Ugh, is there anything worse than turning the key in the ignition once, twice.. Three times and nothing happens? How do these problems always happen on that day where you really needed things to go your way? Not only is it highly inconvenient and potentially expensive, but most of us don’t know the first thing about what to do if our car fails, or what we can do to minimise the impact. Find out how you can get a better handle on what to do if you experience car trouble, to avoid all that stress and calamity.
Get the experts onto it
Mechanics and doctors. They rattle off a lot of terms and we understand about 10%. These are two professions where you can always take their word, as they can do what we cannot. But let’s talk about your car. If you are looking to take the calamity out of car troubles, seeking an experienced mechanic in Airport West should be your first point of call. They will give you the information on what has happened, how they intend to fix it, and how to avoid it for future. A great mechanic will also tell you what needs to be done straight away, and what you can afford to sit on for the time being so that you are not out of pocket all at once. If you don’t have a trusted mechanic you can call to fix your car, scout one as soon as you can to take the pressure off next time you have car troubles.
Know your insurance coverage
If I was to ask my friends who had car insurance, they would all likely say they do. But if I pressed them about what it covers, I am sure I would get vacant stares and a few shrugs. Like most insurance, we tend to know the basics but not the finer details. Take some time to familiarise yourself with your policy, and even run your insurance operator through some ‘what ifs’ so that you feel you are totally on top of it.
It is also good practise to look around at other insurance providers each year to make sure you are getting the best possible price and inclusions. If you find one better, don’t feel shy about asking your current provider if they can match. The larger insurance providers are typically more expensive than your smaller internet-based providers.
Have a backup transport option
You may think this is overkill, but you will thank your preparedness when you next experience car trouble. It might be as simple as mentioning to your work friends that if your car ever lets you down, perhaps you can carpool. It may be wise to actually carpool and play driver a few times so that you feel comfortable calling on a favour later.
If you don’t already, familiarise yourself with the public transport route. We’re talking bus, train, tram – the lot. Public transport may be your reality while your car trouble is fixed. Depending on the damage, your mechanic and your insurer, you may be entitled to a accidental replacement vehicle. That way you can have your car towed to the mechanic, and potentially drive away in another car that day.
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It might be impossible to take all the calamity out of car trouble, but you can certainly minimize the drama. Get acquainted with your new trusted mechanic and you will already feel in control. Having a clear understanding of your insurance is not only a great rule of thumb, but it will serve you well on that day your car just won’t start. Fortunately, there are other options of transport when your vehicle is unavailable. But these options might seem out of reach if you haven’t given them much thought.