Top 10 Priciest Vehicles to Get Insured

March 21, 2016 by

Let’s work this Top 10 List…Letterman style…and kill you with suspense:

10. Porsche 911 Carrera GT3 RS – The second of two Porsches on this list…this one coming in at a cool $3,212 per year to insure.

9. Audi RS7 Quattro Prestige – average cost at about $3,229 per year to insure. Believe it or not…this is the only Audi on this list. Drivers should note that letting your teen drive your car can dramatically raise rates: A survey by InsuranceQuotes.com found that adding a 16-year-old to the average married couple’s insurance nearly doubles the cost. And letting them drive a sports car might drive that cost even higher.


8. Land Rover Range Rover SV Autobiography Black LWB – hitting approximately $3,245 to insure annually…some savvy drivers recommend buying insurance at opportune times of the year. In fact…an InsuranceQuotes.com survey says that nationwide, car insurance varies by about 7.5% depending on what month you buy it in. December tends to be the cheapest month to buy insurance, while March is the most expensive.

7. BMW M6 Gran Coupe – While being the only BMW in the top 10, costing $3,309 to insure. Another discount strategy that drivers should also ask about is a more obscure one…discounts for those drive significantly fewer miles…or long time highly loyal customers of the insurance company for a long time…and those who own a home or who have a college degree or even higher education credentials.

6. Nissan GT-R Nismo – Appealing to the younger, sportier crowd…the Nismo averages about $3,476 a year to insure. Some of the more common car insurance discounts to ask about include: lowered rates for students who do well in school, people who have a home insurance policy with the same company, pay the entire bill upfront, are married and take a driver training course.

5. Porsche Panamera S Executive – As you might expect…the Porsche Panamera is one of two (2) models appearing on this list…commanding a cool $3,484 on average per year to insure. Many experts say that prudent drivers should get at least three insurance quotes from different companies (you can go on sites like CarInsurance.com, Insure.com and BestQuotes.com to do this) before selecting the best policy for the least cost.

…Want to see the remaining top 4?

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Car Safety’s Next New Technology: V2V

September 30, 2015 by

V2V is new technology that promises to solve limitations of current adaptive driving capabilites and offer a wider perspective on urban traffic challenges. It uses a small radio transmitters & receivers on each vehicle to broadcast information about its location, speed, and direction to other vehicles within several hundred yards. Unlike current radar, lidar, camera, and other sensors, it can know what oncoming vehicles are doing—or even those around corners and out of sight. The idea is to use this information to help electronic safety systems work more smoothly and safely.

graphic showing several vehicles interacting with V2V technology

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx was at Delphi Labs @ Silicon Valley earlier this year to announce a series of steps to speed life-saving technology innovations to America’s highways.  The Department’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will expedite its public time table for its proposed requirement of vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication devices in new vehicles, and is working to accelerate testing necessary to ensure that V2V and vehicle-to-infrastructure transmissions are free from radio interference.

“The Department wants to speed the nation toward an era when vehicle safety isn’t just about surviving crashes; it’s about avoiding them. . .Connected, automated vehicles that can sense the environment around them and communicate with other vehicles and with infrastructure have the potential to revolutionize road safety and save thousands of lives.” ~ U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx

  • Accelerating the schedule of NHTSA’s proposal to require V2V equipment on new vehicles.
  • Developing an expedited test plan on interference with V2V signals.
  • Ensuring that the Department’s regulatory framework accelerates safety innovations.

The necessary hardware entails a small box containing a radio transmitter, receiver and as a microcomputer…all costing about $300.  Basically, they are tricked out versions of existing Wi-Fi systems currently used with desktop computers…but optimized for moving vehicles and having about a half mile range.

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Heads Up Danger: Shattering Sunroofs

August 12, 2015 by

Exploding Sunroofs Prompt Federal Investigation – USAToday


Sunroofs are shattering across the country, injuring and scaring drivers. A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration investigation is underway to determine what’s responsible.

