Saturday, February 23, 2008

Buying Your Motorcycle Insurance Online

There are many ways to go about getting a motorcycle insurance quote but the easiest might be doing it online. While this process of getting estimates for policies over the Internet is still relatively new, it is something that is becoming more common all the time.

It makes shopping around for the best deal on insurance much easier as you do not have to leave your home or office computer to find the best deals. You do not get the same pressures as when you shop in person for insurance nor do you need to spend hours with a salesmen as you attempt to get the best available polices for your money. It can all be done on your time, after business hours if that is easiest for you, and everything you need to know will be delivered to your email.

Some of the insurance companies are in actual fact brokers and they will do the shopping round for you by sending your information around to the companies they deal with. This will give you the opportunity to get even more quotes to compare. Remember that one of the things you are looking for is pricing but the other is what the policy offers to you. They will ask you the same questions as any other indemnity company will.

To get a proper motorcycle insurance quote they will need to know what your driving record is and will ask many questions based on this need. The online form will have places to give full answers to whether you have had any accidents, speeding or parking tickets. They will want to know how long you have been driving and specifically how long you have been driving a motorbike. These online insurance companies also have phone support workers to help you out your needs.

Another advantage to getting a web based estimate is that you can pay for your policy by the use of your credit card or debit card. This can be done by paying the entire amount at one time or with monthly payments. That can be much easier than having to write out twelve postdated checks or remembering to put a check in the mail every month.

They try to make everything easier for you and encourage their potential customers to use web based indemnity companies instead of going to an office somewhere. Convenience is how they sell you on their services. If you are concerned that this may not be the best way for you to get an estimate on the cost of your policy you can always try contacting an insurance salesmen nearby to get your motorcycle insurance quote, but you may still find online an easier route.

Low Cost Motorcycle Insurance

Low cost motorcycle insurance is offered by many companies that insure all types of vehicles including motorcycles. Coverage for water craft, cars, trucks, and SUVs is available through insurance sources that understand the special concerns and needs of vehicle owners. There are companies that also specialize solely in offering motorcycle coverage for all types of bikes. Whether driving a Harley, racing bike, mountain bike, custom bike or vintage two-wheeler, inexpensive motorcycle insurance can be obtained from the right source.

This category of coverage can be found that protects from fiscal hammering in issue of an accident or scratch to the insured vehicle. In order to get low cost motorcycle insurance, there are numerous equipment to be conscious of that move what charge an anyone can obtain such as age of bike, the driver's age, and driving document. If superstar has just purchased a name, new, trendy motorcycle, they should be arranged to pay senior premiums on the bike than if they had purchased an adult, ordinary standard. Just as in cars, newer, flashier versions end up requiring senior levels of coverage. Low profile standards forever ratio more inexpensive motorcycle insurance.

Other aspects that move the cost, is the backdrop in which the driver lives, if the vehicle is motivated occasionally or daily and how it is stored when not in use. If an anyone lives in a rural place, they will more prone be ratio for low cost motorcycle insurance because of excluding passage in the quarter. Motorcycles that are motivated for weekend pleasure rides can obtain more coverage for the money than those motivated daily to work. Storing the vehicle in a garage or storeroom house when not in use can also change what inexpensive motorcycle insurance can be obtained. "For the customs of man are before the eyes of the noble, and he pondered his entire goings."

The adult the holder is, the more prone they are to obtain a better agreement. However, if the driver is not experienced, companies that recommend low cost motorcycle insurance are more prone to viewpoint the applicant as they would a fresh driver waiting that anyone has some experience in driving this separate of vehicle. Forceful document is a determining aspect in getting inexpensive motorcycle insurance as well. Suchlike the driving chronicle is, whether in a car or other vehicle, will help establish what kind of coverage will be probable.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Client Marketing Audit Engine Builders

The paper is intended to outline the marketing situation of the Company and to make reasonable recommendations about the proper tact and development of a strategic marketing position. As written in A Framework for Marketing Management and Marketing Management Millennium Edition, Tenth Edition (Kotler, Philip), “Modern marketing calls for more than developing a good product, pricing it attractively, and making it accessible to target customers. Companies must also communicate with present and potential stakeholders, and with the general public. The marketing communications mix consists of five major modes of communication: advertising, sales promotion, public relations and publicity, personal selling, and direct marketing.”

Kotler also wrote that for a company to develop an “effective marketing communication requires eight steps: (1) Identify the target audience, (2) determine the communication objectives, (3) design the message, (4) select the communication channels, (5) establish the total communication budget, (6) decide on the communication mix, (7) measure the communications’ results, and (8) manage the integrated marketing communication process.

