Most children’s health insurance programs are relatively affordable and they can save the family from a lot of stress and worry caused by the financial burden of medical expenditure should it ever be required.

There are a wide range of children’s health insurance programs to choose from with most insurance companies and you really need to settle what level of cover best suits your needs and then carefully read all the terms of the children’s health insurance program to decide whether a particular program sufficient for you.

With increasing medical expenditure occurring all the time it is well worth considering investing some money in a children’s health insurance program as it is generally not until something happens that you realize how important such an investment is.

Get Kids Health Insurance Quotes at: USInsuranceOnline.com takes the worry out of insurance researching by giving you FREE quotes from top companies in a couple of minutes.

Top companies with agents providing quotes

AAA, Aetna, AIG, Alliance for Affordable Services, Allstate, American Family Insurance, American Service Insurance, Assurant Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield Health Plans, CNA, Continental, Country Insurance, Dairyland Insurance, Erie Insurance, Farm Bureau, Farmers Insurance, Fortis, Golden Rule, Humana, Kaiser Permanente, Mega Life and Health, Mercury Insurance, Mid-West National Life, Nationwide, Progressive, Prudential, Safeco, Time Insurance, Travelers, The Hartford, Unicare, United Healthcare, World Insurance, and over 100 others.

Online Insurance Guides and Resources

Health Insurance Resources – Includes types of health insurance plans, information on health insurance carriers, state-by-state medical insurance guides, and information for high risk individuals and families.

Online Auto Insurance – Explains types of car insurance policies, the details of auto insurance, state-by-state consumer guides, information for high risk drivers, and more.

Online Home Insurance Guides – Find out about types of home insurance programs, top homeowners insurance agencies, state home insurance laws and regulations, and other topics related to home owner insurance programs.

Life Insurance Online – Find out about different types of life insurance programs, check life insurance company statistics, and get details about life insurance for high risk individuals.

Annuity Resources – Find detailed descriptions of different annuity kinds, find out about the components of annuities, and net all the information on how annuities work.

The best way to catch cheap auto insurance online is the internet. It allows you to be able to get quotes for lots of different companies. Some of the biggest auto insurance companies allow you to compare rates with other companies, which give you an advance. Many companies provide discounts online that would not be offered at there location. It is good to take advantage of any possible discounts available. The internet makes it possible for you to get a fast quote and check many different companies. It allowed me to find a very cheap price which I feel I would not have found if it was not for the internet.

When looking for cheap auto insurance you want to drive safely this is principal. If you have a good driving record, getting the best auto insurance quote is easy. Auto Insurance companies are very nervous to insure people who have a bad driving report. Most people will ogle if you have a bad driving record your auto insurance can nearly double or even triple. Many people who have a unpleasant driving record will fetch themselves wanting to lie about it in order to get cheap auto insurance. It is always good to drive as safely as possible if you want to get a good cheap auto insurance quote.

If you really want to get cheap auto insurance then installing safety features in your car is a shining idea. Almost every auto insurance company will agree that this will cause less accidents and will stop more claims in the future. The anti theft feature is a good thing to install on your vehicle. It prevents theft and keeps your car from someone stealing it and that way you do not need to file an insurance claim. If you shop around you can accept many ways to keep your vehicle safe and you will find that this will also lower your auto insurance payments and wait on you save money. A lot of people don’t realize that this is a tremendous savings and can easy save them a lot of money each year by just adding safety features to there car.

Finding cheap auto insurance can be a tough challenge but by following these simple steps, you can easily save hundreds every year on your auto insurance. The next time you feel that you are spending a lot of money on auto insurance go online and shop around, drive safely and add a safety system to your vehicle.

How car insurance works

Many people will call their insurance company after receiving a renewal notice. After managing to forget about car insurance for the rest of the year, the renewal notice arrives and informs you that your premium will be increasing soon. Your response is natural, you call the insurance company and want to know why your rates went up when you are accident free and have never had a speeding ticket.

Insurance is a shared risk. The premiums that you and I pay is kept in reserves and used to pay the claims of our fellow customers. When you or I need to file a claim, that claim is paid out using money from the same reserves. The problem arises when claim frequency increases or when the amount paid out in claims begins to rise. This information is analyzed for trends. If, for example, claims tend to be more frequent among individuals who like the color blue, then the rates for individuals who like blue might rise (if the state were to allow it).