Read More – USAToday

 

Spontaneously Shattering Sunroofs Prompt Federal Investigation – ABC News


ABC World News
While waiting at a stop sign…all of a sudden we hear what sounded like a gunshot.  Wade Owens says his shattered while driving on the highway. “All the glass caves in…BOOM!  Plus, more stories online about drivers in shock. “My sunroof exploded in front of my eyes.”  Glass expert Mark Meshulam demonstrates what is it looks like when a sunroof shatters. Even pushing it down to simulate it falling on the driver. The cracks go at over 3,000 miles an hour so in an absolute instant this glass is completely broken. What’s going on?  Most are made of tempered glass for your safety breaking into smaller more rounded pieces instead of sharp dangerous shards but experts say that can lead to spontaneous shattering if there’s a manufacturing defect. The glass is constantly in tension and just like when you put a pin in a balloon it catastrophically breaks, the same thing happens with tempered glass.   “GMA Investigates” finding nearly 400 complaints in the national highway traffic safety administration’s database across all makes and models. NHTSA is telling us it’s reviewing the complaints and investigating certain Kia Sorentos. Kia is telling us it’s evaluating the performance of the panoramic sunroofs in the 2011 to 2013 vehicles but in their investigation have found only foreign objects such as rocks and gravel have been identified as the cause of sunroof breakage. Now, some auto safety experts are calling on NHTSA to create new safety standards for sunroofs. Like requiring them to be made of laminated glass like that used in windshields. Which when hit remain in place to protect the driver. You should not have to ride at risk worrying about whether your sunroof is going to explode over you.

For “Good Morning America,” Mara Schiavocampo, ABC News, New York.  > Read More – ABCNews

 

NHTSA Upgrades Investigation Into Shattering Kia Sorento Sunroofs – TheCarConnection

Back in October, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened an investigation into the 2011-2013 Kia Sorento after a string of complaints that the crossover’s sunroof imploded.
It doesn’t sound like things have gotten any better for the Georgia-built crossover. According to Automotive News, last year’s investigation has now been upgraded to an investigation for an engineering analysis, which it says is a “step in a process” that could eventually lead to a recall if the agency deems it necessary.

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Shattering Sunroofs: Audi Latest to Issue a Recall – NBCNews

by Paul A. Eisenstein

Sunroofs are intended to give you a clear view of the heavens above without the hassle – or cost – of buying a convertible. But few owners are likely to anticipate the problems that have so far snared at least three automakers, according to reports on file with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Audi is the latest manufacturer to order a recall because the sunroofs on several models can unexpectedly shatter – creating not only a crisis in a rainstorm but also the risk of an accident, warns NHTSA.

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Car Thieves Go High Tech

June 18, 2015 by

Q: What’s the most effective and efficient way for a thief to break into a car…with no broken glass, no alarm triggered and being able to remove any and all contents of the vehicle…even while being plainly visible on a crowded street…yet not even raise suspicion from passersby?

A: A magic wand??  Almost!  A magic box is actually a bit more accurate.

These perplexing break-ins had been getting the better of police and insurance companies for several years now…from the U.S. to Europe. The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)  estimates that $1 billion dollars or more of items are stolen from parked cars every year…and it’s projected to steadily increase as keyless entry systems become the norm…enabling more and more thieves the opportunity to hack their way into vehicles.

Car makers have continued to advance developing technology that makes vehicles more secure against criminal theft and break ins.  Keyless entry systems is one such development in recent years.  But as technology for criminal deterrent has advanced…so have car thieves become more creative in creating their own technology to counter that of the car makers.  Most recently, they’ve figured out a way to amplify the signal sent by your car’s key fob to unlock the doors. Prior to that…sophisticated electronic “scanner boxes” that decipher the radio frequency (RF) codes that unlock newer cars built with remote keyless entry systems.

“It seems like we’ve come up with something new every week or two. Some kind of device or allegations about something that could open a car and or start a car,” Roger Morris – CCO – National Insurance Crime Bureau

Thieves can walk by with what literally appears to be a cigarette pack that somehow tricks keyless entry vehicles into sensing that the fob is in close proximity…by boosting its signal it emits to help hack into the system.  And yes…devices confiscated by Texas police were evidently modified from gadgets purchased on eBay.

So what, if anything, can you do to fight back against thieves?  When you lock your vehicle as you leave it…make sure to take your key or fob with you…NEVER leave either inside or even near the car AND…put them in any closable metal container…even a refrigerator.  Since metal blocks signals sent to or from the fob…it becomes disabled and more safe.

