EPA Rates Nissan Leaf at 99 MPG

The electric Leaf uses no gas, but for comparison's sake, the EPA approves a fuel-economy rating of 99 MPG
By Lindsay Chappell of AutoWeek

Nissan's electric Leaf sedan will display a fuel economy rating of 99 mpg when it goes on sale next month, even though the car uses no "gallons" and, indeed, no fuel in the traditional sense.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the rating after months of research into how to compare a battery-powered electric to a traditional gas burning car for the sake of consumer comparisons.

The battery-powered Leaf uses no gas or oil, and has no combustion engine or fuel tank.

The EPA also surprised Nissan North America Inc. officials by anointing the Leaf "best in class" for mid-sized vehicles, while saying the car's range is less than Nissan has stated.

Until now, Nissan has been presenting the Leaf as a compact vehicle. But the EPA measurement of the model's passenger and trunk space bumped it into the mid-size category.

"We're happy to be considered a mid-sized car," said Mark Perry, the Nissan North America product planning director for the Leaf. The larger segment means the electric Leaf will show up in shopping comparisons against more expensive competitor models, including the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord.

But the EPA's new data, which must be displayed on its Monroney vehicle window sticker, also indicated that the Leaf's battery range is lower than Nissan officials have been claiming publicly.

Nissan has said for more than a year that the Leaf will get up to 100 miles of driving on a full charge of its lithium-ion battery. But EPA testing has put the range at only 73 miles.

Perry said Nissan stands by its 80-100 mile battery range claims, and said he did not believe the EPA calculation will chill consumer enthusiasm for the car.

He said the battery range varies depending on driving conditions. High-speed highway driving and cold weather driving with a heater turned on drain the battery faster than low-speed driving in temperate climates.

He said the EPA test is biased toward highway driving and higher speeds, while the Leaf will be marketed more heavily to consumers for city commuting use. Nissan arrived at its own 80-100 mile range based on testing that used the so-called LA4 driving cycle test. That test is biased toward urban driving conditions and lower speeds.

He said that Leafs will feature a second window sticker from the Federal Trade Commission, which other alternative-power vehicles also display. The FTC sticker will tell consumers that the battery range is 96-110 miles.

"There is a range of ranges, based on driving behavior, temperature, speed and other issues," Perry said of the difference between the FTC and EPA estimates.

"The car does 100 miles on the LA4 test. Nothing has changed. There are just different drive cycles. The challenge is get one repeatable cycle to represent the average driver, and that's hard."

The Leaf goes on sale next month in five states. The announced retail Price is $25,280, after a federal tax refund of $7,500 is figured into the purchase.

Nissan expects to expand the launch nationwide over the next six months.

2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet - "Innovation for Fun" Leads Design of World's First AWD Crossover Convertible

-Bold Expression of Nissan's Commitment to Design and Innovation Goes on Sale in Early 2011, Offered in One Luxurious All-Wheel Drive Model-

As the world's first all-wheel drive crossover convertible, the 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet breaks new ground in both the crossover SUV and convertible segments. With its never seen before design and custom boutique style, the Murano CrossCabriolet is unlike anything on the road - blending all of the things people love in a crossover with the open air enjoyment of a convertible. Making its world debut at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Murano CrossCabriolet is scheduled to go on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide in early 2011.

"When people think of a crossover, they think of a combination of when the driving sophistication of a sedan with the utility of a sport utility. This new Murano CrossCabriolet adds an unexpected third element, the ability to make everyday activities more exciting with open air driving," said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. "However, with its extraordinarily engineered convertible top, standard all-wheel drive and room for four adults plus cargo, the CrossCabriolet is not just for cruising South Beach or Malibu. It's a vehicle to take to lunch, running errands or on a long ski weekend in any part of the country.

Possibilities Await: Murano CrossCabriolet Design Concept

The impetus behind innovation is often as simple as asking questions not posed before, such as how do you overcome the functional limitations of a convertible? "Everyone loves the convertible experience, no one loves the convertible reality - compromised trunk space, a cramped back seat or none at all, and a lack of flexibility for everyday life," said Castignetti. "The Murano CrossCabriolet is the reinvention of versatility, encouraging people to rethink what a convertible can be."

The all-new Murano CrossCabriolet overcomes these obstacles, combining elegant design and state-of-the-art engineering. Of the priorities in the convertible top design was the retention of the traditional Murano silhouette with the top up, and a luxurious, sophisticated appearance with the top down.

The transformation of the Murano body from Crossover to CrossCabriolet and from 4-door to 2-door meant more than just removing the top. Along with creating new front doors (7.9 inches longer than 4-door Murano front doors) and eliminating the B-pillars, the structure has been reinforced from the A-pillar rearward. The cloth convertible top also includes a rear glass skylight, helping create a wide-open interior environment even with the top in the closed position. Dual Pop-up Roll Bars are also standard. The coefficient of drag remains close to that of the hardtop Murano, just 0.39 Cd versus 0.37 Cd.

One of the keys to the CrossCabriolet's designs success is the convertible top's exceptionally compact size when stowed, which allows both additional interior and cargo volume (normally taken up by a traditional convertible stowage design). The hydraulically operated top mechanism includes an automatic power latch/unlatch system. Operation switches are located on the center console and driver's door handle. With the top down, the stowed size is similar to that of a conventional 2-seat roadster. Trunk capacity with the top down is 7.6 cubic feet, enough to fit two sets of golf clubs or two carry-on suitcases. With the top closed, cargo capacity extends to 12.3 cubic feet.

Along with the unique convertible top appearance, the Murano CrossCabriolet exterior also includes High Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-functional xenon projector headlights with auto on/off function, front fog lights and Nissan 370Z-inspired LED taillights.

Six exterior colors are available: unique Murano CrossCabriolet colors Sunset Bronze and Caribbean, plus Merlot, Platinum Graphite, Super Black and Pearl White.

A Highly Rewarding Interior

The luxurious Murano CrossCabriolet interior starts with a foundation of the top-of-the-line Murano LE and takes it to the next level of standard features and convenience items. The tall windshield and A-pillar design combines with the body's high beltline and high rear seat shoulders to help reduce conventional interior air turbulence with the top down, allowing conversation between occupants.

Premium materials are used throughout the interior, with the standard leather-appointed seats available in a diagonally quilted premium leather, double-stitched pattern for added elegance. The interior's curving, sculpted lines, half-matte chromed trim finish and unique wood-tone trim, tuned to match each of three available interior colors, add an additional rich, quality feel. Interior colors include Black, Cashmere (light brown) and Camel (brown).

The Murano CrossCabriolet comes fully equipped, with a long list of standard features including 8-way power heated driver's seat with power lumbar support, 4-way manual heated front passenger seat with easy entry function, heated steering wheel, 2-position driver's seat memory system for seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors, passenger seat easy entry release button on instrument panel for driver access, driver and front passenger seatback pocket, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition.