Within the following marketing audit an honest attempt has been endeavored to accurately observe behaviors and contemporaneously record conversations with employees, ownership, prospects and customers in such a was as not to divulge the identity of the source. Hopefully, such anonymity has bolstered the honesty of those that have given information to the author. In turn, the resulting honesty should have improved the chances for an accurate compilation of the current marketing position of the Company. To the extent that accrued sales data and financial statement information was not available for review and comparison to industry norms and metrics the audit was limited to interviews and subjective data. While some polling has been executed with customers in order to paint an accurate picture of local and surrounding demographics and market share, the Company should endeavor to obtain more comprehensive market share data to fully exercise their place in the industry.

During the past five weeks, the following elements of the marketing position of the company have been reviewed:

Part I. Marketing Environment Audit
· Macro environment

· Demographic

· Economic

· Technological

· Competitors

Part II. Marketing Strategy Audit

· Business Mission

· Strategy

Part III. Marketing Organization Audit

· Formal Structure

· Functional Efficiency

· Interface Efficiency

Part IV. Marketing Systems Audit
· Marketing Control System
· New-Product Development

Part V. Marketing Productivity Audit
· Profitability Analysis

· Cost-Effective Analysis:

Part VI. Marketing Function Audit
· Products

· Price
· Distribution
· Sales Force

Essentially it is the Auditor’s opinion that the Company suffers no problems that well thought out communication both internal and external to the firm coupled with consistent execution through solid team building processes and a permanent change in attitude cannot remedy. Albeit there lies strong institutional resistance to change in the Company which is endemic to most all small closely held operations, much can be done to effect the positive change absolutely required if the Company ever desires to stretch beyond a local company serving customers haphazardly.

Part I. Marketing Environment Audit

Macro environment

Demographic:
Since the customer demographics include direct retail purchasers as well as automotive engine repair shops we look to the individuals and their buying habits within the two groups. First, the individual buying habits of the customers dictates how to approach not only the existing demographic but new undeveloped markets as well. Traditionally, the Company has combined mass mailing with direct in person customer contact by the outside marketing department. In 2000, a major competitor in the rebuilt engine company from Indiana, “Jasper”, entered the Texas market by employing a direct sales force with full management staff in the major markets. Jasper sells directly to the end user, the repair shop mechanic and this approach has changed the way customers can buy engines. In addition, ownership has caused Internet exposure via the websites to become formidable additions to the strategic marketing front consistently generating almost 40% of the sales volume according to ownership since no financial data is made available to employees for management purposes. Jasper prices significantly higher than CLIENT, Inc. but offers a stout warranty. The Company can compete on both the distance advantage and the warranty if it accounts for it in price. In response to Jasper as well as a declined engine market, the company has hired a marketing person to lead the marketing and sales effort for the foreseeable future. Within the last two months, CLIENT., INC mailed 8800 pieces of a combination flyer event invitation to remind customers that CLIENT., INC is still in business. The mailer resulted in approximately 100 attendees to the barbeque event November 8, 2003. Two or three motors were sold as a result. Economic:

No doubt exists that as long as man drives the internal combustion engine; demand will exist for rebuilt replacement engines. CLIENT., INC stands ready to serve this demand. Several factors contribute to the overall demand in a given market as regards engines. First, the general economic health can contribute to whether people drive their cars longer requiring sometimes a replacement engine or they buy a new one. CLIENT., INC obviously prefers the former. Price conditions currently are tough as what is believed to be an end to general industry compression in the number of engine producers, which started in late 2000 and is now tapering off. Nevertheless, ownership has attributed its loss in volume to a poor economy while this Auditor believes a case could be made that the business has shrunk due to improper handling of several strategic issues. Ownership’s short-term attitude to the cost of warranty rather than coupling that with the consequences of irritating customers over warranty such that they cease the relationship may not have been realized.

As a response to this compression, CLIENT., INC has laid off much staff shrinking the payroll to have its height in 2000 when gross sales were also double what they are today. The Company has held prices stable for the past eighteen months, as it has found innovative ways to cut costs. Technological:

The President has indicated a desire to transform the company from a mom and pop operation to a firm that allows rigorously recruited and hired employees to take charge and responsibility of the company’s destiny toward growth and profitability so that all stakeholders will prosper. As such, systems from accounting to order entry to dispatch, communications and fuel and fleet management must be improved and brought up to date so that the company can jump ahead of expectations and get away from the reactionary mode of operating. New skill sets must be recruited to fit the model if this company is going to ever achieve anything more than a fifty-employee company. Competitors:

As indicated earlier, Jasper Engines is a late entry to the Texas market and at the top of the price tier. Other competitors include Four Star, Thunderbolt, Jasper, Roadmaster and others as well as local small town machine shops. Jasper has effectuated a policy to sell to anyone. Others have marketed repair shops but tend to work through parts distributors where possible. Summary Conclusion Part I.

