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Car cost considerations for young drivers So you are a young
driver and you have just got your first car but there are many
extra costs which you may not have thought about. There are of
course the essentials such as car tax, fuel and car insurance
which can all mount up. But there are many companies that will
offer discounts on young driver car insurance. There are also
safety and security features that your car does not have that
you may want to consider installing. Here are a few details on
extra costs involved with car ownership.
Essential car costs:
Car insurance Make sure that you purchase a good car insurance
policy before you even consider driving out in your new car so
that you are covered for any eventuality. There are many young
driver car insurance policies out there designed especially for
you. Shop around to make sure that you get an affordable policy,
online car insurance is a good place to start. Car Tax The law
in the UK states that it is essential for all vehicles kept or
used on public roads to display a valid tax disc. This shows the
police that vehicle tax has been paid, the vehicle has passed
its MOT and is covered by at least third party motor insurance.
Car tax for private vehicles costs between £60 and £170 per year
depending on fuel type and CO2 emissions. Car Fuel Obviously you
need fuel to run your car but there are various different types
on the market, petrol, diesel, liquid petroleum gas and
compressed natural gas to name a few. Often your engine will be
designed for either petrol or diesel and filling the tank with
the wrong fuel can cause serious damage to your car, so take
care. You can save money on fuel by purchasing a car with good
fuel-economy which is measured by miles per gallon. Ask your car
dealer about fuel economy before purchasing. Car safety features
Anti-lock brakes This relatively new safety device is designed
to bring a car to a halt more quickly than conventional brakes.
ABS prevent the breaks from locking so that the car does not
skid and in turn increase the driver's control over the car.
This is a great safety feature that could potentially prevent
road accidents from happening or at least stop your car from
being involved. It is well worth the extra cost of investing in
a car with ABS. Air bags Frontal airbags are now installed in
most cars in the steering wheel hub or dashboard. They can also
be fitted in the sides of a car for extra protection in case of
side impact crashes. Airbags inflate in an instant after a
sudden impact to protect those involved in a car crash from
serious personal injuries. Seatbelts should also be worn by law,
even when an air bag is fitted. If an air bag does not come as
standard with your car then having them installed by a retailer
is advisable. Child seat If you have your own young child or
will be ferrying around a younger sibling a child car seat is a
must. Car seats for children under three years are required by
law in the front seat and are recommended for the back seat as
well. This is purely for the safety of the child who would be
thrown about inside the car with the impact of a car accident,
causing serious injuries or worse to themselves and other
passengers. Car security features There are many security
devices that have been recommended by the police and security
experts across the UK to help you to keep your car from being
stolen. Although the initial cost of some of these features may
be fairly high they could save you a fortune in the long run.
Having your car stolen will inevitably cost you a lot more
money, time and inconvenience than a few security measures.
Also, some car insurance companies will reduce your premium
rates if you have extra security for your car since it will be
at less risk of being a crime target. Here a few examples of
security devices on the market: Car alarm - to let every one
know your car is at risk form thieves
Central locking - so you don't forget to lock up
Deadlocks - double locks for extra security
Immobiliser - stops your car from going anywhere, mostly fitted
as standard now
Locking wheel nuts - you don't want those alloy wheels rolling
off
Lockable fuel caps - so you don't lose a full tank to thieves
Security etching - have your registration etched in so any
parts stolen can be matched to your car
Removable panel/security coded car stereo equipment - some
manufacturers fit stereos with components that will not fit into
another model, you don't want someone else playing your tunes
Remember that there are some costs that you must fork out for
when you start driving but young drivers could save themselves a
fortune with a few initial costs of installing safety systems
which could help save lives and security systems that could
reduce your car insurance rates.
http://www.hootcarinsurance.co.uk
About the author:
Author: Katy Lassetter, Hoot Car Insurance Services
(www.hootcarinsurance.co.uk)
Hoot Car Insurance Services are specialists in providing
fantastically cheap young driver car insurance. For a free quote
in matter seconds just call 0808 144 9954 or go to
www.hootcarinsurance.co.uk.
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