Beyond the basics of really taking the time to shop around for the best quote, there are other savings measures that can help. To shave money off monthly expenses, consider:

• Lowering policy limits – A lot of people drive around with much more insurance than they really need. Take a look at the coverage limits and consider lowering them a notch or two if they are on one of the higher tiers.

• Increase deductible amounts – This is an area for potential monthly savings, but it doesn’t come without a word of caution. If money is available to cover higher a deductible in the event of an emergency, paying monthly for a lower number just doesn’t make sense. If money is not available to handle a higher deductible, increasing it might not be the best idea.

• Seeking out every possible discount – There are a lot of potential discounts on insurance policies. If they are applied, they can really add up. Look for any discounts that might apply, such as those for auto club members, multi-car discounts, anti theft discounts and more.

There is almost never a reason to pay a high premium for an auto insurance policy. Even those with imperfect records can save a little if they take the time to consider the options.

This holds true when you start to consider car insurance. If you are a safe driver, you are spending money every month on something that is just there to protect you if you need it, therefore, you want the absolute lowest rate possible.

To save money on your car insurance, usually the first step is to start shopping around. While many consumers fall into a “rut” about this particular type of shopping and regularly forget to do this important piece, simply because of the hassle it offers, you need to make the effort to pick up the phone and call to compare rates. Right now, companies are trying to drive business to their doors; therefore, there are some major discounts that are being presented by big name carriers like Geico and Progressive, just because they know people are looking for the absolute best deal.

Next, if you are considering trading in your gas guzzling SUV for a fuel efficient hybrid, there is not a better time to do so than right now. Not only is the government offering incentives to get rid of your car that drinks the “black gold,” but more than likely your insurance company is also offering discounts for consumers who are being not only dollar conscious, but socially and globally conscious too.

Finally, and this one is really easy, but the moral of the story is, if you don’t ask for a discount, you are not going to get one. Studies show that people who actively ask for a lower rate from their insurance company are more likely to get one. This could be something as simple as the insurance agent “digging” a little deeper to ask about college alumni or professional associations or it could be the fact that they really just want to earn your business. However, to get a discount, smile and say please.

Beyond carrying out a diligent search for the lowest-priced policy, you can take other steps to make sure your monthly premiums are as low as possible. Some of the things you can do to help yourself include:

•Promising to wear your seat belt – Some insurers offer discounts to drivers who always wear their belts.
•Choose your car with care – Look for a car that get high approval ratings from insurers and you will get better rates.
•Install security – Insurance companies love it when their drivers do their part to prevent theft.
•Take classes – Whether you have had problems behind the wheel or not, driving classes can improve your standing with an insurance company.
•Get good grades – If you are a student, maintain a high grade point average. Some insurers offer discounts to drivers with high performance levels in school.
•Use the same company for all vehicles owned – Multiple vehicle discounts can add up fast in chinking away at the bottom line policy costs.
•Seek out other discounts – Affiliations with particular schools organizations can offer you member discounts. Look for these and use them to your advantage.
Auto insurance is a necessary evil. How much it will cost you, however, depends a lot on what discounts you are willing to go after.

Before setting out to purchase a policy, it is a very good idea to determine in advance what types of coverage are actually needed. On the very basic end of the spectrum, the laws in most states require motorists to have basic liability insurance and sometimes personal injury protection. Unless there are some other legal requirements specific to the jurisdiction, these two coverage types will suffice.

Are they enough to really cover you? The answer is generally no. Other types of coverage can provide you better protection in the event of an accident. They include comprehensive, collision and uninsured/underinsured motorist.
Coverage types also extend to extras that do not really involve accidents, per se. They include towing and rental car reimbursement.

When it is time to buy insurance, review policy types against personal needs and available finances. If money is tight, basic coverage will do the job. For better protection in the event of an emergency, add on protections as needed.

GM has only agreed to cover product liability claims that are put into action after the company pulls out of bankruptcy. This means those with claims in the system prior to the bankruptcy filing are an uncertain future. Still, this does not mean all hope is lost. Some consumer rights groups are lobbying in hopes of making GM cover existing claims once its restructuring is completed. Legislation is also pending that could force both Chrysler and GM to cover accident victims when product liability is to blame.

Product liability cases arise when accidents or other mishaps arise that involve faulty equipment. In many cases, consumers or accident victims are awarded damages if the liability is proven. Bankruptcy protection can give a company, such as GM, the ability to walk away from such claims without having to pay.

If you have a product liability concern with a GM vehicle or another make, it is best to seek out legal advice before proceeding.

