagon will help the iconic brand expand globally and win converts here in the states.

Technorati Tags: ford, GM, Interesting Articles, toyota

Protect Your Child — Even If They’re Not With You

Parents, you might be getting ready to send your children off on their own for spring break. It can be a worrisome time for you and for them. Whether they’re driving with friends or traveling with a school group, there are insurance details you should address with your children before they leave.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) suggests you review these important tips with your children before they travel without you:

Be Prepared
Before any trip away from home, it is a good idea to review your insurance coverages. When your child is traveling alone, involve them in the review process. First, collect originals and make copies of all pertinent insurance paperwork. When you give this information to your child, explain to them the importance of keeping these documents safe and in a readily accessible location.

If your child will be driving a family car, show them where you keep the insurance information in that vehicle and review emergency procedures with them. Make your child a list of contact numbers and important information for quick reference. Place this with the insurance identification card in the glove box. Include the name and phone number of the insurance company or agent, policy number and your complete contact details.

For health insurance, make sure your child knows the name of the insurance company and provide your child with a list of emergency numbers, including the numbers of your family doctor and your insurance company, in addition to your cell phone number. Also explain to your child the meaning of general insurance terms like “co-pay” and “out-of-network.”

If your child takes medications, you might want to check for in-network pharmacies at their travel destination. Make sure to review the list with your child and put a copy of the list with their important insurance papers.

Auto Insurance
Consider giving your child a copy of the following checklist to keep in their vehicle. Review it with them before they leave home, so the information is fresh in their mind in case of an accident.

• Make sure you have your insurance ID, title and registration in the vehicle at all times.
• Following an accident, call 9-1-1 first. Don’t put yourself in a dangerous situation on a highway or road.
• Call your parents.
• Make sure to get contact and insurance information from the other driver(s) involved in the accident. Give them your parents’ contact and insurance information.
• Do not admit fault.
• Other drivers involved might try to convince you to not file an insurance claim. Tell them they should contact your parents to discuss any insurance decisions.
• Take pictures of the scene, including pictures of the other people and vehicles involved, if it is safe to do so.
• Get contact information for the police department that responded to the accident.
• Get a copy of any police report(s) or find out how to get a copy once the report has been filed.

Health Insurance
Getting hurt or sick away from home can be scary, and it will be especially difficult if your child doesn’t have you to take care of them. Help prepare them by reviewing the following checklist with them before they leave home. Send a copy with them so they can refer back to it, if needed.

Keep your health insurance ID card, a list of your drug allergies, a list of drugs you are currently taking and information about any of your other medical conditions with you at all times.

If you need urgent medical treatment or are in an accident, go to the nearest hospital emergency room.

Have someone who is with you contact your parents. Provide the medical facility with your insurance ID card.

If you need to see a doctor and it is not an emergency, contact the insurance company to find a local physician who is in your coverage network. The phone number for the insurance company, your policy number and co-pay information are located on the insurance ID card.

Keep all paperwork, including receipts from the doctor’s office, the hospital or any pharmacy if you filled any prescription(s).

Obtain the name and contact details of the treating physician to provide your family doctor, in case you require follow-up care once you are home.

International Travel
Neither American auto nor health insurance will generally be accepted outside of the United States. To find out more about the extent of your coverage, speak with your insurance agent or company before you leave home. You can also contact your state insurance department. A link to state insurance department Web pages and contact details can be found at www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm.

Short-term travel insurance can be purchased for your child’s trip if you are concerned about accidents or losses during an international trip. If you are considering the purchase of a short-term travel insurance policy, review the policy terms carefully to make sure you understand all coverages and exclusions before making a purchase.

If you are unsure about the insurance company or agent you are talking with: STOP before signing any paperwork or writing a check for the policy; CALL your state insurance department; and CONFIRM that the company or agent offering insurance to you is legitimate and licensed in your state.

If you purchase a short-term travel insurance policy, review it with your child before he/she leaves, focusing on the process your child would use for getting assistance, if needed.

Group Travel
Group travel is a popular way for kids to travel away from home without a parent for the first time. If your child is traveling in a group with sponsors or chaperones, make sure you provide the group leaders with the same emergency contacts and information you have given your child.

More Information
If you have questions or are confused about your insurance coverage, contact your state insurance department. Visit www.NAIC.org to find contact information for your state insurance department.

Get smart about your insurance needs! For more information about auto, home, life and health insurance options — as well as tips for choosing the coverage that is right for you and your family — visit www.InsureUonline.org.

Technorati Tags: Insurance, NAIC, spring break, travel

As the economy downturn continues, more and more people are losing their homes to either foreclosure or financially motivated downsizing. In fact, foreclosure filings increased by 5% in October, a 25% increase from October 2007.

As homeowners, most people carry a mortgage and, therefore, have no choice but to purchase homeowners insurance as a requirement of their loan. But, for renters, the choice is their own — and many people facing financial uncertainty might choose to go without renter’s insurance, even though they have many of the same risks as homeowners when it comes to protecting possessions or being liable for accidents at home. Some of the most common misperceptions include:

“Renter’s insurance is too expensive, and I already have enough bills to pay.” The average renter’s insurance policy costs between $15 and $30 per month. Replacing all of your possessions or being liable for an accident on your premises will cost much more.

“I don’t have that many valuables; renter’s insurance isn’t worth the cost.” Renter’s insurance policies can cover everything from electronics to clothing to household appliances. Even a minimal number of items could add up to thousands of dollars’ worth of merchandise, which can all be covered in a basic policy.