Rating, Tiering and Surcharging

Everyone begins with a base rate. This rate is determined based upon statistical information for a particular status (usually zip code). This rate is the same for everyone, regardless of age, sex and driving history. This rate increases through tiering and surcharging. Though this varies from state to state, most insurance companies have a tiering structure. Here's how it works. Insurance Company A rates clients based upon 50 tiers. Clients at Tier 00 will have the lowest rate. This will be based upon factors which are favorite by that state's insurance department, and may include marital status, age, gender and driving history. Accidents and moving violations can be surcharged, adding to your premium. Most states allow insurance companies to charge for any accidents or violations which occurred within the last three years. However, even if a company stops surcharging for an accident, there are quite a few states that allow a company to look back 5 years and expend accidents and violations for the purposes of tiering.

Credit Reporting

Most insurers also utilize a Credit Based Underwriting Score. It is important to note that insurance companies do not typically pull credit reports. The Credit Based Underwriting Come By is obtained when the insurer develops a formula which they then provide to reporting agencies such as Experian. Using the provided formula, the reporting agency then provides the insurer with a numerical score. This is important to note because while this score affects your rate, those within the insurance company most likely have no understanding what makes your find. Neither customer service, nor underwriting will have a copy of your credit report and cannot notify you as to what specific data affected your score. The Credit Based Underwriting Find, while numerical, is also different from your FICO Secure, which is not obtained by your insurer.

When Your Rate Goes Up

So, you're accident free and haven't had a effect since high school, yet your rate unprejudiced went up. What happened? It is important to mark that your premium is made up of the premium for each specific coverage and for each vehicle. Generally speaking, if you are claims free and have not had any moving violations, your liability coverage will remain the same. This is also the coverage that is generally affected by discounts such as defensive driver. When your premium goes up and the change mainly affects your comprehensive and collision coverages, it is most likely due to the claims history of your particular vehicle and location.

For example, if you drive a 2005 Saturn Vue and live in Union City, New Jersey, your comprehensive and collision premium may have gone up due to an increase in the number of claims for 2005 Saturn Vues in and around Union City, Current Jersey. It may also have been affected by the cost to repair a 2005 Saturn Vue in your area. Were you to experience a loss, the cost to repair the vehicle would be higher and thus would require a higher payment from the insurance carrier. The most frustrating fraction of an increase in these coverages is that they might easily affect a trustworthy driver with a clean report and there is little that can be done about it.

From time to time, insurance carriers will receive permission from their respective location insurance department to initiate a statewide rate increase. This is done to support up with the cost of inflation and to meet the demand of rising claims.

Shopping for Insurance

There are many misconceptions surrounding shopping for insurance. For starters, despite what that letter in the mail says, you likely won't save $400 by switching to another company. These figures are determined based on average savings. Judge that large multi-car accounts in expensive metropolitan areas, such as New York City, are going to yield premiums in the thousands, making such savings more realistic.

The ancient wisdom in shopping was that an Independent Insurance Agent was the best way to secure the lowest rate. An Independent Agency represents numerous insurance companies rather than just one. The problem with this approach is that relatively few auto insurers allow independent agents to market their products. Those that do also allow consumers to purchase directly. If shopping for the lowest rate is your goal, then your best bet is to approach multiple direct auto carriers and request quotes via telephone or internet.

If you insist on forming a personal relationship with an insurance agent, consider doing the direct shopping, but then finding a local agent to service your account once you have placed your business (when possible). For example, if Progressive offers the lowest rate, buy your insurance directly and then find an agent who offers Progressive who can service your account. Making your purchase based upon the individual agent may help you to form that interpersonal connection, but may cost you money in the long run.

Will Your Car Insurance Rates Increase After A DUI?

Yes. When you are convicted of a DUI, you become a risk to all car insurance companies. If you previously had a “preferred driver” policy (a preferred driver car insurance policy will have much lower insurance premiums than high-risk drivers) your insurance rates could triple. Your rates will increase because your car insurance carrier will consider you a financial risk. If they underwrite a car insurance policy for you, they may lose money if you have a car accident that causes substantial damage.

What Is An SR-22 Certificate?

An SR-22 is called a Proof of Insurance certificate and identifies you as a person who has been convicted of a DUI. Many times, you can file an SR-22 through your car insurance company. However, in some cases, your insurance carrier may not have an SR-22 policy. That is, they don’t offer car insurance policies to those who have a DUI on their driving record.

When you file an SR-22 through your car insurance company, your insurance carrier must file it with the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles). Once your SR-22 is filed at the DMV, any car insurance company will have access to it. When you have an SR-22 on file, car insurance companies will consider you a high-risk driver.