With more people facing credit problems and fewer banks going out of their way to write auto loans, you might find yourself rather disheartened if a new vehicle is a must. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of getting the funding you need. They include:

•Coming up with a down payment – For many, the days of no-money-down loans are over. A down payment can help you look more attractive and responsible to a lender. Try to come up with at least something beyond your old clunker to sweeten the deal.

•Addressing credit concerns – Try to pay off a few accounts and make your income versus debt ratio look better before applying for a car loan. If you have the time to do this, it can help a great deal.

•Accepting a higher interest rate – It is possible you might have to take a higher interest rate than you may have otherwise paid. If the loan is simple interest and comes with no penalties for over payment or faster payoff, do not sweat this point too much. Instead, pay down the loan as quickly as possible to avoid extra interest charges.

Getting a loan to buy a new vehicle in this economy is no walk in the park. There are steps you can take to make the road a little less bumpy.

That is a question that can be a little difficult to answer while you are sitting in a dealership trying to decide whether to add the expense to a purchase or put it on hold. Extended warranties can be very wise buys or they can simply jack up your overall monthly payments if the cost is factored into your loan.

Some of the questions to ask yourself before deciding to get an extended warranty at the time you buy include:

•How long do I plan on keeping this car? – If you change out cars every three or four years, an extended warranty might not be worth the purchase. The new car warranty will probably cover you.

•What does the warranty cover? – Make sure an extended warranty covers what the manufacturer does under the new car warranty. If major systems are excluded, the purchase might not be worth the price.

•How much of a price break do I get if I buy it now? – If you do plan on keeping your new car for years down the road, find out if you save money on the purchase by making it immediately.

•Can I afford to buy it later? – Find out if there is a window of time for you to purchase a warranty after the car is driven off the lot. It can be cheaper to save up to pay in full for the warranty extension a year down the road rather than work it into the loan.

A new car extended warranty can be worth the price of admission. The decision to buy now or later, however, often hinges on dollars and cents and how long the vehicle will be kept.

Some of the things to keep in mind when you are trying to decide on a vehicle to buy include:

•Your budget – Take a look at your household budget and determine how much you would be comfortable paying out for a car on a monthly basis. Unless you plan on making a cash purchase, this will be a very big question to answer.

•The down payment you have – If you do have a down payment, factor this into the pricing. If your down is large enough, you might be able to walk away with a more expensive car and still keep your monthly payments in the range you desire.

•Your needs – Write down what you actually need in a car. Consider such things as how many people you need to comfortably fit in a car, how much cargo you tend to carry around and so on. This will help point you in the direction of the right styles to consider.

•Your wants – If your budget is tight, wants may not be able to come into play. If it is not, however, chances are you can work a few extras into the deal.

Buying a new car is an expensive proposition that can be confusing. To simplify matters, it can help to sit down and determine a few factors to guide the search. Once parameters are set, review makes and models that fit your list to find the ones that appeal.

Should you keep full coverage or drop it to save yourself a big chunk of change on a monthly basis?
The answer to that question depends on a few important factors. Remember, full coverage is what will help you replace your vehicle in the event of an accident where it is totaled out.

So, what do you need to pay attention to? These points can help guide the decision to keep paying out or not:

• The value of the car – If your car is still worth a fair amount in Blue Book value, it could be a good idea to keep on paying for full coverage. The monthly payment will simply help protect your investment should an accident happen.

• Your ability to purchase a new vehicle – If you have the resources to replace your car with a reasonable amount of ease if it is stolen or damaged in a crash, paying out monthly for extra coverage might not be worth it.

• The monthly price – If you are paying out enough on a monthly basis to notice a big difference by dropping the coverage, you may want to consider going with the minimum. You can take the payment that would have gone on insurance and put it toward covering yourself for a new vehicle.

Full coverage insurance can provide important protection, but it is not always needed. Consider your financial situation, the value of the car you are protecting and then make the decision to keep the coverage or not.

There are many who would argue that Italy is a triumph for all the senses, and its cars are a continuation of that. Like the food and wine, Italian cars are made to a high standard and are the standard to which many others aspire. Like the fashion, they can be expensive but never fail to impress onlookers. And like the Italians themselves, they are frequently very easy on the eye.

Whether it is a Ferrari, an Alfa Romeo or a Lamborghini – or any other Italian car – owning a vehicle from the home of opera music and fine dining sets you apart from others. There is every reason why Italian cars are so popular. And if you ask any petrol head what car they would most like to own, it generally will not be long until they mention one of those named above.