“God, isn’t it expensive to own and run a car? Why can’t manufacturers and insurance companies and governments do something?” Let’s face it – we think this way because we want to blame no one but ourselves. Sure, insurance companies and dealers and laws can make vehicle ownership cheaper, but this way of thinking takes one thing away.
It is that we have free will and aren’t dependent on anyone. With the right moves, a driver can cut costs in half. The key is to stop doing things that add to the overall cost. Below are four for your information.
No Shopping
Car insurance is one expense that you cannot afford to skip. Driving in it makes it illegal and you can be fined or sent to jail. And, incidentally, most policies are anything but cheap. It’s as if the company understands that they own your short, curly hair. Well, they do not thanks to comparison sites. In the past, you had to call each provider and get a quote, whereas now you can find the cheapest one with the click of a button. Never assume your current deal is pretty much as good as it gets. Shop around for the best deals.
Reckless Driving
And that does not just mean speeding and tailing the driver in front. Yes, they’re more likely to end up in a crash, but so is relying on the car’s features. Many drivers today park or back up without looking; instead, they wait for a beep to tell them when they should stop. That’s fine if the technology works, but it is a lot harder if there is a crash. Not being vigilant and doing the basics can result get legal help because you have fallen and need a lawyer. Of course, legal fees only add to operational costs.
Abusing the Garage
How do you abuse the garage? The answer is not to park the car in it. Why is not the car in the garage? That’s because householders use it as extra space for their property. Some people like turning it into a new bedroom and increasing the retail price, while others prefer the gym. Some use it as storage, that’s ridiculous. Parking on the street can be expensive in terms of parking fees and security. Even if it is free to park, it is not safe out in the open. Oh, and the policy may be void if you do not notify the insurance company.
Buying Cheap Features
You need new tires so you buy the cheapest rubber. It looks like the perfect solution because the broken part is replaced and you do not break the bank. Unfortunately, that only adds extra costs in the future when the cheap, crappy tires start to fail. While expensive at first, the better buy a quality replacement the latter.
Are you guilty of any of the above? Can you do more to make owning a car cheaper?