Can Your Car Insurance Policy Be Canceled?

Absolutely. If your car insurance company finds out about your DUI conviction, they can decide to cancel your policy. You will be forced to find another car insurance carrier to insure you, given your high-risk driver status. Your car insurance provider can also decide to simply not renew your policy at the raze of its term.

Finding a new car insurance policy after your DUI presents problems, as well. Some insurance companies will insure your car. Others will not as your DUI may imply a greater financial risk to them.

Your car insurance premiums can suffer a significant increase after a DUI conviction. If you get a DUI, you have some time to plan your next steps. Assume that all car insurance carriers will know about your DUI conviction through the SR-22 filing. Though your car insurance rates will increase, you will have time to anticipate the extra insurance expense.

Insurance companies offer discounts for having more than one vehicle or having your homeowner’s insurance coverage with the same company and they have a wide range of coverage to suit your specific needs.

Before starting to shop for the cheapest car insurance rates, make a list of the necessary coverage you are looking for and consider the cost to replace your vehicle should you have an accident. You can choose to have a higher deductible amount this will lower your premium amount but also consider the deductible will have to be paid by you if you are in an accident.

Choose an insurance company that is reputable and easy to contact in case of an accident. Your insurance coverage is only as good as the company or agent. Nationwide, Allstate, State Farm, Hartford, etc, are companies that have been in business for a long time and will most likely be a good choice for cheapest car insurance rates. Your premiums may begin out high but will be reduced if you have coverage with them for a long period of time.
Online rate quotes are a good way to get started but for your specific needs, speaking with an agent in person or by phone is best. The agent can ask you questions and compose a policy for your specific needs. The online quotes are questions in general for everyone but only an agent can give you a policy for your needs.

Several other things can reduce your premium amount such as; taking a safe driver course, maintaining a good driving record, building a good credit rating, having all your insurance coverage, home, auto, health and life policies through the same company and staying with this company over a long period of time. One should consider shopping in their home town for the most genuine, for the agent most likely knows you and you know them and will address your insurance coverage best suited for you.

When a “tell” gets released from a job, he/she may receive a minimal buyout that is nice when you first get it. But upon further consideration, you see you will need to do some serious financial juggling if you want to live a comfortable life in years to near.

But let a CEO or other corporate ‘big wig” leave their position, they get millions, if not billions of dollars. Often included in these packages they receive, are high-end CD’s (not musical), IRA’s, KEOGH’s and other fiduciary accounts that will multiply the money they received.

Does that seem fair? NO.

We, the “grunts” (cashiers, telemarketers, managers, teachers, etc.) do all of the work, and they get all the pay. We slave for hours each day, dealing with people with more issues than any 100 magazines have ever circulated.

We are the ones who get cussed out, threatened with violence (physical and verbal), made to work additional hours unexpectedly an obtain little or no pay that compensates us for these afflictions.

I am not complaining, I am both glad and blessed to have a job. Sucky (I know this isn’t a word) as it is. But why does that mean we have to be treated like we are worthless? If it were not for us, these “corporate giants” would not have the ‘cushions of cash’ they rest so proudly upon. It is because the average American worker business even exists.

Every day, millions of people leave home and family, commute insane distances, put on their “professional face”, and work their butts to the nub only to get a paycheck that may or may not stretch until the next one. They get to spend petite if any time with family – that is if they have even had the time to create one. Any attempt at a social life is thwarted by a lack of energy, and possibly money.

On the other hand, men and women at the top, go on vacations to exotic places for extended amounts of time. Places many “grunts” can only spell…forget traveling to. These corporate leaders, have several banking accounts to choose from when they want to do things. They own several cars, homes and maybe even other businesses, all while the “converse” can barely afford to live in rundown apartments on the low end of town.

Chrysler, Ford and other companies known to make millions of dollars annually are announcing massive layoffs. Layoffs of ‘grunts’. But when they let go of a CEO he/she will walk away with millions.

Is there something wrong with this record?

You and I slave day-today, earn microscopic or no pay, do whatever the bosses say…but they collect the tremendous bucks when they walk away.

I say reverse it. If you have to layoff the worker, give them the bank accounts, great paychecks and all; and let the leaders get what amounts to nothing. I mean, why should they regain paid for doing nothing.

Don’t get me wrong. I know they gain a lot of tall decisions – steak or lobster? Ferrari or Lamborghini? Gucci or BCBG?

They also do determine which insurance company will mask the employees will cost the least? Which divisions can we do without and still make money?

