People who have seen car insurance commercials on TV know that hundreds of dollars can be saved each year when buying coverage for used cars in New York. The question remains, “Where is the best deal?”

BestInsuranceMatch is a website that may provide one solution for consumers who want to buy a new car, but aren’t yet sure where they will purchase insurance.

Users search for plans based on what factors are important to them, including the number of local agents, payment options and availability of claims and customer service representatives.

If they fill out a questionnaire about driving habits and vehicles owned, they can get results from up to 30 national insurance companies, including a quote for coverage and options to be contacted.

“The site provides consumers with a quick and easy way to find insurance providers that are most likely their best fit, as well as complete control over how and by whom they’re contacted,” said Brad Cooper, senior vice president of InsWeb, the website’s parent company.

Company officials add that users are not bound to buy the insurance through the website, and may do so through the companies’ agents or their corporate websites.

When trying to estimate the value of a used car in New York, the make and model may give a benchmark for buyers, but it is often how the car has been driven that can drive prices into or out of a potential owner’s price range.

A survey of prospective buyers and sellers found that many looked at mileage as the chief factor in determining a car’s selling price, according to research conducted by Ipsos Public Affairs.

That may not tell the whole story, according to car researchers at Carmax.com. They say that an appraisal of the car may offer buyers of used cars in New York a better understanding of how the car was driven. For example, a delivery vehicle may have been operated much differently from a car used to attend church on Sundays.

However, other conditions that affect the price a buyer may be willing to pay noted by the survey respondents receive equal weight from the experts, including verifiable reports of regular maintenance and limited structural damage.

Car owners who drive used cars in New Jersey may want to help the environment, but but they may be enticed by options that are cost-effective as well.

One company that operates a fleet of large trucks recently sent its drivers to learn how to drive in a way that reduces carbon emissions, but there was another reason at play: reducing fuel consumption by some 26,000 gallons, or 10 percent of the company’s fuel usage each year.

As Molex manager Joel Eurich says, the truckers who took the 90-minute course help the company to “minimize the environmental …impacts of our business activities,” but it also represents “cost savings for the company as we reduce our fuel usage.”

Drivers of used cars in New Jersey may not need to take the course to use some of the concepts the truckers learned about.

Instead, if they reduce the weight of their vehicles by taking out unneeded items in the backseat and trunk, make sure that they give themselves enough space on the road to deal with potential accidents and traffic conditions and use cruise control properly, they too can save money on their fuel bills each year.

As drivers of used cars in New Jersey travel among the scenic highways like Route 29 and the Palisades Interstate Parkway, which have received federal designations for their natural beauty, they may find that their own work is part of the view.

Local car insurance company Palisades is inviting residents to submit their own artwork to be placed on billboards throughout the state as part of its Drive with a Smile campaign.

Judging will begin on July 14 on the submitted works of art, which may take any form as long as they can be sent electronically, and the final decisions will be made by August 7.

“Our goal is to provide local artists a public venue for their work, and give New Jersey drivers an uplifting driving experience,” said Ed Fernandez, Palisades president and CEO. “By showcasing New Jersey’s beautiful landscapes on spaces once only reserved for commercial advertising, the Palisades Highway Art Gallery will create nicer New Jersey driving moments and smiles all around.”

There are 12 sites where winners will be able to see their pieces displayed, with two initial works already visible on I-80 and I-295 for those driving used cars in New Jersey.

Allstate Insurance has a vested interest in knowing where drivers are more likely to be in a crash, but drivers looking to be safe in used cars in New York should be warned – collisions occur in New York about 25 percent more than the national average.

The research conducted by the insurance company found that drivers in cities of more than 1 million residents generally have more to worry about in navigating local roads, which could also explain why nearby Philadelphia is one of the worst cities to avoid a traffic collision, with drivers there (were?) nearly 60 percent more likely to have a crash than the national average.

Drivers of used cars in New York looking to minimize their risk and maintain the value of their vehicles could take advantage of some tips proffered by the company, however.

Changing road conditions caused by ice, wind and other weather-related causes can reduce the ability for cars to perform well, so being more mindful of driving conditions can limit the risk for an incident.

In addition, limiting distractions from such as cell phones or other electronic devices could also help drivers to remain focused on the road and not on other in-car amenities.