In 2000, the Texas remanufactured auto engine market changed by the entry of Indiana’s Jasper Engine and Transmissions to the State. Jasper changed the industry here not only by entering as a formidable competitor but in their marketing tact of selling directly to the consumer through the repair shop rather than through a jobber or distribution network. Jasper seized onto the extreme high dollar end of the market with its pricing structure where the Company and others missed out by pricing too low and delivering lower quality.

Economic conditions generally declined the auto market and this took auto engine remanufactures with it. As a result to market belt tightening the Company’s ownership made the strategic error of electing a perceived cash flow remedy of not paying warranty claims for shabby craftsmanship rather than controlling cost in a more efficient manner and preserving customer relationships. The Company has as a result lost 45% of year 2000 top line sales.

The Company’s technology is par with industry in the plant but at least ten years lagging in order processing and information technology. The Company has no network administrator and problems result.

As the market has stabilized during 2003, the Company by recognizing opportunities and grasping a second wind now endeavors to position itself to capture market share in risk balanced market place activities and niches.

Part II. Marketing Strategy Audit
Business Mission:
Although ownership possesses a clear mind of mission in the generic sense, part of the mission gets confused when verbally imparted to the employees. That is to say that no visible written strategic business plan of action or business mission exists. If one does exist it no promotion exists or is made available to employees for empowerment and accountability purposes.

The owner and leadership have indicated their desire to recapture lost accounts and develop new channels and customer niches and are willing to invest the time, energy and dollars to do so. The entire process of this marketing audit has indirectly caused a spur in the thinking of what the Company is doing and why they are doing it. In other words, the ownership and employees have begun to realize that positive change is a good thing and that in order to thrive in a global engine market a firm must be flexible and “roll” with market conditions and demands. Customers will not accept less than superior service and a proper pricing model; they will just take their order to the competition.

Marketing Objectives and Goals:
The marketing objectives and goals are the proverbial “Let’s grow” which is to say that no formal written goals and objectives are recorded or articulated to the team. The general employee temperament is stagnation at keeping their job rather than working and dreaming to excel and actually enjoy coming to work. In other words, employees take care of themselves first and the Company (the President) and Customers next. As such, the only way to plan marketing and measure performance is from the daily profit and loss statement, which only seems to be available to the owner and not managers or staff. The purpose of this audit is to determine the action items needed to formulate a formal marketing policy that the staff may implement. Strategy:

While the strategy may be clear in the mind of the ownership of the company, there is tremendous vagueness when an employee is asked the question. The ownership is clear in vision albeit not documented so that it may be measured. The company is not using best basis or best practice for market segmentation nor does it have a clear criterion for rating segments and choosing the best ones the company merely sells to the one on the phone or in their face first. There is no formal marketing resources allocation mix. Monies are provided when the ownership believes the task will be beneficial. Moreover, “the Marketing Budget” exists in the ownership mind but not on a real budget whereas a management team could be charged and then held accountable for results.

Summary Conclusion Part II.
The Company has no formalized mission statement. Disconnection exists between ownership goals and employee execution. Marketing and sales goals are articulated as “Let’s grow.” The ownership has requested this audit to identify problem areas in order to establish and action plan for 2004. Marketing strategy should be written and shared among the employees for morale, accountability, incentive, quality and brand imaging.

Part III. Marketing Organization Audit
Formal Structure:
Prior to September 2003, there was no concentrated marketing effort for well over a year. Customer satisfaction has not been made a responsibility of Marketing, Sales or Production but rather the ownership handles “heat cases” as they eventually make their way to him. Once these situations arrive at “firefighter headquarters.” Headquarters consists of a small desk with an outdated obsolete computer networked to a “Novell” system that is so unproductive when one loads any current day program “the whole network is slowed”, according to one employee. The owner either “handles” it right then or “puts them in cue.” Cue means that they go on a wall file for further negotiation. Most all of the employees believe that customers’ dissatisfaction is so highly enhanced and embellished by this cuing of complaints or untimely resolution that lost customers are the result. A new warranty mechanism must be articulated and implemented. Marketing activities are ad hoc. Functional Efficiency:

