If your car has ever had professional body shop repairs then you may well have encountered the problem of body shop dust. The light dust is created from sanding away at the body filler during the repairs and even if the body shop do wash your car before returning it, the chances are there will still be dust deposits in a number of areas in and around your car.

Body shop dust will accumulate in door shuts, on all interior surfaces if a door or window has been left open slightly during the repairs and even in and around the engine bay.

The most effective way to thoroughly and quickly remove accumulated body shop dust from exterior surfaces is to pre foam the car. This will easily soak through and loosen the dust which can then be properly removed along with the foam residue with a good rinse. Ideally the car should be properly washed and dried after foaming but if you are simply looking to quickly remove the excess dust for the time being then a good pre foam and thorough rinse will take care of this.

If dust has accumulated in door shuts and under the bonnet/hood, then these areas should be cleaned prior to the rest of the exterior. The engine bay can also be pre foamed and lightly rinsed off but you must ensure that any sensitive areas are covered up and that you thoroughly dry the area afterwards with a micro fibre towel.

Door shuts can be pre sprayed with a diluted all purpose cleaner or simply cleaned with a wash mitt and normal shampoo solution then lightly rinsed off, being careful not to wet the interior by aiming the flow of water away from the car. Soft bristled detailing brushes can be used to access tight, awkward areas and to help remove more stubborn accumulated dust.

To remove body shop dust that has settled in the interior all surfaces must first be thoroughly vacuumed. Carpets and upholstery should be lightly pre sprayed with either a designated upholstery cleaning product or a diluted all purpose cleaner and then vacuumed off. It is important to do this as the body shop dust can smell quite strongly and pre spraying before vacuuming will help to eliminate the smell.

A soft brush attachment should be used to vacuum off leather, plastics and trim and should be used in conjunction with a soft bristled detailing brush to help lift dust from tight, awkward areas such as vents and switchgear. Leather should then be wiped over with a damp micro fibre towel and a small amount of a designated leather cleaning product. All other plastics and trim should at least be thoroughly wiped over with either a diluted all purpose cleaner or a plastic/trim cleaner and can then be dressed if desired. Interior glass should not be overlooked and should also be cleaned as the dust will easily settle on it, even if it is not obviously visible.

The final step would be to use an air freshening product to help restore a pleasant smell. It is advisable that during the interior dust removal all the doors are opened fully to help aerate the interior and to aide the removal of any strong body shop odours.

It is important to consider the car safety checklist regularly in order to attain safe driving. It is important especially for the drivers who are frequent to long drives. Even people who have their own vehicles should also follow these checklists in order to prevent further damage. These checklists should be performed at least once in a week. One can instantly spot any type of damage or dysfunctional part in the vehicle. There are different types of parts available in the vehicle that may cause trouble or safety issues. Here are some of the essential checklists which should be considered before moving for a long drive.

Seat Belts: Check the seat belts properly if they are worn or damaged. If they are, repair it immediately or it is better to replace it.

Horn: Check the working of horn carefully. The horn should be loud and can be heard by other vehicles.

Headlights: One should check the headlights by turning them on in low and high beam mode. Check carefully whether they are working good or not.

Windshield Wipers: It is important to clear the windshield wipers properly in order to prevent muddy conditions. Also, one should clean the blades regularly for its smooth working.

Indicators: The back and front indicators should be checked properly. If they are not working properly, it is advised to fix them up as it is very important if someone is frequent to long trips.

Brakes and Emergency Brake: Brakes are very crucial to enjoy a smooth drive. One should check it thoroughly or it is good to test brakes before moving away to long journey.

Oil and Coolers: The necessary level of oil is important as the engine failure may cause several difficulties in journey and one has to suffer hard. Apart from all, there are several other things to consider which should be considered as car safety checklist.

When in the market for a car or truck many consumers compare the benefits of leasing a car vs buying a new car. There is a third choice that often is neglected -- buying a lightly used car. If you can afford it, the general consensus among financial gurus is that buying a vehicle is a better option than leasing if you are planning on keeping the vehicle for the medium to long term, (5+ years). To take it a step further, buying a lightly used vehicle is a better option than buying a new vehicle as new cars or trucks lose on average 20% of their value in the first year of ownership, but only 10% each of the next two years. Let's examine each scenario in greater detail by comparing the advantages and disadvantages of each.

Buying a new car or truck has historically been the preferred choice for Americans. But as the cost of new vehicles have risen, vehicles now last longer than they ever have, access to used vehicle inventory has increased and the information available on used cars has improved thanks to CARFAX, Carchex, and auto research sites like Edmunds there has been a shift in what consumers are willing to buy from new cars to used cars. Used cars now outsell new cars at a 3 to 1 rate. Yet, American's love affair with the new car persists. Let's examine the advantages to buying a new car or truck in detail.

* The interest rate you receive for a new car loan will be lower than it would if you purchased a used vehicle.

* A warranty will cover all major repairs for the first 3+ years of ownership, keeping repair costs down.

* The vehicle has no hidden history to uncover.

* That intangible benefit of the new car smell, look, and feel.

If you are considering purchasing a new car or truck, in addition to paying more for the vehicle there are other negatives to consider:

* New vehicles are in general more expensive to insure.

* New vehicles cost significantly more than a 2 or 3 year old used car, and depreciate in value much faster.

* Unknown safety and reliability history. You will have a basic idea of a new car's reliability because of data on prior model years, but there is still a chance that a new issue will arise.

If cost is a huge factor, and that new car smell is not a requirement, buying a used car or truck is a great option. Here are the advantages to buying a used vehicle:

* The vehicle has already gone through its greatest depreciation as cars and trucks lose the most value in the first year of ownership.