Every CrossCabriolet also comes with a standard Nissan Hard-Drive Navigation System with 9.3GB Music Box hard drive and XM NavTraffic (XM subscription required, sold separately). Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System, HomeLink Universal Transceiver and RearView Monitor.

Open-air road tunes are provided by a Bose AM/FM/CD audio system with 8-speakers including subwoofer, automatic audio adjustment for soft-top up/down position, integrated Interface System for iPod, speed-sensitive volume control and auxiliary audio input jack. XM satellite Radio (XM subscription required, sold separately) is also standard.

"The interior of the Murano CrossCabriolet provides a custom boutique feel. With numerous color combinations offered between the exterior, interior and convertible top, owners can express their own distinctive sense of style," added Castignetti. "It's a rare convertible that allows four passengers to feel equally comfortable, which this stunning new design absolutely does - as well as equally indulged."

Under the Skin: Pure Murano

Open air driving is not the only emotional reward the Murano CrossCabriolet provides - it also offers a secure, rewarding driving experience. Its no-compromise drivetrain is shared with the all-wheel drive hardtop Murano, starting with the proved "D" platform (also utilized on Maxima and Altima sedans) ans standard 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 producing 265 horsepower and 248 lb-ft of torque. The engine design includes the Nissan variable Induction Control System (NICS), twin knock sensors, low exhaust pressure, a 10.3:1 compression ratio, and 6,000 rpm redline.

The engine is mated to a standard second-generation Xtronic CVT with Adaptive Shift Control (ADC) for sporty response and smoothness, which utilizes and advanced, sport-tuned controller with adaptive logic for driving comfort or driving performance as conditions require. The advanced all-wheel drive system connects the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system, yaw sensors and steering angle sensors to distribute torque according to driving conditions.

The Murano CrossCabriolet's lightweight 4-wheel independent suspension features MacPherson struts in front, a milti-link rear design, cradle-type front subframe and front and rear stabilizer bars. Also utilized are dual flow path shock absorbers for responsiveness and reduced ride harshness.

Steering is provided by a twin-orifice vehicle-speed-sensitive power-assisted steering system, while the braking system includes 4-wheel vented disc brakes with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS). Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and G-sensor. Every CrossCabriolet comes with 20-inch split 5-spoke titanium finish aluminum-alloy wheels with P235/55R20 Toyo Proxes A20 all-season tires.

Standard Murano CrossCabriolet safety features include the Nissan Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual stage supplemental front air bags with seat belt sensors and an occupant classification sensor and door-mounted curtain side-impact supplemental air bags with rollover sensor, along with front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters, Zone Body Construction with front and rear crumble zones, front seat Active Head Restraints, Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS), Vehicle Security System (VSS) and Dual Pop-up Roll Bars.

One Fully Equipped Model

The 2011 Murano CrossCabriolet is offered in one fully equipped model. Along with the many items previously mentioned, standard features include power front windows with one-touch up/down and auto-reverse feature, Dual-Zone Automatic Temperature Control, and a 7-inch color display for audio, climate control, fuel economy, maintenance and comfort and convenience systems.

Also included are highly functional storage systems, including a two-tier center console storage box with fold-out function, cell phone holder, dual seatback pockets, Fine Vision gauges and driver instrumentation with white backlighting, illuminated steering wheel controls, auto door lock feature, four cupholders, tilting and telescoping steering column, auto-dimming rearview mirror, cruise control with illuminated steering wheel mounted switches, front door map pockets, and Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) system.

Only two options are available with specific exterior colors - a Camel interior with an upgraded leather and the black top, and the Brown top/Cashmere interior combination (with upgraded leather).

"The versatility and functionality of a true all-wheel drive crossover, the unique open air driving experience of a pure convertible - the Murano CrossCabriolet is a breakthrough in concept, design and execution," said Castignetti. "Innovation meets Murano with stunning results."

2011 Infiniti G25 Test Drive

This 29-mpg sport sedan packs a sweet-sounding V6

Napa Valley, Calif. - As surprising as it may sound, in the world of luxury sport sedans, power takes a backseat to price. It's true. The lower horsepower (and less expensive) offering in a sport sedan lineup invariably constitutes the majority of sales. In some cases, the less powerful version is close to 80 percent of the mix.

Armed with this intelligence, Infiniti decided it was time the G sedan received a less expensive, less potent entry to compete with the BMW 328i, Lexus IS250 and Audi A4. So Nissan's luxury brand slipped a 2.5-liter V6 into the G sedan to create the $31,835 G25. How does this mild-mannered version of Infiniti's sporty G sedan handle the competition? Let's find out.

The Specs

Raise the hood of the G25 and you'll find the 218 hp 2.5-liter V6 that Nissan calls the VQ25HR. This V6 also comes in the Japanese market Nissan Skyline 250GT sedan - the workingman's version of the G25. In U.S. spec, the V6 makes 187 lb-ft of torque and comes paired solely to an automatic with either rear-wheel or, in the case of the G25x, all-wheel drive. The seven-speed automatic in the G25 has slightly taller ratios in every gear, yet the final drive ratio of 3.357:1 remains the same.

The new G25 won't be available with the same extensive options as the G37. The only upgrade aside from all-wheel drive is the $1400 Journey package that adds a rear view parking monitor, auto headlights, heated seats and mirrors, dual zone climate control, a USB port for your iPod and a sunroof for an additional $1000.

The smaller V6 weighs marginally less than its bigger bore brethren. At 3552 pounds, a G25 equipped with the Journey package is 66 pounds lighter than a G37 Journey. That's not nearly enough of a diet to make up for the 110 horsepower deficit in therms of acceleration, but of course less weight is always welcome on curvy roads.

The G25 uses the same basic suspension tune as the G37 and wears the same 12.6-inch front and 12.1-inch rear brakes. And most will ride on 225/55R17 all-season tires.

The Drive

If we're honest, the thought of a G sedan with substantially less horsepower is not particularly appealing. After all, who prefers a slower car? But the real-world experience was surprising, at least in one respect. True, the G25 will never catch a G37 in a drag race. But if we judge performance on sound alone, if we could choose one engine over the other to listen to - we'd pick the G25's 2.5-liter V6.

The Nissan and Infiniti 3.5-liter V6s from a generation ago always sounded better than the competition. There was a throaty growl at the low rpm range, and an exceptionally distinct wait as the revs climbed. The recent 3.7-liter V6s, however, are more course sounding. These engines make their peak horsepower at 7000 rpm - yet they don't really sound happy at that speed.

The 2.5-liter V6 makes noises more like the old engine. It sounds refined and tight. And at peak horsepower, which occurs at an engine speed of 6400 rpm, the 2.5-liter V6 sounds like it could hang there all day.