Good communication and working relations between marketing and sales now exists. Since overcoming a rocky beginning in September between this Auditor and certain long time entrenched employees, sales and marketing are in constant communication with each other. In the past, the “sales guy” would just go about his business and there was no communication between him and other staff. Product managers (General Manager) are not able to plan profit or sales volume due to no reporting available. Interface Efficiency: There are substantial problems as regards communication and interaction between sales and manufacturing to the extent that the manufacturing manager seems to employ an “us (manufacturing) against them (sales)” philosopy. This individual told the author in October 2003 in an attempted impromptu leadership meeting that “there is nothing that we can do to get better, we are doin’ it as well as it can be done.” Many employees in the inside have stated that the manufacturing manager has threatened the owner in the past with a total labor walkout if his demands are not accommodated. As a result to this and this employees general attitude, the inside the office leadership resents this individual and that causes apprehension about the working relationship so both sides ignore each other. Lower quality, customer satisfaction and high warranty costs are the resulting victim in the end. The established détente and dysfunctional operation cause problems to the extent that communication and cooperation is extremely difficult. The auditor believes that this dysfunctional behavior creates and indeterminable hidden cost to the Company in dollars due to diminished quality and morale. One only needs to review the accompanying photographs on the next page to understand the true room for improvement just by noticing the filthy and non-inspected for safety working conditions. As such the Auditor, while not a certified safety inspector believes that if a regulatory agency like Occupational Safety and Health Administration were to inspect the plant, the Company would incur massive fines. This slip-shod manner in operations carries over into the general image of the Company through the delivery model. Summary Conclusion Part III.

No concentrated marketing effort has existed for at least the last year. Customer satisfaction is handled on an emergency basis as a rule and the old adage of the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Sales counter personnel are distracted with too many non-revenue producing activities. Sales and marketing are jointly working to expand the “thinking” of personnel in order to deliver a superior product to customers. Warranty cash expended is weighed more heavily than long-term customer effects.

Part IV. Marketing Systems Audit
Marketing Control System:
There is no annual plan objective to track or gauge achievement. The ownership rather than the management periodically reviews product profitability, markets, and channels of distribution. Marketing costs are ad-hoc evaluated with the gut instinct rather than with formality or plan. Again, if such a plan exists it is not shared with leadership since the owner is the leader. This control system achieves the result of stifling growth rather than enhancing it. The Auditor makes recognition of ownership’s desire and new found efforts to step back and allow leaders to germinate a new initiative of team work, accountability and profitability.

New-Product Development:
The company is not well organized to gather, generate or screen new-product ideas? Idea generation comes from spur of the moment conversations held with many interruptions and no execution or very difficult execution consequences. It is operated with loose, shoot from the hip mentality with the ownership dictating his desires since as the employee consensus says, “he knows everything and a lot better than us.” In the past the owner has executed much research. Employees perceive that personal initiative is fruitless, not rewarded and discouraged. The disconnection between facilitating passive aggressive behavior and honest communication cause tension when the owner “is around.” This complaint requires that goals, targets and minimum standards for performance dictate rewards and compensation increases. The old saying of just giving him/her enough rope to hang him/herself would apply here. The perception of this attitude by employees is two fold. By placing all blame on the owner, employees avoid taking responsibility for any actions or results. Vice versa, the owner by not properly delegating and then holding personnel accountable only ratifies the employee attitude. Adequate and proper market and product testing is to “whatever the market will bear.” In summation, the owner commits the traditional sin, searching for approval from employees rather than pushing them to develop their talents and allowing them to make mistakes to grow. Summary Conclusion Part IV.

Information is not disseminated to people that need to take responsibility for their daily performance. New-product development does not exist.

Part V. Marketing Productivity Audit
Profitability Analysis:
The company’s profitability of different products, markets, territories and channels of distribution is unknown to the extent that the ownership does not divulge that information to employees. There are no findings pursuant to entry or exit from markets to the extent rendered in the aforementioned statement. Cost-Effective Analysis:

Marketing activities are standard and in line given the developmental level of the Company. Summary Conclusion Part V.

Distribute information to trusted team members and enlist team building with true limited authority for a budget to achieve objectives.

Part VI. Marketing Function Audit
Products:
Product-line objectives are to double sales volume to where it was three years ago so overhead costs are contained. It is unknown which product-lines should be expanded or contracted since that information is not made available by ownership.