* In general you do not have to pay sales tax. Consult your state's DMV to confirm as each state has different requirements.

* The purchase price will be lower than that of a comparable new car.

* When new vehicles come on the market it is difficult to determine their long-term reliability, but after a vehicle has been on the market for a couple years, repair and maintenance history for that model will be easier to determine.

Of course, there are disadvantages that come with purchasing a used vehicle. Although you can expect to pay less for a used vehicle the disadvantages to purchasing a used car or truck center around one thing -- the costs associated with the age of the vehicle.

* If you finance the purchase, your interest rate will be higher than it would be if you purchased a new car. You can expect to see interest rates that are 2% higher.

* The warranty will expire faster. If you purchase a 2 year old vehicle with a 4 year original warranty, the vehicle will be coming off warranty in 2 years. You might want to consider an extended warranty, otherwise known as extended service protection.

* Maintenance and repair costs will be higher. This goes hand in hand with the expiration of the warranty, but there will also be more wear and tear that will not be covered by the warranty before it expires.

* There is a fear of the unknown. A vehicle history report and a professional vehicle inspection will help protect you against making a huge financial mistake, but a new or leased vehicle will not have the potential of having a hidden history.

* In general, a used vehicle will not last as long as a new vehicle.

Now that we have examined purchasing a vehicle, let's consider the benefits and costs of leasing a vehicle. When you are leasing a car, what you are doing is renting it from the leasing company for a certain period of time. When you lease a vehicle you are paying only for the depreciation of the vehicle, plus finance charges, taxes, and fees. So if you are leasing a vehicle that costs $25,000, and it loses $12,000 in value over 3 years your monthly payments will only encompass the $12,000 depreciation and the aforementioned finance charges, taxes, and fees. If you decide to buy the vehicle at the end of the lease your purchase price is the residual value. This value is generally much higher than the actual value of the vehicle. The benefits of leasing a vehicle all center around ease and convenience.

* Monthly lease payments are much lower than new car loan payments (but in line with used car payments).

* The leasing option down payment is usually low -- generally you just need to come up with money for the first month's payment, a security deposit, and fees.

* Leases are easier to obtain than car loans.

* Because leases are usually 3 or 4 years and most warranties on new cars last 3+ years, maintenance costs are low.

With the advantages of leasing there also come disadvantages. These disadvantages center around returning the vehicle when the lease term expires. Let's examine them in detail:

* There is a limit to the number of miles you can drive. This is usually 36,000 miles for a 3 year lease. The lessee is then penalized from $0.05 to $0.20 for every mile driven beyond the limit. Let's say you lease a vehicle with a 36,000 mile limit. At the end of the lease the vehicle has 40,000 miles on it. If you are charged $0.20 per mile for excessive miles you will be forced to pay an extra $800 when returning the vehicle.

* You will be charged for "excessive" wear and tear when returning the vehicle. This is usually up to the discretion of the leasing company, so the fees can pile up quickly. Some leasing companies define "excessive" is anything that is not pristine.

* If you get into an accident in a leased vehicle, and your insurance company decides your vehicle is totaled you will only be paid the value of the vehicle, not what is actually owed on the vehicle. What you owe will be considerably more than the actual value, leaving you responsible for the difference of the two.

* After your lease term is up you return the vehicle to the dealer with nothing to show for the months of payments you made. You have built up no equity in the vehicle.

* If you fall into a cycle of leasing a new vehicle every 3 to 4 years there will never be a period when you are not making a car payment.

To conclude, if you need or want to drive a late model vehicle, plan on keeping it for only 3 years or so, and want to keep your payments down, leasing is a better option than buying a new car. Keep in mind though, that since this car or truck is essentially being rented by you, you have to be aware that there are certain responsibilities that come with leasing that do not with buying. Responsibilities like keeping the mileage below a certain amount, and avoiding excessive wear and tear. If the status of owning a new car is not an issue for you, and you are budget-conscious, purchasing a used car or truck is a great option.

The Bluebird is a compact to medium-sized car that Nissan first launched in 1957, and the nameplate is still in use today in both Japan and China. One series of the Nissan Bluebird, the legendary Datsun 510, also called the Datsun 1600 outside of North America, was particularly popular in the United States as well as Australia and New Zealand. Nissan manufactured the Datsun 510 between 1968 and 1974, and although they sold it throughout the world, it never did as well globally as it did in those three countries. This period marks Nissan's first great success in the U.S.

The automotive publication AutoWeek referred to the Datsun 510 for sale in 1968 as a "poor man's BMW". This referred to Nissan's use of the European sedan, such as the 1966 BMW 1600-2, as inspiration. For the Datsun 510, Nissan adopted European-influenced sheet metal design prevalent on their sedans and several integral components of the BMW, such as the SOHC engine, the front MacPherson strut suspension, and the independent, semi-trailing arms in the rear.

Released in August 1968, the Datsun 510 for sale was available as a 2-door sedan, a 2-door coupe, a 4-door sedan, and a 5-door station wagon. For the U.S. market, this first Datsun 510 included a 1.6L L-Series Hitachi downdraft I4 engine, which Datsun rated at 96 horsepower. It was rear wheel drive with front disc brakes. The 4-wheel independent suspension included a sold rear live axle and leaf springs in the rear along with the front MacPherson strut suspension, and the independent, semi-trailing arms in the rear. Moreover, it was available as a 4-speed manual or 3-speed automatic.

Nissan's success came at the heart of the muscle car period. So, what was it that set this car apart and made it so popular? It obviously couldn't compete with the muscle of the period, but it did offer an amazing level of performance at the price. In addition, there were several other factors working in its favor. Mechanically, it is one of the simplest cars made during that period, which it made it very accessible to new enthusiasts who wanted to start with a minimum investment, and then upgrade their car.

