Good driver, bad rap
Driver beware – especially if you are a single, divorced or widowed female driver living in Chicago, Ill. The consumer watchdog, the Consumer Federation of America, reports that this group of drivers is often subject to penalties and disadvantages, particularly from major insurers such as Geico, Farmers and Progressive, according to The Chicago Tribune. Reportedly, when a woman divorces her husband or loses him to a death, she can expect an annual increase in premium of 8 percent at Geico, 20 percent at Farmers and 7 percent at Progressive. On the flip side, a recent InsuranceQuotes.com report found that older, married female Chicagoans generally receive lower rates.
Stress-free and safe
Studies show that up to 1,500 people are injured or killed in road rage incidents each year, according to Hastings & Hastings. Because stressful driving conditions, such as traffic congestion and weather conditions, can lead to road rage, Hastings & Hastings encourages drivers to consider traffic conditions before they begin their commute. If commuters know ahead of time that they will encounter difficult traffic conditions, they can plan ahead accordingly. For instance, by leaving 15 or 20 minutes early, they can compensate for time lost in backed up traffic. Commuters who are stuck in traffic knowing they will arrive late to their destination experience more stress than those stuck in the same traffic who will be arriving on time, notes the group. And, stress is one of the leading causes of road rage. It can build slowly as a result of several minor incidents, without drivers even realizing it. As a result, drivers may experience intermittent explosive disorder or IED. Getting cut off by another car once or twice may be a minor annoyance; being tailgated, honked at, cut off or passed 10-15 times during a commute could lead to an IED. For more information visit http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/hastings–hastings-speaks-out-about-stress-and-road-rage-300136560.html.
Take your keys!
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) has warned drivers to take their keys and lock their vehicles, or risk becoming a statistic. Some 45,000 drivers last year admitted that they had left their keys in the car when it was stolen. Indeed, in spite of its warnings, many people make it easy for car thieves, says NICB. Today’s vehicles have excellent anti-theft systems, but they don’t work unless drivers use them, it adds. Another major concern for insurers and law enforcement is the growing crime of cargo theft. The theft of electronics, retail goods, food and pharmaceuticals is a threat to the economy and can also impact the health and welfare of the American public, NICB points out. An average cargo theft resulted in a loss of $237,000 last year.
Less is more
Do consumers continue to covet high tech electronics and racy new car technologies? The 2015 Harris Poll AutoTECHCASTSM – an annual study of consumer awareness and adoption of advanced and emerging automotive technologies – suggests that educating consumers about the value of existing features and cultivating usage may have a more positive effect on both cars sales and customer loyalty. The AutoTECHCAST study surveyed over 14,000 new car buyers in the United States and explored about 60 technologies. The study results suggest that redefining success, with a focus on familiarity, usage, satisfaction and loyalty between users and brands, may better serve the industry than marketing a constant stream of new technologies. Only 16 of the 60 technologies evaluated obtain good familiarity scores. Back-up cameras received a score of 61 percent; satellite radio 51 percent; and back-up warning systems 42 percent. Technologies such as automatic window tinting and augmented reality dashboard received lower scores of 7 percent; and DMC-Driver mode control received a score of only 6 percent. Over four in ten – or 44 percent – of those surveyed report they’ve never used one or more of the major infotainment solutions, and low users are significantly less likely to be familiar with infotainment features. Technologies such as real-time navigation, personal assistance services and text-to-speech/speech-to-text options also appear to be underused. The consensus is that consumers feel inundated with technology in their new car purchases, and over four in ten recent car buyers – or 42 percent – believe carmakers add too much technology to their vehicles.
2015 top picks
Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com) has announced its “10 Most Awarded Cars of 2015.”
1. 2015 Honda Civic
• 15 best family cars
• Kelley Blue Book best buy: small car
• Lowest 5-year cost-to-own: sporty compact car
• 10 coolest cars under $18,000
• 10 tech-savviest cars starting under $20,000
• 10 best hybrid cars under $30,000
• 10 coolest cars under $25,000
• 10 best sedans under $25,000
2. 2015 Subaru Impreza
• Best resale value award: compact car
• Best resale value award: sporty compact car
• 10 coolest cars under $18,000
• 10 tech-savviest cars starting under $20,000
• 10 best all-wheel-drive vehicles under $25,000
• 10 best sedans under $25,000
3. 2015 Honda Accord
• Kelley Blue Book best buy: midsize car
• 15 best family cars
• 10 most comfortable cars under $30,000
• 10 best green cars
• 10 best hybrid cars under $30,000
• 10 best sedans under $25,000
4. 2015 Toyota Camry
• 15 best family cars
• Best resale value award: hybrid/alternative energy car
• 10 most comfortable cars under $30,000
• 10 best green cars
• 10 best hybrid cars under $30,000
• 10 best sedans under $25,000
5. 2015 Jeep Wrangler
• Best resale value award: compact SUV/crossover
• Best resale value award: midsize SUV/crossover
• Lowest 5-year cost-to-own: midsize SUV/crossover
• 10 most fun SUVs
• 10 coolest cars under $25,000
• 10 best SUVs under $25,000
6. 2015 Honda CR-V
• Kelley Blue Book best buy: small SUV
• 15 best family cars
• 10 most comfortable cars under $30,000
• 10 best SUVs under $25,000
• 10 best all-wheel-drive Vehicles under $25,000
7. 2015 Jeep Renegade
• 10 coolest cars under $18,000
• 10 tech-savviest cars starting under $20,000
• 10 most fun SUVs
• 10 best SUVs under $25,000
• 10 best all-wheel-drive vehicles under $25,000
8. 2015 Chevrolet Impala
• Kelley Blue Book best buy: full-size car
• 15 best family cars
• Lowest 5-year cost-to-own: full-size car
• 10 most comfortable cars under $30,000
9. 2015 Honda Fit
• Best resale value: subcompact car
• 10 coolest cars under $18,000
• 10 tech-savviest cars starting under $20,000
10. 2015 Mazda Mazda3
• 10 coolest cars under $18,000
• 10 tech-savviest cars starting under $20,000
• 10 best sedans under $25,000
To see KBB.com’s full coverage of the 10 Most Awarded Cars of 2015 visit http://www.kbb.com/car-reviews-and-news/top-10/most-awarded-cars-2015/2000012395/.