So great hard work.

Which school (private) will Buffy and Muffy attend? Which liposuction doctor will my wife go to? How many rounds of tennis/golf can I get in this week?

I wish that were me!

Which bill can I not pay this week so I can buy food? Should I get the car fixed or get a transit pass? Should I downsize from a studio apartment to a cardboard box outside the restaurant down the street?

Should my spouse and I stay together or would it be better if I left so she could apply for assistance?

How many days can my child/children wear the same clothes before the other children begin to tease them because I can’t buy them new ones?

I dare any of them to trade for one day with any of the ‘grunts’ they layoff. I double dog dare them…

So who would have thought these otherwise simple delights might have a more sinister properties. Certainly not Kelly Bensimone of “The Steady Housewives of New York City.” And after viewing the St. John’s girls getaway episodes, it seems possible that these candies may be capable of producing psychologically altered states ranging from groundless anger and aggression to paranoia to perhaps even hallucinations. Was Alex McCord in Kabuki makeup when she confronted Jill Zarin at a party in a previous episode? It didn’t seem so to me. Though in fairness, this could also have been a mistake on Kelly’s part not really knowing what Kabuki is and as such what the makeup might actually stare like. Still I get a diminutive giggle imagining Alex in Kabuki dress and makeup attending the party and making her proclamation regarding Bethenny to Jill. Cessation your eyes and try it. It’s quite an entertaining visual.

But humor aside, is there something to be learned from this? Since we now all know and understand that “a cook does not a chef make”, perhaps we can add to this great tome of wisdom, “candy does not a food make.” And just because something tastes good, and maybe the immediate sugar buzz makes you feel a little giddy, this does not mean it is satisfactory for you. Most of us try to teach this lesson to our children at some point before age 6, but it’s never too late. Life is a journey, and learning is forever.

Apart from poor eating habits, another thing that seems to bring about bad behavior on The Accurate Housewives of Current York City and Orange County as well is the issue of work. Ewwww. But to be completely fair, isn’t the very definition of a housewife one whose primary occupation is her home life? So why do the Bravo executives insist on planting these trouble making women who insist on supporting themselves financially? Bethenny Frankel is the extreme example of this – in her first two seasons she is shown in the intro with her dog! No husband, no kids. What kind of housewife is that? Of course she was going to create controversy. And poor Jill Zarin got suckered upright into it. She conventional all her skills to transform Bethenny into a career wife and what did Bethenny do to repay her in the off season? She had the nerve to go on a book tour to promote her business, brand, and career. Which most of us in the true world consider to be work. But not Jill.

She saw it as Bethenny caring only about money. Well what Jill probably doesn’t realize is that most people, even women, don’t marry their money. They have to work for it. And that means not as much time for charity lunches and tennis matches and shopping for overpriced home decor and luxury handbags that your husband pays for. It’s easy not to care about money when someone else earns it for you. Sadly most of us are not so lucky.

Work has also has seemed to cause problems for Vicki Gunderson and Mr. Vicki Gunderson (sorry, I couldn’t resist) from the “Right Housewives of Orange County.” The other housewives clearly resent the time Vicki spends working while they are spending time together, and it is a constant source of bickering and snide commentary. Though in their defense, Vicki is a little holier than thou about it. I mean first of all, she sells insurance. Honest work to be sure, but it’s not as if she is researching a cure for cancer. And in this country most of us work (whether we like it or not) so she shouldn’t be expecting a medal for it. But second of all, isn’t she also getting paid for her time on Valid Housewives? So really it’s not as if she is “not working” if she lets her hair down and whoops it up (literally in her case) from time to time. I mean definite, if the housewives can double dip (and Bravo doesn’t mind) why not? But seriously Vicki, get off the cross already. Someone else can use the wood.

Speaking of Bravo benefits, this too seems to turn an otherwise happy (ahem) homemaker into a single spinster on a dime. In the case of Tamra Barney of Orange County, even my husband wonders if she would have been so quick to end things with Simon if (a) he hadn’t lost his money and (b) she didn’t have her own money now via Bravo? And in the case of the Count and Countess of NYC. Did the Count resent that he lost some of the weak control he had over his tiny wifey and resolve to explore for someone a little more malleable? Did her initial sweet and satisfactory demeanor fade at home as well as it did on screen after the first season, after experiencing a little notoriety and money in her bear right? Or did the Count simply see this as his window of opportunity to get out a little more free and clear than he might have previous to Real Housewives.