“My landlord has insurance, so I’m already protected.” Your landlord has insurance for structural damage to the building, and might even be protected against damage caused by tenants. However, this coverage does not extend to your personal property, nor does it protect you from being liable for damage you might cause to the building inadvertently (e.g., a kitchen fire or a plumbing mishap).

Consumers used to having homeowners insurance may not understand the differences between the two types of coverage. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers these tips for former homeowners who are now renting:

1. How much renter’s insurance do you need? Talk to your insurance agent or company about the property you want to protect and the property hazards you would like to be insured from. Your agent can give you coverage policy specifics based on your state and the type of policy you want. They will answer any important questions you have about:

• What hazards are included in your plan and if you need a separate policy for specific circumstances

• If your insurance plan affects your roommate(s), if any

• How you should determine value for your items

• What some of the insurance terms mean or what they include

• What optional coverage might be available to you

• How much liability coverage is included in your plan

2. Can you get a discount on renter’s insurance if your residence has particular safety features, like a burglar alarm? Many insurers will reduce your premiums if you have fire or burglar alarms, fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and/or deadbolts on exterior doors. Some companies might also offer discounts if you have more than one policy with them. Be sure to ask about any discount you might be entitled to.

3. Are you covered in the case of a flood or earthquake? These natural disasters are not generally covered by a renter’s or homeowners insurance policy. Ask your insurance agent or company if your policy fully protects you or whether you need to purchase additional coverage.

4. Could owning a pet cause your premium to be higher? Certain municipalities require that owners of select breeds of pets have insurance policies to cover damages and/or injuries caused by the animal. This liability might be covered under a standard renter’s insurance policy, but some insurance companies might require the purchase of additional coverage. Talk with your insurance agent or company about the options and how they might affect your premium costs.

5. Does renter’s insurance only cover you when you’re at home? Many policies do not limit protection to home-based situations. For example, items you have insured often are covered if they are stolen by someone who breaks into your car or if they are damaged while not on your property.

6. Is personal liability included? A renter’s insurance policy covers your property and your personal legal responsibility (or liability) for injuries to others and/or their property while they are on your property.

7. Will you receive additional living expenses if you have to live somewhere else while your apartment is being repaired? If there is damage to the building you are renting and you must live elsewhere while the building is being repaired, you will have coverage for additional living expenses incurred during the reconstruction period.

8. How do you expedite your renter’s insurance claim? A home inventory – along with photos and proof of ownership – make it easier to file an accurate, detailed insurance claim in case your home is damaged or destroyed in a disaster. A home inventory can also help determine how much coverage you need from your renter’s insurance.

Go to www.naic.org/index_disaster_section.htm to download a free home inventory checklist. Get More Information

If you have questions or are confused about your insurance policy, you can seek the help of your state insurance department. Visit www.NAIC.org and www.InsureUonline.org to find answers to your questions or to find contact information for your state insurance department.

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) is a voluntary organization of the chief insurance regulatory officials of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and five U.S. territories. The NAIC’s overriding objective is to assist state insurance regulators in protecting consumers and helping maintain the financial stability of the insurance industry by offering financial, actuarial, legal, computer, research, market conduct and economic expertise. Formed in 1871, the NAIC is the oldest association of state officials. For more than 135 years, state-based insurance supervision has served the needs of consumers, industry and the business of insurance at-large by ensuring hands-on, frontline protection for consumers, while providing insurers the uniform platforms and coordinated systems they need to compete effectively in an ever-changing marketplace. For more consumer information, visit InsureUonline.org.

Technorati Tags: Insurance, Insurance Costs, Interesting Articles, renter's insurance

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In these uncertain financial times, knowledge is your best policy — especially when it comes to insurance. According to a new survey commissioned by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), a vast majority of Americans believe they are smart about insurance, but a deeper look at the issue tells a different story. If you, too, believe you have a high “Insurance IQ,” see if you can answer these three basic questions:

1. Does auto insurance automatically cover a rental car?
2. Can you own a house without homeowners insurance?
3. In general, how much life insurance is recommended in relation to your annual salary?

If you answered, no, yes and 5-7 times your annual salary, you bested the majority of 1,000 American adults who got them wrong in a 10-question quiz designed to test the nation’s Insurance IQ. Indeed, on average, Americans flunked the test with only a 40 percent score — a solid “F” by most U.S. educational grading standards.

Read More

Technorati Tags: Insurance, Insurance IQ, NAIC, survey

WASHINGTON, D.C. — According to data released today by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the top three reasons consumers filed formal complaints against their insurance companies in 2008 were delays, denials of claims and unsatisfactory settlement offers. Premium/insurance rating and policy cancellation issues completed the top five.

The NAIC collected the data through its centralized electronic Complaint Database System (CDS), through which states voluntarily report “closed” complaints. A closed complaint is a complaint that has been investigated and resolved to the satisfaction of the state or jurisdiction in which it is filed. First established in 1990, the CDS was significantly expanded in 1998 and now houses data on more than 2 million complaints.

Read More

Technorati Tags: complaints, Insurance, insurance complaints, NAIC

GM and Ford announced similar plans Tuesday to protect customers who may lose their jobs, and local car dealers believe the initiatives will increase the number of new cars sold on their lots.

“There’s no downside to it,” said Bob Bradley, sales manager at Courtesy Ford in Altoona.

The Ford Advantage Plan will cover payments of up to $700 a month for as long as a year on any new Ford, Lincoln or Mercury if the buyer should lose his or her job. The plan also offers zero percent financing.

Nothing like this has been done before, said Bradley, who said first-quarter sales were good this year.

Read More

Technorati Tags: auto insurance, car insurance, car sales, ford, GM, new cars