Also, during this period all Nissan and Datsun parts were essentially interchangeable. This made the parts needed for repair and upgrade plentiful and inexpensive. The Datsun 510 would never compete with the sex appeal of the late-60s early-70s muscle. However, it made a lot of financial sense for young people at the time. A basic stock Datsun 510 for sale exceeded 100 mph, and owners could upgrade it to perform far better without a substantial investment of time or money.

Some refer to the Datsun 510 as the first Japanese car that truly mattered, and it is tough to argue with that assessment. How many Japanese cars can you think of that the American enthusiast adores and considers a classic the way they do the Datsun 510? There is none. The Datsun 510 was the perfect storm of situation and circumstance.

One of the great aspects of the Datsun 510 today is that it's uncommon, but you can dive right it with a $1,000-$3,000 investment. A creative and mechanically inclined enthusiast can have a fully restored Datsun 510 for under $5000. With today's technology and expertise, they will have a car that screams at a fraction of the price that that performance would generally cost.

All equipment you come across require a certain level of upkeep and maintenance. The same goes for the hybrid cars as well. The basic upkeep is the same and you are required to regularly change the oil, replace its filters and rotate the tires. Apart from these tasks, you will need to do some extra maintenance for the hybrid car specific parts. The hybrid cars come with a NiMH battery, which are built to last for around 200,000 miles. The car will also have a 12V hybrid car battery to power the various features. The high voltage hybrid batteries run the electric motors and if these die, you will need to either tow the car or jump- start the battery. Now is the time to be aware of the depleting fossil fuels and as people are making the more environmentally friendly choices, it will help to know how to make your vehicles more energy efficient.

You will save a lot on fuel when you use a hybrid car but you should know that when the hybrid batteries die, you would have to replace them. The hybrid battery replacement is expensive but it needs to be done. If your car has a secondary battery, it may still run on gasoline but the efficiency of the car will drastically reduce. If you ignore the upkeep, this will result in you spending a lot more money on maintenance down the line. Not only will you need extensive repairs but a badly maintained vehicle will also not do well in the used car market.

Most of the repairs will be covered under warranty for the first few years. The warranty comes with conditions and some parts are only covered for a certain number of miles. Extending the warranty is a smart choice and you will end up saving a lot with the repair that you would otherwise have to pay for. Maintenance of the brakes and tires is not a great problem because the brakes are sparingly used and the tires are tougher on hybrid cars. The only big expense is the hybrid battery replacement. Consider this point when you are going for a pre-owned car.

Only those garages with hybrid technical certification should do the maintenance on your hybrid vehicle to prevent any damage due to ignorance. The simple maintenance work such as replacing air filters and other fluids can be done by normal garages, but care should be taken while handling the power train and other electrical repairs. A well maintained vehicle will help you save in the long run.

Preventative maintenance will also extend the like of all the parts and also the car. The timing belt should also be replaced at the right time as a problem with this can make your car stop working out of the blue. Experts advice you to replace the timing belt every 60,000 miles. You should always keep a track of this or contact your dealer to make sure you aren't putting your hybrid motors in danger.

The Ford Motor Company has announced the pending demise of its Mercury brand, at one time the premium brand wedged between Ford and Lincoln. Founded by Edsel Ford in 1939, Mercury has never quite lived up to expectations although at its peak in the late 1970s, it sold more than 500,000 units annually.

R.I.P. Mercury

Those sales numbers eventually dropped to the point where fewer than 100,000 Mercury models were sold in 2009. 2010 will be the last year for Mercury, leaving Lincoln dealers with fewer models to sell, at least for now. That means Ford will bolster the Lincoln line offering new and refreshed models to strengthen the brand in addition to important new technologies and powertrains.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally has not contacted me yet for my advice which is a pity for him. I have some terrific ideas for bolstering the Lincoln brand, providing fresh direction for Ford's luxury marque. Alan, if you are reading this, here is what you can do for Lincoln:

Big Sedan -- The Town Car will soon be history, leaving the MKS to take over as the flagship sedan. Unfortunately, this car is too small for livery purposes, an area where Ford does make some money. With the Hyundai Equus hitting the market later this year, all of those black limousines you see on the road may soon be Korean makes unless Ford acts and quick. One way to do that is to simply stretch out the platform of the MKS by a foot and sell that sedan in all wheel drive. It'll give livery folks the car they need and match what the European brands have to offer in handling.

Product Differentiation -- Much has been said about Lincoln's apparent lack of original product, though I believe that the MKS and Taurus are significantly different. Beyond that, Ford needs to develop models unique to Lincoln in order to be relevant. Tackling the compact market with a stylish car that takes on the upcoming Cadillac ATS, Mercedes B-Class and BMW 1-Series is a must. Heck, take the Focus platform and drop a unique body on it to build the car. But do it. The MKZ hybrid is a good idea, but a compact dedicated Lincoln will be the entry level model Lincoln needs to win.

Unique Powertrains -- Ford says that it will develop unique powertrains exclusive to Lincoln, but what does that mean? Minimally, an eight-speed automatic would help and could and should be the standard transmission across Lincoln's line up. In addition, perhaps a dedicated Lincoln EcoBoot of, let's say 3.0-liters would be the V-6 engine that could replace every V8. Yes, a turbo-diesel would be a bold move to take, but I don't believe the market would support the engine. Unless an international market could support the engine as well.

New Day

If this was Ford in 2005 I would be worried. But Bill Ford is out of the way and Alan Mulally is calling shots, the most confident person to run Ford in my lifetime. Mulally will shepherd Mercury's demise and improve Lincoln; by 2015 things should be radically different inside of Lincoln showrooms, a rejuvenated brand freed from the shackles of Mercury.