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Roadside Assistance Heroes

April 30, 2015 by

Warning Saves Lives in Houston Toll Road Crash Caught on Camera

A stranded motorist and a service vehicle were struck by a swerving SUV…but were unharmed thanks to an emergency warning relayed from an alert driver.


ABC Breaking US News | US News Videos

Sunday morning on the Westbrook tollway…an erratic driver caught one woman’s attention.  A silver Ford Expedition swerving all over the road… she reported it to the Tollroad Authority’s “Incident Command”…Alexa Barrick (dispatcher) took the call. [Vehicle traveling eastbound in southwest plaza].  “I cannot imagine what would’ve happened if she hadn’t taken time to actually give us a call…” said Barrick.  Because up head it was an instant response unit on the shoulder changing a flat tire another dispatcher warned him. [“Be advised sir…a vehicle is approaching you that is swerving all OVER the lane…he is about to get onto the shoulder…I need you to steer clear of the lane. “]   By then with cameras pointed..all the entire room could do was sit and watch. [“Ohh…God”]  With the warning from the roadside assistance worker,  the driver of the disabled vehicle and his three passengers were able to shield themselves the doors…far enough way.  [All units be advised…vehicle has just been struck]   The solid and sturdy tow truck instead took the impact keeping them safe. They could’ve been pinned between the two vehicles, you know, it would’ve caused serious injury if not death of one of one of now both of them. The driver of the expedition told deputies he had been up for more than 24 hours and was on his cell phone. You don’t I think now people think of cop a night that an attack that he had gone. Without the warning from the citizen it could’ve ended much differently now the dramatic video can serve as a lesson.  “You don’t mix the fatigue with…distractions.”

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Hands Free is Not Risk Free

March 24, 2015 by

April is Distracting Driving Awareness Month

Do you think using a hands-free device – whether it’s an earpiece or a dashboard infotainment system – is the safe way to drive and talk on the phone?

Eighty percent of American drivers believe hands-free devices are safer than using a handheld phone. But that is just not the case. More than 30 studies show hands-free devices are no safer because the brain remains distracted by the conversation. When talking on a cell phone, drivers can miss seeing up to half of what’s around them, such as traffic lights, stop signs and pedestrians.​

The Hands Free Myth

More than 30 studies show that using hands-free systems provide drivers no safety benefit. Even with both hands on the wheel and your eyes on the road, your mind is distracted from the task of driving. Think about it, people have been driving stick shift for decades – the issue is not about keeping two hands on the wheel.  The National Safety Council (NSC) poll also found that 53 percent of respondents believe hands-free devices must be safe to use if they are built into vehicles.  Add to that many state laws requiring people to use hands-free, and it’s no wonder there’s confusion.

woman talking on cell phone standing beside her car

The results are in:

  1. Hands-free features in dashboards actually increase mental distraction*
  2. Using voice-to-text is more distracting than typing texts while driving**
  3. Drivers who text with their hands or voice (using speech-to-text systems) keep their eyes on the road less often and have reaction times twice as slow**

 

Take the Focused Driver Challenge and pledge to drive cell free.

 

Read More – National Safety Council

 

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Connected Car Data – Your Security & Privacy in Peril

December 31, 2014 by

What is a connected car anyway?  Here’s one simple definition from Wikipedia:

A connected car is a car that is equipped with internet access, and usually also with a wireless local area network. This allows the car to share internet access to other devices both inside as outside the vehicle. Often, the car is also outfitted with special technologies that tap into the internet access or wireless LAN and provide additional benefits to the driver. Examples include: automatic notification of crashes, notification of speeding and safety alerts.

Here is another definition that’s a bit more encompassing:

Connected Car (definition ) – the presence of devices in an automobile that connect the devices to other devices within the car/vehicles and or devices, networks and services outside the car.

According to Forbes, there are several obstacles facing the connected car market, but one receiving huge attention lately is the privacy issue.


Significant amounts of information is easily obtained today through several vehicle systems…ranging from the vehicle’s location or a driver’s use of a vehicle (i.e. including speed, braking force etc.).  Automakers are realizing that in order to maintain consumer trust, the protection of such data and ensuring that it remains private is of paramount importance.