So it sounds good, but how does it drive? Well, theG25 is far quicker feeling than we expected. And because it retains the same brilliant sport sedan chassis as the G37, this car is still fun to drive.

Infiniti had a Lexus IS250 on hand for comparison. The IS makes 204 hp - 14 fewer than the Infiniti. And you feel the deficit. The Infiniti seems quicker and sprightlier in the corners, though the interior is less posh. The Lexus was fitted with a nav system as well as heated and ventilated seats. Perhaps Infiniti will offer a more extensive list of luxury features in the future.

The Bottom Line

At less than $32,000, the G25 is a good deal. It undercuts many of its competitors - including Lexus - by more than $1000. And though the 2.5-liter V6 requires premium fuel, Infiniti says it will deliver 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg highway. If fuel prices spike again, a sport sedan that can approach 30 mpg will sound even more appealing.

Six Hot New Electric Cars Soon to Hit Showrooms

Analysts predict many of us will be driving electric vehicles in the near future. Much-anticipated models are coming from Nissan, Ford, Chevy, Fisker and others.
By Jim Motavalli of The Daily Green

The electrics are coming! By the end of the year, at least six battery-powered vehicles will be on the U.S. market. The cars will finally go from revolving on show stands to dealer floors, and we'll finally know if consumers mean it when they say in opinion polls that they'll consider an EV for their next purchase. Most of these cars will charge in five or six hours on 220-volt home current, and overnight on 110. Fifteen-minute fast charging (480 volts) may be available at some public stations, maybe even at your favorite big-box store.

Here's a rundown of the cars headed for showrooms, some from major manufacturers and others from ambitious startups. Four are battery-only cars, one is a plug-in hybrid and the sixth (the Chevrolet Volt) is a unique combination of the two.

Nissan Leaf

"This is the new paradigm of the car, and it will change our industry," said Carlos Ghosn, the chairman of Nissan, introducing the battery-powered Leaf in Los Angeles. "It will also change the way people use and power their vehicles."

The Leaf, an all-new design, has a range of 100 miles on a single charge of its lithium-ion batteries. Nissan is unique among carmakers in also partnering with charging companies and municipalities to make sure the Leaf will have public places to plug in. Even though the car hasn't been priced yet (it could be $23,000 plus batteries), 25,000 "handraisers" have said they're willing to buy one. I drove a "mule" version of the Leaf, and found it great fun - the electric motor gives it great performance right off the line. Available at the end of the year at a Nissan dealership near you.

Chevrolet Volt

The Volt is not only a huge departure for usually conservative General Motors, it's also a giant leap for cars in general. The all-new Volt sedan is unique: Its li-ion battery pack offers go-power for 40 miles of electric range, but then a small gasoline engine kicks in as a generator to supply electricity to the motor. That sets you up for longer trips, because the gas engine will keep the car going for a total of 400 miles.

The Volt will sell for around $40,000, but a federal tax incentive will reduce that to the low $30s. I drove a pre-production Volt and this is not grandpa's Chevy: Like the Leaf, the Volt is loads of fun to drive and explodes off the line. The first Volts will arrive at the end of the year, as 2011 models.

Ford Focus

Ford has a multi-channel approach to EVs (eclectic vehicles). This year it will roll out an electric version of the Transit Connect van, and for 2011 we'll see a limited production, battery-powered version of the new Focus, with the drivetrain engineered by Canada's Magna International. As with many other EVs, it will have a 100-miles range on lithium-ion batteries. Ford is being conservative with the electric Focus, and will probably only make less than 5,000 annually in the first year or two.

For 2012, the carmaker will roll out a plug-in hybrid, possibly based on the Escape. There is a small fleet of electric Focus cars being tested now, and two of them are in the hands of Jay Leno, who's been using them on his test track for the "Green Car Challenge." I tried on out there, but Drew Barrymore had a faster time than I did.

Coda Sedan

Coda is based in California, but its electric car is an international citizen, based on a Chinese design but with a battery-based drivetrain sourced from all over. The Coda, many of whose creators have Goldman Sachs Connections, stands out because of the unusual attention to detail that went into it. To ensure a battery supply, CEO Kevin Czinger formed a joint venture with a Chinese Company. His packs are unlikely to suffer from cold-weather performance problems (as some of BMW's Mini Rs have) because the Coda has a system to both heat and cool them.

The Coda isn't as snazzy looking as the Volt or the Leaf, but it's equally willing on the road - as a recent dash around the leafy lanes of Greenwich, Connecticut proved. The Coda will be available, initially in California only, later this year. The price is around $40,000, but that goes down to $32,500 with the federal tax benefit.

Fisker Karma

This is the glamor boy of the coming EVs, and it's a plug-in hybrid. What's that, you say? Think of a Toyota Prius, but with a larger battery pack and the ability to recharge from a wall socket. Other plug-in hybrids are coming from Ford and Toyota. The Karma is as sexy as the Tesla Roadster, but with four doors and a gas engine for longer trips. Journalists haven't actually driven the Karma yet, but it's supposed to have 50 miles of all-electric range and a zero to 60 time of 5.8 seconds.

As with the Tesla, you pay for that rip-roaring ability: the Karma (which has a more expensive convertible version) will sell for $87,900 when it reaches showrooms in September. Fisker got a controversial $529 million Department of Energy loan to build its next-generation car, the Nina, and recently announced that it is consolidation all of its operation in California (and closing down in Pontiac, Michigan).

Think City

This cute little bugger has an interesting history. The company is Norwegian, and for a few years (1999 to 2003) it was owned by Ford, which did a lot of engineering work on the car but conspicuously failed to sell very many of them. Now Think is preparing to build its two-seat City, with U.S. battery supplier Ener1 as a partner, in hard-hit Elkhart, Indiana.

The car I drove in Detroit, built in Norway, was quick off the line but a bit noisy and with heavy steering - both things that will be fixed before it hits the American market for less than $20,000 (minus batteries and including federal tax credit) later this year.

Gov. Rell, CL&P Welcome Nissan Leaf All-Electric Car to Connecticut

Gov. Rell signs agreement to advance electric vehicle use in Connecticut.

Signaling the state's readiness for environmentally clean transportation, Governor M. Jodi Rell welcomed the all-electric Nissan LEAF to Connecticut with the signing of a collaborative agreement to help advance electric vehicles in the state.

With Connecticut Light & Power (CL&P) President Jeff Butler and representatives of Nissan North America on hand at a ceremony at the Connecticut Science Center, Rell lauded the launch of Nissan's battery-powered car. The Nissan LEAF goes on sale in limited markets in December and will be available nationwide some time in 2011.

"The inclusion of Connecticut in the launch of the Nissan LEAF recognizes our commitment to clean energy and the culmination of our work to prepare the state for the next generation of electric vehicles," said Gov. Rell.

