Thursday 28 February 2013

Compare your insurance and save!


Would you stick with your auto-insurance provider if you knew there might be a better one out there? 

These days we are spoiled for choice when it comes to insurance providers, and it's a lot easier to research their products and policies online, but changing providers can still be a bit daunting to anyone who has always stayed loyal to single insurer as we tend to in Tasmania. Today we will look at the nuances of migrating to a new insurance policy, perhaps one that suits your needs better, has more flexible options, or just saves you money!

A good insurance policy limits your damages and protects you from undue financial stress when something goes wrong with your car. The cost of the premium should be within your budget while providing the best cover for your vehicle.



So what do you do when you find a new policy or provider that you would like to switch to? It’s quite simple really. Some insurers will let you cancel your policy (if you give them proper notice) without a charge, while others will levy a cancellation fee in order to forfeit your policy. If you’re switching to a different policy offered by the same insurer, your cancellation fee may be waived depending on the company rules. You can sometimes avoid paying a cancellation fee if you cancel your policy during the ‘cooling off’ period. The cooling off period occurs just after you've purchased the policy, or when the policy is due for renewal.

If you decide to cancel your current policy, let your insurer know well in advance in order to make the transition a smooth experience. Cancelling your policy when it is up for renewal makes sense, as you will be able to avoid a cancellation fee, and the administrative process following your cancellation will be much simpler.

Most importantly, before you make the final switch make sure you read through the policies available to you. Read the fine print prior to signing up - make sure that you know exactly what you are getting into and what the insurer promises to provide in the case of a claim.

A good way to start looking at alternative insurance providers is to get a general overview of what other companies might charge you for insuring your car. This website might be helpful in getting an idea of what you can expect to pay from a range of car insurance providers.




Thursday 14 February 2013

Referral Competition: January winners!

We’d like to congratulate Trent Hasson and Aimee Hasson, who each won $100 in January’s referral competition!



If you’d like to win next month's cash, all you need to do is refer a friend to Cooper Automotive and you'll both go into the draw to win $100 each!

For more info on how you and a friend can each win $100 cash in our monthly referral draw, visit http://www.cooperautomotive.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/win-100-cash-for-you-and-friend.html



Wednesday 13 February 2013

Class of 2013

This year the Australian market will welcome a broad range of new arrivals, from SUVs to small cars to high-performance vehicles. Last year it was all about mileage and economy - but 2013 has kicked off with car makers focusing more on style and performance.

Here are some of the cars that we think will get drivers excited when they hit the Australian market this year! 

Aston Martin Vanquish


The new Aston Martin Vanquish is a beautifully designed car with amazing specs; a 6.0 litre V12 engine that produces 421kW at 6750rpm and 620Nm of torque at 5500rpm. The transmission system is a six-speed Touchtronic 2 sequential transmission, and the Vanquish's 0-100km/h time is listed at 4.1 seconds. Now that's power!

Ferrari F12 Berlinetta



The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta is one of the fastest cars available on the Australian car markets. As a seven-speed paddle-shifted automatic, Ferrari promises a 0-100km/h time of 3.1 seconds and 0-200 km/h in 8.5 seconds. It also includes some of the most modern features available in high performance cars like the magnetorheological suspension control system, an electronically-controlled differential, ESP Premium, F1-Trac, ABS and carbon-ceramic brakes. 

Ford Fiesta ST 



The Ford Fiesta ST is a Fiesta with a major facelift- it looks sharper, and far more attractive. Being an environment friendly car, it is estimated that its carbon dioxide output will be improved by 20 percent over the old 110kW model. It will sport a 130kW EcoBoost 1.6 litre turbo engine that can achieve great speeds while front wheels handle a torque of 240Nm along the way. The Fiesta ST is 15mm lower than the older one and features a trick Torque Vectoring system along with three electronic stability modes. It is available in six speed manual transmission. 



Wednesday 6 February 2013

Tips for Buying a Used Car



Buying a used car is a great option if you're shopping within a limited budget. However, a used car will usually need a rigorous background check to ensure that you get a good deal. 

It's usually a good idea to look for a late-model vehicle that has not clocked up many kilometres. There is a good chance that, in addition to being in better condition, it will also still be covered under the manufacturer's warranty. Later models are generally better as the rate of depreciation is slower, making it even cheaper than a comparable brand new car while offering similar features.

Recent models will generally qualify for an extended warranty program, which protects you in the case that something goes wrong. It's usually advisable to purchase a used car from a dealer, as they often have the best used cars on the market - dealerships will often shift cars with huge mileage or other major problems to road side lots or smaller outlets that specialise in budget cars. 

In order to get the best deal, compare a few models and their prices at different dealers. This not only gives you an idea of the prevailing price in the market, but also provides you with options in case you find something better than you were originally looking for within your budget. 

Another factor that you need to consider is potential maintenance costs that might be in addition to the purchase price. Is the vehicle due for a major - and potentially expensive - service? How long until the brakes need fixing? Does it have overdue mechanical repairs? Has it had major body repairs which have been poorly done?

Just how good a car is it?

If you are not sure, remember that Cooper Automotive offers pre-purchase inspections.

We can carry out a thorough vehicle inspection accompanied with a full written report prior to you buying, which could potentially save you thousands of dollars down the track. One of the best tips you'll ever get for buying a used car is this: talk to an expert before you buy!