Buyers’ attitude toward our general product is good until there is a warranty issue. The ownership executes all warranty claims and takes a short-term approach to solving the claim. While the ownership believes most engine issues are caused by mechanic at installation (this action mitigates costs by blaming the customer), once the claim is not handled to the customers’ satisfaction that customer goes away and tells many to do the same. The general quality of the product to its presentation is in drastic need of improvement. Price:

The company’s pricing objectives are to be price competitive and we are. The ownership constantly reviews and is aware of the market as regards price. Customers that buy believe that we are competitive. Customers that do not buy do so for an array of reasons. Distribution:

Since inception the distribution objectives have been ad-hoc with not much order place on efficiency or consolidation. Now, that ownership has developed the means to wholesale our product by way of a special d/b/a/ and website dedicated to the parts distributor (jobber), marketing can develop new customers and channels through such. The company considers expanding its distribution channels to further diversify its channel mix from delivery and pick up. Advertising, Sales Promotion, Publicity, and Direct Marketing:

The company has no formalized advertising budget, at least not one known by the staff. The company does not employ media except the United States Mail. Ownership has recently chosen to purchase weekly newspaper type advertisement commencing January 2004 convinced that during the Christmas season peoples cars always run and never need motors. The company has a database but does not employ on-line marketing save the website and sporadically (used once or twice according to staff memory) uses coupons.

Sales Force:
What are the sales force objectives? Unknown. Is the sales force large enough to accomplish the company’s objectives? Debatable. The three salesmen at the counter probably exert more effort and activity during the day than any other employees in the company. The direct issue in sales is not effort or activity but direction or lack thereof. The salesmen serve not only as sales people to walk in customers and in bound phone calls but they also serve the Company in a myriad of functions.

The salesmen answer the phones of the company fielding every single in coming call. This is an issue because it is a distraction from sales. In a move to cut costs in recent memory, ownership decided to retire the receptionist. This move was good and bad. When no receptionist answered all the calls, every call then and now arrived straight at the sales counter. The resulting poor allocation of labor may have decreased payroll costs significantly but the underlying hidden costs of lost sales is not measured or realized. In a word, sales guys need to be on the phone with customers or prospects. This customer service or prospecting time is lost due to the overwhelming distraction of having to jump to answer the phone when it rings. While the Auditor is not informed of payroll pursuant to sales personnel, it is imagined with certainty that the lost dollars in opportunity costs relative to lost sales overwhelmingly advocates a better system. The sales force is not organized. The sales manager is also the General Manager as well as a salesman. Procedures are not adequate for setting quotas or evaluating performance. Without any measurement no incentives are paid and employees are unhappy about lower compensation. How does the company sales force compare to competitors’ sales forces? Unknown.

As the means to determining all of these questions, the Auditor tried to review various data compiled by the Company over the past few years. Specifically, we wanted to look to daily, weekly and monthly sales totals and then compare these to their past equivalents. In order to verify the authenticity of the historical data, we wanted to analyze the data to determine who the customers have been and why, what factors yield the best gross margin as well as net income. We would have reviewed this data within the prior committed time limits but such data is not made available to employees to craft a timely report to management. The most difficult part of the analysis will be gaining access to the data since the computer system is not now maintained and not administered from a networking position. This cost cutting measure could be catastrophic is any one of a number of issues occurs.

Summary Conclusion Part VI.
Overhead costs have been slashed to a minimum. Ownership has indicated a goal of year 2000 sales volume at $5,000,000. Warranty costs must be managed as well as the good will of the customer. Look to quality deficiencies in the manufacturing process to cut the true cost of warranties by implementing zero tolerance for defects. Wear safety glasses in the plant and institute at least minimal safety procedures. Enforce the procedures and allow no one to work outside the law or rules.

The Company should balance advertising and marketing with a consistent message to customers. Formalize the marketing, advertising and sales budget as well as all other operating budgets. Improve the quality of product by improving the quality of workers. Start with the worst performing 10% and replace them with more hungry individuals. Eliminate those with non-cooperative or difficult personalities. Remember the Company has to deal with the public and that means that everyone contributes to sales, image and quality. Focus employees on their primary and secondary jobs and eliminate distractions.

Recommended Marketing Improvements
· Enlist team work among leadership
· Establish budget
· Set monthly sales targets
· Monitor daily the progress
· Allocate marketing dollars to maximum impact media
· Advertise
· Diversify media used in advertising
· Promote customer events that pay for themselves via increased sales
· Establish safety and quality as internal standards of living
· Translate internal safety and quality to the brand and the market
· Establish competitors product and pricing and achieve “best of class” solutions


Golf Basics - A Golf Driver Guide

Golf drivers are best for long approach and driving shots made deep into fairways or from the rough. Coming in with various weights and lengths, each are made to match a golfer's swing type and handicap ability. With the help of this golf driver guide, you'll learn how to choose a golf driver that suits you best.

