The Versatility Of Caravan Insurance
Mar 2, 2010 More Saving
The 1970’s rock band Caravan once released a rather oddly titled album called “For Girls Who Go Plump In The Night” which, let’s be honest, isn’t the kind of thing you’d expect to read in an article about caravan insurance, even if the writer owns one (a caravan that is!) An insurance man in a caravan is perhaps not that strange, but an insurance man in a caravan listening to Caravan? No way!
I’m not sure what got me thinking about this subject; I think it was looking back at some photographs of last years Glastonbury festival and noticing, in one guise or another, just how many caravans were there. Obviously as an insurance man I was thinking about their insurance cover and whether or not the underwriters were actually aware just what they were being used for.
If memory serves me correctly there were caravans being lived in, housing first aid helpers, acting as tea shops (and I don’t mean mobile catering units, I mean caravans, proper ones with curtains) used as rest homes for tired musicians and even as the home of paid for showers.
Over in the camping fields there were caravans sheltering security staff from the rain, acting as the temporary weekend home for ageing rockers (some may have even been fellow caravan fans who knows?) and as the meeting point for lost festival goers.
Of course, the musicians themselves are among the biggest users of caravans at music festivals, they usually use the huge ones with extra wheels on the front for steering and they use them for changing in, preparing for the show in, and then use them to indulge in general after-show rock-star behaviour which I think is probably best left to the imagination! I’m not sure if Caravan ever used one, I think that would just be too good to be true! Caravan in a caravan listening to their debut album (which was called, as you may have guessed, “Caravan”). Or even better, if they had arranged a convoy with some friends, a caravan of caravans including a caravan with Caravan in it listening to Caravan!
But anyway, before I started ranting about rock-stars in caravan convoys I was thinking about whether or not these caravans had the correct insurance cover and lets be honest, the answer is probably not. If you are considering taking your caravan along to a festival this year then it is well worth thinking about getting proper insurance cover for it. Caravans can be damaged in all kinds of ways, especially at festivals where the fun loving, free-partying atmosphere can sometimes cloud people’s better judgement and out of control festival goers and crowds and the like can do a lot of damage to your caravan, whether it is intentional or not. It could simply slide off on its own if the mud gets too wet, they can flood, catch fire, get blown away, and almost anything you can think of can happen. Fortunately you can insure caravans against more or less anything that could happen to it, even if it gets rammed into by an uninsured caravan being used as a refreshment stand!
Coversure are one of the country’s leading providers of caravan insurance if you are thinking about taking your caravan anywhere where it would be even remotely at risk, like at a music festival, you should think about looking into some caravan insurance just to be safe.
Tags: advice, auto, contract, finance, holiday, insurance, law, legal, leisure, misc, More Saving, protection, security, travel, vehicle
How To Avoid An Accident In Your Rental Car
Dec 29, 2009 More Saving
Traveling by car is the best way to see those out of the way places, while visiting Queensland, without having to take a tour. Super, diesel and unleaded are available at all stations, however LPG is usually only available at stations located in a populated area. The prices of gas varies from time and place, however it will always cost more on the weekends and bank holidays, so it is best to fill up during the week.
When trying to choose what rental company to use you should consider a company that gives unlimited kilometers. Larger companies sometimes offer one-way rentals, pick up your automobile in one town and drop it off when you reach your destination, but you need to be sure of any restrictions. 4WD and camper vans are the most popular rentals. A 4WD allows you to get right into the natural wonders that most travelers miss. However, the insurance on these tend to be high and don not cover any off road damage.
Queensland has a few multi lane highways but most major roads are sealed with two lanes. You don’t have to go too far off the beaten track to get onto dirt roads, its quite common if you want to see the countryside. Kangaroos are a common hazard on Australian roads and if you are traveling at any sort of speed, hitting one can make quite a mess of your car, not to mention the kangaroo so be alert when they are most active - dawn and dusk.
When traveling at night you can be faced with many animal hazards. If a large animal appears in front of your car you should hit the brakes, dim your lights and only swerve if its safe to do so. Many travelers have been killed in accidents caused by swerving to miss animals, it is sometimes its safer for you to hit the animal, even though it can be traumatic.
Along the east coast and in country areas, drunk driving is a major issue. Attempts are being made to address so be prepared to stop for random breath testing station or booze buses somewhere on your travels. If your blood alcohol levels are greater then 0.05% you should also be prepared to pay a large fine and lose of your license. Parking is another costly problem, although it may cost some money to park in the designated areas, it is still less money then being ticketed.