As a member of the Governor's Electric Vehicles Infrastructure Council, CL&P has been studying and testing charging infrastructure and encouraging automakers to include Connecticut in their electric vehicle launch plans.

"With electric vehicles, our existing electric system offers our customers an alternative fuel source for a more sustainable transportation solution," said CL&P President Jeff Butler.

"Nissan is a leader in electric vehicles, and the state of Connecticut has shown similar leadership through its progressive policies and focus on clean energy," said Tracy Woodard director of government affairs, Nissan North America. "Nissan and the state will work together to help Connecticut be ready for electric vehicles and the 2011 introduction of the Nissan LEAF to the region."

The Nissan LEAF is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack instead of an internal combustion engine. There are no tailpipe emissions, and the vehicle can get up to 100 miles on a single battery charge for far less than the cost of gasoline.

CL&P is currently studying the integration of electric cars like the Nissan LEAF with its electric distribution system. The utility has prototype vehicle charging stations installed at its Berlin campus and the Hartford headquarters of its parent company, Northeast Utilities. Through NU, CL&P is a member of the Regional Electric Vehicle Initiative (REVI), a collaborative effort by utilities in New England to share information to ensure the smooth introduction of EV technology to the regional electric system.

For more on the Nissan LEAF, visit http://www.nissanusa.com/. To view the final report of the Governor's Electric Vehicles Infrastructure Council, go to www.ct.gov/dpuc/evic.

Second Opinion: 2011 Nissan Leaf

Motor Trend Magazine took the Nissan LEAF out for a spin to find out whether it is "a green car or a real car." Read their thorough review and share your thoughts.

By: Frank Markus

Note: Public test drives on the "drive electric tour" begin soon.

I just had the chance to drive an early-bird Leaf here in Michigan on a brief route near Nissan's Technical Center. A thorough evaluation will have to wait a few more weeks when the Leaf gets its shot at possibly becoming Motor Trend's first ever fully electric Car of the Year (Editor's Note: We have just learned that Nissan will not be able to provide cars to us for this year's event), but this drive was sufficient to answer the question: Is it a real car?

Well, it certainly feels like a real GREEN car. From the driver's seat, the general ambiance and feel of the controls reminds me a lot of the plug-in Prius. Various dashboard screens and readouts bombard the driver with copious data to help eke the most distance out of the least energy possible. For their size, each feels heavy (the Leaf weighs 3600 pounds, 600 of which is the battery pack). Engage Drive via a peculiar shifter in either, and it will accelerate bunny-quick off the line; but launching like that feels so naughty that you reflexively engage the ECO mode (by moving the shifter down to the Drive spot again) for the rest of the trip, allowing the electronics to impose Puritanical patience on your progress unless you floor the pedal. In both cars, the electric power steering renders the same pinky-finger parking assist and provides the same rheostatic lack of road-feel at any speed.

The Leaf's low center of gravity keeps the cornering reasonably flat, and while the low-rolling-resistance tires give up their grip at modest cornering loads, at least they do so without much squealing. I was pleased not to notice any transition from regenerative to hydraulic braking. The faint whistling noise the car makes to warn blind pedestrians of its approach was inaudible until I lowered a window. I could just faintly hear the beeping in reverse with the radio off.

To this double-sheepskinned car geek, the Leaf's various displays aimed at range maximization are a constant source of inspiration and amusement. Up in the top left corner of the upper display, there's an electronic gauge that lights up more elements the more gently you drive. Keep up the good work, and you gradually grow a pine tree. Continued parsimonious (and not too traffic-inhibiting) driving regrows that tree three more times, leaving a forest of small trees next to the gauge.

Down in the main cluster viewed through the steering wheel, you have an arc of circles that light up to show how much power is being expended or regenerated, a voltmeter, and a traditional "fuel gauge" display with an inset showing miles remaining. When this drops to four kilowatt-hours left (16-20 miles of range), the nav screen switches to show all nearby quick-charge stations and output steps down to preserve range. climate control output is curtailed, top speed is reduced, and the driver is unmistakably notified that it's almost time to juice up.

The list of available charging stations will be updated periodically via Nissan's own satellite service called Carwings, which runs kind of like OnStar (with a headquarters in Japan beaming info through leased satellites pointed at this continent). The only station that showed up on our suburban-Detroit map was the one at Nissan's Tech Center, but there will soon be 3670 of them in California, 1464 in Washington, 1350 in Tennessee, and 1150 each in Oregon and Arizona. These are the states in which the Leaf launches first this December, followed by Texas and Hawaii in January, seven Gulf and Atlantic states in April, and nationwide by fall 2011. Nissan claims there should be 12,000 quick-charge stations up and running by the end of the year, but clearly the goal is for people to install charging stations at home for regular daily charging (eight hours with the 220-volt line, considerably longer with the 110-volts), and for these quick-charge places to serve only in case of emergency. Nissan says battery damage can occur is the car is "quick-charged" more than twice per day, so this ain't the rig for a non-stop California-to-Washington state drive, even is the I-5 corridor is eventually covered with sufficient charging stations.

Speaking of battery damage, Nissan envisions a 10-year useful life, after which only 70-80 percent of its original capacity remains. At that point, the packs will be dismantled and the flat, laminated cells reassembled into larger 100-kWhr or more) packs for power companies to store wind and solar energy in. Nissan also claims it can economically replace defective cells in the Leaf's 24 kWhr pack.

Other cool Ev-only features accessible on the Nav screen include a map showing two circles around the car -- one of which is the radius you can reach with enough juice to return and other the no-return range. There's a screen that shows instantaneous kilowatt usage of the motor, the climate control system, and all other systems, so you can see the impact of changing your temperature or fan settings. Hypermilers will no doubt Rain-X their windshields so as to avoid the parasitic loss of the windshield wipers. Then there are the typical graphs indicating instantaneous and historical "economy" in miles/kWhr. Then there's a screen for scheduling recharges via timer. There will also, of course, be smart-phone apps for monitoring all of this and more, and for "preconditioning" the cabin while plugged in.

The rest of the car is pretty darned carlike. The rear seat is commodious, but the floor feels high (the batteries are down there remember). which forces my knees up higher than I'd like and limits thigh support. Fold the seatbacks down and there's a rather high pass-through to the cargo area (the onboard charger lives just behind the folded seatbacks), but there's room for two sets of golf clubs (not that I'm inferring the Leaf is a glorified golf cart, mid you!).

