Sometimes, understanding the very basis needs of your car, and following simple instruction to maintain it can prevent you from being caught up in serious incidents. Usually, most modern cars are almost maintenance free, but they do require regular check-ups and proper servicing from experienced car professionals to keep them going and going… (more…)

While most car owners complain that their car saps up a lot of money, what they don’t realise it that a little bit of care and regular maintenance will not just save them money but also increase the longevity of their car.

After a house, I reckon, the car is perhaps the second most expensive investment any one makes. In this series of five blogs, we’ll discuss one basic tip each on how a bit of TLC for your car can keep it happy forever!

Tip # 1: Don’t waste money on a new car

If you have recently bought a new car, then remember that it may be under a 3-year warranty period. If you feel that, there is some problem with the car, drive-in to the dealer immediately. Ask them to inspect it and have them fix the problem. The warranty period is applicable to both new and used cars so do not worry even if you’re the second owner. You can extend your 3-year warranty period to a couple of years more at a reasonable rate and enjoy some peace of mind!

Another important thing to do is look around for various offers on breakdown cover. Do your homework before you take the plunge, remember by comparing the level of cover you are getting, you will be able to save yourself from unnecessary expenses. Remember, most policies cover the person as well as the car, so even if you are riding in your friend’s car when it breaks down, you are still covered.
Written by guest blogger Karma Kontent

The other day I came across an article in a magazine, which said that more than 20% students in UK own a car and that all of them need car insurance! It’s quite a revealing statistic as car insurance just doesn’t protect you, and your car but also others. Mostly due to the high risks involved, students just like young drivers have to pay out more for their car insurance premiums.

Car Insurance for students has three primary coverage options

Third Party Only — the cheapest car insurance policy in town! It is also the minimum coverage allowed by law. Covers accidents which involve collision, injury or death. Doesn’t cover you or your car. If your care gets damaged, stolen, or destroyed you will have to bear all expenses. Doesn’t cover any incapacitating injury even if it ruins your life. Read the fine print carefully. (more…)

Can you drive a car without tyres? It’s impossible. And that’s exactly why you must never neglect to ensure that your car tyres are well-cared. Despite breakdown cover, you need to spend sometime to make sure your tyres are well-maintained as your life’s safety depends on them. Here what and how you can check your car tyres.

What to check with tyres?

Remember this five point check –

1. Check the condition of each tyres ( especially the inner and outer sidewalls)
2. Check the tread depth of your tyre
3. Check pressure in all the tyres
4. Check for any signs of irregular wear, look under the wheel arch for this
5. Don’t forget to check and examine the spare tyre (more…)

Motor sport evokes vivid images of 30 second pit stops, 10-15 people in similar colour overalls rushing to greet the race driver, and getting down to checking the mechanism of the car while some others get down to changing tyres. Do you know who these people are? These guys at the pits and paddock and trackside are known as marshals. They are the real scene stealers during every F1 race. No marshals, no motor sport. Yes, it’s true. (more…)

As a marshal, you can volunteer your services directly to the clubs you are associated with or then through the British Motorsport Marshals Club (BMMC). (more…)

Car insurance is one of the types of insurance that covers drivers for cars, motorbikes, vans, and other vehicles. Driving a car usually means taking risks for yourself and others as well. Motor insurance is compulsory in the UK.

Mostly three types of insurance covers are offered by car insurance companies. These are:

Third Party Only—it covers you against accidental damage to a 3rd party vehicle, injury and liability to passengers in the policy holder’s car.

Third Party, Fire and Theft—include all benefits of 3rd party with additional benefits of cover for fire, lightening, explosion, theft etc.

Fully Comprehensive—covers against accidental damage and injury to third parties and liability to passengers in the policy holder’s car. (more…)

Some more information about Car Breakdown Insurance While Travelling in Europe…

What’s my Choice for Car Breakdown Insurance?
The insurance policies available cover various types of trips such as single or annual. Annual insurance is perhaps most cost-effective for those of us who travel to Europe for frequent weekend trips by car.

Are There Any Limitations?
Sure, there are limitations to the mechanical breakdown insurance policy, but that’s the case with any insurance policy. Important to read the FINE PRINT. That’s where these insurers make a fool of us folks. Some clauses you should check are, ‘prior to departure’ breakdown insurance, what happens if you purchase a policy 7 days before departure but your car breaks down 2 days before you are about to leave, will you have coverage? What are the maximum days your policy will provide coverage? Are there limitations on the duration of the trips etc? (more…)

Most of us living in the UK agree that the best way to see Europe is to tour the continent by car. Not only does driving give us the freedom to go wherever we want, but we can do it whenever we want as well. But very few of us anticipate a breakdown situation, especially in the ‘middle of nowhere’ and in an unknown city, country and where people don’t speak English!

Oh God! My Car Has Broken Down

Some of the more important questions that we need to answer before embarking on the journey are – What will happen if my car breaks down just before the trip? What if it breaks down while on the trip? How will I get my car checked and repaired? Where will I stay while my car is being repaired? How can I plan for this added expense? And the most important – What will happen if my car can’t be repaired? How will I get my family and myself home and how can I pay for it? (more…)

A couple of days back, I decided to check the new rates for breakdown cover, as mine is about to expire soon. To my surprise, the search term breakdown cover came up with 100’s of names offering coverage in UK. But what actually had me interested was the number of websites offering a ‘comparison’ service. I was intrigued and decided to pursue this further. After browsing many of them, I now realise that they are good, but they left me very confused!

The comparison websites list all the major breakdown service providers, different levels or types of covers provided by them, and, of course, the cost for the type of car breakdown cover you are specifically looking for.

And your choice, based on the company and type of cover, will be the deciding factors regarding the quality of breakdown service you receive. (more…)