Though this worked in quite the opposite way for Lauri Waring of “Real Housewives of Orange County,” who began the show as a struggling single mom and left it in nothing short of a fairy tale wedding replete with her quite handsome and seemingly mega wealthy new husband. Maybe the same will be true for Bethenny Frankel, though it appears Jason’s wallet didn’t figure as much into the equation in this relationship. (Which we secretly like, btw.) It will be interesting to discover them both in more depth in her Bravo spin off “Bethenny’s Getting Married” premiering June 10.

Back to the Real Housewives, while we anxiously await the snubbing of Jill in St. John, the ultimate finale and subsequent reunion, let’s all take a moment to hope that sweet and sexy Sonja Morgan, NYC’s newest housewife, will never ever bitten by the mean outmoded nasty housewife bug. A word to the wise, Sonja. Whatever else you do while on the show, just say no to the Gummi Bears!

Do your research and make a list!
One of the most important things to do is to shop around and find which insurance companies have been around the longest and are the most trusted, or will suit your insurance needs the best. Ask your friends and family about their experiences with different insurance companies, and why they use the company they are with, or check consumer reports. Execute yourself a list of phone numbers of the companies that you would like to call and the websites that you want to visit for on-line quotes. The list will help you analyze your quotes and to not get them or the insurance companies confused. After you have prepared yourself a list of insurance companies to contact, it is important to have your personal information ready so that the person you are speaking with can give you an apt and easy estimate of how much your car insurance will be.

Have your personal information ready!
From personal experience, I know that the person preparing the insurance quote will ask for the following things: Name, Address, Date of Birth, Phone Number, Social Security Number, Driver’s License number, make, model, and year of your vehicle, and Vin number or serial number of your vehicle, as well as all of the same personal information for all other drivers in the house hold, and name of prior insurance company if you had one. After you have given them the information, in most cases, they will race a motor vehicle relate check to see how many tickets or accidents you’ve had in the last 3-5 years. Be patient and kind to the person helping you with your quote. Please understand that sometimes technology doesn’t work as fast as they would like it to and these things do take time. Car insurance premium rates are based on many different factors, for example: age, driving experience, marital status, year and type of vehicle, driver exposure, etc. . . These different factors are the reasons for all of the personal questions. Finally, when the person who is preparing your quote has finished asking these personal questions, it’s your turn to start asking the questions!

Don’t be afraid to ask questions!
Write some questions down before the quote process if you’re a nervous person or just can’t remember what questions to ask. Ask them some important questions like: What kind of coverages are you offering? What types of liability coverages can you offer me? What types of payment plans do you offer? What will my premium be annually, monthly, or every 6 months? What will my deductibles be and how do they affect my premium rate? What kind of discounts can I receive? What do I do in the case of an accident or a claim? It is very distinguished that you know what you are paying for when you are buying car insurance, and what kind of service your insurance company can provide!

Getting car insurance quotes doesn’t have to be difficult or even painful. In fact, if you are someone who enjoys shopping and talking to new people, it can even be fun! Follow the 3 easy tips that I have listed above and your car insurance shopping experience should be an easy and pain free one.

