insurance, industry, competition, premiums, cheap, cheapest, auto, automobile

Finding cheaper car insurance rates can save your family hundreds of dollars per year.

Finding the cheapest auto insurance allows you to save money while still providing excellent protection standards for your financial safety.

Savvy investors understand that the thinned competition throughout the insurance industry has caused premium rates to drop so low that they have nowhere else to go but up. Leading CEOs from major corporations agree that market conditions for insurance-based investments are better than they have been in at least 4 decades.

You see, especially in the insurance industry, premium rates that continue to drop cause a surplus of demand – and simultaneously create a deficit of supply. Consider the following:

• When there are more competing insurance providers in the insurance industry overall, premium rates drop.
• When premium rates drop significantly, the word gets out. Public demand for insurance increases with high correlation in regards to how affordable it is.
• When premium rates are very low, people who never would have otherwise, purchase insurance policies.
• Increasing the number of policyholders increases the risks assumed by a given insurance company.
• Increased risk factors in the insurance industry causes some competitors to drop out of the game completely.
• Fewer competitors in the insurance industry causes a decreased supply.
• According to the most basic economic laws, decreased supply causes an increase in price.
• And of course, when an industry is showing signs of increased pricing schemes, competition will again increase.

And so the cycle continues – insurance has always been a cyclic game. So, how does all of this affect you?

Well, right now you’re in a great position as a prospective consumer of insurance policies. You have massive bargaining power. Your dollar holds excellent value with major insurance providers. At this point in the insurance cycle, competition is high. That means premium rates for the cheapest auto insurance available are low. And that is when you want to purchase your insurance policies!

To give you an example of just how much premium rates have been plummeting, consider the following:

• In the first fiscal quarter of 2008, major insurers enjoyed premium rates of 13.5%.
• By the fourth fiscal quarter of 2008, those premium rates had dropped to 6.4%.
• And by the second fiscal quarter of 2009, they had further reduced to 4.9%.

Hurricane Katrina, the collapse of AIG – and the devastation of country-wide real estate markets have all acted in conjunction to begin creating hard market conditions within the insurance industry. Things are changing. Competitors are positioning themselves to come in as the premium rates begin to rise. That’s why now is an excellent time to purchase your homeowners, health, life and automobile insurance. You can begin by finding cheaper car insurance rates online today. It’s fun, fast, convenient and easy. So Enjoy!

With an entry price of just $19,000 (or up to $30,000 with all the features added), the Altima offers itself to a very wide range of buyers, and provides excellent value to all of them. The comfortable seats, well placed interior, spacious cockpit are all high-above most competitors. I personally found the interior to be among the best Nissan has ever designed. It was very well thought out, and incredibly functional while maintaining a level of comfort and everyday usability that I hope every car strives for.

The exterior misses some of the excitement of the 2-door coupe, but not to the point that the car fails to deliver; it just delivers in a different way. The car still has mature lines that come from it’s 15 years in production; it is well balanced and detailed.

Driving the Altima reminded me how far cars have come. With features that at one point, were only for the wealthy, the Altima now delivers an experience that exceeds that of luxury cars from just a few years ago. In short, you felt pampered. No matter how many features a car does or doesn’t have, it’s always the simple feeling of just being pampered that quietly spoke to my brain when driving luxury cars. Nissan is one of the few that manages to do that for under $30,000. And on the road, the Altima’s engine performed admirably and quietly while allowing me to effortlessly glide down the freeways and city streets near my home.

I’m personally not sure I need a 4-door sedan at the moment, but can still see the appeal. The Altima sedan was a practical, enjoyable, and pampering car, priced aggressively and producing a very fun experience. 4.5 stars.

Inside the vehicle the Taurus X has lots of family friendly features. There is a built-in convex mirror that allows the driver a good view of what is happening in the third row of seats. This model has a DVD player that works with wireless headphones—or regular headphones for that matter. The second row of seats is a roomy set of captain’s chairs and a center console with cup holders, which makes transporting 4 adults quite comfortable. This center console does make the last row of seats much more difficult to access than in a mini-van, and I’m not sure kids could climb back there without some seat-folding help.

