What does the Portuguese bailout mean for tourism?

April 11th, 2011 by Megan Torres

Portugal. It’s a beautiful country, famed for its easy-going lifestyle, great beaches and even better weather. But it won’t have escaped your attention that Portugal’s economy is in big trouble.

The European Union are negotiating the terms of a rescue package after receiving a formal request from Portugal for aid last Thursday (7th April). They follow in the footsteps of Ireland and Greece, who were both given emergency financial assistance at the end of 2010. But h

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Finding Cheap Car Insurance as Gas Prices Soar

April 11th, 2011 by Crystal Davis

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It costs a lot more to drive a car today than it did just last year.  Not only is the cost of gas putting a huge dent in our pockets, but when you compare car insurance rates with last year some companies have increased their premiums.  According to the Standard-Examiner’s article “Gas prices, insurance increases to make driving more expensive this summer,” author Kristy Eppley Rupon says that the average driver is paying $825 more this year to drive.  The cost of purchasing your car has been increasing steadily as well, so drivers are being hit on all fronts.

Even though prices seem to be rising across the board, it still is not too expensive to drive compared to the alternatives.  You should definitely be evaluating your car and driving habits though to see what you can do to make the most of your money.  Many Americans are driving their cars longer instead of purchasing a new car when they thought they would.  Finding cheap car insurance is still possible, but you have to do your research and make adjustments like increasing your deductible.   There are even people moving so that their commute to work is shorter or joining carpools to save on gas and mileage.

While gas prices are seemingly out of control, they are not likely to go down below $3/gallon anytime soon based on the troubles in the Middle East, oil futures investing, and increased summer driving habits.  The article says that the best way for us to get gas prices down is to consume less oil from foreign countries both by driving less and investing in alternative fuels.  Insurers like Estrella Insurance are affected by high gas prices just like us and watch closely to see what changes can be made.  If people decide to drive less or cut down the number of cars in their family, it could increase insurance costs for everyone as companies lose members.  Regardless of why it costs more to drive now, everyone has to make personal changes and sacrifices to adjust to our new economic normal.

Car Insurance Should Cover Basketball Hoop Damage

April 10th, 2011 by Crystal Davis

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Many different question and answer sites have people asking what to do when a basketball hoop falls down and damages their car.  Whether the hoop was attached to the garage or freestanding in the driveway, many people are not sure if the damage will be covered by car insurance or homeowners insurance.  According to multiple sources, it is most likely that your car insurance will cover damage from a falling basketball hoop whether it is attached to a building or freestanding.  Most car insurance companies would include that with your comprehensive coverage.  Damage from falling objects such as tree branches or basketball hoops falls under that category of insurance.

One of the responders on Yahoo!’s question and answer site said that their State Farm auto quote covered their car’s basketball hoop damage.  It sounds like this problem is very common.  Whether high winds, storms, or rough play on the hoop is making them fall down, many cars are getting damaged from basketball hoops.  It’s important to get repair quotes from a few different insurance companies before making a claim for your basketball hoop damage though.  If you have a higher deductible, it is possible that you would be better off just paying for the damage to your car instead of filing an insurance claim.

Safety Features Can Add Savings to Car Insurance Premiums

April 5th, 2011 by Crystal Davis

The world has become a very unsafe place. Many people are involved in car accidents every day in the United States. This is because Americans are always in a hurry and often are running late so they drive over the speed limit and end up causing car accidents to occur. Often drivers become distracted by ringing cell phones, songs on the radio, and people talking to them in the passenger seat which leads to serious accidents.

Many states now have laws that ban texting or talking on the phone while driving. However, many drivers now use Bluetooth devices which free up their hands and are legal but can still distract the driver. Cars are made safer now than they were forty or fifty years ago.

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