For those with the aptitude to figure out both a wrench and an engine bay, working on one’s own used car in New Jersey could save money.

But consumers are increasingly looking online for information about car repairs, and the results haven’t always been as promising as many owners had wanted, reported the Associated Press.

The problem is that even used cars are increasingly complex vehicles and controlled by computers, making it difficult for handy people who think, “Hey, I can fix this, I can fix that,” to accurately determine what ails their cars, mechanic Craig Douglas told the news provider.

While regular maintenance is a given for automobiles, buyers who consider a used Chevrolet Equinox in New Jersey may have less to worry about than other owners, according to Edmunds.com.

A 2005 model of the SUV was ranked as the best in the compact class in terms of reliability, and buyers may find it selling for less than other SUVs in its class because of its “out-of-the-spotlight status,” the website’s editors added.

Four fist-size contact patches between your tires and the asphalt are the only things keeping your used car in New York connected to the road, so people who make the right choice in rubber may find they pay less in fuel costs.

Several companies have introduced more efficient tires, including Cooper’s GFE model which is designed to reduce rolling resistance because of more flexible compounds within the rubber.

“With the recent volatility in gasoline prices, customers are looking for ways to improve their vehicle fuel economy,” said Chuck Yurkovich, Cooper vice president of global technology. “Tire rolling resistance has a significant impact on vehicle fuel economy, so Cooper responded with a new tire specifically designed for fuel-efficient vehicles.”

Drivers may not need to replace the tires on their used cars in New York, but they can still improve the performance of the ones they have with good maintenance.

The Department of Energy says that drivers could save the equivalent of 7 cents on every gallon of gas by ensuring that under-inflated tires are at the proper air pressure recommended by the car manufacturer, generally 30-32 PSI.

As the summer sun heats up the road, drivers of used cars in New Jersey may want to keep the windows rolled down to keep their vehicles cooler.

The Help Eliminate Auto Thefts Task Force says motorists should be wary, however, because warmer months mean thieves are more likely to take advantage of such behaviors.

July is National Auto Theft Prevention Month, and owners of used cars in New Jersey can take some extra precautions to ensure that their investment is less likely to be taken.

Items like iPods, cell phones and GPS devices may help drivers navigate the roads more easily, but they could also be tempting to thieves who may break into a vehicle if they see them. HEAT director Terri Miller says to keep valuables and electronics in glove compartments or the center console to keep from enticing felons.

“While warm weather brings fun outdoor activities with friends and family, it also brings out thieves looking to steal vehicles and exposed property while you are preoccupied,” she added. “Keep belongings out of sight and never leave your keys in the car, even if you are running a quick errand.”

Rates to insure used cars in New York are still cheaper than they were in October, according to an industry forecast, but consumers should still consider researching quotes over the next several months to find the best deal before premiums could increase.

“It’s unlikely rates will change significantly in the second half of the year,” said Sam Belden, Insurance.com vice president. “Before rates start to climb, consumers should invest 30 to 60 minutes comparing car insurance quotes.”

The company found that there was a slight uptick in insurance rates in June, although prices were still lower than they were in late 2008.

Students who may be considering used cars in New York because of price concerns (as a cheaper alternative?) can also benefit from researching insurance options that can lessen the high premiums imposed by insurance companies on younger drivers.

Teenage motorists can reduce their rates by maintaining good grades in school, and they could also save by enrolling in driver’s education courses as well.

They may also find that premiums are lower if they drive used cars because insurance companies may think that there could be lower repair costs if a car is damaged in an accident.

Families looking to take trips with used cars in New York could make their travel safer with some tips about preventive maintenance.

Starting from the front of the car, make sure that both sets of headlights operate properly, as well as the coolant levels that can keep engines running more effectively in the summer heat.

A penny can also be an effective tool for checking on tires, says Bryan Gregory, Advanced Auto Parts director of consumer education, by putting it between tire treads and making sure you can’t see Abraham Lincoln.

“With the summer season, come the extremes of heat combined with stop and go traffic and longer trips,” said Gregory. “Just as you would apply sunscreen at the beach, you should also make sure your vehicle is prepared for the conditions that you will be traveling in.”

Finally, on the off chance that families driving used cars in New York to vacation destinations suffer a breakdown, a well-stocked emergency kit with food, water and some repair tools can get them back on the road.