For the a Australia car hire that travelers can depend on visit www.budget.com.au. There variety is grander then the rest and you will be sure to get a reliable automobile. It is the car rental Gold Coast travelers can rely on!
Tags: 4WD, Australia, budget, Car Hire, Car Hire Queensland Rentals, cars, Cheap Rental Cars Australia, holiday, More Saving, rental, SUV, vacation
International Travel For Less
Nov 18, 2009 More Saving
The current economy has people thinking that this is not the time to travel to foreign destinations and lands unknown; this could not be further from the truth. Travel has become less expensive in recent months, and so if you have the money, it is a good time to take a trip or plan a holiday.
The prices on hotel accommodations have dropped quite a bit, with many hotels offering discounts and special deals for select times or to get you to stay a little longer. It is not uncommon to find additional discounts on the web for select hotel chains, even those that are at international destination.
Airlines are also another travel compent that reduced prices for customers. Many commercial airlines realized that it is no longer profitable to fly an aircraft that is not full of passengers, therefore they are offering get ticket prices in order to full up each flight that takes off the ground.
Although rental cars are the opposite of the previous two, and they have raised prices a bit, you are still able to find affordable car rentals with a little leg work. Look on the internet through travel sites that can offer you package deals on airfare, accommodations and rentals, as you are sure to find a good deal there. You can also save money by renting from a company that is not located in the airport, as airport rental companies charge greater prices because it is considered a luxury. Other ways to save on a rental include forgoing the rental insurance and being aware of all hidden contract fees such as mileage and gas.
As you can see, now is a great time to travel. Don’t wait until the economy turns around, as this is also when the prices will begin to rise. Plan your trip early and save up the funds needed. This will allow you to take a dream vacation that you may have otherwise thought was impossible.
If you are looking for brisbane car rentals the best place to go to is www.budget.com.au. While there you will also be able to look into cheap car hire Coolangatta.
Tags: 4WD, Australia, budget, Car Hire, Car Hire Queensland Rentals, cars, Cheap Rental Cars Australia, holiday, More Saving, rental, SUV, vacation
Cheap Auto Rental Tips
Nov 11, 2009 More Saving
There is a lot of competitive and cutthroat marketing out there today and the automobile rental industry is no exception. There are deals everywhere and it is hard to know when you’re getting the deal you really need or the one that will save you the most money.
People forget to negotiate or to ask for the discounts that might be available to them in renting a car and, with inflation and the cost of fuel these days, it’s hard to get a good deal in anything. Let’s take a look at some tips you could use to get the best auto deals today. Cheap deals are still available if you just look for them and ask about them.
1. Rent your vehicle and make your reservation over the internet. These offer the best deals and you can have the time to enquire about special deals that may apply to you. There are internet-only specials that you can only get by reserving a car through the net.
2. Another option when it comes to renting a car cheaply is to put your own gas in the car on the way to returning the car. Gas available at the rental agency costs a fortune and if you just top off the tank before returning it, you will save a lot of money.
3.If you can, always rent at only one Car Company, companies give you cheap car rentals for frequently renting their cars, discounts, coupons and sometimes even miles.
4.Ask the car rentals if you can exchange your flyers miles for car rental miles. This is especially useful when your flyer’s miles is about to expire, instead of just letting it go to waste, get a cheap car rental for it.
5. Make your automobile reservation as soon as possible because many of the car rental places give you a discount if you reserve far in advance of your needs.
6. Go to the rental place to pick up your car as early in the am as possible. This will give you the greatest likelihood of being able to get an upgrade for free. This is because the rentals from the previous day haven’t arrived yet so there is going to be a shortage of economy cars, to your advantage.
7. Look for fly/stay/drive packages or similar packages through your travel agent or the internet as you will get a much cheaper car out of the deal. You’ll pay for the entire package at once and the actual price of the car will be much cheaper overall.
8. Use a Rent at the Price you Can Pay Internet site that allows you to put in how much you are willing to pay and then matches you up with a company that has a car for that price. Check out the quality of the company before making a reservation because you won’t be able to cancel a reservation once you’ve made it.
9.If you’re going to use the car for more than five days try to find weekly rates from car rentals, with weekly rates, the sixth and seventh day are almost always discounted, so look for this when you’re out for a cheap car rental.