Material

In this golf driver guide, you'll learn about the three materials from which golf drivers are commonly made: steel, titanium, and composite.

Steel: Steel golf drivers are less expensive but are heavier than their titanium counterparts. They are more metallic and traditional looking and have smaller heads due to increased steel weights as well as the limitations in the metal's capacity. Overall, however, they offer reliable durability and solid, consistent connection when you need it.

Titanium: Titanium is one of the biggest breakthroughs in golf technology, giving you golf drivers that have lightweight but larger heads, helping increase the sweet spot you need. They give you the ability to hit some decent shots from off centre connections that many will find useful in saving them shots in a round. Impact- and corrosion-resistant, the only drawback is that they can be quite expensive.

Composite: Composite drivers combine titanium with non-metal materials. Their biggest advantage? They're lightweight. By reducing head weights, manufacturers can center the drivers' weight nearer their faces, giving you larger sweet spots. Combined with titanium, these drivers lightweight handling, without sacrificing distance.

Length and weight

Another consideration in this golf driver guide is length and weight. Just remember that longer drivers are best recommended for experienced players because they sacrifice control. For faster swing speeds, stick to lighter drivers. Heavier drivers offer more control but, consequently, will give you less control.


Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Transit Connect X-Press: A Union of Performance and Practicality

Ford is known for creating great designs and high performance cars. But just imagine what the result will be if Ford fuses one of its low-roof’ Ford Transit Connect van with one of its legendary high performance Focus RS? The product is the remarkable Transit Connect X-Press which is considered to be one of Ford’s fastest and highly versatile small commercial vehicles to hit the market.

Transit Connect X-Press is lowered by up to 70 mm with 18-inch OZ alloys and emitting an exhaust note that is likened to that of the Ford’s Focus RS WRC. It has a race-spec roll cage inside while its exterior is done in a pearlescent white paint job and set off with a tri-color X-Press graphics.

According to Barry Gale Ford of Europe’s Chief Engineer for Commercial Vehicles, "Transit Connect is such a strong and dynamically capable vehicle to begin with, that we knew this project would be feasible from the outset. Certain drivetrain and suspension components are common with the first generation Ford Focus, so the transformation was relatively straightforward from an engineering point of view. We now have a unique commercial vehicle that performs like no other. If pushed, it is capable of a 0-60mph time in less than 7 seconds and a 130mph top speed. As you might expect from a Ford, it handles, steers and stops like a sports car.”

The team of engineers that developed the Transit Connect range found it a challenge on how to fit a high performance, turbocharged and intercooled 215PS engine into a vehicle with only minimal changes required. Unfortunately, the X-Press calls for something more and has pushed Ford’s engineers to develop the X-Press from the ground up. But according to Gale, "It wasn't difficult really. Once everyone understood what we were doing they all offered to help in their spare time to make special parts or work on the vehicle. It became a true labour of love and as we're basically all car nuts, we're very pleased with the end product."

The X-Press also shows Ford’s solid commitment in developing vehicles that are not only high performance but offer rewarding driving experience. This does not only cover the passenger cars segment but also applies to other lines of Ford vehicles.

One of the features that make the X-Press really standout is its lowered suspension which makes it look meaner and sleeker. The lowered suspension also makes the X-Press or any car for that matter more stable especially when making turns since it tend to drop the vehicle’s body closer to the center of the gravity. There are lowering springs available like the Eibach springs that are applicable for 2-wheel-drive car, van, SUV, trucks including a number of 4-wheel-drive trucks which private car owners may use on their cars.

Camera Junkies Get Chance To Win 2007 NAIAS Photo Contest

Can you say that you or your kids are monster truck fans? When the last truck rally came to town, were you there with a big smile on your face and ear plugs on your ears? Some monster truck fans are so crazy about the sport that they can’t wait for the next rally or event to happen in their area. What do they do to get their “monster truck” fix when they have nowhere to go? Aside from buying a truck and heading out on the tour with them, there are actually quite a few ways to get all of the latest news and information about your favorite monster truck, the teams and the drivers. You just have to know where to look.