Nissan boss Carlos Ghosn sure hopes regular folks find the Leaf normal enough to buy 550,000 of them by 2013, because the company is constructing and repurposing plants around the world to provide that many. Certainly the price seems reasonable, at $32,780 list for the base SV, which still gets navigation, Bluetooth, and everything you really need. That's before the $7,500 federal tax credit (applicable to anyone filing a normal tax return with at least $7,500 of tax liability) or state credits as high as $5,000 (California and Oregon). Don't want to fuss with tax forms? Lease it and Nissan claims the credit, rolling it into the $349/month price. Given the low operating costs (with no oil, filters, timing belts, etc. to maintain) and comparatively low energy cost (national average electricity pricing equates to roughly $1.10/gallon gas), it seems a fairly compelling value. After all, the 19,000 folks who have reportedly put deposits down can't ALL be Ed Begley/Al Gore acolytes.

2011 Nissan Leaf

Base price: $32,780

Vehicle layout: Front-engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door hatchback

Motor: 108-hp/206-lb-ft AC electric

Transmission: 1-speed automatic

Curb weight: 3400 lb (mfr)

Wheel base: 106.3 in

Length x width x height: 175.0 x 69.7 x 61.0 in

Installation: Front, transverse, front-drive

0-60 mph: 11.5 sec (mfr est)

EPA city/hwy fuel econ: 350 mpg (est)

CO2 emissions: None

On sale is U.S.: Fall 2010

Car Acura advanced 2

Car Acura advanced

America's Most Stolen Cars

Here are the new cars that thieves target the most, according to an analysis by the Highway Loss Data Institute.

1. Cadillac Escalade

Annual claim frequency: 10.8 of every thousand

Once again, the high-profile Cadillac Escalade SUV is the car that thieves love to steal, according to the Highway Loss Data Institute.

Each year, 10.8 out of every thousand late model Escalades end up getting stolen, broken into, or having parts ripped off. That's the highest rate of theft claims of any vehicle in America. The Escalade has topped the list since 2002. you may have heard that a lot of Toyota Camry's get stolen. They do. But it's only 1.6 out of every thousand.

The institute looked only at cars from the most recent three model years. These cars all have the latest anti-theft technologies, including immobilizers that prevent hot-wiring.

"That won't stop a determined theif from loading a car on a flat-bed truck," said Russ Rader, the institute's spokesman.

2. Chevrolet Silverado

Annual claim frequency: 8.0 of every thousand

3. Dodge Charger

Annual claim frequency: 7.4 of every thousand

4. Chevrolet Avalanche

Annual claim frequency: 7.4 of every thousand

5. Infiniti G37 Coupe

Annual claim frequency: 7.1 of every thousand

6. GMC Sierra Crew Cab

Annual claim frequency: 6.7 of every thousand

7. Nissan Maxima

Annual claim frequency: 6.5 of every thousand

8. Hummer H2

Annual claim frequency: 6.2 of every thousand

9. GMC Yukon XL 4WD

Annual claim frequency: 6.0 of every thousand

10. Chevrolet Tahoe

Annual claim frequency: 5.8 of every thousand

Medical Billing Companies Can Be Profitable

When your company starts to grow, you'll envision ways to make an even greater profit. This is what all business must do to stay not only solvent, but competitive in the marketplace. Some types of industries are just more profitable than others. If you're looking for ways to improve the profitability of your medical billing company, then you can follow the example of other larger companies within your industry and others.

For example, one way to improve profits is to cut costs. This sounds simple, but over time, bad habits and poor systems can lead you to a place where finding areas to cut can be difficult. Do you cut employees and downsize to be a more 'lean and mean' force, cut your rent and other utility expenses or other flexible spending areas? For that matter, is cutting costs in these areas the best way to be more profitable at all?

If there is one comment that can be made about medical billing companies it is that personnel is key. In other words, having just a few great employees is better than having many lesser productive ones. Medical billing specialists you might call them.

When it comes to this industry, your clients - mostly HR and CFO employees of larger companies - are looking for ways to make their medical billing more efficient and error free. This is what will make them more money in the end as well. Their profit is your profit as you'll likely be paid on a percentage of fees collected or some other arrangement where you will benefit from filing very accurate and timely claims.

Since the future is always here when it comes to electronic means, filling this way also saves costs and can reduce error rates. By having an electronic billing software program, you can cut your personnel issues with having to process manually. This is really the key to managing costs, reducing errors and exceeding your customer's expectations when it comes to medical billing companies.

Medical Billing and Coding Service - Do You Know All the Services You Can Expect From Them?

Medical billing services are a blessing to medical practitioners that are hard-pressed for time and resources. They take over the burden of billing and related administrative tasks from the healthcare provider and increase their revenue. Medical billing services are quickly becoming the industry standard because of the many advantages they offer.

Medical billing services offer both claim submissions and comprehensive practice management solutions. Generally, small organizations that are either home-based or small scale offer only simple billing services. Larger practice management companies offer comprehensive packages that promise long-term benefits for the practice. These services can offer anything from advertising to scheduling assistance, and much more.

Depending on your organizational needs you can hire a provider who offers suitable services. The services are broadly categorized into standard services, extended services and practice management services.

Standard billing services

These are the minimum any medical billing provider offers. These include:

Claim submissions: Billing providers use medical billing software to submit claims. The patient demographics, encounter data, and insurance details are entered into the application that is programmed to validate the claim for accuracy. Accurate claims reduce the chances of claim rejection by the insurance company. The validated claim is submitted to the insurance company electronically within 24 hours.

Regular follow-up of claims: This is where medical billing providers prove their mettle. They follow up on the claim aggressively and tenaciously. The medical practice reaps the rewards of this strategy by receiving more payments on time.

Analytical reporting: Billing services capture and project key statistics in monthly reports. The reports can help business heads of the medical practice take steps to improve the growth, productivity and cost-savings in the establishment.

Patient billing and enquiries: Billing services take care of the logistics of the billing function, and assist in patient enquiries.

Extended billing services

These take on responsibilities that are not directly related to the billing process. They include:

Diagnosis and procedure coding: Billing providers do the medical coding for the patient record before it is entered into the medical billing software application.

Medical transcription: Medical transcription is done before the medical coding stage. Many billing providers offer transcription as an administrative service.

Credentialing insurance companies: Credentialing services are a real help to new medical practices. Billing providers evaluate the license, credibility, background and performance history of insurance companies, and initiate a relationship with them for the medical practice.

Dispel Confusions by Attending Emergency Medicine Coding Conference

If a particular doctor provides a new patient with a standard office-visit E/M, can you use an established patient E/M to code the encounter?

Well, this is not the right way to go about. If you do so, your practice could be in for disappointment. What's more, Medicare's doing away of consultation codes means that coders will have to answer the new versus established question more than before.

For Medicare payers, and payers that follow their lead, E/M coders will have to select the right code, new or established to bill for what used to be consults and didn't have a new versus established, to bill for what used to be consults and didn't have a new vs. established component concept.

Do not get the doctor steamed; nail the patient's status every time by following this piece of advice on new and established patients.

For family practices coding, the main difference between new and established patient codes is the payment rate.