10. Try not to pick up the automobile at the airport because there are airport surcharges you’ll have to pay. Instead use an off-airport pickup site.
Jonathan is a regular traveller in his role as consultant for a travel deals website. He often is asked how to find the best value travel tickets as well.
Tags: auto, car, Car Hire, flights, holiday, hotel, More Saving, rental, travel, vacation
Precious Stones are Shiny and Own Them for Cheap
Nov 11, 2009 Save Money
All women wants jewelry but they are just so expensive. The good news? It’s definitely possible. You will be interested in how to save money on jewelry I’m sure, so this following article should be of help.
Online auctions are all anonymous so it’s a great way to not be embarrassed about just finding out about prices. Once you know the range, you can find a way to get a discount.
One place that won’t give you a stiff markup is the pawn shop. They have loads of inventory these days so it’s a great way to get jewelry for cheap. You might be helping them get some needed cash too.
Some of your friends will know where to buy jewelry so talk to everyone you know if you want some savings! They might even be friends with some stores so they will give you discounts and great service.
Most people look at the upfront price but consider the servicing costs. Some stores will give you lifetime cleaning services for free which can add up.
If you know a thing or two about jewelry, you may want to go to the flea markets and yard sales to find the true gems at incredible prices.
Craft fairs are a great way to buy jewelry because the dealers are honest and the prices are great. You may even learn a thing or two about jewelry that will benefit you for life.
Jewelry merchants who rely on advertising are usually the ones that make high margins. Those who are low key will have good quality, cheap prices and awesome service, which is what you need.
Buying jewelry on TV or at the mall is a sure way to pay top prices for mediocre quality. The advertising are so expensive that they have to make their money back somehow.
There’s pure gold and there’s some other type of gold. Not every one is the same so make sure you know the difference before you commit to the price as cost will vary significantly.
Christmas is coming and you know what that means. Great Travelocity promotional code have arrived.
Tags: Accessories, accessory, dating, gifts, holiday, jewelry, money, personal finance, Save Money, Saving Money, Shopping, women
My Grandfather And His Jeep
Oct 24, 2009 More Saving
I have spent my elementary years in a rustic town up in the highlands of a mountainous province in the Philippines. Distance wise, it really wasn’t that far but because of the road conditions back then, the nearest city was about 6 hours away and it would take 8 hours to get to my hometown.
Grandpa was a former city boy who loved and embraced rural living when he got older. He would take us down on a long ride back to our hometown to visit relatives about once every month. When we arrive in the city during those days, my eyes would always turn green with envy when i see people in brand new cars with rolled up windows and air conditioning. I would always envision myself arriving one day into my hometown in an air conditioned automobile away from the heat and dust.
It is astonishing to me then when i see people approach my grandpa and rave to him about our awesome ride; how easy and quick is it for us to get to our hometown from where we came from. I would hear them say they would trade anything that they own just to have a jeep like my grandpa’s. Are they for real? They have brand new cars and ours was a pre-owned piece of metal.
That old jeep was bought second hand by my grandfather. He had it repainted a deep brown first and foremost to give it a new look. The jeep didn’t have comfortable front seats originally so grandpa found this front seats from an old car and had it reupholstered.
The trips we took with the jeep were absolutely long ones. Grandpa always had gasoline rations back then from his company. Some were gifts from some uncles i have. He always had that kind of effect on people. People would always love to please my grandfather. The original tank was too small for our trips and all his rations so he found this huge tank from an old truck and had it installed under the front seats of the jeep. It took up all of the front row area.
Grandpa had leather roofings installed on the jeep. He had a little electric fan connected to the ride, and installed his portable miniature television set to it. Despite me wanting a new car so much back then, I have to admit we did have an awesome ride.
That jeep has been with us since I was in the third grade. I remember grandpa taking me to the airport in the rig when I was leaving to attend college in the capital region. By then it has been with us for a decade already. When I came home after graduation, my grandfather was already too old to make the trip. The jeep was still with him though.
That old jeep might have been pre-owned when we got it, but it fared and served better than all the other vehicles that we had. It has by far exceeded all the others when it came to performance and the memories we had with that old timer is by far more precious than any other ride we had.
Quite simply you can beat a care that has been loved and cared for. Ours was by far the most valued ride of all.
So you’re looking for Jeeps for sale? Why dont you check out some of the great deals available from our store. Perhaps you’re looking forJeep Wranglers for sale. Well, it’s your lucky day coz we sell them to. All just great deals for your money, what are you waiting for, treat yourself today.
