Tips for Purchasing a Used Car

One of the best investments you can make is in a used car.  Sometimes it just makes more sense to buy a used one than to finance a new car. However, you don’t always know what you are getting when you buy used instead of new.

Today we will look at a few tips for purchasing a used car in California and then making sure you are properly insured so you are prepared for the long road ahead.

Where Do You Start?

When it comes to purchasing a used car, you have to put some time and effort into the process. You need to understand what you want, determine how much money you have to spend, and then do your research so you don’t find yourself buying a lemon.

When deciding what you want, you have to start prioritizing. Are you looking for safety and reliability? How much space will you need to have?

If you check on Consumer Reports, you can find help narrowing down your search while also finding information others have to say about the vehicle you are considering. Kelley Blue Book is also a great resource to familiarize yourself with when purchasing a used car.

Finding Your Car

There are many avenues to explore to find a used car. You can try the local newspaper or ads online, for example. When you look online, it is also much easier to narrow down your search criteria and find what you are looking for much easier and faster.

Making the Decision

Once you have the car in mind, it is time to start making a decision. For this, you will want to ask a few questions such as how many owners the vehicle has had, whether it was involved in any major accidents, the reason for selling it, whether there are any known issues, and how the asking price was determined?

If you find that the seller is not interested in answering your questions and it feels as if they are holding back information, you may want to move on to the next vehicle on your list.

Insuring Your Vehicle

Once you purchase your vehicle, you want to make sure you have the right auto insurance coverage in place. Car insurance is an essential part of the car buying process besides being a legal requirement in the State of California. A common misconception is that insurance for used cars is less expensive than it is for newer cars. This isn’t always true.

It may be less expensive, though, depending on the coverage. Older cars are sometimes cheaper because as they lose their value, the owners decrease the insurance level they keep on the car. Those with older cars usually remove comprehensive and collision coverage from their policies. It all depends on how much the car is worth and how much coverage you think you need.

Contact us

It never hurts to discuss your auto insurance options with the experts to ensure you are not over or underinsured. So, after purchasing your new used car, contact the experts at Panorama today to learn more about your coverage options.