Ask three-year question first

If your patient has had a face-to-face service with the FP within the last three years, then the patient is established.

Face time a must for established patients

What does a coder do when the patient has got treatment from the doctor within the last three years, however the physician didn't actually see the patient? This is a different coding situation.

As an emergency medicine coder, you will encounter situations relating to such as this at regular intervals. So if you are to avoid tricky situations regarding new and established patient encounters and ensure the cash keep flowing, head straight to Orlando, FL this December for an emergency medicine coding conference.

Officials Delay Red Flag Rules Until December 31, 2010

The Red Flag Rules were initially intended to be enforced starting June 1, 2010 but members of Congress decided in a press release issued on May 28th, 2010 to have the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announce that it would delay enforcement of the Red Flag Rules until December 31, 2010.

Although this was communicated by the FTC on May 28th, 2010, it is recommended that your practice be forewarned as enforcement on these rules could still start before the end of the calendar year.

The reason for Congresses delay is due to the fact they requested another delay in the enforcement timeline because they are still working on the legislation to limit the rules and regulations surrounding the Red Flag Rules. Based on information released by the FTC, "a limited further delay of the rules area justified so that the FTC does not begin to enforce a regulation that Congress plans to over-rule." It is essential to know though that the FTC has stated it will start enforcement before the end of the calendar year if Congress passes a law with an earlier effective date.

The House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 3763 on October 20, 2009, which is a bill that would automatically relieve physician practices with 20 or less employees from the Red Flag Rules and allow other practices to request an exemption from the FTC. The bill was introduced to the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs on October 21, 2009 but the Senate did not introduce the bill until May 25th, 2010, and no one has voted on it.

The Red Flag Rules requires all creditors, or those who provide goods and or services and allow customers to pay later (i.e. an example is when a medical practice renders service, files the claim and then finds out the patient has not met their deductible and therefore the patient is responsible for that particular date of service and billed accordingly) to implement an Identity Theft Prevention Program. The intentions of the rules are to protect consumers from identify theft by requiring businesses to show they can protect sensitive financial and personal data. Under this definition, the FTC considers most physician practices to be creditors and therefore expects them to implement the necessary procedures and processes to comply with the Red Flag Rules regardless of when they are implemented.

How Much Money Do Medical Billing and Coding Assistants and Specialists Make? - Salary Range

If you're thinking about entering the field of medical billing you'll find it's part of one of the fastest growing industries - healthcare. People will always need health care. And there is so much demand for good healthcare today that health facilities, hospitals, clinics, doctors and other health professionals are overwhelmed. To handle all the billing and claims they have to hire medical billing assistants or billing specialists or turn the billing work over to large billing services or small home business billing services. The same goes for medical coders although they have a separate function and separate training. They provide the codes before it goes to any medical billing services.

The salary range is dependent on how much education or experience you have in the billing field. If not in the billing field then related experience to billing will be taken into account by some companies. You may actually be able to work into this area if you're lucky enough to already be working for one of these billing services or companies.

But more than likely you'll not have that opportunity. The another options is to get some medical billing training and approach the large and small billing companies with your resume to pursue a job or career in the field. Another other option is to start up a home business if you're so inclined but you must feel confident you can do the work if you only have the education but haven't had any experience in the field. I do know a woman who has done this - started a medical billing business from home and did heavy marketing to get her first doctor client and then the doctor was so happy with her billing work that he referred her to other doctors. So yes this is a possibility but not as likely. There is an investment in the software to consider plus the expense of starting up a home business, etc.

So the hourly rate for jobs for billing assistants can start at about $10 an hour depending on the company. Once you have a lot of experience under your belt you'll move up and the experience will help you get a higher salary. You can work up to an hourly rate of $35 to $40 an hour. Medical coding salaries are comparable to biller's wages or salaries.

If you're serious about medical billing as a career you may want to become a Medical Billing Specialist. To become a specialist you'll need to take a national exam for certification. But many medical billers get jobs without this certification. So it's not required. And if you decide you want to start up a home business and work from home it won't be needed.

So the salary range is good and the more education and experience you have will help you get a higher salary for both medical billing and medical coding. Make sure to check out any schools thoroughly and watch out for scams. Financing is available in the form of loans and surprisingly there is federal aid for online courses, online classes, and online programs.

Low Cost Auto Insurance For Young Drivers - How to Find Cheap Online Car Insurance

By law, anyone who is driving a vehicle on the road is required to have a certain level of auto insurance protection. And while you may believe that your driving skills are good enough that you should not have to get coverage for both yourself and your vehicle, often when there is an accident involving your vehicle it is most likely going to be the other parties fault. Even in situations such as these you are going to need insurance coverage and for younger drivers this can be expensive. This is why you need low cost auto insurance for young drivers.

Shopping for insurance these days has become much easier than it was in the past. Gone are the times where you had to make countless calls or even visit each companies office, talk to one of their representatives and give them all sorts of information so that you can just get a quote from them. Now, with the power of the internet at your finger tips you can simply go online and in just a few moments you can quickly and easily be able to get numerous quotes from several different companies. This not only saves you time, but will more than likely save you a significant amount of money if you are looking for low cost auto insurance for young drivers. Here is how you can save money.

The main benefit the internet has over the local companies is because of all of the competition these companies have to fight with to get your business, they will constantly try to give you just a little bit more coverage for just a little less than the other guy is quoted at. Just remember, a low price does not always mean good coverage. Take the time and actually look over what they are going to offer you and compare them to the other companies out there to ensure you get low cost insurance with the right cover.

Another great benefit to using insurance companies you find online is that they often have 24 hour customer support waiting to either answer your questions or to help you with a claim. This is a very important thing for most of us these days. It makes us feel as if the company is willing to take care of us in the event something should happen and you are involved in a car accident. Accidents do not happen during office hours!

Go online, provide information like the make and model and year of your car, and some basic information about yourself a s well and they should be able to provide you with numerous quotes in just a few moments of your time. If you want low cost auto insurance for young drivers get online and get cheap car cover now.

Worthwhile Discounts on Car Insurance

Nobody likes to pay for car insurance, but it's a necessary part of staying on the road and driving safely. All states have laws against driving uninsured, and most drivers buy a bit more than the bare minimum amounts of coverage that their states require. The cost of auto insurance can quickly add up over the course of a year, which is why many drivers look for special insurance discounts that can lead to lower premiums.

Most car insurance companies offer a variety of these special discounts, but they're all offered to drivers who are able to reduce their risks of making a car insurance claim. For instance, if a driver takes a special safe driving course, many car insurance companies will offer that driver a discounted rate. This is not always the case, and many insurance companies have very specific requirements that a driver must fulfill in order to qualify for this particular discount. Most insurers will also restrict this "safe driver" discount so that only certain driving courses count--in other words, a driver will need to check with his insurance company to find out which classes to take in order to get lower car insurance rates.

