About Car Finance

Car finance

The subject of car finance comprises the different financial products which allows someone to acquire a car with any arrangement other than a single lump payment. The provision of car finance by a third party supplier allows the acquirer to provide for and raise the funds to compensate the initial owner, either a dealer or manufacturer.

Car finance is required by both private individuals and businesses. All types of finance products are available to either sector, however the market share by finance type for each sector differs, partly because business contract hire can provide tax and cashflow benefits to businesses.

Personal Car Finance is a complete subsector of personal finance, with numerous different products available. These include a straightforward car loan, hire purchase, personal contract hire (car leasing) and Personal Contract Purchase. Therefore car finance includes but is not limited to vehicle leasing. These different types of car finance are possible because of the high residual value of cars and the second hand car market, which enables other forms of financing beyond pure unsecured loans.

Car finance arose because the price of cars was out of the reach of individual purchasers without borrowing the money. The funding for personal car finance is provided either by a retail bank or a specialist car financing company. Some car manufacturers own their own car financing arms, such as Ford with the Ford Motor Credit Company and General Motors with its GMAC Financial Services arm, which has now been renamed and rebranded as Ally Financial.

The funding supplier may retain ownership of the car during the period of the contract for certain types of financing. This interim ownership by a third party and subsequent leasing to the acquirer is far more typical for business assets than private ones, with the option of vehicle leasing being the major exception for private consumers.

The finance is arranged either by the dealer which provides the car or by independent finance brokers who work on commission. Individual brokers will provide any solution for which the individual can get credit approval, but their own particular lifestyle and cost considerations that should determine the choice of finance option.

The leasing share of the US consumer automotive industry expected to grow by 18-25% though this is growing again after the credit crisis cause major leasing companies to exit the market in the US. The [(credit crisis of 2008)] and subsequent recession saw the second hand car market collapse and funding companies had to sell their returning cars at much lower prices than expected. Some major providers stopped offering private contract hire during this period.

The Finance and Leasing Association represents the asset, consumer and motor industry in the UK, which includes car finance. The FLA has a neutral website which explains all aspects of car finance for the private individual in the UK.

The Federal Trade Commission in the USA is responsible for protecting the rights of consumers in this market.
article source from : Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Why Get Commercial Car Insurance?

Why Get Commercial Car Insurance?
By Matt Murpho

If you use your car for commercial purposes, such as making deliveries for your small home business or visiting contacts, then you need to buy commercial car insurance for your car. Personal auto insurance policies may deny coverage if the car is used for commercial purposes, as they generally cover only the regular daily use of the vehicle (i.e. traveling to and from work and trips for leisure purposes). This exposes the small-business owner to serious financial losses if the car is involved in an accident.

Commercial car insurance, such as traditional auto insurance, covers the repair or replacement of a vehicle damaged in an accident and shoulders the cost of any claims for injury or property damage filed by third parties. There are three kinds of coverage available: private and sporadic business use, which covers the intermittent use of the car for commercial purposes as long as the car is not registered for business purposes and does not represent an important part of your business income; private and business use, which covers customary use of the vehicle for commercial purposes by the regular driver or any named driver; and commercial coverage, which provides coverage where the named driver uses their personal vehicle as part of their work. You have to apply for the particular type of cover that you need. If your staff also use their personal cars in their work, you should also take out "non-owned auto" policies; this provides coverage whenever a business uses a vehicle that is not in their name, including the business owner's personal car.

The simplest way to get commercial car insurance quotes is from the insurer's official site. Make sure to prepare all the required information, such as the license number of each named driver and their driving history, vehicle identification number and make and model of each car to be covered. Make sure to get quotes from at least three insurance providers to be able to evaluate rates and other features and ensure you get the best value for your money.

There are several ways you can save money on your commercial car insurance. If your regular insurer carries this type of insurance, you might be able to get a discount by taking out several types of insurance from him, i.e. by buying homeowner's insurance and a commercial vehicle policy. Some insurers might also let you to add commercial coverage to your regular car insurance as a rider whenever you need it.

You can get discounts on your insurance through the usual methods, such as making sure that the vehicles have safety features such as automatic seat belts as well as anti-theft devices such as car alarms and locking devices for the steering wheel and always parking the car in well-guarded parking lots and other safe places. If you are still in the process of buying a car, then you should consider buying a make and model of vehicle that will not be charged high premiums by insurers. You can research this by asking for a commercial car insurance quote using the model of car you intend to purchase.
article source : ezine article