Hence,  The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers (AAM), the Association of Global Automakers (AGA) and their member automakers, have created a new set of “privacy principles” focused on the Data generated in motor vehicles by “connected car” systems.  Although the privacy principles don’t exactly have the same impact as legislation…at least they come from a member list that’s grandiose in stature.  Participating automakers include American Honda, Aston Martin Lagonda, BMW, Chrysler, Ferrari, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai, Kia, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Porsche, Subaru, Toyota, Volkswagen and Volvo.

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Fast Track to Better Teen Driving?

March 15, 2014 by

Everyone probably remembers the excitement of getting their first car as a teenager.   If that was in the vicinity of 25-35 years ago, it may well seem like the world was a safer place back then…especially if you’re recalling mischief that was gotten away with…that could have easily gone awry.

When considering teenagers and cars, today’s reality is that drivers aged 15 to 17 are eight (8) times as likely to be involved in a car accident than those just a little bit older, ages 18 to 24, if they’re carrying passengers, according a study from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.  The cold hard fact is: traffic accidents are the number one cause of death among teens.

A San Jose, CA couple that was worried about how to teach their sixteen-year-old son good driving habits couldn’t find an answer especially inspiring.  Both husband and wife have masters degrees in computer science…so it was only natural that they invented a device allowing parents to check up on their kids’ driving progress…electronically.


Featured in USA Today  for their start-up company named Truvolo…Jaideep and Sandhya Jain invented its small flagship device that plugs directly into a car’s on-board computer.  The device then sends stats about the car’s health as well as the driving habits of the operator back to a smartphone.  Stats like G-forces produced by abrupt acceleration, deceleration and swerving…as well as information that’s usually reserved for mechanics, allowing users to catch dangerous problems well in advance of a breakdown.  The device can also issue text alerts when a driver has arrived at their destination.

“It wasn’t about wanting to spy on him, but about making him a better driver…I looked at the statistics, and the first year of anyone’s driving life has the most incidents, simply because you think you know everything but, of course, you don’t.”

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How Cars Get Towed in Europe: 60 seconds flat

November 16, 2013 by

Gone in 60 Seconds might bring back movie memories of the famed longest car chase scene in history (40 minutes) for some of a certain age, but this story is actually about how they sometimes do things differently across the pond.

While our own Autogrip is highly efficient with the proverbial hook and book as seen in our own demo video, the Europeans just have different ideas about how to get things done. Sometimes the old EU “lift and swing” is the only way to go…and they seem to do it quite well.

This photo and video essay is of several European towing vehicles that appear to more like mini-crane operators than tow trucks in the traditional American sense.

 

Read More: Gone in 60 seconds… Towing cars in the EU…

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Tow Truck Driver – Good Service Defined

July 19, 2013 by

Most of us probably don’t think about the tow truck business very often.  On the rare occasion that we experience a breakdown…and a random tow truck stops as they’re about to pass by…we’re grateful.  We might also think about tow trucks when buying a new car or are changing car insurance companies and are deciding whether to check the box for a roadside assistance service.  Usually though, we probably don’t cross paths with tow trucks and their drivers all that much.  And let’s face it, when we do find ourselves in need of a tow truck…it’s often not under the best circumstances.  But it’s great to see an industry that daily faces trying circumstances…and usually goes unnoticed…still striving to maintain standards of professionalism and plain old basic good service.

What Does It Mean To Provide Good Service As A Tow Truck Driver? – WeCheckInc

by Ian

The towing industry and good customer service aren’t exactly synonymous to most people. Why is this?  And more importantly, does it need to be that way? We definitely don’t think so. We know some tow services that provide excellent customer service and we think that they can provide an excellent model for the rest of the industry to follow in terms of ensuring positive customer experience and providing good service.

There two major things that go into providing good service as a tow truck driver. The first is being reliable and the second is providing a good customer experience.  The first may seem like a given, but it can be quite difficult as anyone who works in the towing industry knows. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes from managing drivers to dispatch and everything else that goes into running a business which is oftentimes open 24/7.

 

Motorcycle Towing Gilroy CA

The fact remains, though, that customers expect reliability and timeliness when dealing with any professional and a tow truck driver is no different. When someone is stuck on the side of the road, the last thing they want to do is wait an hour for a tow truck. Sometimes this can’t be helped just because of the sheer distance and time it takes to get to a vehicle, but otherwise a tow truck driver should strive to be as timely as possible and a tow service as reliable as possible.

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