Another common type of discount is the anti-theft discount. This is designed for drivers that reduce the risk of theft, and it's usually only available to drivers who buy comprehensive coverage. This is because "comprehensive coverage" is what covers the cost of a stolen vehicle. To get an anti-theft discount, a driver may need to install a car alarm or a similar anti-theft device. The auto insurance company will often require proof that the anti-theft device has been installed. Drivers may also get discounts for parking in locked garages, as this further reduces the risk of claims against drivers' comprehensive coverage.

There are many other discounts, and they're always based on the driver's relative risks. Young drivers can get discounts for getting good grades in school, and in many states, drivers can reduce their rates by driving fewer miles. Some car insurance companies even offer customer loyalty discounts, although this specific type of discount has become illegal in several states.

The best way to find out about the discounts offered by your insurance company is to call your insurance agent. Ask what you can do to get a lower premium and reduce your rate, and be sure to check online for other insurance quotes from time to time. You'll lower your premiums quickly by keeping yourself and your car safe.

Introducing Women's Car Insurance

When it comes to car insurance for women, there is little doubt that insurers treat women differently than they do men, although this fact is not published openly. It's actually in the woman's favor however that this happens and they will typically pay less than the average man when it comes to the monthly insurance bill.

There are several reasons why this is so, but it basically boils down to the fact that a woman is much less likely to take a chance, or 'race' their cars than the average guy. While it is true that there are plenty of daredevil women out there who feel the need for speed and the thrills of pushing the bar, but by and large, a guy is much more likely to do so on average than a woman. It's statistically proven that women are much safer drivers than the men are.

It's not necessarily that one gender is better at driving than the other. It's just that it seems that most men are predisposed of taking risks. One way of looking at things is to take a look at the race car circuit. It's not that women are banned from the sport it's just that more men are willing to take the risk involved in being a race car driver than their female counterparts.

There is a difference between drivers that are skillful and those who are safe drivers. That's why you will typically find that car insurance for women will cost less money. Other reasons are the root cause of this fact as well.

For instance, men are typically more aggressive and prone to 'road rage' than women, and seem to take on the 'me first' attitude when driving, meaning they want to lead the pack in a line of traffic and will take chances at passing vehicles on the road in order to get in front.

Understand now, that there is no exclusive way to differentiate any one driver from another without looking at each person individually. This leaves the insurance companies to rely solely on traffic and accident statistics when setting their rates and taking risks on those that they insure. It doesn't appear that car insurance for women is going to cost more than that for men anytime soon.

The best way men can work to bring their car insurance premiums down is to drive safe and maintain a good driving record.

Ways to Decrease Your Rates After a Vehicle Accident

When you are involved in an car incident it can be typical that your particular premiums will rise. The amount of increase depends on your insurer and whether or not you caused the accident. Most often following an incident you will be labeled by your insurance plan provider as being a 'high risk'. This can be avoided. You've the power to keep your prices low. Enclosed in this article are the methods which you can use to keep your rates low after an accident.

You have the power to keep your rates from changing too much. All you have to do is to stand up to your insurance provider.

The accident wasn't your fault? Rates have increased anyways? Do this:

Letting your present provider know that you will not be punished mainly because the crash wasn't your fault. Don't be afraid to put your foot down. Make sure that your provider hears you loud and clear, and understands that if your rates are not lowered you will be more than capable of getting your requested rate elsewhere.

Another option available is to as about any new discounts that have recently become available.

When you are fault-less in an auto accident it is easier to have your rates returned to their pre-accident levels. Insurance companies are businesses who compete with one another. When you threaten to give your money to another company they usually are much more likely to re-evaluate their stance on your case.

Being at fault in an accident will make it more difficult to return to pre-wreck premium prices. You may be able to find some relief by speaking with your provider and re-negotiating your contract. If that fails to produce lower rates, there are other options. Possibilities for lowering your insurance policy prices after a car accident are reduced based upon conditions in which it developed. During the accident if you were found to have been intoxicated, it is going to be extremely difficult for you to return to the low premiums of your past. A case of DUI/DWI labels you automatically a 'high risk' and your rates will skyrocket, that is if your insurance provider doesn't decide to cancel your policy all together. If you only have a higher premium afterwards you are lucky.

If you have many traffic offenses and accidents you may also be classified as a 'high risk', and therefore your rates will be higher than average. After which, you will be required to not have an accident for a specific amount of time if you want a lower premium. Even when prices are re-lowered it still may not be enough and you might have to shop around in order for them to be lowered to where they once had been.

The most efficient method for keeping your insurance rates low is of course to keep a spotless record. If an crash does occur, it is essential that you are armed with the various tools and information that will get your costs lowered again. Changing indemnity suppliers is always a choice which will save you money as long as you shop around for your coverage needs.

Look After Your Possessions With Student Insurance

When you decide to go to university, you'll probably be thinking about your course, making new friends and, of course, where you're going to live.

Obviously these are all important considerations but have you thought about what you'd do if you were burgled and had some of your most valuable possessions stolen?

Buying student insurance should be on your list of things to do before you start the new semester, right up there with buying your books and packing your bags ahead of the journey to university.

If you're thinking that you don't have anything particularly valuable then you should think again.

All your favourite gadgets - MP3 players, cameras, laptops - can add up. Research from uSwitch suggests that the average UK student has approximately £4,000 worth of possessions.

When you consider that having a computer or laptop stolen could also seriously impact your studying, then you start to understand just why student room insurance is so important.

As a student, chances are you'll be on a pretty tight budget. But that needn't stop you from getting the right level of cover.

You can tailor your student insurance policy to make sure that it will protect your valuables but that you aren't paying out for unnecessary extras.

A basic student insurance package will cover things such as laptops and cameras, but what if you've got some specialist equipment that you need for your course?

Well, don't worry, you can always get a top-up of your cover to make sure that items such as musical instruments are not just protected in case of theft, but also accidental damage, giving you complete peace of mind.

Another extra option when it comes to student insurance is cover for a bicycle. For a slightly higher monthly premium, you can get cover for your wheels, meaning you won't need to worry about paying out to replace your bike if it gets stolen or damaged.

Tailoring your student insurance policy to ensure you are only covered for what you need will not only help you settle into your new home, but will also allow you to keep your premiums at a manageable level.

iPhone Insurance - What is Fully Comprehensive Cover?

Getting your iPhone insured is a great way of adding peace of mind to your lifestyle. With the cover in place you can go out and do whatever you like and not have to worry about damaging your phone. You can have a good time and it doesn't matter if your phone gets damaged or lost in the process.

So what exactly is fully comprehensive cover? Quite simply it means that your iPhone will be covered against accidental damage, liquid damage and theft. So if you're out one night and a drink gets spilt on your phone, don't worry, it's covered.