Tags: auto, car, cross country, equipment, Family, holiday, Jeep, leisure, machine", More Saving, rig, transportation, travel, vehicle
Getting the Best Deal on a Rental Car
Sep 21, 2009 More Saving
Car rental rates are continuing to increase, despite the recent economic troubles, and a decrease in the number of cars being rented. Most major car rental companies are reducing the number of cars in their fleet, which results in fewer cars to rent, and increased rates for the cars that the rental companies are keeping. When planning a vacation, it is worth the time to look for discount car rental rates, the same way you would research discount hotel and airfare rates.
While it would seem like a better idea for the car rental companies to maintain their existing fleet, and lower rates to attract more customers, this is not the strategy that most companies have adopted. As rates continue to increase, it means that you the consumer must search all possible options to get the best rate possible the next time you are renting.
Most companies charge similar rates, for similar classes of cars. Whether this is being done deliberately or not, you are not likely to see significant differences between the major rental companies. That being said, it is still possible to find deals when renting a car. Here are several tips when looking to rent a car for your next vacation.
1. Coupons and Discounts. Shop around on the internet, in your local newspaper as well as ask your friends. Many times people have car rental coupons for one company or another and usually if you can get a good rate from one company you can convince another company to offer you the same deal as well. Discount cards such as AARP and other membership cards as well as in some cases Visa debit rewards and frequent flyer miles can help get you discounts on your vehicle rentals.
If you are willing to be flexible with the dates for your vacation, you increase your chances of finding a less expensive car rental rate. Since it is easier to find less expensive airfare and hotel rates, it may make more sense to book your trip around a time frame when less expensive car rates are available, and then look for discount airfare and hotel rates.
3. Best Deal. Looking for the best deal means weighing all of your options. This may mean finding out what the rental rate is for a four day rental and comparing it to a seven day rental. Many times taking those extra days will actually save you money. Also, look for companies that offer unlimited mileage as this is a feature that can really save you a bundle.
Being a wise consumer is what saving money is all about, especially when it comes to car rentals. Choose carefully and find a way to save some money on your next rental. It may take some work but it will be4 well worth it in the long run.
About the Author:
Jason Hall is an expert in the rental car fields and can provide you with all the information that you need for a car rental Coolangatta. Before your next Australian holiday check out his articles to ensure you are getting a car hire Coolangatta that is reliable.
Tags: 4WD, Australia, budget, Car Hire, Car Hire Queensland Rentals, cars, Cheap Rental Cars Australia, holiday, More Saving, rental, SUV, vacation
Caravan Insurance
Sep 12, 2009 More Saving
It is important to buy caravan insurance because you want to protect yourself against the costs you might incur if your caravan is damaged accidentally or because of a fire, a theft, or bad weather.
Most caravan insurance policies will cover damage done to your caravan by bad weather, theft, accidental or malicious damage, fire and flooding.
Your removable belongings inside the caravan will also be covered up to a limit that would have been predefined in your policy (usually 300).
The possessions cover is intended to cover items that would normally be left in the caravan, such as furniture, cutlery, curtains and so on. Normally money and credit cards, jewellery and other valuables are excluded and should be covered on the all risks section of your household contents policy.
You have a duty of care to look after your property, so theft from your caravan will only be covered if it is properly locked up whilst you are away from it. So there will not be any cover if you leave it open, or you leave your belongings under an awning or in a toilet tent.
Similarly, if your caravan is stolen and it did not have a wheel clamp and hitch lock fitted, there will be no cover.
Check for restrictions due to the security on the caravan site. There may be different requirements for security, for instance an insurer might insist that a static caravan may only be stored on a registered holiday park (i.e. HPA or British Holiday Home Parks Association graded sites). In addition the insurer may insist that the caravan site is protected by hedging or fencing at its periphery.
If you wish to have damage to awnings included in your caravan insurance policy, then that is usually possible at a small extra cost, depending on how old the awnings are. Usually, if the awnings are older than 7 years then they cannot be covered.
This is only a breif summary of caravan insurance and is not intended to be representative of the covers or restrictions offered by any particular insurance or that all insurance provide the protection described. You can get a recommendation for insurance advice to suit your own circumstances or any of our other insurance products such as taxi insurance
Tags: advice, auto, contract, finance, holiday, insurance, law, legal, leisure, misc, More Saving, protection, security, travel, vehicle
Step To Follow for Rental Car Accidents
Sep 12, 2009 More Saving
Of course, we are all hoping that you will never need this information. There are a few things to do both before the accident as well as after to make sure that this issue is handled in the best possible way.