All things being equal, there is no better place worth buying a cheap and high quality automobile than a salvage car auction. If you want a good a good buy when thinking of a salvage car, the next few paragraphs will be of immense help to you.

Going to auto bid venues after every other person has settled in is not a brilliant idea if you want a quality buy. You must be at the bid venue as early as you possibly can to get yourself familiar with the environment. Tapping from the experiences and tips from other bidders help a lot. If you are not too knowledgeable about a particular automobile of your choice, you can meet other who can be of help to you at the venue.

Though salvaged cars are not as poor in quality as most people think, it is still important to take a careful look at them before putting in a bid. Look beyond the appearance, have a thorough check on the engines, brake system and clutch before taking a decision. Just because a vehicle is badly wrecked does not mean it has a poor engine. Taking an experienced mechanic along with you is an additional advantage. The more unattractive an automobile looks, the fewer the number of people paying attention to it. This helps to increase your chances of arriving at a good buy.

Regard every buyer as a competitor; everyone wants a best buy, refuse to swallow everything you are told hook-line-sinker. In salvage auto auction venues, everyone is out to make the best of what he can get; the auctioneer inclusive. While the auctioneer will stop short at nothing in projecting every car in good light, a bidder will check every department of an automobile. You want the best at the most affordable bid, while the auctioneer wants his profit maximized.

The hallmark of an experienced bidder is to maintain his composure as much as he possibly can. Never allow the occasion to overwhelm you, be as composed as you can ever be. Be well articulated and resist all temptation to go beyond your budgetary targets. Always weigh the implication of every bid you make before eventually committing yourself. At salvage auto auctions, know where your strength lies, and avoid stretching your financial strength out of measure.

Avoid paying more than what you ought to pay when you attend salvage car auctions.

In this article we will explore the reasons that motivate employers to get group health insurance for employees and we will look at the advantages and disadvantages from both points of view.

Group Health Insurance VS Individual Private Health Insurance

Probably the most significant distinguishing characteristic of group insurance is the substitution of group underwriting for individual underwriting. In group cases, no individual evidence of insurability is usually required, and benefit levels can be substantial, with few, if any, important limitations.

Group underwriting normally is not concerned with the health or other insurability aspects of any particular individual. Instead, it aims to obtain a group of individual lives or, what is even more important, an aggregation of such groups of lives that will yield a predictable rate of mortality or morbidity. If a sufficient number of groups of lives is obtained, and if these groups are reasonably homogeneous in nature, then the mortality or morbidity rate will be predictable. The point is that the group becomes the unit of underwriting, and insurance principles may be applied to it just as in the case of the individual. To assure that the groups obtained will be reasonably homogeneous, the underwriting process in group insurance aims to control adverse selection by individuals within a group.

In underwriting group insurance, then, certain important features should be present that either are inherent in the nature of the group itself or may be applied in a positive way to avoid serious adverse selection such as:

Insurance Incidental to the Group: The insurance should be incidental to the group; that is, the members of the group should have come together for some purpose other than to obtain insurance. For example, the group insurance furnished to the employees of a given employer must not be the feature that motivates the formation and existence of the group.

Flow of Persons through the Group: There should be a steady flow of persons through the group; that is, there must be an influx of new young lives into the group and an out flow from the group of the older and impaired lives. With groups of actively working employees, it may be assumed that they are in average health.

Automatic Determination of Benefits: Group insurance underwriting commonly requires an automatic basis for determining the amount of benefits on individual lives, which is beyond the control of the employer or employees. If the amount of benefits taken were completely optional, it would be possible to select against the insurer because those in poor health would tend to insure heavily and the healthy ones might tend to elect minimum coverage.

As the group mechanism has evolved, however, insurers have responded to demands from the marketplace, particularly large employers, for more flexibility in the selection of benefits. This flexibility typically is expressed in optional amounts of life and health insurance in excess of basic coverage provided by the employer and in more health care financing choices. Also, increasingly popular cafeteria plans allow participating employees to select among an array of benefits using a predetermined allowance of employer funds. Individuals select, subject to certain basic coverage's being required, a combination of benefits that best meet his or her individual needs.

Minimum Participation by the Group: Another underwriting control is the requirement that substantially all eligible persons in a given group be covered by insurance. In plans in which the employee pays a portion of the premium (contributory), generally at least 75 percent of the eligible employees must join the plan if coverage is to be effective. In the case of noncontributory plans, 100 percent participation is required. By covering a large proportion of a given group, the insurance company gains a safeguard against an undue proportion of substandard lives. In cases in which employees refuse the insurance for religious or other reasons that do not involve any elements of selection, this rule is relaxed.

Third Party Sharing of Cost: A portion of the cost of a group plan ideally should be borne by the employer or some third party, such as a labor union or trade association. The noncontributory employer-pay-all plan is simple, and it gives the employer full control over the plan. It provides for insurance of all eligible employees and thus, eliminates any difficulties involved in connection with obtaining the consent of a sufficient number of employees to meet participation requirements. Also, there is no problem of distributing the cost among various employees, as in the contributory plan.

Contributory plans usually are less costly to the employer. Hence, with employee contributions, the employer is likely to arrange for more adequate protection for the employees. It can also be argued that, if the employee contributes toward his or her insurance, he or she will be more impressed with its value and will appreciate it more. On the other hand, the contributory plan has a number of disadvantages. Its operation is more complicated, and this at times, increases administrative cost considerably.

