Going to the Library

I spend a lot of time in my car, driving more than 30,000 miles a year. I grew very tired of the same old chatter on talk radio, the inane commercials on the music stations and the endless recaps of the news I heard on morning TV. A few years ago I discovered the wonders of books on tape.

At first I would purchase books only when I had a long road trip planned. They are expensive, often more than $30 for a set. Then I discovered the public library and the amazing assortment of books on tape or CD that was available to check out, for free. Whether your preference is biography, history, self improvement, or like me just plain entertainment there are countless titles that you can check out for 3 weeks at a time and enjoy at your leisure.

I do most of my driving either alone or with my wife. Seldom do I have kids in the car so I don’t have to worry about a book with some risqué passages. If you do travel with youngsters there are plenty of titles that the whole family could enjoy. You could even get your student’s summer reading list covered on the trip to Yellowstone.

Traveling Companion

Each time we load up our car and hit the road, whether for a trip to work, or across the country, we have a traveling companion on whom we depend for security and protection, our auto insurance. Boring topic right? Well it is amazing just how little most of us know about something we depend on so much.

Most of us assume that if we are involved in an accident our insurance will make us “whole” again. This may be very far from the truth, especially if we are traveling to another state.

Texas has among the highest insurance minimum limits in the country, Effective January 2011 the new required coverage in our state is $30,000 personal injury, $60,000 combined personal injury for any single accident and $25,000 property damage (30/60/25). The only states with higher limits are Alaska, Maine and Wisconsin. When a person with Texas minimum coverage drives in one of these states their limits are automatically adjusted to that state’s requirements. However, if you get hit by a driver in a state where he lives you are stuck with their limits.

In New Jersey, California and Massachusetts the limits are 15/30/5. That means that if your car is damaged by a resident driver in those states you could be limited to a payoff of $5000 even if your brand new car is totaled. Many states have limits of $10 o5 $15 thousand; not nearly enough to replace the average late model car. When you consider that this limit includes all expenses, towing, rental car and property damage, it is not much.
Two states, Florida and New Hampshire, don’t even require drivers to carry insurance. Twelve states have a No Fault policy and while this doesn’t apply to property damage it does mean that any personal injury you or your passengers sustain will have to be covered by your insurance.

Our experience in our body shop has shown that even under the higher Texas limits there is often not enough liability coverage to replace a car. It is then up to the car owners uninsured and under-insured cover to take up the slack. This additional coverage is not very expensive and is often the difference between being made “whole” after an accident or being left with a damaged car and not nearly enough from the other driver’s insurance to cover the repair or replacement. It is also what will cover you if the other driver has no insurance at all, whether it is a state that doesn’t require coverage or one of the more than 20% of the driver’s in Texas who just don’t carry it.

Another thing to consider is raising the coverage limits on your insurance. Over the last couple of weeks we have road tested a 2011 Tahoe that cost $56,000 and a 2011 Ford pickup that stickered at a whopping $64,000. For the first 3 or 4 years these are on the road they will be worth a lot more than the property damage limit of $25,000 Texas requires. If you are unlucky enough to run into a car worth more than the limit you will be personally responsible for the difference. Higher limits do not add as much as you would expect to a policy.

I know that no one (except an insurance agent) is very interested in thinking about their coverage, especially if it means spending more money. A little time spend talking to your agent and a small investment in proper insurance could make a huge difference if your luck turns bad.

The students of the Automotive Technology Program at Stafford High School invite you to participate in the Annual Stafford Auto Show.

Stafford, TX, Saturday April, 9, 2011: the Annual Stafford Auto Show is an event hosted by the students in the Automotive Technology Program at Stafford High School.

The event will be held at the Stafford municipal swimming pool at Stafford High School. It will be held on Saturday, April, 9, 2011 from 11:00am to 5:00pm. The Auto Show is a chance for the students of Stafford High School, Members of the Stafford Community, and Local entrepreneurs in the automotive industry to showcase their vehicles. The Auto Show is open to vehicles from all categories and eras; examples include classic American muscle, modern American muscle, Hot-Rods, Street-Rods, modern tuners, low riders, antique cars/trucks, modified truck/SUV, European luxury, select art cars and even motorcycles.

There will be several activities for children of all ages. For your entertainment there will be a DJ as well as live music. We are also making arrangements for a drifting demonstration. Concessions will be available and there will be a silent auction as well as door prizes.

Attn Community Supporters: your contributions and/or donations to the Annual Stafford Auto Show will be greatly appreciated. Proceeds from this event will support the Stafford Automotive Technology Program. All funds raised will go directly to the benefit of the students in the program; everything from the purchase of required tools and materials, to the creation of a scholarship fund for students meeting both scholastic and technical criteria whom are seeking higher education. The Automotive Technology Program provides students the technical and inter-personal job skills needed to successfully pursue employment in the automotive industry after graduation from high school.

There is no charge to attend this event and there will be no charge to enter your vehicle. All owners wishing to display a vehicle must RSVP with John Bressler or Red Garner before Monday April 4th. Your support of the Stafford Automotive Program is greatly appreciated. Please don't forget to tell a friend.