The navigation unit in this car is a highlight as it allows one to enter multiple destinations and navigate between them, for those times when you have more than one place on your list (practically always, especially if you’re a mom). Plus, the nav unit can be controlled with voice command and has a text-to-speech feature that will read the names of upcoming street signs, so the driver need not be watching the screen.

Lastly, a word about the overall handling of the car. It’s a v-6 with good power, but his crossover still drives like a truck for me, especially around freeway curves. Acceleration was smooth enough, but turning and maneuvering always made the vehicle seem mammoth.

The introductory price of my Impreza was $17,000 and includes a 170-hp engine that is unfortunately under-powered. With such a rich heritage of rally car champions, getting into a Subaru and feeling the sluggish, unresponsive weight of the throttle disappointed much more than when driving an even more under-powered car but from a lesser pedigree. And as I remembered from driving Imprezas past, the seats were firm and uncomfortable. The final negative was the car looked and felt very cheap inside. The first glance around the cockpit revealed plastic-looking and feeling levers, knobs, and dash panels that aren’t inappropriate for an entry-level car, but again, with such a rich heritage of making great cars, it was disappointing to see how cheap this Subaru was.

With the disappointments out of the way, I focused on what this car did well. For $17,000, getting Subaru’s renown all-wheel drive system seemed like not only a bargain, but borderline theft. It handled very well in the corners, yet made me wish, ever so slightly, for the sports tuning of it’s race-inspired brothers. The car had great visibility, and was decent at 20-27 mpg. Although, with such a low-thrills gas pedal, I’d have hoped the Impreza would break 30 mpg on the highway.

I personally really like the new styling of the Imprezas, but agree with my Subaru-enthusiast friend who claimed that the new styling seems to blend Imprezas in to the rest of the pack, versus standing out with the unique styling that they once had.

There are a lot of options in the entry-level car market, and at $17,000, this seems priced right in the middle. But with the Subaru pedigree, and it’s amazing all-wheel drive handling, this Impreza stands out from the pack in comparitive value, just don’t compare it to its big brothers in performance. 3.5 stars.

Most notably are the obvious. With over 8 inches of ground-clearance, this car sat much taller than it’s little brother. It was slightly longer in the cargo area, and it’s exterior styling was much more aggressive and macho. I’m personally a big fan of the XC styling, and think that has that little something that begs to be taken outside, run through mud puddles, stormed up to the mountain, and hosed off when home. Not to mention the addition of stock four-wheel drive on the XC70s, the differences are slightly more than cosmetic, and Volvo has provided a car worthy of the mountain in both its function and appearance.

Another note about the XC70 was that it seemed to be slightly more refined inside. My wife called it “the black-label V70”, noting a few small touches and refinements she hadn’t noticed in the smaller, slightly less expensive V70. Both had family-friendly features such as a B-pillar rear-passenger air vent that was at head-height instead of stuck in the foot compartment of the rear center console. Several passengers riding in the back showed appreciation that they too, like the front seat riders, could adjust warm air to their upper body instead of merely having it pointed at their feet.

One thing my XC70 came equipped that I didn’t see in the V70s option list, was child door locks tied in to the window locks from the driver’s door. On the driver door, where you would expect to find window controls for all four windows, you also had the ability to lock passengers from adjusting their windows. But with this lock, you could also activate the rear child safety locks, keeping your passengers stuck in the back until you chose to release them. We found this feature on accident, as I had inadvertently bumped the window lock feature with my hand, but soon after, as nobody could escape the back seats, we went on a hunt to discover how to deactivate the feature. Evidently, some models have a standard switch inside the door jam, but this XC70 had the feature tied to the window locks. I can see this as both a feature and an annoyance. For those with kids, it would be great to have absolute control over them, their windows, and their doors; however, those with adult friends could easily find themselves bumping the button and locking perfectly responsible people into their car. I guess that’s why it’s an option in this car…

As with the V70, I loved driving this car. And since I’m becoming more and more a fan of increased ground-clearance, I appreciated the taller ride-height. The interior again was beautiful, elegant, and characteristic of modern Volvos, which I not only love, but pine for when driving all but $50,000+ cars. They just know how to make an interior feel like home. With the XC70 starting at only $4000 more than the V70, and the four-wheel drive, improved styling, and slightly longer wheelbase, I’d be hard-pressed to recommend the V70 over this car. But to be honest, I’d be hard-pressed to recommend any other wagon in this class over the XC70. The Outback is nice, but the XC70 is amazing. 5 stars.