The first thing that you need to do is find out exactly what you are insured for prior to renting your vehicle. Most times you will be covered under your personal vehicle insurance or Credit Card Company, you should know what and how much is covered. If you feel that you are not covered to a level that is comfortable, then it is a wise choice to take the additional renters insurance that is offered by the rental company. This insurance can cost you as little as $10.00 a day, but it is worth the investment should an accident occurs.
As soon as the accident occurs, call the police first to file an incident report. You should do this from where ever you are at the time of the accident and try to leave the vehicle in the position it was in when it was hit. Then call the rental car agency and report the accident. Do not admit any liability for the accident to the car rental company and do not offer to pay or settle the incident without the consent of the company themselves.
Next be sure to provide copies of all relevant information to the agency that you rented the vehicle from. This includes repair receipts, police reports and any other documents that you receive in regard to this accident. Also, be willing to keep communication open with them providing them with any additional information that they need to help settle the claim.
If you are relying on your personal insurance policy for insurance, or your credit card company then you need to contact both of these companies as well at the time of the accident as well as any further information or paperwork you receive regarding this matter. Then be sure to follow up with all companies involved often so that you are not surprised to be hit with a bill that they have never paid. It is important since still the ultimate liability lies with you.
Whether you are looking for a car rental Sunshine Coast or a car rental Surfers Paradise, budget is the place for you. To pick your rental today log on to www.budget.com.au. You are sure to find what you are looking for.
Tags: 4WD, Australia, budget, Car Hire, Car Hire Queensland Rentals, cars, Cheap Rental Cars Australia, holiday, More Saving, rental, SUV, vacation
Follow the Rules When Renting Vehicles
Sep 3, 2009 More Saving
There are some rules that need to be followed when you are renting a vehicle. Below you will find a list of some of these rules, and explanations of each.
KNOW WHAT YOU ARE SIGNING. Many times car rental companies will stick a big pile of papers in front of you and you will be reluctant to take the time to read over the paperwork. They will tell you to sign here and initial there, and you will have absolutely no clue what you are signing. You may be in a hurry or anxious to get on your way, but these documents should not be signed without thoroughly reading them over. If you think that you will be pressed for time when you go to pick up the vehicle then ask to see these documents in advance, perhaps they could even fax or e-mail you a copy. This will help expedite the car rental process, while still allowing you to be aware of the things you are agreeing to.
BE KNOWLEDGABLE ON YOUR PERSONAL COVERAGE: Many car renters feel that there is no need to pay for additional renters insurance, since they are covered under their personal car insurance, and maybe even their credit card company is insuring them. This however is not always the case. It is important to check with all insurance providers to find out what you are being covered for, before you decide to decline the addition renter insurance that the rental company is offering.
DONT LET OTHERS DRIVE YOUR RENTAL VEHICLE. The only person authorized to drive your car is the person it was rented to. Now if you intend on having someone else drive the vehicle you rented you need to let the car rental agency know of this in advance, and anyone that they don’t know about should not be allowed to drive it. Doing so could increase your liability and also leave you with a whole bunch of unpaid bills if something were to happen.
REPORT EVERYTHING. You are driving someone else’s vehicle when you have a rental, so you need to let them know if anything happens to that car. Whether you hear a squeak, see a leak, or notice a new scratch, you should call and let them know right away. Don’t wait until you return the car to address these issues, let them know right away if there is a problem.
FILL IT UP. Be sure to put at least as much gas as was given to you back in the tank when you are returning it. Many car rental companies charge exorbitant amounts just to refill the tank and they will charge your card for it. So even if you think that they haven’t noticed it could come back to bite you.
WAIT UNTIL THE INSPECTION IS COMPLETE: You should always wait until your rental car is inspected before leaving. This will give you a heads up on any additional charges they may be billing your credit card.
Jason Hall writes informative articles on Australia, and Australian traveling. You can find advice on the best car hire Brisbane has, and much more. Check out his knowledge in of car rental Brisbane and the best places to visit while on your family holiday.
Tags: 4WD, Australia, budget, Car Hire, Car Hire Queensland Rentals, cars, Cheap Rental Cars Australia, holiday, More Saving, rental, SUV, vacation