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Telematics starting to influence car insurance market

May 28, 2012 / Staff

This story from Cleveland.com highlights an important new trend in the auto insurance business, and it will likely affect you and your own car insurance rates in the future.

When Zshavina Meacher of Cleveland traded in her car for a new 2011 Chevy Malibu last summer, her insurance premium jumped to $510 every six months. Her insurer, Progressive Corp., asked her whether she wanted to cut her rate.

If Meacher agreed to install a device in her car that monitors how safely she drives and the results were good, her rates would go down. If the results weren’t so good, her rates would stay the same. She agreed.

During the first few weeks, the device told Meacher that she slammed on her brakes a lot. She stopped the hard braking.
In February, the 23-year-old’s insurance bill dropped by $120 per six months, or 24 percent.

Meacher is happy her rates went down. And Progressive is happy the risk of Meacher getting into an accident went down. Fewer claims will help keep Mayfield-based Progressive profitable.

The technology that makes this possible is called telematics, and you’re probably going to be hearing more about it as more car insurance companies start using it and more states start permitting it. Along with Progressive, State Farm, Allstate, Nationwide, Travelers and American Family are also trying it, though there are some patent disputes in play as Progressive tries to protect its innovation.

The key is that it works, as information about driving habits is more valuable to insurance companies than demographic information. Also, it’s not surprising that drivers will also be more careful if they know they are being monitored.

But it also raises all sorts of privacy concerns. When does health monitoring start? Do we want insurance companies knowing everything about us?

Car Insurance, Car Technology

Allstate American Family auto insurance rates avoiding auto accidents avoiding automobile accidents avoiding car accidents better braking braking braking tips car accidents car insurance rates hard braking improve your braking Nationwide Progressive reduce my car insurance reducing car accidents State Farm telematics telematics issues Travelers

Range Rover Evoque Review

May 25, 2012 / Staff

Our friends over at Motortorque.com reviewed the Range Rover Evoque and it appears they feel this is one awesome ride. The looks of this new offering from Range Rover is unique as you can see in this you tube video:

Ranger Rover, SUV, Video

Turn Your Ride Into Your Mobile Office

May 25, 2012 / Staff

Image Courtesy of Flickr

Everybody knows how great being on the road feels. With the rubber and the concrete under you, it’s easy to feel invincible and mighty. But what a lot of people forget about being on the road is that being on the road isn’t just a great feeling. It also gives you time to work. If you haven’t thought about your ride as the ultimate mobile office, read on.

Staying in Communication

One of the best things LG cell phones can do for you is keep you in touch with everyone you need to stay connected to. Regardless of where you travel or where they may happen to be, the most important people in your life can always reach you when you’re in your car. While the cell phone may have first become available in the early 80s, never before has its power been so complete.

This ultimate connectivity also keeps going through texting and the ability to check your email. With a mobile web browser added to the mix, you can stay in touch in more ways than ever before. Whereas you used to need a computer to keep up full communications, now as long as you have your phone, you’ve got the world at your fingertips.

The Open Door Policy

Usually, the open door policy is little more than a method to placate people in the workplace without really changing anything. Your boss knows that most people have very little to report that won’t either get them fired or contribute to a downright hostile workplace. Sadly, the way most companies work this is the best you can hope for. This is another great reason to get in your car and let your open door policy turn into something entirely different.

The new vision of the open door policy is a lot different than its general precursor. On the road, you’re the boss and your decisions are final. You can let this make you into a tyrant, or you can rule with a gentle hand on the wheel and a little give on the throttle. With the ability to stay in touch with everyone and get things done, you’re on your way in more ways than one.

Staying Organized the Easy Way

Today’s phone do a lot more than just letting you stay connected to people. You could do that with a phone years ago, but today you can do a whole lot more. Nowadays you can push the limits in yet another way by downloading a huge number of apps. There are more than just games available to you, though. You can also pick up ways to make every mile more productive, including apps to keep you supremely organized.

It’s not a very wise idea to take your eyes off the road too much, so anything that keeps you going smoothly from point A to all points thereafter is a good thing. Apps are what separate the ultimately productive driver from some kid on the side of the road rocking a set of training wheels. Apps accomplish the same task, but they give you way more flexibility.

Car Technology, Lifestyle

apps for cars

2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD Review on Bullz-Eye.com

May 23, 2012 / Staff

Bullz-Eye.com reviewed the 2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD recently and this is what the boys had to say.

We saw the 2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year, and since then, we have been anxiously waiting to test drive this new crossover!

Exterior
The sporty and aggressive styling of the new 2013 Mazda CX-5 Grand Touring AWD is eye-catching and a solid standout on the road. CX-5 becomes the first production model to feature Mazda’s new design theme, “KODO – Soul of Motion.” Chief Designer Masashi Nakayama explained: “With the CX-5, our focus was on expressing a strong sense of vitality and agility. We looked at videos of cheetahs; their agile footwork and how they use their entire body as a spring to accelerate rapidly and change the direction instantly. They emanate great energy throughout their entire body. Inspired by their efficient yet beautiful movements, we aimed to push the SUV appearance to new levels with KODO design language.”

The prominent front and rear fenders and sculptured body sides give the CX-5 a distinctive look, and we’ll start seeing the new front grille and face of the vehicle showing up on other Mazda cars. Our test model looked great in Sky Blue MC with 19-inch alloy wheels, body color dual-heated remote power mirrors with turn signal lamp, auto on/off halogen headlights, daytime running lights, dual stainless steel exhaust outlets, body color door handles, rear roof spoiler, roof mounted shark fin antenna, fog lamps and a power moonroof. Together with the all new design, this crossover was ready for prime time!

Read the full review.

Car Reviews, Mazda

One team to make the Super Bowl next year? Hyundai…

May 22, 2012 / Staff

Hyundai has committed to the 2013 Super Bowl with more television commercials. Could a move like this solidify Hyundai in the eyes of car shoppers as one of the main players in the North American market? Hyundai is already a major player but more quality ads in the biggest television spectacle of the year to show off your cars sure doesn’t hurt the brand!

From the Detroit Free Press:

As soon as General Motors said this week that it would quit paid ads on Facebook, Ford was on Twitter saying it has doubled-down on social and digital media — and hinted in a tweet that GM just didn’t know how to use new social media.

Then, no sooner had GM said yesterday it would not buy ads in the next Super Bowl, and Super Bowl regular Hyundai quickly let us know it won’t pass on the biggest annual ad event in TV — and by the way, (are your ears burning GM?), did know that the game is a huge social media event, too.

Read the full article.

Hyundai