First off, if you have never been to a monster truck rally, you should really try to go and see one. There is no better way to get excited about this sport. Kids and adults of all ages are fans and the events are designed to appeal to all ages. If you dare, you should get a seat up close to the floor so that you can see all of the action-you may even get a little bit dirty. Most rallies also have pit passes or pit parties to encourage the fans to come down onto the field when the events are not going on, so that they can get a close up look at each monster truck. If you can’t go to a rally, at least get a video or DVD of a rally so that you can watch it at home (with the volume turned all the way up, of course.)

The internet is another great resource for monster truck fans. You can find websites which talk about the history of the sport, some are dedicated to a specific team or truck, and some even have message boards where you can connect with other fans. You can sign up for a free newsletter so that you can get the scoop on future rallies and events before anyone else. There are also sites which have pictures and videos of trucks.

For those who want even more information you can get magazines or even children’s books about these trucks. You can learn more specifics about the sport and details about each of the trucks.

This is a great, exciting sport that the whole family can enjoy-so get your motor running.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Low Cost Motorcycle Insurance

Low cost motorcycle insurance is offered by many companies that insure all types of vehicles including motorcycles. Coverage for water craft, cars, trucks, and SUVs is available through insurance sources that understand the special concerns and needs of vehicle owners. There are companies that also specialize solely in offering motorcycle coverage for all types of bikes. Whether driving a Harley, racing bike, mountain bike, custom bike or vintage two-wheeler, inexpensive motorcycle insurance can be obtained from the right source.

This category of coverage can be found that protects from fiscal hammering in issue of an accident or scratch to the insured vehicle. In order to get low cost motorcycle insurance, there are numerous equipment to be conscious of that move what charge an anyone can obtain such as age of bike, the driver's age, and driving document. If superstar has just purchased a name, new, trendy motorcycle, they should be arranged to pay senior premiums on the bike than if they had purchased an adult, ordinary standard. Just as in cars, newer, flashier versions end up requiring senior levels of coverage. Low profile standards forever ratio more inexpensive motorcycle insurance.

Other aspects that move the cost, is the backdrop in which the driver lives, if the vehicle is motivated occasionally or daily and how it is stored when not in use. If an anyone lives in a rural place, they will more prone be ratio for low cost motorcycle insurance because of excluding passage in the quarter. Motorcycles that are motivated for weekend pleasure rides can obtain more coverage for the money than those motivated daily to work. Storing the vehicle in a garage or storeroom house when not in use can also change what inexpensive motorcycle insurance can be obtained. "For the customs of man are before the eyes of the noble, and he pondered his entire goings."

The adult the holder is, the more prone they are to obtain a better agreement. However, if the driver is not experienced, companies that recommend low cost motorcycle insurance are more prone to viewpoint the applicant as they would a fresh driver waiting that anyone has some experience in driving this separate of vehicle. Forceful document is a determining aspect in getting inexpensive motorcycle insurance as well. Suchlike the driving chronicle is, whether in a car or other vehicle, will help establish what kind of coverage will be probable.

Mexican Motorcycle Insurance

When the cyclist goes to purchase Mexican motorcycle insurance, he or she should realize that there are two types of coverage. Some cyclists request full coverage. Full coverage remains effective only so long as the cyclist stays on conventional roads. A decision to ride off road deprives the cyclist of the ability to claim the full coverage.

Full coverage includes compensation for collision damages, theft, liability and legal assistance. Full coverage gives the cyclist more than is required by law. The purchase of Mexican motorcycle insurance that promises only liability coverage satisfies fully the Mexican legal requirements.

Liability coverage insures the delivery of compensation to the third party. Liability coverage, like full coverage remains valid only as long as the motorcycle rider stays on a conventional road.

Liability coverage should keep a motorcyclist out of jail. In the event that the cyclist does encounter problems, the liability coverage insures the cyclist of access to legal services. Such services include bail bond costs and attorney fees.

The decision to take a motorcycle into Mexico should be made with an awareness of the added hazards on the roads in that country. The purchase of Mexican motorcycle insurance offers protection from those added hazards. Some of the biggest hazards show up at night.

When a cyclist travels at night, he or she faces a greater risk of victimization from highway crime. The exposed cyclist is especially vulnerable to such crimes. Unfortunately, crime is not the only added danger at night.

Often local farmers choose to take their livestock across a local road during the night. A motorcyclist could thus end up running into a cow or sheep while out for a night ride. The resulting damages would be covered, if the cyclist had purchase Mexican motorcycle insurance.