Driving the Altima was as rewarding an experience as I’ve had in a while. It was comfortable, thanks to nicely bolstered seats and comfortable leather. It was quiet on the highway. It was tight and agile in the corners. It was snappy and ready to go in the throttle. And starting around $21,000 (and delivering 175 hp), this was quite a car with quite an appeal for anyone willing to live with two doors. If you bump that dollar amount to the $26,000 range and get yourself a 3.5 SE, you’ll be negotiating and extra 95 horsepower, taking the total to 270. $5000 for extra luxuries and almost 100 horsepower can only be described as a win-win.

One of the strong takeaways from driving the car was that it was just a very solid performing car all around. I love the looks of it, and at only 4 inches shorter than the sedan, it gave adequate legroom in the rear compartment for a normal adult, which makes it almost worth forgetting about the four-door altogether.

Inside the car you have a bounty of options in buttons. But Nissan has done an excellent job taking a massive amount of controls and making them feel accessible and logical. There is a bit of a “plasticy” feel and look to some of the dials, but for under $30k, you’re hard-pressed to find much more elegance. And with ample controls on the steering wheel, you may find yourself forgetting all about the central dash as it’s rarely needed.

The car was very fun to drive, eating up corners and looking great doing it. Overall I think it’s a solid choice among other front-wheel drive coupes, and when taking into account the fun-factor of the 3.5 SE, it’s a bargain. 4 stars.

While the 5-door wagon will never be confused with a true sport-wagon like the Mercedes-Benz AMG E-Class, or even Audi’s RS6 Avante, this wagon holds its own for blending every-day practicality while possibly looking better than any other $32,000 wagon out there (base-price). When adding in Volvo’s renown safety record, and forward-thinking features, you’re getting class, elegance, functionality, and common-sense… And did I mention looks?

As a big fan of Volvos, I was excited to see how this compared with other cars in the lineup. I found it had a much lower ride-height than I expected, and when parked next to a XC70, the differences were immediately obvious. The XC70 was a touch longer in the trunk space, and noticeably taller in ground clearance. The V70 also lacked the rough-and-tough body panels that give the XC70 that off-road wagon appeal. But with these differences, the V70 made opportunity. Rather than being the aggressive wagon for the outdoor crew, it was the more city-friendly wagon for the family crew.

My wagon gets a stated 16-24 mpg. Not fantastic for a modern car with 235 hp, yet the weight of a wagon is subtle, but existing. Driving the car I never really felt the weight as an issue, and it performed perfectly well whether cornering or accelerating. Because of its low ride height, it felt more like a sports car than an SUV on the freeways (note: I didn’t say in the corners), and allowed for easy overtaking. Also, with all those windows, visibility was top-notch, and I had very little trouble with blind spots.

Inside, it was all Volvo. The waterfall-inspired center stack was elegant and easy to use as come to be the expectation of Volvos, and everyone who sat in it who hadn’t been in a recent Volvo fell in love with the design and usability the car offered. The seats were fantastic, and the steering wheel felt great. Personally, I found the cabin experience to be on par with much more expensive cars I’ve driven, and continue to love Volvo for the time and design they put into making the experience so rewarding.

All in, if you’re not into aggressive outdoor activities that require occasional off-roading, but still have a need for the cargo space and 5-passenger seating, then I can’t imagine a better looking, more enjoyable car than the V70. 4.5 stars.

I really wish I had a trailer of horses to tow, or a flat-bed filled to the brim with quads and toys, because I’m sure this truck would have delighted in the extra work required, not stopping for a moment to complain, but happily taking whatever you threw at it and asking where you wanted it delivered. It was certainly up for the task. Instead, I was stuck driving it through downtown Portland, navigating smaller cars like a Godzilla avoiding screaming people. For that purpose, I didn’t have as much appreciation for the size and power of the vehicle, as it did me little good (accept to annoy hybrid drivers with my gas guzzing–not that I like doing that.)

Inside, this truck was perfect for whom I imagine would use it. Large center console for placing tools and a giant lunchbox. Ample cubby spaces, and lots of leg room. The back seats were a little tighter than a full-size four-door but still roomy enough for two smaller adults. The dials were large and easy to adjust, even with the thick gloves of a construction worker on. And it exuded toughness. Very important.

