Monday, July 9, 2007

The Most and Least Reliable Cars - How Reliable is Your Car

Over the last decade cars have become increasingly reliable. However, large variations in reliability performance do still exist, and reliability is certainly something that should be considered when purchasing a car and deciding whether a warranty is required. A warranty is a type of insurance policy, meaning that if a covered part suffers a mechanical or electrical failure resulting in a breakdown, the warranty will cover the cost of replacement parts and labour. Therefore there is full peace of mind as you know that you will never be left with a huge repair bill to pay.

Warranty Direct and Motoreasy are the two main providers of warranties in the UK. As a price guideline, a 4 year old Peugeot that has traveled 40,000 miles will cost 230 to cover for one year. However, most cars come with a 3 year warranty and if it doesnt come as standard then many retailers offer a warranty separately. When deciding whether to purchase a warranty separately you need to consider the reliability of your car.

Warranty Direct have gathered data from millions of pounds worth of claims every year to compile the Reliability Index, a complete guide to the reliability of cars on the road today. One interesting finding is that 25% of cars suffer mechanical failure at some point between its 4th and 5th year on the road, just as the manufacturers standard warranty expires. However, huge variations in reliability do exist, as illustrated by our five best and worst performers below.

Ford come in at number 5, with Suzuki and Honda at positions 4 and 3 respectively. Honda with its The Power of Dreams slogan appears to live up to its word with a highly reliable range of cars. Mazda comes in second place, with Skoda, perhaps surprisingly, the most reliable car make on the road today. It wasnt long ago that Skoda was ridiculed for being extremely unreliable and hard on the eye, but theyve worked intensively on the reliability of their cars. If youre concerned about being able to drive from one place to another at any time then consider purchasing a Skoda. Practical and exciting. Dont see that very often its certainly practical and is unlikely to let you down.

Moving on to the top 5 list car manufacturers dont want to be in, Jaguar comes in at number 5. Known more for its looks and performance rather than reliability, many people would see this as a fair trade-off. Land Rover comes in as the 4th most unreliable car. Derided as a car that is unpractical and unnecessary for city roads it also appears that it is unreliable. With the huge increase in taxes in the UK planned for high polluting vehicles a hard time could be in store for the Land Rover. Next up is Subaru, followed by the Jeep in second position. The jeep was really designed for off-road pursuits so perhaps it isnt surprising to see it struggling in the reliability stakes as they werent originally designed for the roads. Finally, the most unreliable car on the road today is Porsche. If a Porsche is your only mode of transport you may want to consider purchasing another more reliable car or certainly a warranty. Whilst it is a high-performance car Lexus have shown that you can be fast and reliable, as they came in as the 6th most reliable car make on the road.

Therefore if youre looking for a car purely to get you from one place to another consider purchasing a Skoda. If youre concerned about performance, speed, and looks then Lexus are certainly worth considering.

Health and Dental Insurance Quotes - Applying Online

Since 2001, large health and dental insurance companies such as BlueCross and GE Financial have offered health insurance online. As a result, individuals and small business owners have more options when purchasing insurance. Consumers can access quotes for premiums and coverage plans to find the most affordable package for their needs.

Determine Your Needs

Health and dental insurance is not just about finding the lowest premiums. You also need to factor in the costs of co-pays, deductibles, and maximum benefits. Determine how often you see a doctor and how much you can afford to pay in medical expenses. Too little coverage can set you back financially if you have an unexpected hospital bill, so make sure you have enough coverage to protect yourself.

You should also be aware that pre-existing conditions are not typically covered for the first 12 months of the health or dental insurance policy. This is common whether you receive coverage from an employer or purchase it yourself.

Start Getting Quotes

Online health and dental companies are dominated by traditional insurance companies, not shady entities. These traditional insurance companies use the internet to allow you to research their financial records, terms and conditions, and customer service practices. The internet has also increased competition between providers, resulting in more affordable options for individuals and small business owners.

Comparing Quotes

When you request a quote online for health or dental insurance, the company will give you a base rate quote, what an average consumer will pay in your area with average health conditions. The more information you provide, the more realistic the quote will be. Base quotes allow you to quickly compare plans and prices, without having to submit answers to a tedious amount of questions.

The Official Quote

To get an official quote, you will need to fill out an application with an insurance company. Typically an insurance company will require access to your health records, submitting to a medical exam, and providing answers to a detailed questionnaire. The insurance company uses the information to determine your risk to give you an official quote.

Once you have an official insurance quote, the paperwork is practically finished so you can quickly have health and dental insurance. The entire process can take up about four weeks.

To view our list of recommended companies online that provide health insurance and can help you compare quotes, visit this page: Recommended Insurance Companies Online.