Each employee must consent to contribute toward his or her insurance, and as stated before, a minimum percentage of the eligible group must consent to enter the arrangement. New employees entering the business must be informed of their insurance privilege. If the plan is contributory, employees may not be entitled to the insurance until they have been with the company for a period of time. If they do not agree to be covered by the plan within a period of 31 days, they may be required to provide satisfactory evidence of insurability to become eligible. Some noncontributory plans also have these probationary periods.

Efficient Administrative Organization: A single administrative organization should be able and willing to act on behalf of the insured group. In the usual case, this is the employer. In the case of a contributory plan, there must be a reasonably simple method, such as payroll deduction, by which the master policy owner can collect premiums. An automatic method is desirable for both an administrative and underwriting perspective. A number of miscellaneous controls of underwriting significance are typically used in group insurance plans, but the preceding discussion permits an appreciation of the group underwriting underwriting theory. The discussion applies to groups with a large number of employees.

A majority of the groups, however, are not large. The group size is a significant factor in the underwriting process. In smaller plans, more restrictive underwriting practices relating to adverse section are used. These may include less liberal contract provisions, simple health status questions, and in some cases, detailed individual underwriting of group members.

Group Policy: A second characteristic of group insurance is the use of a group policy (contract) held by the owner as group policyholder and booklet-certificates or other summary evidence of insurance held by plan participants. Certificates provide information on the plan provisions and the steps required to file claims. The use of certificates and a master contract constitutes one of the sources of economy under the group approach. The master contract is a detailed document setting forth the contractual relationship between the group contract owner and the insurance company. The insured persons under the contract, usually employees and their beneficiaries, are not actually parties to the contract, although they may enforce their rights as third party beneficiaries. The four party relationship between the employer, insurer, employee, and dependents in a group insurance plan can create a number of interesting and unusual problems that are common only to group insurance.

Lower Cost: A third feature of group insurance is that it is usually lower-cost protection than that which is available in individual insurance. The nature of the group approach permits the use of mass distribution and mass administration methods that afford economies of operation not available in individual insurance. Also, because group insurance is not usually underwritten on an individual basis, the premiums are based upon an actuarial assessment of the group as a whole, so a given healthy individual can perhaps buy insurance at a lower cost. Employer subsidization of the cost is a critical factor in group insurance plan design. Probably the most significant savings in the cost of marketing group insurance lies in the fact that group commissions absorb a much smaller proportion of total premiums than commission for individual contracts.

The marketing system relieves the agent or broker of many duties, responsibilities, and expenses normally associated with selling or servicing of individual insurance. Because of the large premiums involved in many group insurance cases, the commission rates are considerably lower than for individual contracts and are usually graded downward as the premium increases. Some large group insurance buyer's deal directly with insurance companies and commissions are eliminated. In these cases, however, fees frequently are paid to the consultants involved. The nature of the administrative procedures permits simplified accounting techniques. The mechanics of premium collection are less involved, and experience refund procedures much simplified because there id only one party with whom to deal with such as the group policy owner.

Of course, the issuance of a large number of individual contracts is avoided and, because of the nature of group selection, the cost of medical examinations and inspection reports is minimized. Also, regulatory filings and other requirements are minimized. In the early days of group insurance, administration was simple. That is no longer true. Even with group term life insurance, for which there is no cash value, the push for accelerated death benefits, assignment to viatical companies, and estate or business planning record keeping means that the administration of coverage may be as complex as with an individual policy.

Flexibility: in contrast to individual contracts that must be taken as written, the larger employer usually has options in the design and preparation of the group insurance contract. Although the contracts follow a pattern and include certain standard provisions, there is considerably more flexibility here than in the case of individual contracts. The degree of flexibility permitted is, of course, a function of the size of the group involved. The group insurance program usually is an integral part of an employee benefit program and, in most cases, the contract can be molded to meet the objectives of the contract owner, as long as the request do not entail complicated administrative procedures, open the way to possibly serious adverse selection, or violate legal requirements.

Experience Rating: Another special feature of group insurance is that premiums often are subject to experience rating. The experience of the individual group may have an important bearing on dividends or premium-rate adjustments. The larger and, hence, the more reliable the experience of the particular group, the greater is the weight attached to its own experience in any single year. The knowledge that premiums net of dividends or premium rate adjustments will be based on the employers own experience gives the employer a vested interest in maintaining a favorable loss and expense record. For the largest employers, insurers may agree to complicated procedures to satisfy the employer's objectives because most such cases are experience rated and reflect the increased cost.

Some insurers experience rate based on the class or type of industry, or even based on the type of contract. For small groups, most insurance companies' use pooled rates under which a uniform rate is applied to all such groups, although it is becoming more common to apply separate pooled rates for groups with significantly better or worse experience than that of the total class. The point at which a group is large enough to be eligible for experience rating varies from company to company, based on that insurer's book of business and experience. The size and frequency of medical claims vary considerably across countries and among geographic regions within a country and must be considered in determining a group insurance rate. The composition (age, sex, and income level) of a group will also affect the experience of the group and, similarly, will be an important underwriting consideration.
Advantages and Limitations of the Group Mechanism.

Advantages: The group insurance mechanism has proved to be a remarkably effective solution to the need for employee benefits for a number of reasons. The utilization of mass-distribution techniques has extended protection to large numbers of person s with little or no life or health insurance. The increasing complexity of industrial service economies has brought large numbers of persons together, and the group mechanism has enabled insurance companies to reach vast numbers of individuals within a relatively short period and at low cost. Group insurance also has extended protection to a large number of uninsurable persons. Equally important has been the fact that the employer usually pays a large share of the cost. Moreover, in most countries, including the United States, the deductibility of employer contributions and the favorable tax treatment of the benefits to employees make it a tax effective vehicle with which to provide benefits.