Driving the truck, like I said, was dependent on the area. On the highway it handled true and comfortable, as well as any rough terrain. Navigating city traffic, and it was big and cumbersome. The fuel economy was a voracious 10-12 mpg, thankfully paired to a 38-gallon tank. This made it a little less fun at the pump. I can appreciate the need for these trucks, but due to my current position lacking in that department, I can’t say I was sorry to see it go. 3.5 stars.

As for the rest of the car? It didn’t disappoint.

Another small feature? Sure. let’s say you’re driving along, it’s a brisk 42 degrees out. Suddenly, as you head higher in elevation, the temperature drops to 39 degrees. A slight beep exudes from the dashboard while suddenly placing a small snowflake next to the temperature readout to inform you you’re nearing freezing temperatures and that icy conditions are now possible. Again, this isn’t revolutionary to anyone who uses a computer (I get all sorts of warnings and notifications all day), but I’m not used to my car helping me drive by using its systems to better educate me in a PRO-active way. Before, systems have mainly existed in a passive way. This is the future people.

So, what about the bad? Well, that same audible beep that informed me when the weather was dropping? It sounds every time I put the car in reverse. EVERY TIME? Why? I don’t know. I’ve been driving for years and years and have never needed a car to remind me that I just put the car in reverse. I’m hoping there’s a setting to turn that off, but I didn’t see it quickly, and I truly did not like that feature. The only other negative I had was the key fob was the large, rectangular type with no actual key protruding. To turn on the car you place the whole device into the dash. However, it was very hard to reach, and I constantly struggled to get it past the steering wheel and in smoothly in one motion. Not a deal breaker, but disappointing.

For my long drive, I took the LR2 in to the snow; and it handled amazing. Going around a snowy parking lot it was impossible to lose control. Turn? It turned. Gas? It accelerated. Brake? It slowed quickly. Just a very, very comforting experience. As I drove it down a snow covered road in a storm, I had zero problems and my passengers snoozed with ease.

Overall, I love this SUV. Quick but not fast, incredible turning radius, comfortable seats. The interior is great, it’s not a fashion show inside, but is really clear, easy to use and it doesn’t look like it’s a car for your 16-year-old full of plastic or fake wood. It’s a nice balance of usability and style.

Everyone that rode in it fell in love with it, and I can safely say that I would buy this car. In fact, a good friend, someone that happily drives a very old Korean car and takes the bus every day sat in it for 10 minutes and said, completely seriously, “This car is worth $40,000. I’d pay that for it.” I had to ask him later if he was really serious or if he was making fun, and he replied again, “That car is awesome. It’s worth the money. No doubt.”

I can’t say it better myself. 5 stars.

In general, I appreciate the new look a lot. I don’t mind the rounded features of past Liberties, but they always seemed sort of “cute” to me. Not so with the updated styling, looking lean and mean and strong. The new grill also looks less like the Wrangler and more like the kid brother of the Commander as well. Inside, the new platform gave a little more leg room for both the backseat and the driver, with both sets of passengers appreciating it. The interior is a slight bit on the bland side, but very clean and easy to manage. All details were logical and felt like they belonged. Another notable change was the transition from a rear door with a side-hinged door to a top-hinged lifting gate (complete with separate opening glass window). I go back and forth on which I prefer, but I do like moving the spare tire into the interior and off the rear gate, as it can interfere with bike racks and other rear mounted items (I know you can put a standard bike rack on top of the spare, I’ve done it, but I don’t believe you can use a hitch mounted bike rack, which is my preference with SUVs this tall).

Driving the car, as I said earlier, was great. In all road conditions it handled well and consistently. It’s not a race car, but got me and my passengers through any corners I came across, while not spilling any coffees in the process. Again, I don’t recommend speeding along in this, but you’ll get there at the speed limit no problem.

One of the main thoughts I got from this car was that it didn’t disappoint me in any department. It was fun, looked great, and was surprisingly easy to navigate in the city. Parking was simple, visibility was fantastic, and the seats were comfortable. All in all, I was very pleased. If they could only figure out a way to get 25+ mpg out of it, or 250+hp, I’d be ecstatic. 4.5 stars.