Of course, just like a lottery ticket I had to scratch it and the compulsive thoughts of non optimistic ideas ran by means of my head I assured myself there was no way that I could win the $50,000 cash that the sticker mentioned I normally do prepare myself to lose, which I commonly do This time, in bold capital letters it said: WINNER See, River City Ford I am never prepared to win I double checked the sticker and even pealed off the sticker to check for fine print There was no fine print and no star that followed:* Game Rules may perhaps apply Maybe I definitely did win the $50,000.00 I started to believe about what I could do with such winnings I could pay off component of my mortgage, purchase a automobile, fix my house, and donate to those that had been less fortunate For those of you that have read my other articles, you know that optimistic is not in my thought procedure I arrived to the automobile dealership, as the dealership was very a drive outside of Davenport, Iowa I hardly ever went this far out to the outskirts of the city, but decided that I would either fall in a sales trap or really win the $50,000.00.I had made a joke to my husband that the police officer in the parking lot was there for the irate customer that had the winning sticker and it was a farce Yes, as you see, I am not optimistic The place was also unusually busy It took awhile for somebody to be able to assist me I thought to myself, If you are going to hand out winning stickers at least make certain you have sufficient support for that day An individual noticed me and came to my side and I handed them the winning sticker I explained to him that it said a WINNER, and told him my negative feeling upon the subject Then it just ate at me and I could not hold the anger I felt in anymore Just like the excited voice of a tiny child I spoke loudly, Are they winners too The loud question trigger other questions from the other persons, some of them started hollering that they had the winning sticker I tried not to begin laughing Yes, I nearly caused a scene The vehicle salesman started to stutter and turned bright red You did win some thing, you won a chance to win, if the code unlocks the safe Then you really should have put, ‘Take this code and see if you won.’ He stuttered once more and explained I could spin the wheel, I won a chance to spin the wheel.I asked if everybody was a winner, and then I was told no that not everybody was a winner In the end, I won a non winning lottery ticket I suddenly felt like when individuals purchase those fake winning lottery tickets and give them to you for Christmas presents as joke My loud question of asking if everybody was a winner flustered the salesman and he continually asked me if I was happy with my winnings I laughed and said that it was a bit misleading I suddenly realized why it was that they placed those stickers upon the front page of the newspaper Since the automobile dealership is located a great distance from the outskirts of town It is away from normal visitors and not several individuals even know they exist Automobile dealerships other issue is that no 1 can afford to purchase a vehicle Now the shock of hybrid owners having to pay a higher cost of insurance, well there is a shortage of an urge to invest the additional funds for a newer vehicle The winning sticker is almost certainly 1 of the oldest tricks in the book The concept is spending dollars to make dollars The thinking is since they spent the dollars to bring everyone’s attention to their humble place of enterprise men and women will not be able to control the urge to acquire some thing If not that day, then at least they will be remembered that they gave away winning stickers to half of the Quad Cities Though the winning half isn’t to genuinely know that there was that quite a few winning tickets for the correct affect to take place, I type of ruined that when I asked if everybody was a winner I don’t believe that since that organization gave away things it makes them nice, in reality it makes them deceitful in my eyes Why The concept utilized to be trust some nice salesman that makes a deal for you, or gives away things Or at least that is someone’s concept that is an elderly individual in my life In my opinion, the sticker was really misleading and honestly in comparison to false advertisement I wonder if I won the totally free automobile in the raffle or if this complaining article disqualifies me, don’t know as the rules are only verbal Which means even if I do win the vehicle, they might possibly change the stipulation that I win a chance to pay for it, I guess we will have to wait and see .

2009 has been an auspicious year in the Prius story what with the introduction of the more powerful yet more fuel efficient 2010 Prius. While the 2010 Prius adds some bonuses like a more luxurious interior and a solar roof panel to power the air conditioning when you are parked it is still generally the same mechanical concept. As for new competition like the Honda Insight—this model honestly doesn’t better the 2004-2009 Prius so it is definitely no match for the 2010 model.

In light of the stellar reliability history of the 2004-2009 Prius (also known as model NHW20), it really does make sense to have a look at a used model—even in light of possible battery replacement costs. This used guide intends to help you make the best decision as to model year, mileage and condition when searching for the best Prius your money can buy.

An Owner’s Story—Sometimes referred to as the “Toyota Pious” due to its unfortunate association with Al Gore and his “Inconvenient/Inaccurate Truths,” most Prius owners are normal people just looking for a fuel efficient vehicle with low running costs. And on that count, the Prius delivers. If you are looking for a vehicle that will help you save the earth might I recommend you buy a conventional ten-speed bicycle off of EBay? Preferably in banana yellow.

Kelly Scott lives in Southern California and travels epic mileages as part of her job as a real estate appraiser. Kelly says she usually averages around 45-48 miles per gallon according to the on board computer in her Prius. Her mileage lows of around 40 miles per gallon usually only happen on hot days when the air conditioning is set to high and she is carrying heavy loads of passengers and cargo.

Speaking of passengers, Kelly finds many of the hi-tech features on the Prius invaluable in helping out with her duties as “mommy” to her 1 and a half year old son Luke. “The smart key is to die for when schlepping Luke around. I can fair leave my keys in my pocket and stand next to the front door or trunk and it unlocks. No more digging in my purse. Sometimes I wish our front door to the house was like that too!”

There is one optional extra available on the novel model that Kelly wishes she could have on her older Prius, “Another feature I would fancy now that I have a kid is an auto-start to get the AC running on hot days. That new solar powered cabin fan on the new Prius sounds like it would really help. As Luke’s car seat is rear facing it can take a while for the cool air to arrive the rear seat. So I usually have to earn in and turn on the car to secure the AC going before I start loading groceries or start to strap Luke into his car seat. It’s kind of a hassle.”