Another significant factor, and one of the more cogent motivations for the rapid development of group insurance, has been the continuing governmental role in the security benefits area. Within the United States, Old-Age. Survivors, Disability, and Health Insurance programs has expanded rapidly, but many observers believe that, had not group insurance provided substantial sums of life insurance, health insurance, and retirement protection, social insurance would have developed even more rapidly. As economies worldwide continue to reduce the size and scope of social insurance programs, we can expect the demand for group based security to grow even more.

Disadvantages: From the viewpoint of the employee, group insurance has one great limitation- the temporary nature of the coverage. Unless an employee converts his or her coverage to an individual policy which is usually ore expensive and provides less liberal coverage, the employee loses his or her insurance protection if the group plan is terminated and often also at retirement because employment is terminated. Group life and health protection is continued after retirement in a significant proportion of cases today in the United States, but often at reduced levels. Recently, with the introduction of a new U.S. accounting standard (FAS 106) requiring that the cost of such benefits be accrued and reflected in financial statements, an increasing number of employers have discontinued post retirement life and health benefits entirely. When such continued protection is not available, the temporary nature of the coverage is a serious limitation.

Retiree group health insurance often is provided as a supplement to Medicare. Another problem of potential significance involves individuals who may be lulled into complacency by having large amounts of group insurance during their working years. Many of these persons fail to recognize the need for, or are unwilling to face the cost of, individual insurance. Perhaps of even greater significance is the fact that the flexibility of the group approach is limited to the design of the master policy and does not extend to the individual covered employees. Furthermore, group plans typically fail to provide the mechanism for any analysis of the financial needs of the individual which is a service that is normally furnished by the agent or other advisor. Many agents, however, discuss group insurance coverage with individuals as a foundation for discussing the need for additional amounts of individual life and health insurance.

Saying four seater and Corvette in the same sentence is like saying super model and ugly in the same sentence; it just doesn't fit. Yet in 1963 the Corvette was extremely close to becoming a four seater. How close? So close that they developed a working prototype and began to work on the advertisements for it.

Now Corvette enthusiasts can deny this claim all they like and even though GM wisely destroyed the prototype a couple of years later, there are still photos that exist and photos don't often lie. So what lead to this decision to even entertain the idea of the Corvette becoming a grocery getter and how was it stopped?

The idea was actually born in the mind of Corvette legend Ed Cole who is the man who had the foresight to know what the Corvette could represent to Chevy when he first glanced at the prototype. Now before the urge to boo and hiss sets in listen to the reason why. Cole wondered if a four seater Corvette would be able to compete with and eventually beat the four seater Ford Thunderbird that was enjoying so much success at the time.

The project was handed over to Larry Shinoda who had to just gag at the prospect, but he nevertheless did his job. Shinoda took a midyear coupe and stretched it out an extra 104 inches to accommodate the two rear seats and the leg room that would be needed in order to pull off the project. This made the C2's wheelbase increase by six inches.

So why did this four seater never make it to production? Why it obviously was scrapped somewhere along the line, how it was scrapped remains a mystery. Some say that Bill Mitchell himself fought tooth and nail to allow this travesty to happen and stood firm without backing down. Others claim it was at the ordering of then design director Chuck Jordon.

The best story though is the one that says a big wig from GM came to the production line to check out the prototype and initially liked what he saw. He promptly sat in the back seat and when he went to get out the front seat would not unlock to allow him passage. The story ends with GM workers having to completely take out the front seat to allow the trapped GM executive out and once he was out, the four seater Corvette was dead.

However it came not to be, lucky it didn't. Imagine the difference a four seater Corvette would have made in the car's legacy. The perfect example is the Ford Thunderbird for which they were trying to copy. It became less of an obsession among speed enthusiasts and more of a family oriented sedan.

Happily the powers that be at GM saw the error of their way with this thinking. The Corvette has always been and should forever remain a two seater sports car. If you want to get the groceries then hop in your other "family vehicle" and have at it. Just leave the Corvette alone though so its integrity will always remain in place.

The Jeep Wrangler is one of the most popular vehicles on the road today. There are a number of different versions, all well-equipped with standard features and all able to be upgraded with some optional features. Following is a comparison of the Wrangler Rubicon 2 Door 4x4, Wrangler Islander 2 Door 4x4 and the Wrangler Mountain 2 Door 4X4.

The Rubicon, Islander and Mountain all come standard with a manual 6 speed transmission and a 3.8 liter v6 engine. All three models have an available option for a 4 speed automatic engine. The Rubicon features a 4:1 part time 4WD system while the Islander and Mountain versions come with a shift-on-the-fly four wheel drive system.

All feature 17-inch wheels with slight design differences. The Rubicon and Islander have painted satin carbon wheels. The Islander has aluminum painted wheels. Each come with a set of standard off-road tires and a matching spare wheel.

The sound systems for all three models begin with a standard media center 130 CD/MP3 radio. The Rubicon has as standard equipment a 368 watt, 7 speaker top-notch sound system which also includes a subwoofer. The Islander and Mountain models come with a six speaker system that can be upgraded as an option with the 368 watt system. Satellite radio comes standard on the Rubicon and is an option for the other models.

Cloth seats with adjustable head restraints come with the basic Rubicon package. An optional two toned leather trimmed seat is available. The Islander has a cloth seat and features the Islander logo. The Wrangler Mountain's seats are also cloth with an embedded Mountain logo.

Heavy duty front and rear next generation axles provide a sturdy ride for off-road driving and are standard fare on the Rubicon. The Islander and Mountain have a heavy duty rear axle and a solid front axle.

A power convenience group consisting of power door and window locks, an alarm system and a keyless entry system is available on the different models.

Air conditioning and fog lamps are standard on all models. All come with a soft top roof. A three-piece, rigid, modular top is available as an option on all three models.