A number of Mexicans drive around in cars with broken brakes. At night, the cyclist must also worry about cars with no lights. Because Mexicans do not always pay to have their cars in top working order, the cyclist in Mexico should plan to pay for Mexican motorcycle insurance. That covers damages resulting from collision with a far less than perfect motored vehicle.

One further note of caution should be issued to the cyclist headed for Mexico. That country has many unmarked construction sites. They pose a big risk to the motorcycle rider.

In order to worry less about that added risk, the motorcycle rider should plan to purchase Mexican motorcycle insurance.

Monday, February 18, 2008

Using The 'Autograph' To Get Cheap Motor Insurance

What if your motor insurance provider told you that you could get up to 25 percent discounted from your next car insurance policy simply by showing them that you were a safe driver? It would sound obvious won’t it - after all, basically, isn’t that what a no claims bonus is all about? Well, you can guess again, because with the new “autograph” device getting up to 25 percent discounted on your car insurance policy in the years to come is going to be a very real experience!

What Is The Autograph?

Basically, an “autograph” is a device that you ask a garage to plug into the diagnostic part of your car (which can be found underneath your steering wheel). The autograph will then record all of your driving skills, including how fast you drive, your average speed, whether or not you need to suddenly break (and, if so, how often), the times of the day that you like to be out and about on the roads, what your average mileage is, what your longest and shortest journeys are. In fact, the list is endless. After a pre-determined period, say three or six months, you then return to garage that installed the autograph and they will uninstall it and replace it with a new one. The old autograph is then plugged into a computer and all the requested recorded data is feed into a computer and sent to your motor insurance provider. Your motor insurance provider can then take a look at all of this recorded data and can decide, more accurately, if you are a high or low risk driver!

Benefits of the Autograph

If you are a good driver, the benefits of agreeing to use an autograph are easy to see – after all, recorded data rarely lies! The downside to using an autograph is the fact that it is recording the data collected in the car. This has two effects – first, you have to have a car capable of recording this data (i.e., not too old); second, the data collection cannot differentiate between drivers. As such, if you have a car in your house that is driven by several different people, the autograph will not be able to tell who is driving the car at any given time. Consequently, if you have your son or daughter on your car insurance and they tell you they like to drive at 50 miles an hour, while the autograph tells the motor insurance provider they like to drive at 120 miles an hour, it’s not likely you are going to be getting the 25 percent policy premium discount you were looking for!

All in all though, as with pay per mile car insurance, getting cheap car insurance using an autograph device, although being the way of the future, is here to stay and will most probably benefit far more motor drives than it inhibits.

Get Your Motor Insurance Quote Online With A Brokers Help

A broker can save you an enormous amount of time and money if you get your motor insurance quote online. They are able to gather quotes based on your individual circumstances a broker will know who is likely to offer the cheapest premiums for car insurance based on the information you give to them.

There are insurance companies who tailor car insurance to certain individuals. For example there are those who provide low cost insurance to younger drivers, women motorists or older drivers. A broker will be aware of this and so go with those lenders for your quotes. Of course you will have to decide which level of insurance you want and this will affect the cost.

Fully comprehensive insurance is the dearest type but gives the most cover. Third party fire and theft comes in the middle price range and is often more suitable for younger drivers. Third party only is the least amount of cover you can take and is the cheapest and basic insurance. The level you choose to take is affected by the cost of the car; if you buy a car over a certain amount then financially speaking, you have no option but to take out fully comprehensive in order to protect your investment adequately.

Once you have decided which level you require, then a broker will search based on this and other factors. Insurance companies offer a cheaper motor insurance quote based on many considerations. One of the ways which you can get a cheaper quote is if you have substantial no claims bonus. Drivers who have built this up with years' of experience will be able to secure the cheapest premiums for their insurance.

Younger drivers often find that they are in the high end of the bracket when it comes to paying out for car insurance. The type of car you choose will add to the cost. If it is a sporty model with a big engine then you can expect to pay more for cover. A younger driver would be better off choosing a more sedate small model in order to keep the insurance costs down. Taking advanced driving lessons to improve your safety can help and a broker can certainly dig out those insurance companies who are more lenient with younger drivers.

Installing additional safety features on you car such as having windows etched, putting in car alarms and fitting a tracking device can all go a long way to keeping down the cost of your car insurance. A specialist website will be able to give you hints, tips and advice on many more ways to reduce the cost. Certainly getting your motor insurance quote online is the best way to not only make great savings but is also the easiest way. A specialist will provide you will the key facts of the insurance policy and this is where you can find what is and is not covered. It is essential you read these and compare them at the same time as comparing the premiums because they can vary quite a lot between quotes.

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