On the other hand, Kelly does like that there are three LATCH child seat connectors attached to the rear bench seat as often times there are only two. And even with Luke’s massive child seat installed there is still room in the back seat for two more passengers if you do squeeze in. So what other features rate highly in Kelly Scott’s mind?

“It has tons of storage in unexpected places – 2 glove boxes, cup holders, huge center console with a drawer underneath that I didn’t even find for the first 5 months! I like the AUX jack for my iPod but would Appreciate a central docking station. I still haven’t space up the voice allege features and probably won’t – an unnecessary bell/whistle I can live without. The backup camera is really handy for parallel parking but not something I couldn’t live without.”

Although her Prius came very well equipped with hi-tech features, Kelly Scott has found that in over 30,000 miles that she has rarely keep them to much use. “The navigation system was actually kind of difficult to figure out. It’s not very user suitable and I had to actually read the manual to learn how to operate it. It’s also DVD based, so instead of being updated periodically like the Garmin GPS my husband Lee uses you have to go rob an updated disk if you are missing too many new streets. That has only happened for me a few times in new construction areas. And the nav system won’t let you input an address or find POI (Point of Interest) while the vehicle is in motion. Even with a passenger in the front seat! It does, however, have a pretty qualified POI database which has come in very handy when I want to win a Starbucks or a park where Luke can buy a speedy play break.”

But what is Kelly’s biggest electronic pet peeve regarding her Toyota Prius? Let’s just say it has something to do with how difficult it is to access the automatic temperature AC controls. “To lower the temperature you have to press the electronic screen and then have the down arrow until it gets to the lawful page. I would considerable rather have a knob to turn or button to press on the glide, especially if you are trying to follow directions on the GPS at the same time.

To optimize her time as a Prius owner Kelly has often times called on the experience of other Prius owners on Prius specific internet message boards. “It used to beep INSIDE the car while it was in reverse but I found a “cheat code” on the internet to make that cessation. It was seriously annoying.” It is hard to imagine a Chevy Cobalt owner putting in this much anxiety to understand exactly how his or her vehicle operates. And the fact that Kelly actually referred to her owner’s manual when she had a question puts her among the 5% of the population that is smart enough to actually do so.

But it was Kelly’s first bit of internet research that really paid serious dividends during her time with the Toyota Prius she nicknamed “Penny Prius,” “You can really adjust your driving style to maximize mileage. I read up a little on it when I first got Penny and found that it’s actually better to hurry rapidly and then maintain a “cruising hurry”. The computer shows you what your current MPG is and if it’s using the gas or battery (but I can feel it now). I actually get the best MPG when in traffic on the freeway around 30-35 MPH. I can objective use the battery power and flee when necessary. I usually leave a nice big space between me and the next car to maintain the stop/start system from turning on the gas engine.”

Maintenance costs haven’t been much higher than they were for Kelly’s last car—a Honda Civic EX coupe. Kelly has had nothing break and has suffered no mechanical breakdowns. She services her Prius every 5K miles or every 6 months at her local Toyota dealer and pays about $169 for minor oil change/oil filter/air filter/inspection services and recently forked over $325 for the “major service” at 30K miles. Those are very reasonable prices especially in light of the fact that they come from a dealership service department.

So would Kelly consume another Toyota Prius? While she would love to upgrade to the new 2010 Prius she wonders if she might be better served by something with a bit more room. “I got the Prius before I had Luke and to be just he and all his “stuff” takes up most of the available room. So I would probably want to look at something at least a diminutive bit bigger.” Did you hear that Toyota?

What to Look For—All Prius models come with a 8 year/ 100,000 mile warranty on the battery so they will replace it if it runs out of juice or stops functioning before then. New replacements at a Toyota dealer usually speed about $2500 but they should give you a $400 salvaging rebate for your old unit. Slightly used battery packs from totaled cars are on sites like EBay at prices ranging from $400-$1400 but you are really taking your chances going that route. No one is sure exactly how long Prius batteries last but most owners say they go at least 150,000 miles before showing any noticeable power degradation. So you might need to worry more about the doors falling off before the battery ever fails you.

As many owners use their Prius as high mileage commuters or as company vehicles be sure that the car you are looking at isn’t a salvage unit (meaning it was “totaled” by an Insurance company) and that the mileage is true. A CARFAX report should tell you everything you need to know.

Used prices for the Prius can vary month to month based on gas prices. When gas prices were at their peak a while ago many used Priuses were selling for close to their original MSRP. Many “green” environmentalists also squawk on shunning used examples with the leather option as the methane gas emitted by herds of cattle is allegedly the leading cause “global warming.” This is one of the few times when buying the “fully loaded” version of a new car can really hurt your resale value in the long speed.