Choices for exterior color are the most extensive on the Rubicon. There are two shades of red, two shades of blue, green, black, charcoal, white and silver exterior paint on this model. The Islander has black, white, silver and blue color options. The Mountain has a choice of black, mango, blue and green.

When it comes to leasing a car, every potential car leaser is obviously looking for the best deal possible. However, the problem is that most of these potential customers do not really understand the lingo and terminology associated with leasing a car. This makes it sound like they don't really know what they are talking about when they are trying to negotiate a good deal at the car dealership. There are many terms that dealers often use among their co-workers when discussing lease deals and understanding most of these terms can be work to your advantage. What follows are five leasing terms along with not only what they mean, but their significance as well.

1. Capitalized Cost

The capitalized cost is basically the reduced selling price that the dealer is using to calculate your monthly payment. If it's a good lease deal, the capitalized cost is significantly lower than the MSRP. A lower capitalized cost or cap cost gives you a lower monthly lease payment.

2. MSRP

The MSRP stands for Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price. It is basically a marked up version of the invoice price which is what the dealer pays the manufacturer to put the car on the lot. It is important to always compare the MSRP of a vehicle to its invoice price to see just how low of a selling price is possible. The selling price of the car is the negotiated price that the dealer is using to compute your monthly lease payment. You should aim for a selling price that is as close to or even below the invoice price.

3. Cap Reduction

The cap reduction is the sum of money you pay at the time of signing a new lease deal in order to reduce your selling price. For instance, if the dealer agrees to a lease deal where the capitalized cost (selling price) is $25,000 with a cap reduction of $1,000, this $1,000 would reduce your selling price to give you a net capitalized cost of $24,000. While it is true that you are putting this money "down", you shouldn't confuse the cap reduction with the down payment because the down payment is generally the sum of the cap reduction AND other fees such as tax, licensing, and registration fees. The cap reduction is the specific amount of your down payment that is being used to reduce your capitalized cost and therefore reduce your monthly payment.

4. Residual Value

The residual value is a dollar amount or percentage that represents the projected value of a car after a specific number of months or years. It is generally set by the finance company that provides your lease agreement and cannot be changed. When looking for a car to lease, you should always seek cars with high residual values. Cars with higher residual values have lower monthly payments. Compared to American cars, Japanese cars have much higher residual values which make them great cars to lease. You can use a car lease calculator to see how variations in residual values increase or decrease your monthly lease payments.

5. Money Factor

The money factor is basically the interest rate in leasing terms. The money factor should be a small numeric figure that should be comparable to the interest rates available for auto loans. You should know how to convert money factors into interest rates to give you an idea of how much the dealer is charging you in finance charges for your lease. To get the equivalent interest rate, take the money factor and multiply it by 2400. Compare this value to the interest rates available for customers interested in financing a car. Are the rates close to each other? They should be!

If you understand the 5 car leasing terms mentioned above, you can use this car lease calculator to calculate a hypothetical car lease payment. Doing so will give you a better understanding of what kind of payment you can expect for the car you are interested in leasing.

Passing the driving theory test requires considerable preparation. At time of writing, there are two sections. The first of these is worth a total of 50 marks that contains 45 multiple choice questions and then a case study worth an additional five marks. The secondis a hazard perception test where the exam sitter must identify hazards.

Passing the multiple choice question element requires considerable preparation. As with any test, there are methods that you can use to help improve your chance of passing. One of the best ways to do this is to visit Driving Theory Test Questions. This website contains all the official driving theory multiple choice questions for car drivers. In addition, those who are going to undertake the test can study the material on a question by question basis, and also have access to several tools and mock exams to help monitor progress.

When sitting any exam, the more you know about the subject and the likely contents of the test the better. And with the multiple choice element of the theory test, you should certainly take the opportunity to study and become familiar with all the questions in advance of the test to give yourself the best possible chance of passing it. The theory test is expensive and therefore if you can pass it first time you will save the considerable money as well as the effort of having to retake the test.

As a minimum, if you are taking the theory test you should be sure to look at every question in advance of the test, and see if you know the answer. If you already do then great, but if you don't know the answer, learn it. You should make a note of any questions that you got wrong, so that you can then check your knowledge against those questions again later.

The night before the test, you should revisit any questions that you are still getting wrong, and be sure to study and understand what the answer is. After all, the point of the driving theory test is to make you a safer driver and therefore by understanding why you should act in a certain way when a particular event arises whilst driving, you will make yourself a safer driver in the long term, and this alone should encourage you to study the theory of driving in detail to help make you a good and responsible driver.

Brake boosters are not for manual brakes. They are only used on power brakes to give more braking power with minimal pressure on the brake pedal. A brake booster is a device that provides extra braking power with the help of their hydraulic systems. They often work on vacuum pressure, but they also work in tandem with the master cylinder which holds the brake fluid to push brake fluid through the brake system.

How to install a brake booster?

First open the hood and locate the brake booster. It will be attached to the cylinder on the firewall. Loosen and remove the tube nuts holding the brake line to the master cylinder with the open-ended wrench. You can use a masking tape and a permanent marker to mark the location of where the brakes lines came from.

You will have to turn each tube nut counterclockwise to loosen and be especially careful that you do not damage the end of the nut while you are loosening it. Next, unbolt the two bolts holding the Brake Master Cylinder to the booster and remove the master cylinder.

Then, unbolt the five or six nuts holding the brake booster in place under the dash behind your vehicle's brake pedal. Then pull the retaining clip or pin in place using pliers then tap the pin out with the end of the pliers. Pull the Acura Brake Booster out of the firewall and out of the engine bay. Lower the new booster into the engine bay where the old break booster.