Even if your handset gets stolen by someone, that doesn't have to be the end of a good night. All you need to do is contact your local authority and report the handset as stolen. You can then make a claim against the insurance and you'll get a replacement handset delivered to you.

Fully comprehensive cover means you can enjoy your life and not have to worry about your iPhone. Sometimes you might find yourself constantly checking your pocket to make sure your phone's OK. This can soon distract you from actually having a good time, relaxing and enjoying yourself.

A fully comprehensive cover allows you to concentrate on your life. If anything does happen to your phone you won't have to fork out a lump sum of £500+ to get a new handset. In a worst case scenario you'll be without a phone for a maximum of 2 days. That's just 48 hours before you get a replacement handset

Bike Insurance Online

Apart from the car insurance policies, people are also interested in two-wheeler insurance today. These bikes are the choice of the new generation. These automobile vehicles are known for their speed and better fuel consumption. Due to these popular reasons, these bikes are very much liked by the young people. However, these bikes are more risky than any other automobile vehicle. Therefore, a greater care is taken to provide bike insurance. As a matter of fact the governments of all the states under the United States lay more emphasis upon these two-wheeler insurance policies. No risk is taken in the process and no compromise is also granted in these bike insurance.

There are many formalities that are taken before granting to two-wheeler insurance to the applicants. The higher rates of road accidents make these bike insurance more important than anything else. The authorities are more caring towards these highly sensitive bikes as they show sharper rates of accidents all over the world. All the users of bikes are made to accept and buy these policies at any rate. As per the existing rules of the roads everywhere, all the bikers are supposed to have these two-wheeler insurance policies even before they are supposed to take their bikes on the road.

Have you purchased a new bike or wish to have one, then you must obey the requirements of the traffic rules, which essentially include these high value bike insurance. It is absolutely necessary to carry the documents related with this two-wheeler insurance policy. As these motor vehicles cover more risk on the roads, therefore the formalities are also very high. These insurance policies are available at higher premiums and therefore, they are always very expensive for the bikers to buy. However, there is no other option left.

If you wish to find two-wheeler insurance easily, then you can go for bike insurance online. Most of the popular and successful companies are available on the Internet. These companies offer cheaper and affordable policies to the interested bikers. As a matter of fact, these highly sensitive motor vehicles are very popular among the people and therefore, these policies are in great demand all over. You can find these companies on the Internet also ask for their online quotes. These quotes help you to get a comparative evaluation of these policies.

Getting Your Jewelry Insured

Although it is possible that some of the jewelry insurance can be provided by home insurance, you may also have a separate insurance if the value exceeds from the one established by other policies.

Go to an independent jewelry. Make sure that each object is examined, described and its value is on paper. Read to find home insurance is included in this amount. Best insurance will cover loss, theft and damage. Note that the amount paid for jewelry insurance is different from state to state, and you can choose with or without insurance deductible tax.

Talk to your agent to add a clause in your insurance to protect jewelry that exceeds in the house insurance. You can also ask and a separate insurance for jewelry. You can choose a separate insurance for jewelry. Compare all offers of insurance and each company 's reputation, and choose the one that offers the highest compensation for money and give the most flexible in case you need to replace the jewelry.

Tips

* When determining the amount for the home insurance do not forget to calculate the deductible amounts. After these are paid, you will receive full value of jewelry.
* In addition to insurance you can buy a safe deposit box to keep your jewelry safe.
* It is important to have pictures of stolen jewelry because the parts can be reproduced on the basis of good quality pictures.

Gadget Cover For Technology Products

With phones such as the iPhone 4 currently on the market it can be all too tempting to fork out for these extremely expensive little gadgets so that you're up to speed with the crowd. The problem I find is that although I love expensive gadgets I am a little clumsy. Like many people I get too complacent and begin to leave it lying around or in my pocket only to be thrown on the floor by mistake. With a cheap phone although this is annoying it isn't the end of the world as you can replace it. The problem with items like the iPod or the iPhone 4 is that these are extremely expensive pieces of technology which I would expect most people had to save up for to be able to purchase in the first place. Objects like these are not easy to replace unless you're very financially secure.

I've written the following article to inform people of a great way to protect your new gadget and still have plenty of fun. I hope my advice helps.

I would recommend purchasing gadget cover for your new piece of technology. I must admit, until recently I'd never heard of gadget cover but it's a great way to protect your gadget. For only a couple of pounds a month you can make sure that if you ever lose or drop your gadget you can replace it easily. This cover also protects you against theft too.

Gadget Insurance really will enable you to purchase any item of technology without the concern of not being able to replace it. Before getting any type of insurance or cover I would suggest using a comparison site so that you can find the best possible deal. Along with this I would recommend getting voucher codes to save money on your cover!

Loan Insurance - All You Need to Know

Most people are required to take a loan of some sort or the other, at various points of time in their lives. Most of them are also plagued with the fear of being unable to pay their monthly loan repayments due to some financial crunch. But now they don't have to feel scared because they can make use of the loan insurance concept that is slowly catching up all over the globe.

Loan insurance is a kind of a protection insurance that you can undertake to safeguard yourself against inability to make monthly loan repayments. It is a form of payment protection insurance that you can undertake to help cover you when you are unable to make your loan repayment due to some kind of an illness or an accident. In most cases, this insurance is taken up to cover home loans, personal loans or even car loans.

Advantages

In case of a personal problem or tragedy, you can be sure that your loan payments will be made, thanks to the insurance on loan coverage you have. People who suffer from sickness, loss of job, accident, death or any other kind of disability, leading to inability to pay the EMI's on loans taken will benefit greatly from this kind of insurance. With your insurance taking care of your loan monthly repayment, you no longer have to be worried about the pressure being put on your family.

There is an option to undertake joint loan insurance by those who have taken up a joint loan application, giving you and your partner coverage at the same time. This scheme is very effective for partners as there is a constant reassurance that if either of the partner is taken ill or is involved in an accident or passes away, the repayments on the loan will be made on that person's behalf.

Now the question arises on the types of loans that are covered under the loan insurance. In most cases, an insurance on loan is usually provided for borrowers of home loans. But certain banks are known to provide the insurance on auto loans as well as other personal loans.

Insurance Premium

Like any other kind of insurance, premiums are required to be paid in the case of this type of insurance as well. The amount of premium charged will differ from bank to bank. Very few banks even allow the insurance to be taken without the requirement of a premium to be paid.

The amounts of premiums that are charged on insurance for loans depend upon certain factors such as the age of the insurance holder, the amount of loan being insured, the medical record of the person taking the loan etc. The higher the person's age, the higher will be the premium. Similarly, a higher loan amount being insured will lead to higher premiums being charged. Also, if the person' medical records show a good status, a lower premium will be charged on the insurance. A serious ailment or a poor physical record will automatically rise up the premium amount.