Most passe buyers are looking for Prius models equipped with navigation, cloth seats, keyless entry, back-up camera and the enhanced JBL audio system. Although most buyers aren’t aware of the benefits the Touring models do come with an anti-skid system—very helpful if you live in a rainy or snowy climate.

Toyota has a specific Hybrid Certified Pre-Owned program which gives buyers access to Toyota Motor Finance new car rates. Each Certified Pre-Owned Prius also benefits from a 174-point inspection, 3 month/3,000 mile comprehensive warranty and 7 year/100,000 mile power utter warranty in addition to the 8 year/100,000 mile battery coverage. Certified Pre-Owned Prius models always cost more but many used buyers indulge in the peace of mind the extra coverage affords them.

Used Prius Sample Internet Prices-

2007 Prius—(59K Miles)—(dealership)—($17,988)—certified, navigation, cloth

2007 Prius—(29K Miles—(dealership)–$21,995)—certified, navigation, leather, JBL audio

2008 Prius—(8K Miles)—(dealership)—($21995)—certified, base model.

2005 Prius—(58K Miles)—(dealership)—($17,995)—certified, cloth, navigation, JBL audio

2008 Prius—(6K Miles)—(dealership)—($26,995)—cloth, navigation, keyless entry, JBL audio

2008 Prius—(21K Miles)—(Private Owner)—($21,000)—leather, navigation, loaded

2004 Prius—(56K Miles)—(Private Owner)—($16,900)—navigation

2006 Prius—(88K Miles)—(Private Owner)—($15,700)—Extended Warranty until 100K, fully loaded

Recalls, Jam Areas and Maintenance Requirements—Aside from the aforementioned possibility of needing to replace the batteries, Prius owners have very reasonable maintenance costs. Do keep in mind that if you are buying a used Prius with a questionable CVT automatic transmission that replacement units currently cost a whopping $9,350. These CVT automatics can make groaning noises under load when going uphill but other than that they should perform seamlessly. If the operation of the transmission gives you the slightest pause don’t travel away—run away.

Parts prices, while generally higher than average, aren’t necessarily worse than with other new cars. The only other parts that seem kind of expensive are the alternator at $1,305 and the air conditioning compressor at $1,800. But seeing as this is a Toyota, these parts will likely never need replacing. Just do be aware that if they do break their replacements can get pricey. So be sure to confirm that the air conditioning blows cold air before you buy any used Prius.

1. Service bulletins are minimal especially considering the complexity built into every Prius. Most of the service bulletins are for 2004-2005 units.

2. Brake lights may stay illuminated and to fix you may need to replace the entire pedal assembly—(2005-2006 models)

3. Check engine light may reach on due to sticking coolant control valve—(2004-2006)

4. A coolant leak may develop in a converter assembly but this is covered by an extended 96 month/100,000 mile warranty—(2004-2006)

5. Use of the putrid engine oil viscosity may trigger “engine will not start” light on dash—(2004-2005)

6. Fuel gauge may be mistaken requiring replacement of gas tank and filler neck—(2004)

7. Brake pedal may squeak and if brake fluid bleeding does not back an actuator may need to be replaced—(2004-2006)

There were reports of “unintended acceleration” from some Prius owners but it turns out that it was just improperly installed floormats getting jammed against the accelerator pedal that caused the “scrape.” This is the only Prius “choose” for this model and beautiful much just entails your Toyota dealer checking to make sure your floormats are securely installed.

The Prius needs servicing either every 6 months or 5,000 miles. This usually entails oil change, oil filter change, air filter change, inspection and tire rotation. At 30K miles Toyota recommends a cabin air filter change, brake fluid bleed and a service on the rear brakes. Many owners don’t realize the complexity of their brake regeneration system and try to skip this service. That is not highly recommended and can void your warranty with the manufacturer. With a car this complex it makes sense to follow manufacturer’s service recommendations as closely as possible.

Competition—If you don’t drive that many miles a Honda Civic is a less expensive proposition to consider. If you do love to have the latest high mileage car do check out the VW Jetta TDI, Honda Insight and the brand new 2010 Prius. But if you can’t quite swing the payment on a brand new Prius, a ancient model really does make a whole lot of sense.

Sources:

Toyotacertifiedhybrids.com

Toyota.com

AutoTrader.com

ConsumerGuide.com

Priuschat.com