The leader of commercial vehicles, M&M has also been producing passenger cars and has plans of producing electric cars as well. That's the reason why General Motors separated from Reva, Bangalore-based company which is a global leader in electric car manufacture. Back in 1945 M&M stood for Mahindra and Mohammed. This man, Mohammed, post Indian independence returned to Pakistan and became the defence minister of the newly formed nation. After that, in 1948, M&M changed its name to Mahindra and Mahindra. With over 65 years in the automobile industry, this car maker has contributed a lot to the Indian marketplace. It's time we had a look at the Mahindra cars plying on the roads today.

The Logan model was Mahindra's first passenger car. The car was the result of the Mahindra-Renault joint venture. The price of this car was economical. The design too looked just perfect for the Indian roads with features well complimenting the looks. The car has ample space and can swallow in an entire big fat Indian family. Unfortunately, the very same big fat Indian family consider the Logan to be fit only as a taxi. The car has been very diligently been offering services for airport transfers and other commercial movements. Very few individuals have bought it as a family car.

The reason for the decline in sales can be attributed to the car's big size. Renault has now left Mahindra to fight out the battle all alone in the Indian car industry. However, Mahindra has not decided to not give up. Speculation says that the car maker may come up with a reduced version of the Logan. If size is the problem, looks like Mahindra has found a solution. The 4.2-metre long body will be cut down to around 4 metre. The car may then see better sales figures.

Also to be noted, Mahindra is not alone. Very recently Mahindra and Reva proclaimed 'I Do' and it looks like the two car companies will stay by each other in happiness and trouble, in health and sickness and so on. The partnership will let the two auto makers produce a higher number of highly efficient cars. The two will also be exchanging best practices and thereby growing in experience and knowledge. While Mahindra will gain expertise in the area of electric and small vehicle production, Reva will gain a lot from Mahindra's experience.

Mahindra's dominance in the SUV segment needs no mention. It is leader in the segment with big cars like Mahindra Bolero in its portfolio. This car is known for its muscular profile and excellent mileage. The Mahindra Scorpio is another car which is the darling of many Indian. Its sophisticated looks make it a favourite even among the classy classes. If that's not enough, there are revamped versions of these two monster cars, the Bolero Camper, Bolero Pik-Up and the Scorpio Getaway. Then there is the stylish and sporty Mahindra Xylo and other trucks like the Maxx too in the car makers inventory.

If that's still not enough, Mahindra is also looking at bringing in the Ingenio. It's long since the car maker had plans of bringing in the model. As of now, the thought has been put on hold. But, we can expect the Ingenio some time later. If it comes in, it will be pitted against the Toyota Innova, the Chevy Tavera and its likes.

Driving miles after miles down city streets or highways really takes a toll on your ride. Everything from stop-and-go traffic to abrupt stops during rush hour, your brakes have saved your life time and time again. So, your brakes deserve to be saved by you, as well. But, don't wait until your brakes are screeching like nails down a chalk board to inspect them.

It is suggested that drivers check their brake components every time they rotate their wheels, or as soon as they feel a change in performance. Keep an eye on your pads, rotors and brake lines and replace them immediately if you suspect it's time since each part plays a vital role in stopping your vehicle.

• Brake pads are the thin piece of friction-producing material that presses up against the vehicle's rotor and causes the wheel to stop rotation.

• Brake rotors are the rotating part of the brake system which is clamped by the caliper and the brake pads to cause the wheel to stop.

• Brake lines are the system of pipes or hoses that connect the master cylinder to the brake system.

How do you know when it's time to replace any of these brake components? Keep an eye out for these signs of trouble:
• Squealing brake
• Brake pedal pumping
• Sudden and hard brake pedal
• Spongy brake pads, or
• The grinding of the brakes

Your next step is to find quality replacement parts that can get your vehicle back in optimum condition. One of the most trusted names in the braking industry is Brembo. Brembo is known for their original equipment and aftermarket brake components all over the world. In fact, Brembo is a worldwide leader in brake performance and hope to continue with innovations in brake system technology.

Other companies in the braking industry specialize in specific components within the braking system. For example, StopTech, Goodridge and Skyjacker are key players in brake lines. Replacing your brake lines with these top-of-the-line brands enhance your pedal feel and easily outperform your stock brake lines. Or if you're looking for brake pads, EBC and Hawk are the key players you need to consider. Just remember that quality brake components mean increased safety!

Taxis have become a popular canvas for advertisers to use in their ad campaigns throughout the UK's towns and cities. Using taxis cabs as an advertising medium can provide an excellent way to reach a large demographic of people. There is potential advertising space on the in and outside of a taxi cab. It can also provide an extra income stream for the owner of the taxi.

There are a wide range of advert placements available on a hackney cab. Full digital wraps cover the entirety of the vehicle and can prove very eye catching. It is the most expensive option for advertisers but it does ensure that an advert will be seen all over the city centre or area that the taxi is operating in.

There are also other options for advertising to customers inside the taxi. One of the best being the bottom of the flip down seats that are standard in Hackney cabs. When there are only two passengers on the back seat the flip down seats will be directly in view of the customer giving them time to absorb the message.

There are also some companies who will print on the floor mats so no space is left unused. These kinds of adverts will either be included in the advertisers cost of the vehicle wrap as a package or priced as a separate item. To give advertisers different options on price there is also the option of having the graphics applied to the side of a taxi only.

There are a number of companies specialising in full livery digital graphics that work in conjunction with taxi drivers in order to sell the advertising space available. If you are looking to make some more money out of your taxi through advertising you can apply to these companies who will vet your suitability and if successful use your taxi in their future advertising campaigns. Second hand Taxis for sale don't carry their livery with them as the advertising will be agreed with a specific cab driver.